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Any recommendations for winter boots for road/gravel?
Want something suitable for long Audax rides.
Have used Shimano MW5 in the past but found that they're not quite warm enough.
Bought some Fizik Artica X5 last year but they're similar to the Shimano MW5 and the central zip is horrible and prone to breaking (this happened to a friend on a bikepacking trip together in January).
Thinking of opting for the Shimano MW7 so open to people's thoughts on this along with other boot suggestions.
Can you still find the Bontrager OMWs anywhere?
was going to say the MW7, wore mine all last winter and they were great, bit too warm for me to put on just yet, i actually want a set of waterproos boots without the insulation now for the next few months...
Surely the only difference between the MW5 and MW7 is the goretex membrane and the boa? they're not going to be any warmer (they've very little insulation as far as I can work out).
I really like mine and wear them from now until the mud months end (so into April) and in summer with thin socks if it's been wet (with Woolie Boolies when it's cold).
Wife gets cold feet and loves her Northwave Arctic. Spec Defrosters are meant to be good and warm
The "toe thingies" work well to pretty low temps. Stop air through front of shoe.
I then use neoprene overshoes for the extreme colder weather and longer rides
I found boots winter boots for audax made my feet sweat and then they got cold!
I did find Shimano winter boots ones which breathed more but meant saddle height alterations when wearing them , so not really used them much.
The trouble with neoprene is that it wears out quickly! Esp the toe thingies one winter ....just!
I’m gonna say some Lakes, particularly if your feet are slightly wide of skinny as the Lakes come in various shapes. I have 2 pairs already that eliminated all my foot discomfort on longer rides and have just ordered some MX304s for the winter.
Im a long term fan of the Northwave Celsius boots, I have had about 4 pairs, usually get a good few winters out of them, more now im riding more gravel and less MTB.
I think they have changed the design in recent years so maybe not as high, or as good..... but the older version are very good. They did an arctic version that had more insulation (i think)
older version
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I second the Lakes! I've had 2 pairs of them for a few years, Very warm or not so warm, both sealed and fully waterproof. If you have wide feet they also do a very wide wide fitting.
I think they have changed the design in recent years so maybe not as high, or as good….. but the older version are very good.
I have the older version. You have to fit the two velcro straps very carefully or water will get between them and into the boot. I also had to size up to get the width I needed, but I do have wide feet.
I used these all last winter, go one size up for thicker/waterproof socks. Very comfy and warm. On very heavy rain days water can get in through the hole in the top and they take a while to dry out though so I used gifgaf neoprene gaiters to great effect.
https://ukgravelco.com/2022/11/28/fizik-terra-artica-x5-gtx-winter-boot/
If you go for the Lake MXZ304s make sure the velcro flap over the boa is properly secured at the toes when it's raining otherwise they fill with water as the tongue isn't bellowed.
If you remember that they keep your feet dry and toasty warm.
I always liked the Northwave Artic boots,so when I saw the bright (can be seen from space)fluro model with the neoprene ankle cuff,I thought "Paired with a set of GripGrab gaiters,these will be the ultimate winter boot".
They were indeed very,very good,if you didn't dislocate an ankle trying to get them on. They were super tight,and putting them on twice a day while commuting was a pita. Just after I bought mine, the cunning barstewards in Northwave design shed,added a front tag to make it easier putting your feet through the cuff 😠. By then I had forced and wiggled my feet in so many times,it had pushed down the heel lining at the back of the boots,tried to get them fixed at a cobblers but no luck. Now they are a spare set with a bodgtastic ductape repair. I bought a pair of Sidi Zero boots in the summer.