So my trusty Shimano MW80 boots are coming to the end of their fifth and what looks like final winter, and thoughts are turning to what to replace them with when end of season sales start to occur.
I've commuted down to -6 (-10 windchill) in them this year with just ski socks under, so happy to look at whatever the current Shimano version is provided it is equally warm, waterproof and ideally doesn't have a cold spot through the cleat as mine appear to. I keep looking longingly at 45Nrth boots on Charlies site but not convinced they'd be twice as good for getting on for twice as much money.
So open to ideas and experience from the crowd
Watching with interest as, despite careful application of more sugru, my MW80s may also be seeing their last wintry sunset.
Still in Northwave Celcius Artic (fleece lined version of the celsius), winter 6 I think (and quite a lot of summer too unless it's bone dry!)
They leaked a bit at the stat of the winter around the toe area and maybe the bottom of the lace flap, so I washed them in nikwax tech wash, then the re-proofing wash, then a liberal soaking in the grangers spray on footwear reproofer and they've been fine, including putting my foot down in a bog on Tuesdays -7 ride!
When they die properly (this summer in all likelihood) I'll get another pair, looks like they've been replaced by the Raptor GTX now.
Best £160 I've ever spent on biking stuff.
Salomon Alp-X.
😁😉
I have Northwave Raptor GTX Thermal Winter MTB Boots.
Comfortable, lightweight and decent level of water resistance.
BUT
Absolutely shyte thermally, even with two pairs of socks on my feet are cold.
Id not recommended them.
Northwave Celsius GTX, keep my feet warm right down to sub zero with a nice pair of merino socks.
2 winters in and regular soakings and they still come up like new when they're clean.
I got some of the new cheap Shimano boots just after Xmas for £80, there a lot more comfortable than the velcro fastening versions I had a few years ago. Warm enough with ski socks, Garmin said -8.3 last night and my toes went numb after about 45 minutes, but never started hurting so that's good enough for me, any warmer and they'd be too hot most of the time.
I'm well impressed with the £80 Scott Heaters from Start Fitness but they only have size 9's left now.
My MW80's don't keep my toes warm in sub-zero temperatures, so I've been running Lake MXZ303's for the last couple of winter and wish I'd bought them years before that. A good winter boot is well worth the extra money, in my book at least.
Thanks guys, I shall be doing some more investigating over the next few weeks
My Spesh Defrosters are parting company with their soles after five years.
I like the look of the new ones. Anyone got any experience of these?
My MW80’s don’t keep my toes warm in sub-zero temperatures, so I’ve been running Lake MXZ303’s for the last couple of winter and wish I’d bought them years before that. A good winter boot is well worth the extra money, in my book at least.
Same set up here. Money well spent.
I have northwave celcius not the arctic version and they are really waterproof had them years and still going strong.
They are very narrow and they cut my circulation so give me cold feet so keep this in mind.
I'll either being sizing up next time or going for a different brand.
Zips on my 45nrth japathers failed in under a year
say no to zips
I'm also really impressed with my £80 Scott Heaters from Start Fitness which I got thanks to the PSA on here.
Been commuting in them all winter with my normal cycling socks without issue. This week I upped the game to my thickest mtb socks and I've not had cold feet on my half hour commute at 7am on the surprisingly cold south coast. They are very comfortable, a good fit and most importantly don't feel bulky unlike my old Shimano winter boots did. Also seem to have pretty decent grip. My best buy in a long while, especially at that price 🙂
My MX303s from Lake have been out in -6 ice snow with nothing more than normal socks on and from someone who suffers badly with cold toes these have been a blessing meaning i can play out when its cold now
My OWN FR01 have been great this year. Using waterproof liner and thin merino socks they have been good to -4 so I'm well happy and they withstood a very wet wet in the alps with minimal drying time.
Shimano AM9. Stick a Mycoal foot warmer in for rides over an hour. Toasty for me and i really suffer with cold toes.
I've owned original, neoprene cuff, Defrosters (size 43) for years. They are well made, a comfy shape and waterproof but a snug fit and have virtually no thermal properties. Great for wet summer use, useless in winter.
I then bought a pair of Shimano MT91s, following advice of going 2 sizes up (size 45). They are excellent boots, more hikey than bikey, warm, comfy, waterproof but too big, even with 2 pairs of socks. Only wear them in sub zero conditions and, due to my feet sliding about in them, doubt I'll use them again.
Have now bought new style velcro cuff Defrosters (size 43), which are a full size bigger than the old Defrosters, just as waterproof and much warmer. The boa system is a bit meh, I prefer lighter and simpler velcro straps. They are great for riding but too rigid for hiking.
Bottom line, don't spend £100s online on footwear!
Any one want to buy some MT91s?
I really suffer with cold feet which 3 pairs of socks hasnt cured! Has anyone tried the Shimano mw 7 or mw 5 as yet?
Any views appreciated or is it worth paying extra for the lake 303 boots?
Northwave Celsius GTX and Woolie Boolies.
I sometimes add overshoes for extra cosy .
My 8 year old Shimano MT90's are still going strong!
Mine are the mw5s, good but not amazing. They’ve been fine down to just below freezing but this week my feet have been cold, if I’d been smart I’d have put overshoes on them as well.
my worry with the lake and 45nrth boots is that they’d be too warm for what normally passes for winter.
My Shimano MW 80s have been recently retired and I looked at a few new winter boots. I liked the Specialized defrosters from last year (the new ones look fugly) but the stiff ankle cuff broke the deal for me. I can’t imagine it flexing enough which means an easy access for water plus I’m sure it will rub the skin. I also looked at the new Shimano ones but have been told all new Shimano shoes come up very narrow. In the end I went for the Northwave Raptors on offer on bike discount . Size wise you just need to order the same size as your regular trainers and they are nice and wide. In hindsight I wish I had gone for the Arctic version as they are not as warm as my old Shimano ones but I thought the Arctics would be too warm (they advertised as being optimal between 3 and -10) but in this weather overshoes help. What is nice about the shoes is that they look like regular riding shoes rather than big clumpy things and the boa style fastening works very well. They are also stiffer than my old winter boots.
I really suffer with cold feet which 3 pairs of socks hasnt cured! Has anyone tried the Shimano mw 7 or mw 5 as yet?
Any views appreciated or is it worth paying extra for the lake 303 boots
Ive got the mw7. Think of them as general winter/autumn boots for most of the time but then when it gets very cold or very wet the 303 come out.
Maybe get the mw7 now as we will soon be out of winter and the 303 next year.
The 303s are much warmer and have a chunky reflective insole. I find the cold gets in the bottom of the mw7 but they are still a really great boot, and very comfortable. I guess you could upgrade the insole of the mw7?
Northwave Celsius gtx here been superb now on second winter . Extra socks on when really cold all good
my worry with the lake and 45nrth* boots is that they’d be too warm for what normally passes for winter.
I have worn mine [ have both] for wet commutes up to about May time and you wont be too warm in winter - will any boot do this?
Personally I think good socks is the key - the boot keeps you dry and warmish but the rest is down to the sock
* japanther not the full artic version
Have a 2005 pair of Northwave Celcius still going strong after 13 years, nice and warm and untroubled by large puddles
Five tens, half a size up, with bridgedale merino socks under knee high sealskinz. Brilliant combo.
45NRTH Japanthers here in Sweden, very impressed with them, doing 4+ hours MTB rides in sub zero temps and feet wam. Also did a recent 3 hours MTB ride in +2 degrees, almost worst than minus temps because all the water wasn't frozen so up to axles in water at points but feet stayed dry and warm.
Strangely the only time my feet have started to get cold was from a build up of sweat in the socks over the hours that inside the boot makes your feet cold given the outside air temp is below zero. Not sure how to avoid this yet but been trying a few different pairs of sock to see if it helps.
Was out last night on quite possibly my only ever local ride on deepish fresh snow
Defrosters, few years old. Did fine and enough room inside for decent sock cover
A question, however, for you grizzled mountain folk:
Even round here (warmer than almost anywhere else in the UK) I get iced-up SPDs/cleats whenever it's freezing - and definitely last night when it was snowy. Makes me wonder what's the point of really warm SPD boots if they'll "always" fail to clip in ?
(or do you all use eggbeaters or something ?)
Was out in Gore-Tex gen. 1 Shimano MWsomethings last night with merino socks and they were great.
If I were buying tomorrow I'd get another pair of Shimanos as they seem to fit my feet (narrow-ish) and I'd plumb for the more expensive Gore-tex boots.
Even round here (warmer than almost anywhere else in the UK) I get iced-up SPDs/cleats whenever it’s freezing – and definitely last night when it was snowy. Makes me wonder what’s the point of really warm SPD boots if they’ll “always” fail to clip in ?
(or do you all use eggbeaters or something ?)
Times. But I had to slam my foot in a few times last night (no pun intended).
"I’m also really impressed with my £80 Scott Heaters from Start Fitness which I got thanks to the PSA on here."
Me too. I wish I'd have bought 2 pairs now at that price.
My Shimano Spd's do ice up, as do boots or shoe clear area. I bang foot on pedal before then clipping, and a good couple of slams in usually clears the snow.
If I rode in snow and ice regularly, I would go flats and warm (walking) boots.
If I rode in snow and ice regularly, I would go flats and warm (walking) boots.
I think hunting boots would be a better choice than most walking boots, since they are available in insulated versions to allow hunters to stand around in the cold for long periods and still have warm feet despite not being very active. In my experience walking boot uppers don't provide much insulation, and feet get much colder in them when riding a bike compared with actually walking.
Both the Lake and 45nrth boots have a thinnish layer of some kind of insulation bonded to the inside of their leather uppers, and the high shaft of the 45nrth boots (something it shares in common with hunting boots) probably also makes a significant difference to its warmth compared with low cut cycling boots (think of the blood vessels around the ankle which are close to the skin surface and not insulated by any fatty layers).
45nrth boots have a thinnish layer of some kind of insulation bonded to the inside of their leather uppers
Japanthers are not leather its rubberised material - presumably the dearer ones?
As for iced up what you need to do is not walk so much or dab - smiley goes here [ not that I know how to now]
My MX303s from Lake
I have a pair of the original Lake winter boots which I purchase I think 14 years ago. Pretty much end of life now, watching the thread with interest.
Japanthers are not leather its rubberised material – presumably the dearer ones?
Yes, I was referring to the Wolvhammers and MX303s. Sorry, should have been clearer.
what are the wolfs like I rate the Japanther - more than my Lakes but they are new and only had one winter of use* so far so a bit early to be certain
* I wonder about the zip in the main as it would not be my choice for a boot that will primarily be used in mud and will get gritty- got them in the bikemongers sale
(or do you all use eggbeaters or something ?)
I'm on ATACs and given that the riding conditions are claggy mud for 9 months of the year I've not yet had a problem. I assume they'd be OK in snow too.
Crank Brothers shoe shields are a good investment though, as otherwise the retention bars eat holes in the soles. They're also the only CB product unlikely to explode, on account of being stamped pieces of stainless steel.
As above, socks are the key to using one pair of footwear in a wide range of conditions.
Above freezing my MW80 cope with just Bridgedale light hikers underneath. Below zero, I pop on a pair of cool fusion liners underneath, or go all out with knee length Seal Skins. Your body will stop sending blood to your feet if it recognises that it's too cold to cope, so bizarrely, bare legs will make your toes freeze no matter what's covering your pinkies... Air gaps between jackets and gloves demonstrate this rather well.
+5 for the Scott Heaters, a big improvement on my old Shimano MW80's
What are the Scott Heater like for fit? Size up with winters socks or exact size?
If I rode in snow and ice regularly, I would go flats and warm (walking) boots.
Tried that, the tread on the sole annoyingly aligns with the pins on the pedals, deciding for you what position your foot is in, binned it soon after.
Scott Heater fans - how do they size up? Start appear to have my size in stock.....
"What are the Scott Heater like for fit? Size up with winters socks or exact size?"
I'm 45 in shimano and lake. The 45 in Northwave were too big and 44 too small.
The Scott heater are slightly bigger than shimano but smaller than nw imho. Because of the way the closing system works this doesn't matter and my feet don't slide. (3 big Velcro straps, the one in the middle has a buckle to allow you to pull harder) This allows me to use thick or thin socks depending on the weather. Can't fault them.....yet. We shall see how long they last.
Lol.
Ok, I'm a UK 10. My slightly loose older Shimano shoes were 46, my Lake MX originals were 45... I've order the Scott Heater 45 from Start Fitness and they've charged me £79 delivered.
Result! lets hope they fit.
what are the wolfs like
I would not have bought them had they not been so heavily discounted in CTBM's sale. I've barely started to use them, and my observations are:
- much warmer than walking boots.
- they are a very 'chunky' boot, with a relatively high shaft. I would not use them to ride on a road bike, and I suspect they might not suit someone who was an aggressive, hard riding, 'out of the saddle' rider. They are marketed as a 'Winter Fatbiking Boot' - I don't have a fat bike, but I think they are probably the ultimate winter boot for pootling and bimbling. Even if you ride so slowly that you barely raise your heart rate, your feet will still stay warm (or at least not get anywhere near as cold as with most other boots).
- As with any boot, fit is the most important thing. I had to size up, but they've got a nice wide toe box, which allows me to wear very thick socks and be able to wiggle my toes inside the boot.
- If I lived somwhere like Sweden, they would be my choice for winter commuting (although I suspect either heated boot driers or access to a warm boot drying room would be needed to dry out sweat from the insulation lining the leather each day, or possibly even two pairs to allow the boots to be rotated).
Anyway, I'm going out now for a pootle. I may be some time.
My Shimano boots are 45.....need to kick my son off the PC so I can order some. How dare he use a snow day for revision!
.... and ordered!
I've got a pair of the standard Northwave Celsius boots from a couple of years back.
I had let them fall into disuse because I went back to MP540s from MP520s and the sole wasn't compatible with the platform - laziness really. After a cold and depressing last hour of a ride in the Peaks in January when my calf cramped irretrievably due to how cold my foot got, I got busy with the craft knife and 'adapted' the tread blocks.
They are really nice - very waterproof and more than acceptably warm. They are quite rigid and 'boxy' which I think is a good thing as it allow room for toe wriggling. There is still enough flex for a bit of pushing uphill to help warm the feet as well.
I have a ridiculous high instep, so any kind of boot that doesn't open pretty much all the way from the cuff to the toe is a challenge to get on and off, so I have to be really careful when I put them on that I don't pull my socks tight onto my toes.
Making sure that socks (and gloves) are not tight on the end of toes and fingers is a huge win from what I can tell. Movement = warmth. Anything that interferes with the freedom of movement of extremities is bad. It is one of the reasons I bought a pair of the boots that was a little too big - allowing thicker socks and still having room to wriggle.
The top cuff closure strap is also great because if you are careful to pull it tight a little bit above the actual top of the cuff, it really does stop most water, snow etc, from melting and getting in from the top.
It's been so cold even my full winter ALDI gloves have struggled...
but my new Shimano XM9s in a size up and just with Sealskinz are Lovely.
Sorry krypton I have a 10% discount code. START10 with start fitness. Don't forget they charge you postage.
They seem to have dropped the postage on my order, oh well!
Scott Heaters arrived yesterday. With "normal" MTB socks there's a bit of room but not too much for me. I'd be bothered if they were race shoes but they aren't. I rode them this morning on a CX ride and they were lovely and toasty and I didn't notice a little extra space. For me with Sealskins they'd be a perfect fit with no movement yet room to wiggle my toes - size 10 feet ordered the 45.
They are a quality item though aren't they, brilliant boots for £80. The great is much darker than the internet pics. I finally dropped the 14yo Lakes in the bin.