Winter shoes

[belgiangoth]

I am looking for something MTB pedal compatible for the winter commute. I like the look of the Lake MXZ176, shimano MW5 and 45NRTH Ragnarok. I tried a pair of PX winter shoes but they sized funny (only shoes I have ever worn that sized differently left and right).

I do wonder whether these are sensible choices, as I suspect they all have non-rubber soles, meaning that they will slip like anything on solid ground and be even worse on ice. Should I just be sensible and buy the "much less cool looking" but sensible Exustar Stelvios?

[foxyrider]

I've got 2 pairs of Specialised Defender's, one with road sole the other mtb - great boots but neither is great on slippery surfaces despite the 'anti skid' blocks fore and aft. Think i paid @ £170 a pair ten years ago. They are getting a bit tired now so are reserved for backup.

I'm currently using a pair of the new Carnac Havra winter boots which they have on offer atm (https://planetx.co.uk/products/carnac-w ... shoe-black). They come with optional studs (you could fit more agressive spikes as its the same fit as running shoes) for the front of the foot and a generous set of sole cleats which have proven quite adept at reducing slippage certainly on more mobile surfaces - i've avoided going out on ice this winter. PX suggest sizing up as they are a bit narrow but sizing seems fine, although i do need to use a shoehorn to get through the fairly tight ankle opening. They are less complicated than the Spesh boots to do up but are maybe not as warm, today's 5 hour ride at @ 4c was okay, last weeks similar length ride @ 0c my feet were decidedly cold from @ the 2 hour point.

From what i've used, my Spesh mtb boots would be my first choice but i'd certainly not rule out another pair of Carnacs but i'm expecting these to last me for at least another couple of winters.

[Cyclothesist]

I have MW5s.
They're comfy, durable, waterproof and warm. They have a good grippy sole.
Mostly you get what you pay for. With these you get a little more.

[axel_knutt]

When I was looking for cycling shoes I discounted the vast majority of them because they had a gauze top that was neither water resistant nor windproof.

(In the end I found nothing suitable, and carried on using ordinary shoes.)

[Barrowman]

Just searched 'Cyclo Cross Shoes ' on E Bay which threw up quite a selection.
I have Diadira Goretex Boots which are quite effective but the soles are a bit slippy on wet tarmac/concrete.
Plus I ride on old school slotted shoe plates which doesn't help when you try to walk in them. I'd suggest the sole is more road orientatated although there is provision for adding studs.

[Tiberius]

I have MW5s.
They're comfy, durable, waterproof and warm. They have a good grippy sole.
Mostly you get what you pay for. With these you get a little more.

MW5s here too - I completely agree with your post.

Edit - Re sizing. I have wide feet and I usually wear size 43 shoes. I had to buy size 45 MW5s and they're 'snug'.

[Nearholmer]

I wear a pair of Giro Privateer lace-ups, which are fairly water-resistant, but with sealskinz waterproof socks to cater for the deep puddles/floods. I ride on and off road, often in winter in a fair bit of mud, and they work for all tgat.

These shoes are very comfy because they lace as tight/loose as you need depending on socks, and they are fine for walking. Ice is a different matter though - very few not spiky shoes will be good for that.

[peterh11]

I recently bought some Shimano MW702s - very happy with them. Sizing is pretty true (it used to be that Shimano's winter shoes were very small) so I have size 44 which is what I usually get for cycling shoes. They are quite wide which suits my rather flat feet. They are warm, and so far have kept my feet dry - haven't ridden far in heavy rain yet though. The soles seem to grip fine though I have not tested extensively.

Expensive but assuming they last I then I'll judge them worth it. They replaced the equivalent from about 12 years ago, so my experience is good on that score.

BTW my Wahoo RPM cadence sensor sits nicely under the flap fixed in place with the BOA lace

PeterH

[belgiangoth]

It's the Havras that I tried from PX, the lh one was big, the rh was too tight. Never needed odd sized shoes before and mother PX shoes fit...

[daccordimark]

I have MW5s.
They're comfy, durable, waterproof and warm. They have a good grippy sole.
Mostly you get what you pay for. With these you get a little more.

MW5s here too - I completely agree with your post.

Edit - Re sizing. I have wide feet and I usually wear size 43 shoes. I had to buy size 45 MW5s and they're 'snug'.

I have MW5s too and I only agree with 50% of the assessment. In my experience they are far from waterproof and not particularly warm. I wear waterproof socks inside them to keep my feet dry and warm which I was not expecting to have to do when I bought them. They do have a good grippy sole though.

[pjclinch]

I can't do Shimano shoes/boots, by the time they're wide enough for me they're far too long. Which is a shame, those with narrower feet than mine seem to get on very well with them.

I currently have some Spesh 2FO Roost (two pairs, one flat, one cleated) which I got for colder weather because my 5.10 Trailcross have waterproof capabilities in line with a teabag (they're great in summer, and they do dry really quickly if it's warmish). The Roosts are pretty good in terms of water resistance (not waterproof though) and without a mesh upper aren't too cold, and unlike Shimanos actually allow my feet to go in at their notional size.
They take overshoes okay too if I decide I want enhanced toastiness.

Endura do some good options without loads of mesh, but the pair I tried went straight back with the same problem as Shimanos: far, far too narrow for my feet.

Pete.

[belgiangoth]

Hmmm,
I really just need shoes for cold commutes, 30-40 minson the bike each way. Rain is always a pain,but as long as there aren't vents on them they should be fine.
I would consider proper cold weather cycling shoes, but I feel warned off by comments about them being tricky to put on/take off.
Reckon that as we are mid Feb, by the time I buy them we will be through winter and I can put this off to next year...

[Cyclothesist]

Hmmm,
I really just need shoes for cold commutes, 30-40 minson the bike each way. Rain is always a pain,but as long as there aren't vents on them they should be fine.
I would consider proper cold weather cycling shoes, but I feel warned off by comments about them being tricky to put on/take off.
Reckon that as we are mid Feb, by the time I buy them we will be through winter and I can put this off to next year...

I can't vouch for the others but the MW5s couldn't be easier really - one speed lace and 2 velcro tabs.
Winter boots are a game changer.

[alexnharvey]

I'm also a commuter looking primarily for warmth on a 30 minuteish commute. I recently replaced a pair of mw81 because the sole started to fall off. The softer rubber bits had eventually fallen off the sole at the front, after many years, but provided good grip on most surfaces up until then.

The Mavic replacements I got are a bit harder in the sole but still provide good grip on outdoor surfaces but need extra care on smooth tiles or vinyl, especially if damp.

I found both the Mavic and Shimano boots a bit tight on my larger foot at first, especially with thick socks but eventually they soften up a bit. I don't find them hard to get on, certainly not as much as a pain as full over shoes. I quite liked the neoprene toe covers I got but they didn't last very long before the elastic going under the shoe broke

[Cyclothesist]

...I found both the Mavic and Shimano boots a bit tight on my larger foot at first, especially with thick socks but eventually they soften up a bit. I don't find them hard to get on, certainly not as much as a pain as full over shoes. I quite liked the neoprene toe covers I got but they didn't last very long before the elastic going under the shoe broke

I did go up 1 EU size with my MW5s as I have with other Shimano shoes. Some say the winter boots fit to size but I expect that's with thin socks. With thicker winter socks they're perfect for me.
Shoe sizes really could do with a standard last across manufacturers.