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My much loved Mavic Winter boots have finally bitten the bin and they were loved as they had the goldilocks waterproof and warm. They are an over ankle design which I really like as it keeps water, grit and crud out. Budget is not a primary concern as I would rather have good kit than frozen wet feet and I am not hard on shoes.
Now the big challenge is what next? What's the collective view on good waterproof and warm (ride all year so get into minus degrees often) boots with spd obviously.
Welcome your good and less good experiences and views all.
Have seen the madly expensive Sidi Frost, various Lake and a clutch of Northwaves various.
Ta in advance.
Bontrager Old Man Winter.
Love my Lake Mxz302, they done 7 winters, and are still going strong. I'll be buying another updated set (304's..) when they die. Those or the like of Bontrager OMW for me.
Northwave for me. They fit my feet, but they are narrow.
On a related issue, just bought a winter jersey...Given that it's Summer, I'll probably be wearing it at the weekend.
Can depend on foot shape quite a bit. I had to send back both some Northwaves and the bargainous PlanetX winter boots as they were simply too narrow and were cramping my forefoot even with thin socks. which would have lead to poor circulation and thus even colder feet.
I've now settled on some Shimano MW7s which have plenty of wiggle room, including enough for a second pair of woolly socks for the sub-zero days. If they had failed that test I'd have gone for the even more expensive Lakes but fortunately not required.
On a related issue, just bought a winter jersey…Given that it’s Summer, I’ll probably be wearing it at the weekend.
Lots of Rapha Core winter jackets on SportsPursuit.com at only £69 IIRC right now. Excellent winter jacket.
Shimano MW7 user here, used for a couple of winters after my old/original Specialized Defrosters died after a decade of use. Very comfy, warm enough, no complaints so far. Still wearing them on early morning rides even now when it's wet and they're not too warm up to 10degC or so at least.
Also bought a pair of Shimano XM9s - the hiking boot-style things - a couple of weeks ago. Wasn't even looking but they were a bargain secondhand Feel very comfy but yet to ride with them.
Thanks for all the kind views so far, interesting comments re feet size, I've already experienced that first hand as I'm normally a 44eu but ended up with a 46eu on my Mavics.
Interesting to see the people in the Shimano MW as my mate has a pair and complains that they get wet inside and take ages to dry, just a bad pair on his part or have you experienced that?
I'm ideally looking for warm, dry and toasty feet each ride, as that is what I have got used to without having to add in overshoes etc.
Loving the comments re needing winter boots next week as ironically I did KAW last week and had them on two days in the torrential rain LOL Thanks English weather.
James
that they get wet inside and take ages to dry
In my experience all winter boots get wet after long rides - either sweat, or water eventually gets in down your leg etc. If you don't fully dry them out I find they just develop mildew eventually and start to smell like rotting flesh (or maybe that's just me).
Bought a cheap boot drier off Amazon last year - amazing investment - dries out wet boots in no time!
MW7s here.
They've only got wet inside when it's been water running down my leg / socks or I've stood in a puddle deeper than the boots come up the ankle. Some sweat build-up too but I can't see how you could avoid that whatever the boot is.
+1 for a boot dryer. Nice and dry pretty quickly, it stops them gradually going smelly too.
GripGrab do an over-ankle gaiter that well help stop water running down your leg and into the boot. I've previously formed my own from the cuff of a set of Marigold gloves but these work better and last longer.
GripGrab do an over-ankle gaiter that well help stop water running down your leg and into the boot.
I did buy a pair of those - didn't work very well.
The wife uses the marigold technique.
I've used summer SPD's and overshoes before. Great for changeable spring and autumn weather, not as warm as....
... Full winter boots. Currently MW5's with nice merino socks and reflective layer under footbed.
Plus longs on cold days, baggy or tights.
The wife uses the marigold technique.
TMI, keep it behind closed doors. 😉
The wife uses the marigold technique.
I'm away to google that, but not from the work PC...
Thanks for all the kind views so far, interesting comments re feet size, I’ve already experienced that first hand as I’m normally a 44eu but ended up with a 46eu on my Mavics.
If it helps, my experiences:
Mavic Scree Goretex winters UK12/EU47.3
Shimano MW7 UK11
Shimano ME7 UK12
UK11 in Nike or Puma trainers, or UK11.5 in Adidas trainers (and my Trailcross flat pedal shoes).
Probably XL in marigolds 😉
North wave Artic for me with grip grab gaiters, my first pair of boots this year and absolutely love them, a total revaluation in warm dry feet! Highly recommend…
Lakes did it for me. Two or even three sizes up to fit in two pairs of socks - warm socks next to skin and hand knitted wool socks or fleece socks on top - while still leaving wiggle room. I also had a pair of Shimano winter boots that would only fit one pair of socks. They were good for autumn and spring but no good for really cold weather.
I have some Shimano MW500 that are great as big enough to wet some showerpass socks is.
For when it's really cold I have some 45north wolvhammer great when it's really cold and want to ride around looking like I've nicked my boots from the set of the matrix.
Lakes, as they are proper leather construction without a fragile goretex liner that will eventually rip.
I was trying to find out how old mine are but failed, must be at least 10 years. They just need a brush off and once or twice a year I rub some wax into them to keep the stitching waterproof and the water beading off them.
I did the Cambrian Way with numerous river crossing and kept my feet perfectly dry for the 4 days (paired with some gaiters over my ankles)
They are just starting to die now due to leaving my cleats in until rusted solid, I've drilled bolts out of them a couple of times and the captive cleat plates are finally giving up.
If you’ve the same mavic ‘xc winter’ shoes I have then i suspect almost anything else will be warmer! They are the least ‘clunky’ feeling winter boot I’ve worn, and I love them for it, but its obviously insulation that’s gone to achieve that. I live in the south east, so mostly damp and cold rather than snowy and freezing, so they’re my choice rather than scotroutes OMWs.
I've got whatever the previous version of Sidi Frost were called. Great boots that refuse to die. They don't feel clunky at all. I'm a 45 in most shoes but 46 in Sidi.
45NRTH japanther, or whatever the new version is. Pricey but by God they're good. Nicely waterproof, like standing in 4" of water with dry feet.
Always been happy with Northwave, so like bigdaddy I went for a pair of Artics and Grip Grab gaiters/cuffs. Very good combo once you get the fekers on,but there were times (before I found the knack)when I thought I was going to dislocate an ankle 😳 😀
Plus longs on cold days, baggy or tights.
I know they're outrageously over priced, but Rapha's winter bib longs are very impressive - can do a 5 hour ride in damp conditions around freezing temp and have warm legs the whole time. When I bought them I was initially disappointed in how thin the fabric was, but whatever it is, it works very well.
I had my eyes on these for a while and just bought a pair.
https://www.bikester.co.uk/vaude-minaki-mid-ii-stx-bike-shoes-M888183.html
Seem really good, fit well - possibly snug but they're well covered and insulated so shouldn't need thick socks as well.