Any good? Are they really fiddly to get on , does the neoprene split within a week?

Watching with interest 🙂

Winter boots, I’m still not convinced (see several threads of mine last winter!) I’d really like to try a pair for a week before I buy 😕

Not got the defroster, but already wearing my Northwave Celsius.

Hmmm toasty feet.

The Shimano ones are better.

my current ones have done 2 winters and are still good. Worn once a week, manky rides. They are not as warm as many, but if you are used to Spesh shoes they fit the same, no need to size up for thick socks as they are made wider. I like them. With a pair of wool walking socks I have found them fine on subzero wet night rides

I’ve a pair. Not too hard to get on as there’s a loop at the back to pull on. I’ve had mine for over a year and they are still fine. I doubt you could use them on flats by leaving/fitting a cover plate for the cleat socket as the sole of the boots is very hard and rather slippy. They aren’t 100% waterproof but unless you are trying to wade across a river you wouldn’t really notice.

I wear them with medium thickness walking socks and it needs to be near freezing otherwise my feet are sweating a lot. Somewhere around -5C seems to be the lower limit.

There’s a 45nrth boot (not the Wolvhammer) that seems equivalent in temperature ratings but has a better sole for possible use with flats. CTBM has them for sale.

I’ve toyed with the idea of getting boots a lot, but overshoes covers me for most things as the reality of where I live is that it really doesn’t get baltic much of the time, just cold, and overshoes work just fine for that!

MTB is always done in flats though, the boots would only be for commuting

The good:

– Properly waterproof (until water runs down leg)
– Durable: bought Jan 2014 and used for commuting, MTB, road riding 5-6 times a week. No sign of failing, although the boa has got a little stiff.

The bad:
– Do get sweaty if it’s at all mild (+7) or so. I get very cold feet. After a while they do get a bit cold if you’ve sweated in them.
– Pretty heavy.

Hmm looks like Specialized may have stopped doing the road one. Not on their website anymore.

I had some of these a couple years ago, before they added the long neoprene cuff. Can’t say I was impressed at all. With a name like “defroster” you’d expect them to keep your feet warm but no such luck, even with 2 socks on.

Also I found the flap over the boa a right faff to get on and the single boa lacing system wasn’t well thought out. By that I mean the first bits of lacing it tightens is across the top of your foot, where one of the veins is so it reduces blood supply to your toes and effectively helps them get cold!

I bought some Northwave Celsius boots instead, much much better!!

I had some of these a couple years ago, before they added the long neoprene cuff. Can’t say I was impressed at all. With a name like “defroster” you’d expect them to keep your feet warm but no such luck, even with 2 socks on.

Also I found the flap over the boa a right faff to get on and the single boa lacing system wasn’t well thought out. By that I mean the first bits of lacing it tightens is across the top of your foot, where one of the veins is so it reduces blood supply to your toes and effectively helps them get cold!

they redesigned them significantly, perhaps yours were the earlier ones ?

I got a pair of lake mxz303’s last Saturday, not had a chance to wear them in cold weather yet. Wore them on Monday then the temperature picked up the rest of the week so I’m back in my summer shoes.

They’re very comfortable though and look bombproof. My son did say they look like something cat woman would wear 🙂

Quite pricey for such mixed reviews on them £160! although Je James seems to have older MTB ones for £80 at the moment. Alright if you have small or massive feet.

I have had pair for at least 2yrs.
Reasonable to get on and off.
Have lasted well.
I only ever wear some summer coolmax socks under mine as they are quite warm.
I prefer them to the Shimano walking boot type winter boot,that I had previously

they redesigned them significantly, perhaps yours were the earlier ones ?

If they still have the single boa then the problem will persist. I just found that to try and get a decent fit with it, it went too tight closest to the ratchet, which puts pressure across the top of your foot. End result being I always got cold toes

Single ratchet boa systems don’t work that well for this reason, you can’t tailor the fit properly. Don’t Specialized have 2 on their S-Works shoes? I know it’s not exactly the same but my snowboard boots have 2 and they work brilliantly.

I’ve got some of the road ones that I bought 2 weeks ago so I presume they’re still making them.

Easy to get on/off – definitely less faff than overshoes.

Single boa system is fine for my feet, but I’ve always got on with Specialized shoes.

Very warm, and waterproof until it comes in through the top (not sure I’ve had any footwear where that hasn’t been an issue).

Bit of a PITA to dry out when they do get wet.