winter shoes or overshoes
Discussion
Obviously theres a 60% ish price difference here, but I'm hoping to keep some riding in over the winter and would prefer to keep my feet warm and dry for as long as possible. Can anybody give me some glowing reviews of products they've tried and tested and would recommend? Obviously the overshoes going to be preferable but i'll stretch should a winter shoe be spot on !
I'd wear overshoes regardless as they stop your shoes getting caked in crud.
With delta cleats I also need reinforced toes as the overshoes tend to get trapped between cleat and pedal and will end up with extra holes.
Nothing will keep your feet dry for long as the water runs down your leg into the shoe.
With delta cleats I also need reinforced toes as the overshoes tend to get trapped between cleat and pedal and will end up with extra holes.
Nothing will keep your feet dry for long as the water runs down your leg into the shoe.
I commute all winter, so I'm all about ease of use.
The Winter boots I use were about £100 (Shimano MW80) and they're 'fit and forget'.
No they don't keep all the water out (it runs down my leg and in the top), but they do keep my feet warm.
This is my second pair of Shimano winter boots, and the first pair lasted over 10 years. There was actually not much wrong with them when I binned them, I just fancied a new pair. This pair I've had about four or five years I'd say.
The Winter boots I use were about £100 (Shimano MW80) and they're 'fit and forget'.
No they don't keep all the water out (it runs down my leg and in the top), but they do keep my feet warm.
This is my second pair of Shimano winter boots, and the first pair lasted over 10 years. There was actually not much wrong with them when I binned them, I just fancied a new pair. This pair I've had about four or five years I'd say.
Kell said:
I commute all winter, so I'm all about ease of use.
The Winter boots I use were about £100 (Shimano MW80) and they're 'fit and forget'.
No they don't keep all the water out (it runs down my leg and in the top), but they do keep my feet warm.
This is my second pair of Shimano winter boots, and the first pair lasted over 10 years. There was actually not much wrong with them when I binned them, I just fancied a new pair. This pair I've had about four or five years I'd say.
They sound good value for money, do they have mtb only style cleat bolts?! The Winter boots I use were about £100 (Shimano MW80) and they're 'fit and forget'.
No they don't keep all the water out (it runs down my leg and in the top), but they do keep my feet warm.
This is my second pair of Shimano winter boots, and the first pair lasted over 10 years. There was actually not much wrong with them when I binned them, I just fancied a new pair. This pair I've had about four or five years I'd say.
I have Northwave winter boots and on cold, damp or drizzly days they are fantastic, I much prefer them to overshoes of which I've always had fall apart on me.
Downside is that they are relatively expensive, feel clunky to wear and in 'proper' rain tend to let just as much water in after being out for 90 mins.
Downside is that they are relatively expensive, feel clunky to wear and in 'proper' rain tend to let just as much water in after being out for 90 mins.
I think overshoes are a false economy. I've got through three or four pairs over the years,they're down low copping the worst of the weather and road, the fronts and rears fray, the zips don't last, they don't keep your feet very warm...
A colleague at work has some Northwave winter boots and swears by them. I'm saving hard to get some before the weather gets too bad.
A colleague at work has some Northwave winter boots and swears by them. I'm saving hard to get some before the weather gets too bad.
I don't commute but do a lot of lot of winter miles and I am done with 'just' overshoes. I have some Rapha deep winter overshoes and even with a pair of Velotoze underneath, my feet are so bloody cold. I bought my other half a pair of Northwave Fahrenheit boots last winter and she says they are superb ... she suffers from cold feet in summer so they must be good.
So, they're next on the list for me.
So, they're next on the list for me.
Northwave boots again here.
I have the SPD (MTB) 'Celsius' version. For road pedals you need the three-bolt SPD-SL fit 'Fahrenheit' version.
I was lucky and got mine half-price as a stock clearance item. They come in different grades of insulation too. Check product details, but some are rated well below freezing, while the ones I have are supposed to be comfortable a few degrees either side of freezing.
Mine are my ONLY MTB footwear, and I've worn them all year. 1,600 miles on the new MTB since March alone. Last winter they let water in a couple of times on road rides, the 'run down my leg' type, not leaking through the body of the boot. This was during a biblical rainstorm, though, and I'd have got wet feet even if I was wearing chest-waders. Despite pouring out a load of water when I got home, my feet were still warm enough to keep plodding on.
They're tough boots. Rubberised on the outside to prevent damage and scuffing, a good stiff sole, easy-pull lacing with a locking slider to keep them tight, and velcro covers over the laces to ensure they're not going to catch on anything you ride past/through. You definitely need to find a decent stockist and try them on though. I found that I needed two sizes up from my Shimano road shoes when I was buying mine.
Wearing them through summer was a bit interesting, to say the least. Too warm for comfort on hot days, and I ended quite a few rides with sweat soaked socks as a result. They're starting to come into their own again now that the weather is looking to turn cooler and more damp. I even use SPD (MTB) pedals on my wet weather road bike, so that I get the benefit without having to buy a second pair of boots. If it's dry enough to ride my 'best' road bike I have an old pair of Decathlon overshoes that have lasted about 4 years. A bit scruffy and scuffed,with a broken tab on one of the zips, but good enough still to keep my feet warm and keep an unexpected shower at bay if I'm caught in one while I'm out. But if it's already wet, or rain is forecast, then the Northwave boots get the nod every time. I certainly wouldn't want to be without them outside of the summer months any more.
I have the SPD (MTB) 'Celsius' version. For road pedals you need the three-bolt SPD-SL fit 'Fahrenheit' version.
I was lucky and got mine half-price as a stock clearance item. They come in different grades of insulation too. Check product details, but some are rated well below freezing, while the ones I have are supposed to be comfortable a few degrees either side of freezing.
Mine are my ONLY MTB footwear, and I've worn them all year. 1,600 miles on the new MTB since March alone. Last winter they let water in a couple of times on road rides, the 'run down my leg' type, not leaking through the body of the boot. This was during a biblical rainstorm, though, and I'd have got wet feet even if I was wearing chest-waders. Despite pouring out a load of water when I got home, my feet were still warm enough to keep plodding on.
They're tough boots. Rubberised on the outside to prevent damage and scuffing, a good stiff sole, easy-pull lacing with a locking slider to keep them tight, and velcro covers over the laces to ensure they're not going to catch on anything you ride past/through. You definitely need to find a decent stockist and try them on though. I found that I needed two sizes up from my Shimano road shoes when I was buying mine.
Wearing them through summer was a bit interesting, to say the least. Too warm for comfort on hot days, and I ended quite a few rides with sweat soaked socks as a result. They're starting to come into their own again now that the weather is looking to turn cooler and more damp. I even use SPD (MTB) pedals on my wet weather road bike, so that I get the benefit without having to buy a second pair of boots. If it's dry enough to ride my 'best' road bike I have an old pair of Decathlon overshoes that have lasted about 4 years. A bit scruffy and scuffed,with a broken tab on one of the zips, but good enough still to keep my feet warm and keep an unexpected shower at bay if I'm caught in one while I'm out. But if it's already wet, or rain is forecast, then the Northwave boots get the nod every time. I certainly wouldn't want to be without them outside of the summer months any more.
I was fed up messing about with sealskinz and over boots so I bought a pair of the Northwave boots. One of the best things I have ever bought for cycling!
A tip for you is keep a search on Ebay, I bought mine for £85 and worth every penny.
I fit a pair of candys to the road bike during the winter so I only need one pair of boots for road and MTB.
A tip for you is keep a search on Ebay, I bought mine for £85 and worth every penny.
I fit a pair of candys to the road bike during the winter so I only need one pair of boots for road and MTB.
PorkRind said:
They sound good value for money, do they have mtb only style cleat bolts?!
Those particular ones do, but they're MTB specific due to to the rubber grips on the bottom. Not sure if they do a road version but think they might. I went for MTB anyway as my commute involves some walking and used ot involve driving too. I could just put htem on in the morning, drive my daughter to the child minder's, park the car up and get my bike out, cycle to the station, walk about the station concourse in them and then finally ride to work.If I had to faff about with something to drive in, then change into something to cycle in AND worry about putting overshoes on, I think I'd give up.
I've not had the Northwave boots to compare them to, but from memory they were about 50% more expensive. It's all about value for money though. My first pair only 'cost' me a tenner a year, so well worth it. Even if the NW ones are £150, and they lasted 10 years, it's still only £15 a year.
Either way, it's great value for warm feet.
Aldi have some heavy-duty over-shoes in their winter cycling offer which is in-store from tomorrow morning
https://www.aldi.co.uk/heavy-duty-overshoes/p/0715...
https://www.aldi.co.uk/heavy-duty-overshoes/p/0715...
Shimano MW81 (presumably next ones on from mine) are £80 on this site:
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/shiman...
Same site has the NW Celsius for £99 or £111 depending on whether or not yoiu could see yourself in neon yellow.
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/northw...
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/shiman...
Same site has the NW Celsius for £99 or £111 depending on whether or not yoiu could see yourself in neon yellow.
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/northw...
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