Winter is coming...what are my options for flat pedal shoes for below freezing temperatures?

Wolfhammers are not flat pedal winter shoes. They are clipless winter shoes, despite any marketing obfuscation.

Flat-ish sole winter boots are generally the best if you are riding in actual winter temps.

It's really just "pick your favorite winter boots", I'd suggest winter boots with a flat sole. Ones with removable liners like the Sorels are generally warmer. Be sure to get whatever big enough for your thick winter socks. It's usually easy to build up the foot bed if you go too large, but too small is not sustainable for riding IME. Columbia, Sorel, Merril, etc. Once you get the flat sole, then it's about your pedals having enough grip, like good metal pins. Plastic pedals with plastic pins may not be enough.

Where I live currently in the southeastern US, our winter temps usually get down to 20F or so as our lowest (uncommonly colder), and I wear the same shoes I wear during the summertime. Just with warmer socks.

When I lived in the midwestern US and rode in colder temps than that, I'd use hiking boots. I've never lived long enough in any places with colder winters that made me feel like I needed true winter footwear.

Do you have snow and ice or just cold? How cold?

Nat said:

Do you have snow and ice or just cold? How cold?

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Both, I only ride the groomed trails in Marquette which depending on the temperatures start as snow and later get some ice patches. My cut off point is usually around 15F

15F? regular hiking boots that you like and warm socks.

How about these? They’re insulated. On sale now $120 through other merchants. There’s also a low top version for about $99.

My feet are the first to get cold every time. Biking, football games etc.
Moisture in the toe area from perspiration is my guess. I have spent much $ on footwear and sock combos.

Lately, I wear a bit thicker sock if I suspect a cold foot issue-same shoes as all year. This is not if my shoes get wet all the way to the sock.
I have toyed with a couple of baggies for over my toes to get me to end of ride. Have not tried that idea yet. Let us know if you do.

I recently bought these:
but I think they'd be better for wet conditions than truly cold conditions.
I did buy them a half size larger than I usually wear so there'd be room for both my feet and thick wool socks.
=sParty

Today is -15°F. It's time for much more extreme measures. Wolfgars. First layer silk sock, 2nd layer vapor barrier (Rab gear), 3rd layer Wiggy's lamilite socks (more like liners) with little pockets I sewed into the toes so toe-warmers can be dropped in quickly on top of the socks with minimal "out of boot" time. Gaiters over the lower legs. Many of us on the ITI were using a similar vapor barrier setup. I tried bread bags and they did not work well, move too easily, sink down, tear, etc.

I tried baggies in the past, too. They sucked.

I currently have a waterproof/breathable laminate "bootie" of sorts that I'll use as a sock strategy. For my area, that means water protection from stream crossings in wintertime.

Harold said:

15F? regular hiking boots that you like and warm socks.

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My problem with regular hiking boots is the lack of grip, at least from my experience. It's hard to go away from stealth rubber once you are used to it

If only 5.10 made an insulated shoe with Stealth Rubber...

Has anyone tried those heated socks with the battery on the calf?

Someone recommended the Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat boots to me last winter for riding my fat bike with flats. They were reasonably priced, grip flats well, and kept my feet toasty in some very low temps! The boots are very light too making pedaling better than with my winter cycling shoes which are quite heavy.

habaden said:

My problem with regular hiking boots is the lack of grip, at least from my experience. It's hard to go away from stealth rubber once you are used to it

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Grip on the pedals? The spikes on the flats grab my hiking boots very well. Capella's brand cheapish hiking boots.

There is a theory out there that if your hands or feet are cold, it is because your core is having trouble staying warm and should put another jacket layer on.

Consider longer pedal screws in the winter to boost your grip with hiking boots. If you already have decently warm boots, I think this is the easier and cheaper solution to address lack of grip.

ZX11 said:

There is a theory out there that if your hands or feet are cold, it is because your core is having trouble staying warm and should put another jacket layer on.

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Interesting, I have no problems keeping my hands toasty in my bar mitts and i'm usually sweating in my core. No matter what though my feet are ice cold after about an hour

habaden said:

Interesting, I have no problems keeping my hands toasty in my bar mitts and i'm usually sweating in my core. No matter what though my feet are ice cold after about an hour

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Yeah, the theory doesn't hold any water for poor circulation/reynauds type issues.