I am tired of cold feet. I have used pearl izumi booties, Sidetrak neoprene booties, wool socks, and nothing has kept my toes warm. Mtn biking more than an hour below 45 and my feet are numb. Road biking is painful below 50 and commuting just sucks.
I decided to step up to the plate and get some winter shoes. I got a pair of Diadora Chili Extreme Winter Mountain bike shoes. God damn they are nice.
They have velcro closures, insulated fabric and a tall cuff with a draw cord/velcro closure. They are crazy water resistant. I have been in mud, 1 hour long road rides in the rain and no wet feet. Yet they breath rather well. So far 2 hour mtn bike rides on 30 degree days have caused no problems.
But to commuting, my commute is 30 minutes and in 25 degree weather my toes are fine. I got these off of ebay… I wear a 45 in a diadora road and this is a 45 with no prob. It is a little snug with a really big wool sock, but I don’t usually use those. for what its worth I am a 45 in shimano mtn shoes and a 10.5 in vans classics. I see they are also sold as Diadora Chili Sports sometimes…
from the company:
UPPER: in resin-bonded Cordura Dupont and bi-elastic Schoeller reinforced with inserts in strong synthetic leather. The cordlock fastener and other innovative solutions guarantee maximum foot insulation from cold and water. Completely lined with waterproof, breathable and hot sealed Windtex membrane. Reinforced shockproof and wearproof toe area.
CLOSURE: cordlock fastener and rubber closure bands to facilitate use with gloves.
Outsole
Midsole in Diapan Fiberglass and sole tread in Polytech for lightness with No-Flex steel insert. Conical extensions to prevent mu build-up. Threaded inserts for toe spikes.
Link to site: http://www.diadora.com/webapp.diadora.com/webapp.prodotti/fe/cycling/scheda.do?pid=934
useful info. thanks
thanks for looking.
They hold up really well too, I have been wearing these to commute on for two winters along with regular riding and they are still holding up just fine.
-Joe
Thanks for the review; it helps out.
Hey fellow biker. Where do you live and how cold does it get there? I live in Winnipeg (Winterpeg) where it gets to -40 to -50C in the winter. (At that temp, celcius and farenheit are about the same.) Looking for a winter cycling boot and wondering how these would hold up.
Hi!
I have just bought these shoes and was told they are spd compatible. Not quite seeing how that is possible.
What petals do you use?
Thanks!
Hey Benj- I bought those shoes about 4 years ago and they and at that time they had two holes for SPD style cleats.
I am using the Shimano MW-02 winter shoes now, they are nicer and more water resistant.
Yes Thank you! made up my mind to purchase.