So did I.
I have suffered with cold feet when riding in cold weather forever. If the temp dropped below 60° I had to put on shoe covers. If it dropped below 50° I was good for an hour in the woods. On the road after a hour I could only walk in sever pain. 
I have tried it all covers, heavy socks and ToastyToe  toe warmers. Nothing really worked for me. So I started looking at some of the winter riding shoes. I settled on the Specialized Defrosters. The Defrosters have a nice neoprene lining with a full waterproof closure. I went over to Bike Source to take a look and to try them on. I talked to Donald about the Defrosters and although they did not have my size in stock he had Andrea size me up. She knew which foot bed the shoe was based
upon and we found the right fit for me. The toe box is a little larger so you can wear a heaver sock which works out perfect.  After the sizing Donald ordered the shoe and reassured me if they didn't fit I didn't have to buy them. The shoes showed up four days later and I have had happy feet ever. I'm not going to say my toes stay toasty warm all day but in my coldest ride to date I rode 2 hours at 38º and I had cool pain free feet. If you suffer like I did you should take a look at the Defroster shoes.
Doug S.    

did you ever try some Sealskinz...?  a LOT cheaper than brand new shoes...

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I'm speaking (typing?) as a former year round die hard commuter in Stockholm, Sweden.

Same story at the OP.  I tried all manner of shoe covers, plastic bags, wool gore-tex next level ice breaking socks, blah blah..... none of it worked when it got genuinely cold.  The issue remains that you in a summer shoe with chunk of metal on the bottom of your foot conducting heat away from your foot.

I ride a pair of Northwave Celsius when it's below 40F.  I've ridden them down to around -5F and my toes have never been screaming the "I'm dying" pain symphony. 

If you're serious about riding in the cold, get proper winter shoes.  Don't try to tap dance in ballet slippers.

hello OP;

did you go a size up for these?

Embrocation on your toes about 30 minutes before you ride.....

renoirbud wrote on 01/22/14 at 2:52pm:


I went with the shoe that fit, no size increase. The shoe has a slightly larger toe box that help on blood flow. Bike Source did not have my size but I tried on a shoe style that had the same foot bed and went with the one that fit my foot with a mid/heavy weight sock.
Doug S.

stateprez wrote on 01/22/14 at 4:03pm:


I tried that once, burned like heck in the shower!

I tried to buy shoes locally last week and no shop had any in stock.  It appears that the Shimano MW81 is completely sold out in my size, so I cannot even order them through a LBS.

I ordered a set from the UK, I am sure they will get here once I have no need for them, LOL.

I am buying them because I do go to Bent Creek several times a winter and I need to ride early in the morning, so something is needed.

Modifying some boots sounds like a solid idea, but I would obsess about getting it right and I would likely buy 3 sets of boots and then get special tooling for my CNC etc...  Its just cheaper to buy something purpose made, in my case.