External conundrum. It’s pretty soggy riding in 510 impacts with all the puddles just now. Sealskinz do help but more water resistant shoes would be nice.
Simone mentioned some bargain Columbia boots last year, but Amazon delivery was like 6 months away and now they list at £115.
Have any decent waterproof shoes or boots appeared this year? I don’t heed 45 North levels of warmth. Just something like the 510 Sam Hill Impacts with a good wide toe box. I do like the secure grip of 510 rubber. Recent 510s are pretty narrow for my wide toes sadly.
Five ten trail cross GTX
VauDe Moab STX mids.
Stood in 3-4 " of water for 30 seconds the other night and feet still dry as a bone. And they are now 3 years old and still in good nick despote very hard life.
The Moabs aren't 510 grippy, but good enough for me.
However the wide padding around the foot hole soaks in water. Waterproof socks a must. On a long ride you end up with trapped water around your foot, which squelches if you walk. At least it's the same water so warms up rather than constant fresh cold water passing over your waterproof socks cooling you down.
I wear 5.10 Trailcross GTX with long Sealskinz and waterproof troos/drysuit
That said, if it's really minging out, I'll generally take the ebike, so I can get away with full waterproofs and not be too sweaty
The Goretex Shimano GF800's that launched last year look like pretty much the ultimate solution to this problem.
Has anyone got any experience with them yet?
The Trailcross categorically do not have the wide toe box the OP is after unfortunately.
I gave up and am trying to learn to ride in SPDs to open options. Either that or I wear half size too big Freerider Pros with knee length Sealskinz, as the shoes drain quite well.
The Columbia boots are not waterproof, not grippy and the sole is too flexible for MTB IMO. I have a set and they are great for dog walks and watching kids sport when it's cold but rubbish as an MTB shoe.
Gaiters and five tens
I and pals have run the Five ten trail cross GTX's for the past few years, but I don't have wide feet.
What about Endura's new offering?
I was wearing regular Five Ten Trailcross high tops with waterproof socks from Aldi all weekend in sideways rain and massive puddles.
I had Five Ten grip and warm, dry feet.
I sized up in the shoes and I keep them specifically for horrible weather and thick sock days.
On the waterproof sock front knee high ones do a much better job. On a recent trip in Wales that involved several miles of deep water splashes and wide a well above axle river crossing I was the only one wearing knee high socks and the only one with dry feet at the end of the day.
FiveTen Trailcross GTX are indeed very narrow.
I had to go up a size and a half then use a shoe stretcher to get them to fit.
I tried some of these last year.
Very waterproof, very warm, grip as good as a fiveten sole, good stiffness to the feel of the sole, wide enough to fit my feet in my normal size.
But some of the detailing became unstuck after a few rides. I sent them back and they repaired them but that was towards the end of last winter and they've not been worn since.
The next few weeks should see how well they last as I'll be using them again soon.
Impressed with them other that the small fault that was hopefully a minor issue.
i go for waterproof trousers, sealskins and a shoe that drains water.
I had waterproof shoes once but that horrible 'my feet are constantly in a puddle' feeling is minging. this is only an issue if you do a long ride in proper horrible rain though - so not that often.
The Columbia boots are not waterproof, not grippy and the sole is too flexible for MTB IMO. I have a set and they are great for dog walks and watching kids sport when it’s cold but rubbish as an MTB shoe.
rubbish...... the columbia fairbanks are better than any cycling shoes i have ever used in 40 years of cycling.
mated with some good wool socks are warmer than a pair of 45nrth wolvehammers i wasted £200 on.
flex in a shoe also keeps blood pumping around your foot and aids warmth whereas a rigid soled shoes doesnt.
not as grippy as 5-10s but grippy enough for the last 10 years winter riding for me.
I've never tried Fairbanks, so those that have are far better to judge, but this doesn't look like the ideal sole for flat pedals
Leatt do an all-weather flat pedal shoe as well. No idea if they're any good, but they look the part. Had my eye on a pair for a while.
https://leatt.com/int/product/shoe-7-0-hydradri-flat-v23?selected-color=black
A mate tried the Leatt shoe up there and said the grip from the sole was terrible.
I’ve never tried Fairbanks, so those that have are far better to judge, but this doesn’t look like the ideal sole for flat pedals
It's not and does not grip well at all. Fine for pootling but not for anything else. It's better than say a walking boot that narrows at the instep but only because it is flat there.
better than any cycling shoes i have ever used in 40 years of cycling
You must have used some crappy cycling shoes then as this does not reflect my experience at all.
mated with some good wool socks are warmer than a pair of 45nrth wolvehammers
I've not tried any 45nrth shoes but the Bontrager winter (admittedly SPD) boots are warmer than the Fairbanks for me (though they are useless on flats).
FiveTen Trailcross GTX are indeed very narrow.
Are they the same sizing as the standard Trailcross XT, does anyone know?
I'll just be wearing those with waterproof socks this winter though.
Etnies culvert mids are brilliant. Really grippy and waterproof. Not as narrow as my trailcross either. Best replacements I've found for my old 5 10 karvers
I’d say the five ten freerider EPS is a good waterproof shoe. I wear normal freeriders in summer then switch to the EPS version when it gets cold and/or wet. They’re fully wind and waterproof. I think they’re a wide toe box. “EPS” is the important distinction for the waterproof version, also available in an “EPS mid” version which is a mid-height boot - which I wish I had as the regular version is too low to stop water ingress.
Appreciate the advice all
VanHalen (and other sealskinz lovers). Yeah I’m thinking that’s worth another try as I have the sealskinz socks and waterproof trousers.
Vaude look good bit are pretty costly and the cuff would likely prevent my ankle brace.
https://m.pinkbike.com/news/introducing-a-new-style-of-ankle-brace.html
anazing brace if you have dorsiflexion issues.
I’ve a US based pal who sears by Altra Lone Peak mid waterproof boots for the bike.
Altra are big on “foot shape” shoes - I have a few of their running shoes for day to day / light hikes etc. soles might be a bit thick for me tho.
https://www.freewheel.co.uk/shimano-clothing-gf8-gf800-gore-tex-shoes-varbgf800g
If I rode flats I'd be looking at a pair of these I reckon.
Are they the same sizing as the standard Trailcross XT, does anyone know?
Nope. Much narrower. I sent mine back after trying them on.
Went for Freerider Pros instead, which are more foot shaped, and keep most of the wet filth out.
I also have EPS (both shoe and mid) for when it's cold. They don't keep water out though, and take a week to dry.
[ that should have read "Went for Freerider Pro Mid instead" ]
The trouble with the Five Ten <b>trailcross gtx is that they don't grip like most Five Tens as they have a different sole compound. As said they also come up narrow in the toe box and it's quite difficult to get into them as the velcro flap is quite tight. That said the question is why can't someone take the design used successfully by cleated waterproof shoes and put a flat pedal sole on them?</b>
Conversely to the above post, I don't struggle for grip or struggle to get the GTX on my feet
While we're on it...
Insulated and water resistant flat pedal boot suggestions please.
And they need to be in size 3...
So far I think the Vaude Mid Winter and Fizik Artica..?
I do keep wondering what these would be like for grim conditions (sole isn't perfect I know) but not in the UK shops to try on. Mens and womens down to size 3.
That said the question is why can’t someone take the design used successfully by cleated waterproof shoes and put a flat pedal sole on them?
Probably because it would still look like a cleated shoe, therefore uncool and would not sell so well.
Flat pedal shoes are also typically quite a bit wider.
The answer is long waterproof socks, a boot dryer and your normal preferred flat pedal shoe but 1/2-1size bigger.
Has anyone tried the Endura boots? Available in clip & non clip formats...
https://www.endurasport.com/mt500-burner-flat-waterproof-shoe-black/14876424.html
https://www.endurasport.com/men-s-mt500-burner-clipless-waterproof-shoe-black/14876390.html
They look about the right kind of thing, but I don't really want to guinea-pig them given Endura's rep for weird sizing and variable QC...
Im gonna try see if I can get a try on of freerider eps mid somewhere around brighton.
Shoe dryers are a great idea, but my 5-10s only just got dry using those, 4 days later.
And the Sam Hill Impacts are pretty good at not soaking up TOO much. Cripes. They are far better than my old originals but still got rather waterlogged.
The heaters do reveal if your shoes stink a bit too. My missus was blaming the poor cat!
I once washed 510 impacts and the daft cardboard inner sole crumbled. Given that, some stinking seems inescapable. Halo kit refresher spray does help but (pads and helmet too) not entirely banish the pong. God knows what it’s doing to my lungs tho.
I'd absolutely, massively recommend against the Five Ten EPS. It seems to be for "american winter", brilliant in a really cold, dry day, snow and ice. But barely even water resistant never mind waterproof. You can have wet feet after literally one fast puddle, it's really noticable that they describe it as "weather resistant". I plastered mine with waterproofing stuff and that raised them up to "nearly good enough" but they're still not great. And as a bonus, the insulation doesn't work well when wet either so once you're wet you get cold too. Oh and to cap it off they are slow to dry. They are IMO utter shit for the UK frankly.
Ironically the Freerider DLX is more waterproof (but only comes in a low fit), if they'd used the same upper on the EPS it'd be a much better shoe. DLX + long trousers can work really surprisingly well, but they need to be properly long trousers so they always hang over the shoe.
I quite like the Five Ten GTX but found them clumpy and lacking in feel, plus like others I find actually getting them on and off a battle. Sizing is very important with these I think and I'm just not quite the right shape for them, maybe. But having a proper bootie is a huge bonus in really wet conditions, especially when the water's coming down not up. Ironically my main beef is that they're too warm- I'd love to wear them more for pissing wet spring/autumn/failed summer days but they're just too hot for me in anything but cold weather. And in cold weather I prefer my Columbias. So they're a near miss in a lot of ways but a million times better than the EPS, and just occasionally on a cold AND really wet day they shine.
nixie
Full MemberThe Columbia boots are not waterproof, not grippy and the sole is too flexible for MTB IMO. I have a set and they are great for dog walks and watching kids sport when it’s cold but rubbish as an MTB shoe.
Are they the Fairbanks Omnis you have? Because I have 2 pairs of those and love them, absolutely love them. IME they're ironically terrible for walking, the mud grip is inadequate. But they are decently waterproof, maybe one step short of goretex but better than most, and they stay warmer when wet becasue of the barrier layer. The grip is IMO fine, better than a lot of mtb shoes I've had. The tread pattern is all wrong but the rubber has decent grip on pins (I'm on Nukeproof Horizons mostly, obvioously grip can be quite pedal dependent)
I can definitely see they'd be too flexible for some people though. For myself I hate stiff clumpy soles and even more so in bad weather, I like the amount of feel and feedback these give when everything's orrible. I suspect a fair amount of the grip comes from the softness?
I have a set of the Five Ten GTX as I mentioned but I far prefer the Columbias except when it's really wet. For a dry/dryish day with a lot of water on the ground, they're by far my favourite shoes. Again, too hot for anything but cold weather but it feels like less of a drawback than the Five Ten GTX. I'll be pretty much living in these again for the next few months of tweed valley slop.
Hey Northwind. Thanks. I’m getting tempted
How are the Columbia’s for size. Do they come up small or large?
is a uk 10 like a normal UK 10?
I can’t get my wide feet into the recent 510 offerings like the GTX boot, so I guess I’d need the wide fit ones.
What @northwind said about the Freerider EPS. Like a gremlin. Do not mix with water 😉
I have the original Vaude Moabs. Six or seven years old and while a bit clumpy and heavy, they absolutely do the job of keeping your feet dry when it's wet and horrible. First item selected during our winter Gap ride which is always wet/snowy/hail-y or all three. Do pair with a thin waterproof sock and waterproof trousers for those 'might be doing breaststroke' days.
Also have Trailcross GTX. And wide-ish feet. Pretty much relegate the Moab's to really wet days. I would rate the grip as pretty good, way lighter/flexier than the Moabs and keep the water out until it's pouring in above the ankle. May have bought the wider ones - can't remember but they are into their third winter. Stuck them on tonight and had toasty, dry feet.
mudfish
Full MemberHow are the Columbia’s for size. Do they come up small or large?
is a uk 10 like a normal UK 10?
I think just pretty normal? They're definitely wider/more relaxed then the five ten gtx,but I think a bit narrower than a normal freerider, if that's any use.
I have fat feet and fit the gtx trailcross fit nicely. I went a size up as I do for all adidas shoes. I only wear them with normal socks but it’s not like you need thicker or waterproof socks with them IME as they do a good job of keeping your feet dry and warm.
I’ve not noticed any difference in grip either, unlike the freeriders I bought with the recovered ocean plastic, they’re really not up to usual 5:10 standard.
Northwind. Thanks. I’ve been recommended these too. Very wide to box, altra “foot shape” fit and Vibram sole. MIGHT be a bit soft and springy though.
https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/alt566/altra-timp-hiker-gore-tex-walking-boots---ss24
“freerider eps mid somewhere around brighton”
I have some EPS low in Brighton and based on my first year with them, it’s rarely cold enough for them in the woods down here. I’d say 8C is the absolute max temperature I’d wear them in. I’ve got some Freerider Pro Mid which I’m more hopeful of but I’m still using my Freerider ELC for wet/muddy conditions.
FiveTen Trailcross GTX are indeed very narrow.
I had to go up a size and a half then use a shoe stretcher to get them to fit.
I tried some of these last year.
https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/vaude-am-moab-mid-winter-stx-road-shoes/139980279/p?utm_source=google_products&utm_medium=merchant&id_producte=139931276&country=uk&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsJO4BhDoARIsADDv4vBnyJ6y7gGPYNPLV60U1p89jVkr4yYLz--pj_QYFOmsbtgRVwKfWCAaAq79EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.dsVery waterproof, very warm, grip as good as a fiveten sole, good stiffness to the feel of the sole, wide enough to fit my feet in my normal size.
But some of the detailing became unstuck after a few rides. I sent them back and they repaired them but that was towards the end of last winter and they've not been worn since.
The next few weeks should see how well they last as I'll be using them again soon.
Impressed with them other that the small fault that was hopefully a minor issue.
how’s it going now? How about grip levels? I’ve been persevering with my old (nice and wide) Sam Hill Impacts (Magic Roubdabout style) and sealskinz of varying lengths. Shoe dryers help but they don’t soak too much water.
Northwind. Thanks. I’ve been recommended these too. Very wide to box, altra “foot shape” fit and Vibram sole. MIGHT be a bit soft and springy though.
https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/alt566/altra-timp-hiker-gore-tex-walking-boots---ss24/p >
UI date. Didn’t fit at all like my other Altras. They have gone narrower and the area just back of the toes before the laces start was too low / tight. I have high insteps to go with my Kermit toes.
Shimano GF8 - been using them a while (since they were released), super comfy, in fact so much so I used then even when the weather is fine. i where foot shaped shoes normally (Topo, Vivo etc) and find the GF8 really nice. good grip as well.
some minor downsides.
they are quote expensive, they are really a shoe and not a boot, can be a little hard to put on and like all Shimano shoes if you do get them wet and don't dry them out quickly they get the Shimano cat piss smell (apparently something to do with the glue shimano use). Cat piss smell can be removed though by amusing leaving in and filling tgem with Catsan cat litter for a bit.
STW did a review: Shimano GF8 (GF800) Gore-Tex Shoes review – Singletrack World Magazine
Shimano GF8 - been using them a while (since they were released), super comfy, in fact so much so I used then even when the weather is fine. i where foot shaped shoes normally (Topo, Vivo etc) and find the GF8 really nice. good grip as well.
some minor downsides.
they are quote expensive, they are really a shoe and not a boot, can be a little hard to put on and like all Shimano shoes if you do get them wet and don't dry them out quickly they get the Shimano cat piss smell (apparently something to do with the glue shimano use). Cat piss smell can be removed though by amusing leaving in and filling tgem with Catsan cat litter for a bit.
STW did a review: Shimano GF8 (GF800) Gore-Tex Shoes review – Singletrack World Magazine
thanks rootes.
So they fit like Topo? That would be nice.
im wondering if my high instep (or big heel depending which way you look at it ?) will go through the gaiter. Good tip tho I’ll try get to see if they fit.
Good sole grip on the pins? Doesn’t need to be quite as grippy at the Impacts but as it’ll be wet good grip would be nice.
have you suffered any of these issues?
https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/shoes/the-shimano-gf8-winter-boot-kept-me-glued-to-the-pedals-but-heres-why-i-wont-be-recommending-them
Hiya, They are not foot shaped like Topo (one day someone will make bikes shoes that are...) but they are still comfy/don't feel narrow, despite my feet getting wider due to daily topo/vivo wearing. I have the summer version (GF6) and fine the fit looser in the GF8, width is the same, but the GF8 has more volume in the upper. I use Shimon EU48 in both (always have used that size in Shimano)
grip is really good (i use HT PA03s) and only a smidge less good than 5Ten.
getting through the gator is a chore though, though once you are in... it could be made much easier... no damage on mine, though coudl see if you really pulled or had trouble with the gator might be an issue.
only otjer issue is that they are not really boots, the gator on me at least is not tight to my leg/ankle so water can get in the top.
Hiya, They are not foot shaped like Topo (one day someone will make bikes shoes that are...) but they are still comfy/don't feel narrow, despite my feet getting wider due to daily topo/vivo wearing. I have the summer version (GF6) and fine the fit looser in the GF8, width is the same, but the GF8 has more volume in the upper. I use Shimon EU48 in both (always have used that size in Shimano)
grip is really good (i use HT PA03s) and only a smidge less good than 5Ten.
getting through the gator is a chore though, though once you are in... it could be made much easier... no damage on mine, though coudl see if you really pulled or had trouble with the gator might be an issue.
only otjer issue is that they are not really boots, the gator on me at least is not tight to my leg/ankle so water can get in the top.
I’ll take a look
the Altra Timp or their other goretex boot are proper foot shape.
yer Topo do a gore walking boot, not sure I would want to ride in them though. Altra I find the ankle/heel cup a bit wide, Topo is nicr a wide footbox, bit normal heel.
my pal who is the trailboss at Prescot in Arizona
recommended the Altra.
Why he needs waterproof I don't know
I like the fit of their shoes as much as Topo, but
1: the Timpo boots didn’t fit me at all, maybe the Lone peak would -
https://www.altrarunning.eu/uk/lone-peak-9-waterproof-mid-man-al0a85pk020.html
2" the sole looks a bit thick for bike use.
BUT Chris swears by them
