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Yeah I agree that would be their only fault. I wear them with Altura attack trousers and it's a lovely, dry, warm and smug feeling I have when I head out the door 😀
I know they're not necessarily 'winter boots' but has anyone tried the MT71s?
Avoid Lake winter boots - I have waterproof, insulated ones - that then have a big hole in the bottom for the cleat. 🙄
So, MT91s, 2 sizes up and some long Sealskinz. Sound about right?
Do.
It.
I have this years defrosters (in a 43) and they come up buch bigger than last years in a 44, so I would guess they have changed the last on them.
Plenty of room inside too even with thick merino socks.
I am going to need to put some insoles in though as there doesn't appear to be as much arch support as I`d like (The MTB Pros I use in summer on the road bike are spot on though)
I have this years defrosters (in a 43) and they come up buch bigger than last years in a 44, so I would guess they have changed the last on them.
Cheers, that's really interesting to know, this week I have just been wearing my boots for the first time this year, and was thinking they are too small for me really.
CLINK
I'm using the Gore Active shell trousers and they are very good indeed. Not cheap though!
Cheers
Sanny
CLINK
I'm using the Gore Active shell trousers and they are very good indeed. Not cheap though!
Cheers
Sanny
Two rides this weekend with my new MT91s. Admittedly not sub-zero (more like 4 or 5 degrees), but the boots seem great. Normally wear a 42 but went 44 which is big enough for medium-weight Sealskinz with wiggle room to spare. One ride with the 'skinz and one with normal merino socks - finished both muddy rides with dry, warm feet (which for a Reynaud's sufferer is a novel feeling at this time of year).
All good so far.
My thanks go out to the hive mind.
I have had two pairs of MT91's and wore both out over a four year period (the goretex bootee inside disintergrated). the uppers and soles were still fine on both though. Really good hike a bike boots but if you dont wear them with waterproof longs they will fill up with water and grit.
Having been for a road ride today and suffering the dreaded blue big toes from the heat sink effect of the cleat I have just ordered a pair of Lake MXZ303's as they come in a wide fit so I should have the best of all worlds and dont mind treating leather boots properly ie not drying them out on rads and putting leather care products on them.
Just hope they fit....
I use Shimano mw81's. They're comfy, but not waterproof. When the going gets pretty wet they leak. In a normal shower you'll be fine, but if the rain gets very heavy the boots will fill with water.
They're reasonably warm, and if you wear nice socks they're warm enough for cold days in the UK.
They're also a pain to get on. The velcro will catch on your sock, and there's an elastic strap on the inside that your toes will almost certainly catch on, which is beyond annoying.
While the above sounds like a lot of criticism, they're a decent boot, and considering the price, a decent compromise. The NW competitors I looked at were twice the price and didn't agree at all with my wide feet. If you use on a hose on them you'll get wet feet though.
Been wearing a pair of Shimano MW81s for a few winters now & just bought a new pair as my originals were only one size larger - which was OK for most of the year - but a bit tight with my thermal seal skin socks on - so my new pair are two sizes larger!
They are very pretty warm - but I have also worn them with a pair of neoprene overshoes on the coldest of days.
To stop the water running down your legs into the top of the boot I have made a set of rubber gaiters from the sleeve of a pair of black rubber gloves. They are about 4ins long & work a treat by directing the water off my legs and over the top of the boots. They look as if they are part of the boots too.
What about Five Ten Exum Guide? Not really sure how good they are other than the grip is most likely awesome.
Now Velcro, that has no place on a winter boot:
Snow too deep to ride in, so you walk.
Snow gets on your (waterproof) boots
Melts due to warmth of your feet.
Water gets in the velcro
Start riding again
Water freezes.
Velcro clogs with ice, hooks and loops no longer clear.
Snow too deep to ride in, so you walk.
Velcro opens
Boot falls off.
Cold wet foot....
This is bollocks. I have ridden in snow loads with my MW80 boots (inc. deep hike a bike bits) and this has never happened.
My experience has been that whilst the boots are waterproof and warm with good thick soxs my feet have got wet as water seeped in down my legs to the tops of my soxs. Since adding a gaiter I can honestly say my feet have stayed dry and warm.
Shimanos here - they're great wet-weather boots, durable too (4th winter on mine coming up and no signs of damage or wear) but not particularly warm imo. If it's only a few degrees / frosty and you're out for 3-4hrs+ you may get numb toes, I do even with a thin wool/thin bike sock combo. Heard good things about Defrosters in comparison for warmth.
Have Defrosters, MW80s and Sidi for the road. The defrosters are by far the warmest and keep my feet driest.
My tip is to buy used. None of the above were bought new. All but one were sold due to poor fit. 😉
I have a lovely pair of specialized defrosters winter boots (excellent condition) in size 44 with cleats that i would be interested in swapping for a same size and condition pair of five tens if anyone is interested?
I only ride flats these days so they have sat unused for ages.
Email me for pics
Another happy MW81 user ( providing you can keep the water from coming in the top - same as all other boots)
Was also quite happy with the MW80's I had in the dim n distant.
Toying with the idea of getting some MW91's once the MW81's finally wear out. ( but i'm hoping there's a couple of years left in these latest ones)
It seems that almost all the MTB boots are for spd's; MT91, defrosters, Gearne's.
The only ones that don't seem to be are the five ten exum guides, but I don't even know if they are remotely water proof.
Anyhow my point is, surely boots that are meant for spd's will have less grip walking, on a flat pedal and will also less comfortable when walking/hiking?
Even though the MW91s are SPD compatible, I'm using them on flats - the soles are pretty hard rubber but they seem to sit well on the pedals (Superstar Nanos) and I haven't slipped a pedal yet. They also only have a half rigid sole, so are actually pretty comfy to walk in and seem at least as grippy on muddy slopes as my Salomon walking boots.
The 2014 defrosters arrived in today's post. Miles better than last years model.
1 They are a good chunk more roomy, including the pull over cover, which used to be really restrictive on the old ones in itself, and often pulled the boa open.
2. They have "toughened" up the tongue so the boa doesn't cut into the top of your feet so easily.
3 The ankle is far higher and seals up much better.
4, did I mention how much roomier they are, I have even been able to replace the insole with my sole mouldable insole which is a bit thicker than the standard one, I wasn't even close to doing that with last years.
I am still not convinced that the boa gives any advantage, but taking a size 49 I don't have many choices, if I did have a choice it wouldn't be a boa fastening. Last years were too small and I had to endure wearing them, this years actually fit.
Another happy defroster owner here 🙂
I ran mt90's for 5 years. Best boots ever. Just upgraded to mt91's. So far they seem excellent. Will see how they get on in winter
ton - Member
[url= http://www.ardmoor.co.uk/products/310203541/seeland-snowfax-pac-10-boot ]null
Looks like it would keep your feet warm ok, but wonder what it's like to cycle in (heel / ankle rub when pedaling).
how many sizes do you reckon I should go up for MT91s if my normal shoe size is 45.5?
Having worn out my MT90's I looking at replacing them with MT91's is there any difference in sizing when they restyled the boot?
Cheers G
What is the tread made of on the defrosters? Grippy rubber or slippy plastic?
Anyhow my point is, surely boots that are meant for spd's will have less grip walking, on a flat pedal and will also less comfortable when walking/hiking?
Vibram hiking boot sole on the MT91's
What is the tread made of on the defrosters? Grippy rubber or slippy plastic?
Rubber, they are not walking boots, but better than sidi.
I've had one pair of MT90s for about 7 years, maybe more. They have holes worn in the side but still seemed fine, nothings fell apart but I've retired then this year as I went to replace the cleat and the bolts have sheared off. Used the other set and the corrosion just helped strip the threads straight away.
So I bought some MT91's. Couldn't remember which size MT90s I had so bought size 44 MT91's as I'm normally a 43. Seem to have enough wriggle room for medium socks, so maybe go 2 sizes up if you have cold feet.
This is what I am using this winter.
Inner and outer boot, rated down to -7c
[img] 
[/img]
[url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/fasterkatt-spd-boot-waterproof-cycling-boot---spd-compatible-4252-p.asp ]fasterkatt boot[/url]
and if you want protection down to -18c or something stupid like that, try these...
we are selling a lot of these to Scotland and Norway etc. Sales to Hawaii are pretty bloody terrible.
[img] 
[/img]
[url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/wolvhammer-winter-cycling-boot---spd-compaitble-3288-p.asp ]SPD version[/url]
[url=45nrth-wolvhammer-winter-boots---not-spd-version-4238-p]NOT spd version[/url]
while we're talking gaiters...anyone know one that will work well over a lake 303? never used 'em before not sure if you need laces to attach the bottom of the gaiter to.
What do you treat your boots with suggsey?
303s are nice and toasty, water ingress from the top is the only thing to worry about. I have the wide versions and they are a bit chunky, had to move my cleats a little so my feet are slightly more outboard than usual. Loads of room for thick socks if it gets silly cold but they are so warm anyway I may be tempted to get standard width next time (hopefully a good few years off yet)
charlie the bikemonger - Memberand if you want protection down to -18c or something stupid like that, try these...
we are selling a lot of these to Scotland and Norway etc. Sales to Hawaii are pretty bloody terrible.
SPD version
NOT spd version
Is there actually a non spd version of these boots? The link doesn't work.
Can anyone update me on their experience with their Defrosters?
I was at the LBS last night, and liked the look of the Defroster Trail shoes that they had. I wasn't wearing the right socks, so didn't try them on.
Update on the Lake boots is they have been bloody brilliant better than all the shimano waterproof winter boots I have tried.