Winter boots

[.Adam.]

I want to get a pair of winter cycling boots/shoes, and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? Have been looking at the Shimano MW80 or the Northwave Celsius as possibles.

[v8 jago]

Im not sure about the shimano ones as ive not had any but ive had the northwave ones for about 2+ years and ive had no problems at all and ive worn them all year round. Ive used gore waterproofer on them but they are no longer waterproof but ive had my ware out of them. On the other hand my mate got some last year and within 4 months the sole came away from the shoe. Could maybe send back as faulty i dont know but appart from that i rate them.

[littleandy0410]

I can't advise you on what any of the winter shoes are like, but as a rule I like Specialized shoes. Have you considered these:

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-BG-Defroster-2...

(Not sure if that's the cheapest, it was just the 1st hit on google)

[smack]

I have had the NW ones for 3 winters. Look naff, work well. Recommended.

[.Adam.]

smack said:

I have had the NW ones for 3 winters. Look naff, work well. Recommended.

Did you get a size bigger than you normally would take to allow for thick socks, or are they warm enough with normal socks on?

[smack]

.Adam. said:

smack said:

I have had the NW ones for 3 winters. Look naff, work well. Recommended.

Did you get a size bigger than you normally would take to allow for thick socks, or are they warm enough with normal socks on?

My Northwave boots are the same size as my summer shoes, but I always make sure they are roomy enough that I can wear thicker socks.

During spring / autumn I will use the boots when it is muddy, and wear summer socks. Otherwise I wear thin wool socks during winter, and they are warm enough. When the temperature goes sub zero, I will use think wool socks.

[ukdavvy12]

If it helps I have a pair of Spesh Defrosters

I ride all year round including late at night

eg last week it was -3 on the way home from last orders
This was after 2h belting around the countryside on a mountain bike

They are waterproof but need an overshoe to keep the worst of the cold out
I wear a single middling wooly sock underneath - not some Sealskinz monster

With this set up Im happy for 2-3h off road

I admit to being a little let down by the Defroster name not actually living up to it but with sock and overshoe its kind of OK
My toes tell me they are cold but its tolerable

Would I buy them again?
I dont know TBH

The Lake and Northwave boots look good but I regularly ford streams and brooks and so would wear an overshoe anyway
You can have the most waterproof boots in the world (and the DFers arent bad) but if water gets over the top its grim

Hope this post without a point helps

The above holds for off road MTBing only
Im not stupid enough to ride my roadie when its below zero with grit on the roads

[Rico]

I've got the older version of the Shimano shoes you linked.

For cold weather they are superb. Keep your feet toasty.

Not 100% sealed in the wet though.

[.Adam.]

Ordered myself a pair of the Northwave boots, would most probably have got the Shimano, but Chain Reaction are the only place I could find that had them at a similar price, but were out of stock in my size until March, which kind of defeats the object of getting winter boots! Not too bothered about them letting in water as I have a pair of Sealskinz waterproof thermal socks as well. Thanks for the replies.

[smack]

.Adam. said:

Ordered myself a pair of the Northwave boots, would most probably have got the Shimano, but Chain Reaction are the only place I could find that had them at a similar price, but were out of stock in my size until March, which kind of defeats the object of getting winter boots! Not too bothered about them letting in water as I have a pair of Sealskinz waterproof thermal socks as well. Thanks for the replies.

The older Shimano ones had neoprene around the ankle, which passed water once you dipped your foot that deep into water.

But with the NW boots, they are waterproof up to the top of them (tested riding through streams and flooded fields!), and won't let in a drop unless you submerge them.

[Jesus Christ]

ukdavvy12 said:

If it helps I have a pair of Spesh Defrosters

I ride all year round including late at night

eg last week it was -3 on the way home from last orders
This was after 2h belting around the countryside on a mountain bike

They are waterproof but need an overshoe to keep the worst of the cold out
I wear a single middling wooly sock underneath - not some Sealskinz monster

With this set up Im happy for 2-3h off road

I admit to being a little let down by the Defroster name not actually living up to it but with sock and overshoe its kind of OK
My toes tell me they are cold but its tolerable

Would I buy them again?
I dont know TBH

I totally agree. My defrosters are OK but not that warm. I have spec summer shoes, add sealskinz for the autumn and would like to say step up to defrosters for the winter but they need sealskinz under to be warm (still get cold on full day COLD rides).

I don't think they are breathable so are have a very limited window of temperature as can get sweaty.

Also they have a plastic sole, which is far harder work than the carbon sole on my summer shoes (it makes a big difference).

If someone made a carbon soled, waterproof, breathable, properly insulated winter boots I would pay a lot for them! Surely there must be a market for this product...

[custardkid]

had my shimano D100 boots (previous gen) for 8 yrs. love them. if the mw80s are the same then i'd go for them.

custard

[leggly]

Old caterpillers and some Dmr v12s' work everytime!