I know it is a little early for this discussion, but I am wanting to buy a pair of winter cycling shoes.  I am wanting road shoes which accept SPD-SL clips (3 hole).  I do not want to use shoe covers.  Already done that and does not work for me.  Also, wool socks with the covers and does not work either.  Do not like sandals because too flimsy and hurt my feet.  So I am looking for actual winter road cycling shoes.  Do any of you guys use winter cycling shoes here in North Texas?  If so, which brand do you recommend.  I am leaning toward the Lake brand.

Quote from Kwijybow on Aug 10^th, 2009, 11:16am:

 
Would not want to go without my clipless pedals on my Giro.  I just would not feel safe without them.  Not very comfortable with the higher bottom bracket because with the angle the feet want to fall of the pedals.  Also, would lose a lot of power by not having the upward leg stroke.
 
I thought about buying another pair of regular cycling shoes that are looser so I could use more socks.  However, I was not sure if this would solve my cold feet problem.  Looks like this might be an option.

For Winter I have a pair of MTB shoes with SPD pedals. I got them big enough to use "Smart Wool" Treking socks and my feet stay warm all winter.

I use mountain bike shoes with wool socks and "Toasti Toes" adhesive-backed, chemical foot warmers. My toes stay warm for hours.

I have Raynaud's syndrome, so I really struggle to keep my fingers and toes warm in the winter. With all the things I have tried, what has worked best for my toes is to just wear the same Sidi Dominators I wear all year, but loosen the velcro straps closest to my toes for extra room, and place a chemical hand warmer heat pack on top of my toes.

I have tried the shoe covers, but on the Bacchetta the wind just blows into the cutout for the clip and freezes my feet.  Here are the best shoe covers I have used, but when I switched to the ultegra pedals, the rubber sole rubs the crank arm.  I would have to install pedal extenders to use them on the Bacchetta.
 
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1018749_-1___
 
I considered the wind blowing in the bottom of my shoe through the shoe cover cutout, so I took a foil sunshade for a car windshield, and cut out a shoe insert hoping the foil would reflect the heat back to my feet and block air coming in the bottom of the shoe.  It helps, but still does not keep my feet warm.
 
Tried the chemical handwarmer, this was nice but in cold temperatures, would not last but about 30 to 40 minutes.  Not much good on a two hour ride.  However, I never tried them on top of my toes.
 
Last year I would just wear a pair of wool hunting socks in my normal riding shoes.  No room for another pair.  This works pretty good but feet still get cold when it is in the 40s and below.  I also slipped a sock over the shoe with a cutout for the clip, but almost fell when I put my foot down.  My heal could not grap the asphault.  I did not think about cutting out for the heal.
 
I have a very nice trainer, but I hate using it.  It is SSOOOOO boring, that I prefer any weather except rain to working out on it.  I even bought a niteflux photon max extreme headlight so I could ride in the dark instead of using the trainer.
 
So with all that in mind, I started considering an insulated shoe.  That is why I was considering the Lake shoes.  The problem is they are twice as expensive as my normal shoes and I was afraid they might be too warm for North Texas.  I don't want to waste $250.  Rather spend it on cool components.  LOL
 
It looks like you guys didn't waste your money on winter shoes and the alternate methods are working for you.  As you can see I have tried most of them, except the toe covers.  I have not tried that.  I assumed if the shoe cover did not work the toe cover would definitely not work.  I also may try the sock over the shoe again and cutout for the heel stop.

Quote from dgholmes59 on Aug 10^th, 2009, 7:37pm:

 
I have used over 40 "Toasti Toes" adhesive pads on the bottom of my feet. I have ridden in 30 degree weather and found them to last up to 6 hours, as advertised. They need to be placed between the bottom of the wearer's foot and the sole of the shoe to limit oxygen supply to the pad per the instructions. My toes are naturally cold, even during the Summer when I am in an airconditioned room. When I arrive home after a long Winter ride, my toes are still warm with the Toasti Toes stuck to the bottom of my socks.

Looks like I need to try the chemical warmers again.  I am pretty sure I bought them at Walmart.  Not sure what the problem was,  but I am sure they did not last over 40 minutes.  I cannot remember if I shook them or not.  I bought some toastie toes last year after winter was over and never used them.  I will give them a try this year.