[Closed] MTB Winter Boots

I like the MW80's a lot, replaced some Celsius and found them a lot warmer (still not warm enough for me when it's really chilly).
Think this winter maybe there third.. err maybe...

Trouble with the sidi's is the hard plastic (and narrow) sole grips, even getting the bike out of the garage in anything other than perfect conditions can leave you sliding around like bambi on ice.

I have some Sidi Diablo, waterproof but not very warm. I'm thinking of trying something else with more insulation.

Another happy shimano user here. I know a few people with them and they're all happy

Sidi's diablos great 3 season boot - but zero insulation so no good for winter.

I'm now on Northwave arctics for proper winter, usually with merino lined sealskinz socks. top tip is to get a size bigger than you need so that you can wiggle your toes a bit, seems to make a big difference.

I've had a pair of Shimano for about 8 years. The stitching started coming apart here and there a couple of years ago but they are still going strong and don't let the water in (apart from down my legs). Fairly warm, very comfortable.

If you're finding Northwave narrow then don't bother with the Sidis. Unless they do a Mega Diablo

Shimano boots have been good to my feet but a friend bought Gaerne when his last Shimano pair wore out and now says he wouldn't go back.

cheers guys
looks like the diablos are out, dont sound warm enough and possibly not wide enough, the shoes ive got mustve been 'mega'

will have to try to find somewhere with NWs or MW80s in stock so i can try them out.

I have wide feet, the Celcius are a good fit for me, MW80's were far to narrow, also tried Spesh defroster and Mavic winter boots when buying.

I didn't find the NW boots warm at all. Also hated the plastic sole. I now use Shimano MT91s. They are brilliant, comfy and warm, but the sizing is completely out by something like 3 sizes. I.e. I am a 42 and 45 is the size that fits me.

Definitely try before you buy.

I recently took the plunge and got some winter boots after years of denial, was torn between Shimano (MW80) and Specialized (Defroster) as I know both brands are a good fit for me in general. Tried both on, felt lovely, bought some Defrosters in the end as they were going cheap somewhere a while ago (Evans maybe?).

I wore them yesterday for the first time (commute, weather OK) and was very pleased. Obviously time will tell how warm/waterproof they really are but they might be worth checking out also.

I always thought Northwave were quite wide?

Just picked up a pair of the new Defrosters yesterday. Hopefully, no more cold feet here 🙂

Might also worth a look at the Specialized Defroster boots. I used these last year and liked them.

for those with the new (2014) defrosters, are they narrow ?

I have old 2010 ones, and tried a pair of the half price 2013 ones last month, but didn't fit my narrow feet as boots were too narrow !

Thanks

what about the MT91 shoes? You can attach cleats or use them as flats. Good on icy steps and warm, warmer still if you get a couple of sizes bigger and use thick socks.

there are various good reviews on CRC of these boots from folks from Norway and Russia.

[img] ?w=1100&h=1100&a=7[/img]

some bargain shoes in biketreks at the moment...

[img] [/img]

only £279.99 😯

mt91s are out for the open laces approach
those 45Ns look like they do the job, maybe a bit of overkill

i cant believe how many variations there are of NW winter boots.

mt91s are out for the open laces approach

what's wrong with open laces?

I was wondering that, then I saw the bit on his profile that says 'Chilterns rider' - mostly he'll be wading through thigh-deep mud 😉

I use MT91s with a pair of ankle gaiters when it's proper snowy and they work brilliantly. Comfortable to walk in too. Fit micro-crampons when it gets too steep uphill for your ice tyres to grip.

MT91s for the win. I run them with a pair of Berghaus short gaiters on filthy days along with waterproof trousers when the heavens well and truly open. My current pair are a brilliant year round option which are ideal for hike a bike sessions as well as winter coldness. Rab also do mini gaiters in eVENT. They may look a bike walkerish but what price warm and dry feet eh?

Chain Reaction - SURVEY10 will get you them for under a ton right now. 😀

Cheers

Sanny

Badly Wired Dog

I hear you re the Micro spikes. I used Katoola Micro Spikes when I did a snow and ice ride up Ben Ime and Narnain along with Ice Spiker Pros for the descent. Specialist kit that makes a genuine difference for that fine line between fun and misery! 😉

Anyone tried Mavic Drifts? I'm also moving on from Northwave, but don't fancy Shimano due to my AM50's falling to pieces. I like the fit of my Current Mavics, and build quality is good. Just wondering how the Drifts fare, warmth-wise?

MT91s for the win. I run them with a pair of Berghaus short gaiters on filthy days along with waterproof trousers when the heavens well and truly open.

+1

🙂

Micro gaiters and ankle spikes eh? Must get some of those in case it gets a bit snowy at Swinley this year.

I have old 2010 ones, and tried a pair of the half price 2013 ones last month, but didn't fit my narrow feet as boots were too narrow !

The trouble with last years was that they seem wide enough, until I pull the covering flap over, which tightens them up more than I would with the boa. That and the rather low poor ankle fastening. It looks like they have sorted out the ankle fastening this year, but the boa cover looks the same.

yeah, open laces clog with cold wet mud - no fun

i might consider the gator option tho

Gaiters do look a bit special but there is little to beat that feeling of smugness when you come back from a filthy wet or snow laden ride and you can actually feel your feet without the pain of the hot aches. 😀

I remember coming back from a ride in the Pentlands where I spent what felt like half an hour in a fair bit of pain in my hands and feet from having gone out in race shoes and lightweight gloves in the sleet and snow. Or the time I was out in the snow and reached the point where I was so cold, I just wanted to lie down in the slushy snow by the side of the road for a sleep.......cue one very serious chat with myself to keep going 😯

Why I didn't try full length waterproof trousers year ago, I just dont know! (shakes his head and raises a bemused eyebrow in the manner of one who has seen the light) 🙄

Anyone tried Rose Bikes own brand winter boot? They look pretty good value [url= http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-winter-mtb-shoes-rws-02/aid:589868 ]clicky linky[/url]

I've got a 6-yr old pair of Lakes. They have a thermal fotbed like ski boots, are very warm and comfy. Pittards leather too, so an occasional smear of boot wax keeps them soft and waterproof. Don't know what the current ones are like but these have been great.

Why I didn't try full length waterproof trousers year ago, I just dont know!

open laces clog with cold wet mud

Now Velcro, that has no place on a winter boot:
[i]Snow too deep to ride in, so you walk.
Snow gets on your (waterproof) boots
Melts due to warmth of your feet.
Water gets in the velcro
Start riding again
Water freezes.
Velcro clogs with ice, hooks and loops no longer clear.
Snow too deep to ride in, so you walk.
Velcro opens
Boot falls off.
Cold wet foot....[/i]

I have wide feet and find the arctic Celsius boots ace!! Uber toastie and dry.

Another Shimano user here - six winters so far (mountain and road bike). Toes do get a bit cold on really cold days but I don't know whether or not a different make would be any better.

40mpg - Member

Anyone tried Rose Bikes own brand winter boot? They look pretty good value clicky linky

I bought a pair last year and was very happy with them, commuting, off road, standing around in snow whilst others fixed punctures did it all well. I have some of the northwave roadie boots and found these warmer and more waterproof. Look a bit gopping though.

Just to add, I have both the older style MT91's and MW80's, my view would be that the MT91 are ace if you need to do a lot of hike a bike (or pushing), but the MW80 (81's now) are better sealed and so the better winter boot for most ppl. I've tended to use the MT91's all year round, but bought them after the std celsius so would definitely say they are again warmer. With gaiter, as mentioned above, you'd get a better seal, but I prefer the mw80's with lycra longs.

NW GTX had them about 3yrs got size 45 (by mistake) but this allows a karrimat offcut insole and thick socks. really toasty ankle is a bit low so short gaiters sounds like a plan. Original thin laces died quickly but 'walkin'laces do the job well enough. Tried shimanos too narrow and expensive at the time.

How well do any of these boots work on flat pedals?

MT91s are OK on flats. MW80s aren't 😳

What about the Northwaves? Anyone know how nicely they play with flats?

Sorry - my spendy habits only run to three pairs of winter boots 🙂

My other boots (and I know I've recommended them before) are Thinsulate lined Snowshoe boots. Mine are Salomon but Decathlon do their own brand too. Mine work fine with flats 🙂

Really pleased with my MT91's, but haven't done a winter in them yet. I prefer the walking boot look to normal cycling shoes - and why not have something you can actually stand up in off the bike?

Agree about the 3 size out issue (fortunately I researched this prior to buying online) - however, even with the correct size, they aren't the widest I must say.

What about the Northwaves? Anyone know how nicely they play with flats?

Just had a quick scan through and saw no mention of the Lake boots. I've got the MXZ302's and they have been brilliant, it's got to be pretty bloody cold to wear them though.
Can be had for about £145 on ebay.

I have the Lake's and one thing I would say is that the cuff favours those with a more, errm, substantial ankle.

They are waterproof and *very* warm but if you're someone who wears tights rather than trousers (or just 3/4 tights and waterproof shorts) you can get water and mud in the top more easily than with the Shimano or Specialized equivalents (ime).

Yeah I agree that would be their only fault. I wear them with Altura attack trousers and it's a lovely, dry, warm and smug feeling I have when I head out the door 😀

I know they're not necessarily 'winter boots' but has anyone tried the MT71s?

Avoid Lake winter boots - I have waterproof, insulated ones - that then have a big hole in the bottom for the cleat. 🙄

So, MT91s, 2 sizes up and some long Sealskinz. Sound about right?

Do.
It.

I have this years defrosters (in a 43) and they come up buch bigger than last years in a 44, so I would guess they have changed the last on them.
Plenty of room inside too even with thick merino socks.
I am going to need to put some insoles in though as there doesn't appear to be as much arch support as I`d like (The MTB Pros I use in summer on the road bike are spot on though)

I have this years defrosters (in a 43) and they come up buch bigger than last years in a 44, so I would guess they have changed the last on them.

Cheers, that's really interesting to know, this week I have just been wearing my boots for the first time this year, and was thinking they are too small for me really.

CLINK

I'm using the Gore Active shell trousers and they are very good indeed. Not cheap though!

Cheers

Sanny

CLINK

I'm using the Gore Active shell trousers and they are very good indeed. Not cheap though!

Cheers

Sanny

Two rides this weekend with my new MT91s. Admittedly not sub-zero (more like 4 or 5 degrees), but the boots seem great. Normally wear a 42 but went 44 which is big enough for medium-weight Sealskinz with wiggle room to spare. One ride with the 'skinz and one with normal merino socks - finished both muddy rides with dry, warm feet (which for a Reynaud's sufferer is a novel feeling at this time of year).

All good so far.

My thanks go out to the hive mind.

I have had two pairs of MT91's and wore both out over a four year period (the goretex bootee inside disintergrated). the uppers and soles were still fine on both though. Really good hike a bike boots but if you dont wear them with waterproof longs they will fill up with water and grit.
Having been for a road ride today and suffering the dreaded blue big toes from the heat sink effect of the cleat I have just ordered a pair of Lake MXZ303's as they come in a wide fit so I should have the best of all worlds and dont mind treating leather boots properly ie not drying them out on rads and putting leather care products on them.
Just hope they fit....

I use Shimano mw81's. They're comfy, but not waterproof. When the going gets pretty wet they leak. In a normal shower you'll be fine, but if the rain gets very heavy the boots will fill with water.

They're reasonably warm, and if you wear nice socks they're warm enough for cold days in the UK.

They're also a pain to get on. The velcro will catch on your sock, and there's an elastic strap on the inside that your toes will almost certainly catch on, which is beyond annoying.

While the above sounds like a lot of criticism, they're a decent boot, and considering the price, a decent compromise. The NW competitors I looked at were twice the price and didn't agree at all with my wide feet. If you use on a hose on them you'll get wet feet though.

Been wearing a pair of Shimano MW81s for a few winters now & just bought a new pair as my originals were only one size larger - which was OK for most of the year - but a bit tight with my thermal seal skin socks on - so my new pair are two sizes larger!

They are very pretty warm - but I have also worn them with a pair of neoprene overshoes on the coldest of days.

To stop the water running down your legs into the top of the boot I have made a set of rubber gaiters from the sleeve of a pair of black rubber gloves. They are about 4ins long & work a treat by directing the water off my legs and over the top of the boots. They look as if they are part of the boots too.

What about Five Ten Exum Guide? Not really sure how good they are other than the grip is most likely awesome.

Now Velcro, that has no place on a winter boot:
Snow too deep to ride in, so you walk.
Snow gets on your (waterproof) boots
Melts due to warmth of your feet.
Water gets in the velcro
Start riding again
Water freezes.
Velcro clogs with ice, hooks and loops no longer clear.
Snow too deep to ride in, so you walk.
Velcro opens
Boot falls off.
Cold wet foot....

This is bollocks. I have ridden in snow loads with my MW80 boots (inc. deep hike a bike bits) and this has never happened.

My experience has been that whilst the boots are waterproof and warm with good thick soxs my feet have got wet as water seeped in down my legs to the tops of my soxs. Since adding a gaiter I can honestly say my feet have stayed dry and warm.

Shimanos here - they're great wet-weather boots, durable too (4th winter on mine coming up and no signs of damage or wear) but not particularly warm imo. If it's only a few degrees / frosty and you're out for 3-4hrs+ you may get numb toes, I do even with a thin wool/thin bike sock combo. Heard good things about Defrosters in comparison for warmth.

Have Defrosters, MW80s and Sidi for the road. The defrosters are by far the warmest and keep my feet driest.

My tip is to buy used. None of the above were bought new. All but one were sold due to poor fit. 😉

I have a lovely pair of specialized defrosters winter boots (excellent condition) in size 44 with cleats that i would be interested in swapping for a same size and condition pair of five tens if anyone is interested?
I only ride flats these days so they have sat unused for ages.
Email me for pics

Another happy MW81 user ( providing you can keep the water from coming in the top - same as all other boots)
Was also quite happy with the MW80's I had in the dim n distant.

Toying with the idea of getting some MW91's once the MW81's finally wear out. ( but i'm hoping there's a couple of years left in these latest ones)

It seems that almost all the MTB boots are for spd's; MT91, defrosters, Gearne's.
The only ones that don't seem to be are the five ten exum guides, but I don't even know if they are remotely water proof.

Anyhow my point is, surely boots that are meant for spd's will have less grip walking, on a flat pedal and will also less comfortable when walking/hiking?

Even though the MW91s are SPD compatible, I'm using them on flats - the soles are pretty hard rubber but they seem to sit well on the pedals (Superstar Nanos) and I haven't slipped a pedal yet. They also only have a half rigid sole, so are actually pretty comfy to walk in and seem at least as grippy on muddy slopes as my Salomon walking boots.

The 2014 defrosters arrived in today's post. Miles better than last years model.

1 They are a good chunk more roomy, including the pull over cover, which used to be really restrictive on the old ones in itself, and often pulled the boa open.
2. They have "toughened" up the tongue so the boa doesn't cut into the top of your feet so easily.
3 The ankle is far higher and seals up much better.
4, did I mention how much roomier they are, I have even been able to replace the insole with my sole mouldable insole which is a bit thicker than the standard one, I wasn't even close to doing that with last years.

I am still not convinced that the boa gives any advantage, but taking a size 49 I don't have many choices, if I did have a choice it wouldn't be a boa fastening. Last years were too small and I had to endure wearing them, this years actually fit.

Another happy defroster owner here 🙂

I ran mt90's for 5 years. Best boots ever. Just upgraded to mt91's. So far they seem excellent. Will see how they get on in winter

[url= http://www.ardmoor.co.uk/products/310203541/seeland-snowfax-pac-10-boot ]null

ton - Member
[url= http://www.ardmoor.co.uk/products/310203541/seeland-snowfax-pac-10-boot ]null

Looks like it would keep your feet warm ok, but wonder what it's like to cycle in (heel / ankle rub when pedaling).

how many sizes do you reckon I should go up for MT91s if my normal shoe size is 45.5?

Having worn out my MT90's I looking at replacing them with MT91's is there any difference in sizing when they restyled the boot?

Cheers G

What is the tread made of on the defrosters? Grippy rubber or slippy plastic?

Anyhow my point is, surely boots that are meant for spd's will have less grip walking, on a flat pedal and will also less comfortable when walking/hiking?

Vibram hiking boot sole on the MT91's

What is the tread made of on the defrosters? Grippy rubber or slippy plastic?

Rubber, they are not walking boots, but better than sidi.

I've had one pair of MT90s for about 7 years, maybe more. They have holes worn in the side but still seemed fine, nothings fell apart but I've retired then this year as I went to replace the cleat and the bolts have sheared off. Used the other set and the corrosion just helped strip the threads straight away.

So I bought some MT91's. Couldn't remember which size MT90s I had so bought size 44 MT91's as I'm normally a 43. Seem to have enough wriggle room for medium socks, so maybe go 2 sizes up if you have cold feet.

This is what I am using this winter.
Inner and outer boot, rated down to -7c

[img] [/img]

[url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/fasterkatt-spd-boot-waterproof-cycling-boot---spd-compatible-4252-p.asp ]fasterkatt boot[/url]

and if you want protection down to -18c or something stupid like that, try these...

we are selling a lot of these to Scotland and Norway etc. Sales to Hawaii are pretty bloody terrible.

[img] [/img]

[url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/wolvhammer-winter-cycling-boot---spd-compaitble-3288-p.asp ]SPD version[/url]

[url=45nrth-wolvhammer-winter-boots---not-spd-version-4238-p]NOT spd version[/url]