Winter Cycling Shoes Done Right, For Less!
Your guide to bicycle commuting, training and staying warm in the winter...
Do you need a winter specific bike shoe? If you ride only in warm climates, probably not. But if you are like most of the cyclists we know who experience cold weather seasons, a good pair of winter cycling shoes can mean the difference between staying in shape year-round, and catching up come spring. It's the difference between dreading (or ruining) a bike ride, and having one of the best rides of the year with the nicest scenery.
Bicycling is a passion and a way of life for some, and the passion to ride doesn't disappear when the weather turns foul. In fact, some of our favorite and most memorable rides have been in the winter. Why? Because riding with the proper gear enables you to enjoy cycling in all types of weather and focus on the ride, not the cold. Just as important as your helmet and proper clothing, winter bike shoes let you ride safely and comfortably all year long no matter what mother nature throws at you. We work very hard to get in shape, and stay that way all season. We can never understand how people let themselves go during the winter, and then begrudgingly get back in shape come spring.
The most dedicated cyclists will ride a bicycle trainer, and many commute by bike all year long. Yet others just don't want to deal with cold feet and figure they'll get back into cycling when nicer weather comes along. The most dedicated cyclists, however, want to ride all year long. We hope you include yourself in this number. We know the importance of winter cycling, we live it, but without the proper gear it just would not be any fun.
Mountain bikers especially, but road cyclists too know what we call the dreaded "wet dab." That happens when inevitably someone stops short in front of you, or you lose momentum and balance, and your foot goes down into a puddle or stream. Normal cycling shoes are made specifically for venting air during the summer months, but that feature lets in water and cold the rest of the year. When your feet are soaked, you start to freeze, and the ride is no longer fun.
Winter Cycling at its Best
A few rides with freezing feet signals the end of the riding season for some riders, but for others winter is the prime opportunity to hone your skills, improve your fitness, and push yourself to the next level. A pair of Northwave winter cycling shoes, or others winter cycling boots from Shimano will make a world of difference.
A Winter Road Ride...
I know a guy who rides a sweet $3,500 Santa Cruz mountain bike, and a $5,000 Felt carbon fiber road bike (yes I'm a little jealous, but my Mongoose Teocali Super and Carbon Raleigh Supercourse are nice too!). He spends more money on bikes and bike parts than some spend on their car. Last week we were riding our local mountain bike trail together in about 25 degree temps with a stiff headwind and he asks me, teeth chattering and iced up shoes, "Do winter bike shoes really work?", and "are they worth the cash?"
I looked down at my Northwave Celsius-- my feet were toasty warm and dry as a bone. I was as comfortable as you can be at 25 degrees, and most importantly I was thoroughly enjoying my ride. He on the other hand, had a little ice building up on his "neoprene booties.” I thought about it for a second, "do they work?" Well, if warm dry feet "work," than yes they do. And, as for "are they worth it?", well, the irony there speaks for itself. Forget booties, shoe covers, foot warmers, bread-bags, and all that other nonsense. Stay warm this winter -The Northwave Artic is an excellent deal and an incredible value in a Gore-Tex ™ cycling shoe. We have a promo code for 10% off all shoes too so now is the time to buy. Check out the the latest --compare them and see for yourself.
Not Just for Winter?
So, maybe you’re thinking, “well, what if they do keep my feet warm but I just can’t get into cycling in the winter? They’re a good value but should I shell out my hard-earned money on something I might use a few times and then stuff in the closet?
Using these shoes just for winter cycling would be doing them, and you a huge disservice. We're from the Northeast... Rocky, rooty, muddy, wet, cold, hot crazy singletrack. Long winding roads with monster climbs and steep descents. Mountain biking and road cycling at it's best! But it's this type of wet, muddy weather where Gore-Tex® winter cycling boots really proves itself. No longer worry about wet socks, or wind-chapped toes, the Shimano and Lake shoes are good in the summer too, keeping your feet nice and dry while the fabric lets them breathe at the same time. Make sure you check out and compare all the winter bike boots though, there have never been better values.
Learn more about the Northwave Celsius and Fahrenheit GTX or Compare all models. You can also purchase now for the lowest price on the Internet. Be sure to use the 10% off promo code "WINTERCYCLING" for the shoes on the purchase page!