I’m after some winter cycling shoes. Anyone recommend any?

Must be reasonably waterproof and have stiff soles.

MW 80’s assuming you want spd’s.

I have the Gaerene’s going cheap on CRC. Pretty darned good. V stiff.

MW81’s. There are none finer.

I also recommend the Gaerene’s. Have never failed to keep my feet dry.

Love my Northwave celsius

I have Shimano MW80’s and whilst they are a great boot I still get cold feet when temperatures are down around 4deg and below. I sized up so plenty of space. The only way I have truly been able to keep my feet warm is with overshoes.

MW80’s with wool socks, sorted. Get a size bigger if you want to wear thicker socks. Only gripe would be that they could do with being a bit taller, most of my socks stick out above the collar, not sure that’d make any difference to water getting in to them when it’s really wet though.

MW81’s are a bit warmer than the MW80 due to fleece lined insole and are stiffer and lighter too. Oh – they take toe studs too.

what are the fasteners like on the mw80/mw81? Much movement in the heel.

Gert big Velcro bits. Zero slippage.

Like what he said.

I bought the northwaves, very impressed so far. Northwave Celsius GTX ‘Artic’, so the added bonus of the ‘artic’ version is a fleacy/wooly lining to them which makes them super toasty. Haven’t ridden them in torrential rain yet, but thats mainly because I dont like the rain in winter, as no ammount of clothign keeps it all off while remaiing breathable, so I always freeze. But they’ve eben fine on -2 nightrides, and never let a drop in despite walking through puddles.

They’re so good I actualy considdered swapping my Pitch to SPD’s as I dont think anyone makes a comparable flat shoe apart from bug walking boots! Usualy wear them with thick socks, but I’ve worn them with normal offcie socks and been fine, although the sizing meant I rattled round bit front to back as I’ve wide feet (hence discounting shimano automaticaly), thick socks help pad them out a little.

The laces are ace, easy to do them up wearing winter gloves. But you cant put much tension in them as theyre elastic, less of an issue than it first seems though, its not noticeable on the bike and I guess it prevents you from packing the insulation down too much or cutting off blood supply.

Tried a few on (lake, shimano, northwave) and just bought the ones that fit best on the basis tha tthye’ll all do a good job so the biggest difference would be fit.

The only downside (and I guess this applys to most high ankled winter boots) is they slightly restrict ankle movent while walking compared to summer SPD shoes, but it’s barely noticable on the bike.

£140 from my LBS.

thebikechain – Member

MW81’s. There are none finer.

Is the right answer – I got a pair from this fine purveyor of the aforementioned item – very good indeed

Is the right answer – I got a pair from this fine purveyor of the aforementioned item – very good indeed

+1 Ive ridden for years with wet cold feet due to being put off with the price tag and to be fair lack of knowledge of how good things could be.
We were out last night in the pouring rain and a few stream crossings at speed and I returned home with toastie dry feet.

PS. this is only possible if you have full length trousers to stop the water running in to the top of the boot as I found out to my cost the first time out as it took me an age to dry the things out. Still 10/10 🙂

Internet opinions are never moderate. In general we all love to assure ourselves of our brilliance by seeking agreement over our inconsequential consumer choices.

However, since I’ve had my Specialized Defrosters there has been peace in the Middle East.

my northwaves have dies (although i’m still wearing them) the lace tabs tore and they can’t be repaired. great boots but i’m sticking to velcro/ external lacing.

replaced with specialized – seem just as good but better sealed at the top. for some reason i haven’t got he cleats in the right place yet…

shimano shoes don’t fit me.

Another Spesh Defroster user here and found them to be very good. Go up a size or two to make sure you have room for thick socks would be my advice. I found Shimano and Northwave to narrow for my wide feet.

Sidi diablo’s if you can afford them?

Mine have been great!!

thats a nice bit of fanboyism generally
as is – “i love my northwave celcius, several years old now”

which ones are a nice wide fitting, the northwaves are pretty narrow so i went up a size, maybe two, still narrow but ok with merino socks however i would like to get thicker socks, even sealskins, in.

rossm – Member

Internet opinions are never moderate. In general we all love to assure ourselves of our brilliance by seeking agreement over our inconsequential consumer choices.

However, since I’ve had my Specialized Defrosters there has been peace in the Middle East.

Genuine LOL.

Tried NW Celsuis found em not warm enough though nice and stiff and waterproof (pre artic version), have since tried MT90’s (no lycra collar so are rubbish is the rain and puddles) and now MW80’s and won’t be changing from them in any sort of rush. Would like to try Lake MX302’s but simply don’t have the money, where-as the Shimano’s can be had cheaply with vouchers (earlier in the season obviously)…