[Closed] proper winter spd boots, whats good?

Having tried Lake, Shimano and Northwave, I’m a big fan of Northwave.  Great sizing, good features, hard wearing, comfortable and warm even in the bitter cold and wet.

"and unfrankenstein looking boots."

What, in YOUR size??

For 6" deep water offroad commute in winter Shimano MT91
For country lanes with lots of water spray Shimano MW80
I think they are both superceded by newer models but thats why I only paid half RRP.
Size up one size for thick hikers socks - both good down to -4C & feet still dry & toasty after 13 miles.
Heard good things about Northwave & Specialized Defrosters but not tried them.

Are those scott heathers still available in your size on start cycles?
Ive a 5 year old set still going strong

I'm on my first month of Lake MX303 boots. Very well made, comfy and easy to put on. Warm and dry enough so far. They might be a bit Frankensteiny for your tastes though.

I've only done a few rides in them so far but I'm getting on quite well with the mavic crossmax sl pro thermo

[url] https://shop.mavic.com/en-gb/crossmax-sl-pro-thermo-shoe-d6194.html [/url]

Less clumpy than my shimano boots, feels more like a summer shoe with warmth and waterproofing, boa-like closure is nicer and the ankle cuff seems to do a better job of keeping crud out (also, specifically for me it doesn't irritate my achilles which the shimano ones had started doing. After a few years use tbf).

The link below does seem to suggest they aren't as warm as others but I haven't noticed that so far. The fit is much better which helps with warmth- the strap on the shimano used to cut off blood to the toes if done too tight.

[url] http://enduro-mtb.com/en/the-best-mtb-winter-shoes-tested/ [/url]

I have had a set of shimanos mw 80s for a few years- very warm and waterproof

+1 for lake 303's. look a bit special needs till they get mucked up but warmest boots Ive had on the bike

Had a few pairs of Northwave's and they do a job keeping you dry in the shitty weather go for a size up for a good sock combo, can be costly although you can get some bargains from the likes of Ebay my last pair cost me 30 quid (second hand bargain) posted but guessing the guy didn't know what he had and I got lucky as I thought maybe they'd have a hole in em or somet but there good

Few 'winter' MTB boots have any form of insulation, so unless you size-up and wear them with a thick woolly sock, you're probably going to struggle for longer rides below zero. Either Lake MX300 or 45Nrth Wolvhammers if you're looking for 'really' cold.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Good boots again but found them to be a bit on the heavy side compared to the Northwave's that's just me </span>

Bontrager OMWs end of thread

I have 45Nrth, Lakes and some Northwave

IME when its pissing it down you will get damp anyway and then its just down to what socks you are wearing rather than the boot.

I did prefer the BOA of the lakes to laces and velcro but mainly ease of doing up tbh

What DavidB said.

The new Defrosters are significantly warmer than last years ones

Dhb merino socks and Lake MXZ303 have kept me warm and dry all winter.

This might be their last weekend out if the weather continues to get better. Time to get the overshoes and sidis back in action.

I've now got the Northwave arctic boots and they've kept me warm at -7 and are also waterproof so far. Although like all of the boots they've got a Neoprene ankle cuff that will eventually let water in that runs down your legs

Wore my Lake 303s up Snowden 4 weeks ago in 2 foot of snow and the wind chill to to match ..  DHB socks to and feet were lovely and warm 🙂 a little correction footwear looking but who cares with nice warm tootsies

Very old Defrosters and woolly socks saw me right at puffer this year. I find them warm but they are quite low, so water gets in over the top easily. Think new ones are higher. Also got some, 45nrth japanthers in anticipation, but didn’t use them in the end at puffer ‘cause it was so cold and dry I could reuse kit easily. I’ve not really used them in anger yet, but they seem to be really good from the couple of short rides I’ve done in them. Much less Frankensteinish than the Wolvhammer ones they do. Not too heavily insulated, but plenty room for thick socks and a loner if really cold, and quite a high gaiter thing to keep water out. Should work well with the Pearl Izumi amfib longs I’ve got that have a bit which will go over he gaiters. I got them for a bargain in a Charlie the Bikemonger sale so pretty chuffed.

Defrosting my Wolvhammers after they'd gone a little stiff after 16hours riding and an overnight bivvy at -27C

Can’t fault my northwave Celsius 2 boots. A few years old now and good as new. They keep my feet warm on everything from snowy sub zero rides to spinning on the turbo in my Baltic garage.

Lakes 303 here, several solid years of performance, surpassed my NW Celsius, & both mt91/mw80's by miles. I think you're going to struggle getting anything good (lakes/45nrth/bontrager) that isn't a frankenboot though

I like my Northwave Arctic. Good for down to -20C in Canada providing core is warm and not just hanging around.

+1 for northwave Celsius boots.

I picked the new model up in November for about £150 and they’ve been great. I’ve ridden them in pi55ing freezing conditions for the last two months and combined with a pair of dhb merino socks they’ve kept my feet toasty and dry.

the boots do have a neoprene cuff but it’s lined with goretex so no water ingress there. I’ve also worn pearl Izumi amfib tights all winter which have cuff that comes down over the size of the boot collar and the combo is unbeatable.

I have defrosters but these are awesome, I have the older version https://shop.mavic.com/en-gb/xa-pro-h2o-gtx-r-shoe-c5540.html#1028=3436

I suspect like most people I use a summer sox inside a winter one. I never found defrosters cold, in fact they can get too hot in less than wintery conditions. Two soxs might be the answer.

Sidi Dominators, SealSkinz knee length socks, merino and possum blend socks underneath and some good innersoles.

Its all about layers, you can remove and replace each one. In the cold, I always take two pairs of gloves; at bacon roll and tea time my first pair are always cold and wet!

The issue is that your feet are pushing through cold air faster than any other part of your body and are furthest from your heart and blood supply, hence the strain on them.

Overshoes on whatever boots you buy make a lot of difference to insulation and also help your boots last many seasons.
Best buy them in green / sky blue for the real "Elf" look

Got the newer Shimano MW7 (SPD) winter boot. Plenty warm enough in minus Celsius conditions, and they haven't been defeated by water and mud yet. Get home and just hose them off.

I have been very pleased with the Scott Heater GTX boots I got from StartFitness. They are very comfortable, feel lightweight and I have been commuting in them all winter on my road bike (with mtb spd's obv.) I have only been wearing my normal cycling socks in them and even at 7am when around freezing my feet have not been cold.

They are goretex, so are waterproof, but of course moisture will eventually saturate the cuff and work it's way in, but they remain warm and wet, not cold and wet. DO take ages to dry once they reach this point though as obviously waterproof shoes don't dry out easily!
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