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Had to use gaffer tape this morning to keep my old overshoes on, so time for some new ones.
Popped in to the local shop who said they no longer sell MTB overshoes, for exactly this reason, they get trashed so quick.
He pointed me in the direction of their very sizeable range of Northwave shoes.
Still a significant outlay compared to a new set of overshoes but they did look pretty pimpy.
I think I would need the Celcius GTX, I wear Merino socks underneath anyway which gets me through the coldest days.
Are they any good? How is sizing?
Ta
They are great, have them for both MTB and Road, seem to size just about right, if anything slightly big, but you will be wearing thicker sock in them.
Evans also have some limited pairs for a similar price to merlin
I have a pair of the MTB boots but use them on my road bike only. I think they’re pretty good, I still get cold feet in them but only on the coldest days and I think that’s my feet rather than the boots. I found insulating the spd attachment stuff inside the shoe with an old bit of inner tube kept my feet warmer as the spd bolts were a heat sink. I’m a 10.5 in Salomon boots and the NW 11 is a touch too large.
If you have shoes you like and fit for cold weather use already, sealskinz socks would be my suggestion. More versatile than a single pair of shoes as they work with all footwear, cheaper too. They don't get trashed like overshoes, and existing shoes can be dried easily. I bought a shoe dryer off *sorry* Amazon and works fine.
I bought my Northwave boots from your LBS. The sizing is less generous than the Specialized Defrosters they replaced (which I like because I prefer thinner, longer socks).
They are so much better than overshoes. Less faff, drier, warmer and more durable.
I have the Celcius GTX Road Boots. Been using them for 4 years now, pretty much daily from September to April. Pair with a Grip Grab Gaiters and they're excellent.
I've got a pair that are about 3 sizes too big which I don't find a problem. They're open top rather than neoprene and velcro so I have a pair of cheap Millets short gaiters to stop water running down my legs and into them.
I've got the artic version in flouro green. They are into their fifth winter, although I do wear light waterproof overshoes over them to keep them nice.
Sized up one size for a bit more circulation. Best money I've spent for winter riding!
Got a set of the waterproof and thermal boots, not sure exact model.
I really like them, they will leak though as there’s a massive hole in the top that you put your foot through, but the neoprene seals do help massively.
When mine are knackered I’d defo buy more, and I’ve spent 25 years in cheap skate shoes and 5:10’s neither of which are remotely waterproof, and was never that arsed. But these are lush.
£100 on Evans Clearance in Ltd size atm.
I bought my Northwave boots from your LBS
Excellent, I suspect the supply of free coffee might dry up soon if I don't buy something soon! 😂
Also had the arctic version for about a decade. I think they're ruddy brilliant. My naff circulation sees my toes going bad in normal shoes even with the warmest overshoes, whereas these bad boys are comfortably toasty in any temperature I've encountered so far. They don't even look remotely worn either, so a good long term investment.
Forgot to add I also have the MTB version. Only problem is they've 2 pull loops on the cuff and the cuffs aren't as snug as the road version (for the same size) Which means the gaiters I use on the road don't work as well with the MTB boots.
Bought the Mark 1 version in winter 2005/06 and have just retired them this winter. Bought a new pair and they're every bit as good as the first if not little comfier.
Size up for winter socks imho
Worth looking at Merlin Cycles?
https://www.merlincycles.com/mountain-bike-shoes-75361/
/blockquote>ooof, local shop goes through the range, actually stocks the product and you immediately link to online store. no wonder the LBS is endangered. tell me you aren't one of THOSE customers who googles the product while you are trying it on in the shop?
ooof, local shop goes through the range, actually stocks the product and you immediately link to online store. no wonder the LBS is endangered. tell me you aren’t one of THOSE customers who googles the product while you are trying it on in the shop?
A wee bit harsh, I'm no stranger to online shopping but my LBS (Synergy Cycles - Auchterarder) are EXACTLY the sort of LBS you want to support, free coffee, real cyclists, good chat. And it's actually a nice place to sort of just hang out, wasting the staff's time and making the place look scruffy 😎
Have their winter boots for road and mtb, and summer shoes for road and mtb. Safe to say I think they're great.
Ignore the LBS Nazis, buy them where you like.
I have them for road. Pretty good, but prefer neoprene overshoes.
For mtb I have a set of Bontrager OMW and these have been excellent.
I looked at them (in Synergy too...) but mrs_oab beat me to it and bought a pair of Shimano MW5's.
I'm so far impressed, warm and comfy.
However... They have minimal sole insulation between cleat and footbed, and the velcro collar is a touch faffy compared to the outgoing Lake winter boots that simply had a softshell gaiter sewn on, with drawcord cuff.
I like mine, they're reasonably waterproof, warm down to at least a few degs below zero, and comfortable. Now that we're all wearing trousers rather than tights on MTB there's quite a bit les water going in the top than before as well. They make winter rides at least bearable. I'll buy some more if this pair I've got ever wear out.
Well that was a quick decision! Tried on same size as my Giro and Lake shoes, roomier than Giros, similar to Lakes.
I'd swear they feel lighter than any of my other shoes as well which is a little Brucie bonus 😎
I have the road ones. They're fine. I think mine are slightly too large but I just wear thicker socks.
Going against grain here but I have a pair and they are rubbish compared to my old shimano winter boots. The shimano use to keep me dry for hours, the northwaves leak within minutes of my going out in the rain
My other half has a pair of the road versions, they are even worse
Avoid
Celsius2 GTX - absolutely faultless.
I would suggest neoprene socks. Wear an ankle pair of thin polyprop type socks inside.
Only 12-15 pounds. Inside normal mtb shoes.
I wore that combo today, warm n toasty feet.
I got my first ever pair for Christmas- can’t believe I haven’t had them before! They are so so good, so much less hassle than overshoes. Needed to get some gaiters as the cuffs are too big for my skinny ankles, but with the gaiters they are really good. Warm dry feet every ride! Mine are the Celcius Artic I think…
I've recently got some.... very impressed. I suffer from.cold feet no matter what I do, but not with these.
I sized up and am pleased I did.
I've just ordered a pair and have sized up. Are the neoprene cuffs easy to get feet in and out of?
Are the neoprene cuffs easy to get feet in and out of?
I've only owned mine for about 3 hours, but yeah, no issues getting them on and off. If anything slightly disappointed the cuff wasn't more snug, but if I'm worried about proper rain I'd get some grip-grab gaiters also.
I find the cuffs are ok, but getting the boa dial undone is a pain, especially with cold fingers as the release button only seems to release one click at a time so I end up having to work the ‘lace’ out bit by bit. I’ll live with it though!
If you lift the release button it lets all the lace out at once?
I have a pair that are getting pretty tatty after 5 years but still warm and waterproof. Much better than overshoes which my daughter had on today. Just bought a new pair and hope they last as long although a little nervous of how durable the neoprene cuff will be.
Celsius gtx here that I use mostly on the road. Really Great bit of kit. I kinda miss them in the summer.
@13thfloormonk does it? 😂😂😂😂 what a numpty I am!
To be fair the guy in the shop had to point it out to me, if it had been up to me I'd never have figured that out 🙄
When you get some boots, you'll wonder why you never bought them before. I've some Shimano MW7's that are about 5 years old - fantastic. Should have bought them years ago - could have used them for commuting as well. Really shuld buy some road boots, but manage OK with PU coated overshoes for road.
I find MW7's warm enough even in snow and ie. I still use them in warmer months if it's wet, or trails still boggy - just saves getting wet feet with the first splash of water like my summer shoes.
Ive been riding over 34 years 'properly' and really wish I'd bought some years ago.
I find the cuffs are ok, but getting the boa dial undone is a pain, especially with cold fingers as the release button only seems to release one click at a time so I end up having to work the ‘lace’ out bit by bit. I’ll live with it though!
😲😲😲🤣
I prefer the NW system to the Boa as it's much easier to fine tune the tension IMHO.
The posher boas let you click forwards and backwards to adjust. Though apparently it's not a good idea to twist them backwards loads - you're still supposed to lift the dial to take the shoes off. I have some shoes with the basic boas and some with the fancy ones. In practice I don't think it makes much difference to me. Once I'm used to a pair of shoes it's not often that I over click and want to back off.
does it? 😂😂😂😂 what a numpty I am!
Was similarly confused by my first pair of Sidi shoes. You won't be the first nor the last.