I bought my specialized defrosters brand new and boxed for £60.

But that was in June.

i had perennially cold feet, solved with Northwave boots sealskinz now not needed (thank goodness,terrible things) .

Being someone who doesn’t’ like paying full price for anything, I am going to see if I can wait to get some defrosters at less that 160 at the end of the season …
But plastic bags worked well today – though the air temp was 10 degrees warmer than the other day …

Indeed but if boots are better it’s not a waste, is it? If you have the money.

I’ve just gone back to overshoes. I suffered Specialized winter boots with the neoprene ankles for years (as they were bloody expensive). They just filled up with water and I’d have to take them off to empty them out.

I find overshoes over summer shoes just as good and they self drain after over ankle swamping.

Just as an aside, my feet are now half a size bigger than they used to be, and the arch *seems* to be slowly collapsing. Probably an effect of more weight, more age and less training. I suspect my feet will eventually be a whole size bigger…….

If your feet are getting bigger, your shoes will be getting tighter. And you’ll get cold feet.

Which is why i stopped mucking around with overshoes. No problem with winter boots being 10 times the price when overshoes have so little effect (virtually none)

On the other hand, it gets properly cold here.

For those on a budget, Decathlon snow boots work well on the bike with flats – very waterproof, but if the water goes over the top of the boots then obvs you’re gonna get wet feet.
I think sealskinz are over rated and don’t really work, they are a bit crude and boil in the bag imo.

I will get some of the on-one neoprene sock … the price was great but 3.95 postage put me off…
See how I am feeling tomorrow!

Winter boots are fantastic. I wear them more than just for winter.

It’s not comparable to say overshoes – which sort of work but you’re getting an additional pair of shoes with winter boots. Not just a cover for existing shoes.

Overshoes never last anyway. But are and economical option.

Shimano MW work well for me. But I have the big lakes for proper cold.

Good winter gear I never begrudge as it keeps me riding all through.

Have over boots for a good few years and was impressed by them, not expensive and kept me warm and pretty dry. But then bought some Shimano winter boots in a sale a few years ago and they blinking fantastic.

I’ve been fine with Summer shoes, long socks, plastic bags (sometimes) and neoprene overshoes; all layered up they are brilliant in the dry and will go 3-4 hours in the wet. Not tried foil before, might be a have to give it a go sometime…

Eventually moisture will always penetrate, the other advantage of the having several layers over your feet is that you can pull them apart to dry out more easily.

Unfortunately I don’t have 10x the budget to find out if proper winter boots work any better in cold, wet conditions that only really affect me for maybe ~4 months of the year…

maybe ~4 months of the year…

It’s the other way around for me, maybe 4 months of actual dry riding.

Size up half a size so the blood can flow. Insulate your legs so the blood is warm going down to the feet. Avoid mesh in anything but warm weather. Specialised Defrosters plus overshoes.

Overshoes should be viewed as essentially disposableevery season

I tried overshoes for years. They kept my feet warm but after a season the zip would be knackered or they’d be all torn. On long rides with hike a bike sections I was always having to adjust them, the toe would move up exposing the end of the shoe. I then got some Shimano goretex Tex, MW81 I think, water would get in but they kept my feet warm, shoulda got a size bigger so I could wear two pairs of socks, but that was rarely a problem. Still have them so they’ve been good value but I mostly wear flats these days. Pair of AM41 keeps out the worst of the water and sized up to accommodate two pairs of merino socks, the Aldi ones are good. Trial and error and work out what works best for you.