Specialized Defroster Boots Price: £99.99 From: Specialized 020 8391 3500 www.specialized.com Tested: Several downpours Reviewed: Singletrack Magazine – Issue 39 A decent pair of winter boots is long overdue from the (other) Big S. In all other fields, they rival both Shimano and Sidi in popularity and (for me at least) usually exceed both in ergonomics and fit. It’s good to see that they’ve done their homework and not just come out with a slightly less vented racing shoe or DH boot. The Defroster is a ground-up boot designed purely to work well in the winter slop. For a start, the faux leather and nylon upper features no vents, and it does have two easy to use Velcro straps and a Velcro neoprene cuff to seal off the top of the boots. The sole of the shoe features a nylon sole with chunky Specialized tread and full Body Geometry features (yay!) and a provision for two toe studs (double yay!). And that’s it. No other bells or whistles, the way it should be. In use, the boots are waterproof to about 4in, to the point that water comes over the top of the neoprene inner cuff. They’re not particularly warm, but that’s no bad thing. There is room for you to add warmth with wooly socks, rather than having a too-hot shoe and this opens up the Defrosters to be used from autumn to the final warmth of late spring. For everything from winter slogs, dark road miles and frozen ‘cross runups, the Defrosters are great. They won’t blend in with your work clothes and are definitely riding shoes rather than walking boots with cleats. Overall: It’s great to finally get Specialized’s BG features in a winter boot. All warm socks and nothing will stop you. Chipps
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