Winter mtb boots are pointless- they are expensive and all the fancy waterproofing is useless when they fill up from above. What I plan to do is either wear neoprene socks or knee length Seal Skinz under my winter tights.

What I need are some mtb shoes that:
take cleats
have good tread
suitable for the occasional winter bike carry
no mesh
no velcro or as little as possible- what is the point of velcro on shoes that get covered in mud? And while I’m ranting about it, velcro isn’t needed on gloves either.
wide fitting

Any suggestions please?

PS I definitely don’t need ankle support! Thanks.

I have to disagree that winter boots are pointless. It is only in really extreme wet weather that I have had water coming into the shoe from the top and even then the feet stay warm.

Love my winter boots 😉

They don’t have to be expensive, I bought (2nd pr) some nearly new ones off here for £50. They may not keep your feet dry, but I’ve never had cold feet in winter.

I wear sealskins and winter boots 🙂

any water that does find its way in the top (which isn’t much) warms up quite quickly due to the insulation on the boots trapping warmth in so I don’t end up with cold feet (or wet ones).

look at Specialized Defrosters if you’e looking for lighter weight waterproof stuff. They have a cuff but it’s not ‘support’ as such.

Failing that the Shimano walking boot style ones are ok too.

(I use Lake Frankenboots but accept they may not be to everyone’s taste)

in response to the OP

Pearl Izumi Alp X shoes – lace up, good tread, accept cleats, look nice, totally warm, and bonus they are waterproof/resist,

PI link

these are goretex and are ideal……if you can find a pair.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31538

Mavic Switchbacks, soft shell upper, dries fast. Toggle closure, grippy sole.

I’ve got Shimano XC50N which are like a normal show but have all the mesh bits filled in. Good all year round shoe, just pick warm or cool socks to suit. They do have velcro for two of the three straps (the top one is ratchet) so may not suit your needs.

Click

Shimano MT71. Shoe-y. Goretex. Great.

Thanks all, some interesting options that I didn’t know about.

Shimano XC50N

+1

Ditto Shimano xc50n