Ive been using a pair of northwave celcius for ages, probably 7-8yrs, and they have been excellent, but they are a very narrow fit so i cant do much about temperature…

im in the mood to replace them and after last year when i got a pair of wide fit Sidis and i love them…

Anyone had any experience of the Sidi Diablo GTX boots?

or are the shimano mw80/northwaves still the only proper choices?

I like the MW80’s a lot, replaced some Celsius and found them a lot warmer (still not warm enough for me when it’s really chilly).
Think this winter maybe there third.. err maybe…

Trouble with the sidi’s is the hard plastic (and narrow) sole grips, even getting the bike out of the garage in anything other than perfect conditions can leave you sliding around like bambi on ice.

I have some Sidi Diablo, waterproof but not very warm. I’m thinking of trying something else with more insulation.

Another happy shimano user here. I know a few people with them and they’re all happy

Sidi’s diablos great 3 season boot – but zero insulation so no good for winter.

I’m now on Northwave arctics for proper winter, usually with merino lined sealskinz socks. top tip is to get a size bigger than you need so that you can wiggle your toes a bit, seems to make a big difference.

I’ve had a pair of Shimano for about 8 years. The stitching started coming apart here and there a couple of years ago but they are still going strong and don’t let the water in (apart from down my legs). Fairly warm, very comfortable.

If you’re finding Northwave narrow then don’t bother with the Sidis. Unless they do a Mega Diablo

Shimano boots have been good to my feet but a friend bought Gaerne when his last Shimano pair wore out and now says he wouldn’t go back.

cheers guys
looks like the diablos are out, dont sound warm enough and possibly not wide enough, the shoes ive got mustve been ‘mega’

will have to try to find somewhere with NWs or MW80s in stock so i can try them out.

I have wide feet, the Celcius are a good fit for me, MW80’s were far to narrow, also tried Spesh defroster and Mavic winter boots when buying.

I didn’t find the NW boots warm at all. Also hated the plastic sole. I now use Shimano MT91s. They are brilliant, comfy and warm, but the sizing is completely out by something like 3 sizes. I.e. I am a 42 and 45 is the size that fits me.

Definitely try before you buy.

I recently took the plunge and got some winter boots after years of denial, was torn between Shimano (MW80) and Specialized (Defroster) as I know both brands are a good fit for me in general. Tried both on, felt lovely, bought some Defrosters in the end as they were going cheap somewhere a while ago (Evans maybe?).

I wore them yesterday for the first time (commute, weather OK) and was very pleased. Obviously time will tell how warm/waterproof they really are but they might be worth checking out also.

I always thought Northwave were quite wide?

Just picked up a pair of the new Defrosters yesterday. Hopefully, no more cold feet here 🙂

Might also worth a look at the Specialized Defroster boots. I used these last year and liked them.

for those with the new (2014) defrosters, are they narrow ?

I have old 2010 ones, and tried a pair of the half price 2013 ones last month, but didn’t fit my narrow feet as boots were too narrow !

Thanks

what about the MT91 shoes? You can attach cleats or use them as flats. Good on icy steps and warm, warmer still if you get a couple of sizes bigger and use thick socks.

there are various good reviews on CRC of these boots from folks from Norway and Russia.

some bargain shoes in biketreks at the moment…

only £279.99 😯

mt91s are out for the open laces approach
those 45Ns look like they do the job, maybe a bit of overkill

i cant believe how many variations there are of NW winter boots.

mt91s are out for the open laces approach

what’s wrong with open laces?

what’s wrong with open laces?

I was wondering that, then I saw the bit on his profile that says ‘Chilterns rider’ – mostly he’ll be wading through thigh-deep mud 😉

I use MT91s with a pair of ankle gaiters when it’s proper snowy and they work brilliantly. Comfortable to walk in too. Fit micro-crampons when it gets too steep uphill for your ice tyres to grip.

MT91s for the win. I run them with a pair of Berghaus short gaiters on filthy days along with waterproof trousers when the heavens well and truly open. My current pair are a brilliant year round option which are ideal for hike a bike sessions as well as winter coldness. Rab also do mini gaiters in eVENT. They may look a bike walkerish but what price warm and dry feet eh?

Chain Reaction – SURVEY10 will get you them for under a ton right now. 😀

Cheers

Sanny

Badly Wired Dog

I hear you re the Micro spikes. I used Katoola Micro Spikes when I did a snow and ice ride up Ben Ime and Narnain along with Ice Spiker Pros for the descent. Specialist kit that makes a genuine difference for that fine line between fun and misery! 😉

Anyone tried Mavic Drifts? I’m also moving on from Northwave, but don’t fancy Shimano due to my AM50’s falling to pieces. I like the fit of my Current Mavics, and build quality is good. Just wondering how the Drifts fare, warmth-wise?

MT91s for the win. I run them with a pair of Berghaus short gaiters on filthy days along with waterproof trousers when the heavens well and truly open.

+1

🙂

Micro gaiters and ankle spikes eh? Must get some of those in case it gets a bit snowy at Swinley this year.

I have old 2010 ones, and tried a pair of the half price 2013 ones last month, but didn’t fit my narrow feet as boots were too narrow !

The trouble with last years was that they seem wide enough, until I pull the covering flap over, which tightens them up more than I would with the boa. That and the rather low poor ankle fastening. It looks like they have sorted out the ankle fastening this year, but the boa cover looks the same.

yeah, open laces clog with cold wet mud – no fun

i might consider the gator option tho

Gaiters do look a bit special but there is little to beat that feeling of smugness when you come back from a filthy wet or snow laden ride and you can actually feel your feet without the pain of the hot aches. 😀

I remember coming back from a ride in the Pentlands where I spent what felt like half an hour in a fair bit of pain in my hands and feet from having gone out in race shoes and lightweight gloves in the sleet and snow. Or the time I was out in the snow and reached the point where I was so cold, I just wanted to lie down in the slushy snow by the side of the road for a sleep…….cue one very serious chat with myself to keep going 😯

Why I didn’t try full length waterproof trousers year ago, I just dont know! (shakes his head and raises a bemused eyebrow in the manner of one who has seen the light) 🙄

Anyone tried Rose Bikes own brand winter boot? They look pretty good value clicky linky

I’ve got a 6-yr old pair of Lakes. They have a thermal fotbed like ski boots, are very warm and comfy. Pittards leather too, so an occasional smear of boot wax keeps them soft and waterproof. Don’t know what the current ones are like but these have been great.

Why I didn’t try full length waterproof trousers year ago, I just dont know!

Which ones do you use Sanny?

open laces clog with cold wet mud

if boots are gore-tex lined, just blat the mud off with a hose when cleaning the bike. Bingo. Juts need to remember thick merino socks and you’re laughing

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….

I have wide feet and find the arctic Celsius boots ace!! Uber toastie and dry.

Another Shimano user here – six winters so far (mountain and road bike). Toes do get a bit cold on really cold days but I don’t know whether or not a different make would be any better.

40mpg – Member

Anyone tried Rose Bikes own brand winter boot? They look pretty good value clicky linky

I bought a pair last year and was very happy with them, commuting, off road, standing around in snow whilst others fixed punctures did it all well. I have some of the northwave roadie boots and found these warmer and more waterproof. Look a bit gopping though.

Just to add, I have both the older style MT91’s and MW80’s, my view would be that the MT91 are ace if you need to do a lot of hike a bike (or pushing), but the MW80 (81’s now) are better sealed and so the better winter boot for most ppl. I’ve tended to use the MT91’s all year round, but bought them after the std celsius so would definitely say they are again warmer. With gaiter, as mentioned above, you’d get a better seal, but I prefer the mw80’s with lycra longs.

NW GTX had them about 3yrs got size 45 (by mistake) but this allows a karrimat offcut insole and thick socks. really toasty ankle is a bit low so short gaiters sounds like a plan. Original thin laces died quickly but ‘walkin’laces do the job well enough. Tried shimanos too narrow and expensive at the time.

How well do any of these boots work on flat pedals?

MT91s are OK on flats. MW80s aren’t 😳

What about the Northwaves? Anyone know how nicely they play with flats?