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Currently have a pair of Shimano XC51N water resistant shoes I use for road, offroad and CX racing, they are almost perfect for the UK, I can step in a puddle and not get a wet foot and in the winter there are no mesh panels to let the cold air in, wear them all year around no need for extra shoes, plus can put studs on them for CX racing.
However on longer rides I find they give me foot pain, I'm guessing its due to the soles not being very stiff.
I don't want a full on winter shoe, I just want something that keeps your feet pretty dry in the rain and when stepping through mud and puddles (the cleat plate doesn't leak if you step in a puddle), and doesn't have mesh toe panels that let in loads of cold air in the winter.
Around the £100 mark or less
SPD cleat with stud holes
Not Northwave! I have tried but their cleat positions are too far forward for me.
Not winter specific but fairly wind and waterproof, not fleece lined,
relatively stiff sole.
Does anyone have any alternative suggestions?
The Shimano XC5 looks like it might be up there but not sure about those flappy laces
I'd like an answer to this also.
I have some cheap semi-trainer SPD shoe and tend to wear an overshoe during winter when the weather is wet. I cycle alot along a part of the TPT and it's muddy and wet much of the year.
Even with the overshoe (and mudguards) it's very hard to keep my feet really dry.
Perhaps I should just look for a more waterproof overshoe?
Was just here to say XC51N - ah well!
Yes XC51N are almost perfect for the price but I wish it had a slightly more stiff sole at the toe bend as I run as little a possible!
Not sure why these type of all year shoe aren't more available tbh, its not as that its only wet in the winter.
I've got some Mavic Crossmax shoes that fit this bill pretty closely. I actually bought them with winter in mind but have found they are more of a 3 season shoe as water/wind proof but no insulation and unfortunately, in my case, I didn't size up enough to get two pairs of socks in.
Looking online the current Crossmax Elite CM could be the one for you? Just over £100 though from Rosebikes.
Quick edit - I find rolling down the neoprene ankle gusset stops them getting too hot in warmer weather. That's the one element that gets a bit sweaty otherwise.
Came here to suggest those Mavics!
I don't have them, but have been eyeing them up- I've got the similar model full winter boots and summer shoes that sit either side of those and like them, so was thinking about completing the set
I'm sure you've already considered this, but what about some Sealskinz or similar waterproof socks, and whatever shoes you want?
Both XC7s and XC9s have a CX icon next to them on the shimano website, definitely have a stiffer sole, can take studs. Whether they are as water resistant than the XC51 I'm not sure - probably close. I have the road rp7s that look similar in the upper and they are quite enclosed, just one small fabric part over the toes.
Running on a 11/12 stiffness sole (the XC9) in a cross race sounds dodgy to me, like surely that would hurt your feet? But perhaps it's OK. I never pay attention to people's shoes at the races, I'll see if anyone is wearing them tomorrow.
The Shimano XC5 looks like it might be up there but not sure about those flappy laces
I've got some, they aren't a winter shoe. there's no mesh panel but there are perforations along the sides so if the puddle is deep the water will get in. they are however super comfy. the laces also tuck away under a subtle elastic strip so minimal flappage.
The sole fell off my xc51n and I've ended up replacing them with Gaerne Lasers. There are a few small perforations but don't find much comes in (guess you could plug with silicone). I use with Aldi porelle waterproof socks if it is really wet.
I also use them for everything (cx, mtb and commuting) so just waiting for a cheap second set to come up to help with cleaning and drying.
Sizing is more accurate than Shimano (same as regular shoes instead of having to go up a size).
Sealskinz merino-lined waterproof socks have always served me extremely well for this stuff. Then you're not reliant on finding The Perfect Shoe.
I like the look of the Gaerne Lasers and for another tenner the Hurricanes with a BOA. How do they compare in sizing, do you go up a size like shimano?
I wear 42 in everyday shoes and a 43 in Shimano & Specialized.
The Mavic's do fit my description but are a bit too boot like and outside my price if buying in the UK (inc ase I want an easy return) I still like the Shimano XC5's I'm wondering if the lacing would annoy me if I need to adjust them mid ride or even mid race!
Did cx with my Lazers today - stayed dry in the race but some wet did come in when hosing them off. Have a proper look as in hindsight there are quite a lot of perforations (but no mesh so better than most). You need to find a photo showing top or inside view to see them all.
I find hard plastic ratchet buckles etc hurt my right foot (must be a bony bit in the wrong place) so that is why I went for the triple velcro rather than boas etc.
I'm 43 in normal and Gaerne. 44 in Shimano. Comfy in normal socks but will open up for thin plus waterproof. There is a wide version, but I don't really find the normal to be overly narrow.
OP Update
Ordered the Gaerne hurricane in 42 & 43 (currently have shimano 43)
both have narrower heels so the 43 although comfyish would slip off my foot when done up and 42 a bit too small but still then had to do up really tight to prevent slippage.
Other than personal fit they look like really nice shoes, stiff soles, supple feel, comfy inner lining, narrower toe box, and the cleat positioning was at least 5mm further forward than shimano.
I struggle with find shoes though as I have club feet, and one foot is smaller than to other by at least 2 sizes. Despite that I wear the same size shoes as the smaller foot is as wide and has a higher arch than the larger foot so won't fit in smaller sized shoes also meaning there is no space for inserts.
Therefore wider shoes and heels are good so I can push both feet back into the heel and do the shoe up tightly and it not slip off. Cleats need to run quite far back like shimano as the balls of my feet are further back in the shoes, northwave shoes would have me pedaling thru my toes.
If you have read this far I means I'm going to order the Shimano XC5 in 43, at least the lace will give me loads of adjustability compared to a BOA.
Specialized also fit pretty well but I don't light their £100 lineup.