Waterproof / Warm Winter MTB Flats

Where has all, the choice gone these days?  Currently wearing 2FO flats and waterproof socks through the bogs n swamps of our new monsoon climate but after a couple of hours my feet are freezing as my shoes are full of water.

Thought I’d have a look for some waterproof / winter boots but seemingly Addidas is now the only choice. But from past experience they’re really narrow and seem to be designed for pointy toed pixie feet! I need a widish toe box.

Given this is the UK i cannot believe thats it. Or is it?  What else is out there that’ll keep the water reasonably at bay?

Have tried shimano in the past and their winter offering was a little fleece lining but still holes across the toe area so first puddle and shoes filled up worse than non winter shoes!

Or do i need to resort to looking like a c**k and wear my walking boots?!

5:10 EPS highs are the only other option I found. Obviously still Adidas, but the last is wider so they are a fair bit better for wide feet.

They’re not particularly waterproof – the tongues aren’t gussetted, but no holes on the outer and better than their normal shoes.

Also, plastic pedals make a definite difference as well. But in the end, I’ve been forced to try and switch to spds for the much bigger choice of shoes.

Plus, knee length waterproof socks, and trousers.

A quick google and I found these from Shimano

https://www.sportsgb.com/p/shimano-mens-gf8–gf800–gore-tex-cycling-shoes—regular-fit/

No idea if they’re any good though.

Also these rather kinky offerings from Leat

Leatt Men’s 7.0 Shoes Hydradri Flat Cycling https://amzn.eu/d/8uqAIiA

I’m sure there are more out there.

Vaude have a pair:

https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/vaude-am-moab-mid-stx-ii-mtb-shoes/139993221/p

Endura have a pair:

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/endura_mt500_burner_flat_waterproof_mtb_shoes_2024-ID_88827

Fizik have a rather expensive pair:

https://www.fizik.com/uk_en/terra-nanuq-gtx-flat.html

My feet aren’t particularly narrow and I’ve managed all winter with 5.10 Trailcross GTX paired with mid length sealskinz. I generally feel the cold in my extremities and haven’t really suffered. Definitely not proper cold weather boots but have fared well. A full size up from normal shoe size is required though

Vaude moab mid stx winter.
Name is a bit of a mouthful but amazing boots. I have the older version, they are great. Lovely and warm, slightly less grip than my 510’s but nothing to worry about
https://www.vaude.com/int/en/20546-am-moab-mid-winter-stx-cycling-shoe.html#?colour=808 not cheap though

There is reviews of plenty here, even ones that I’ve not provided links to above:

Flat Pedal Shoes for Cold Weather

So, should the title of this thread be “with so much choice of winter flat shoes, which ones deserve my investment?”

😉

Thanks. A few to look at

A full size up from normal shoe size is required though

thats always my issue. Narrow toe box forces a size up then feel like clown shoes. Trying to buy from UK as inevitably it’ll be buy 20pairs and hopefully not the usual send 20 back!

so many brands obviously use generic chinese lasts with pointy toes / narrow fit. Especially if their shoes are an “extra” in their clothing lineup.

thats always my issue. Narrow toe box forces a size up then feel like clown shoes

GTX just need a size up to make them your normal size, they don’t end up clownish

Of those two Vaudes for proper cold and wet you want the ‘Winter’ one. Used them this winter and had no problem with cold feet. They’re pretty warm for this time of year though.

The mid ones are crying out for an ankle cuff that trousers can sit over to keep the water out but are otherwise solid.

So, should the title of this thread be “with so much choice of winter flat shoes, which ones deserve my investment?”

fair point!

might be my vpn but wasnt getting much in this country.  But equally thats a heavily US focused site so getting from UK shops isnt always the easiest

probably even better title would be “shoes that fit a normal to wide foot”

Tried almost every brand and style before settling in the 2FO’s as they were the only style that fitted without squashing my feet

For the vaude boots, i bought some lightweight cross country running gaiters that bridge between the boots and my trousers. Not waterproof (but those are available) but enough to be splash resistant.

But equally thats a heavily US focused site

True but a lot if not most of the shoes are from European companies:

• Fiveten/adidas – German
• Vaude – German
• Fizik – Italian
• Northwave – Italian
• Endura – British

If only Russia made mtb flat shoes 🤔 😳

Russia and Eastern Europe: In this region, feet are similar to those in Northern Europe, but even wider and with a higher instep. It can be challenging to find shoes that fit well and look good.

https://www.bondenoshoes.com/blogs/shoe-blog/a-guide-to-foot-shapes-around-the-world#:~:text=Russia%20and%20Eastern%20Europe%3A%20In,fit%20well%20and%20look%20good.

I know you probably know this – but do you need to think about trousers/socks/shoe interface? What do you currently do?

Perhaps consider if it’s too muddy and wet then you might need to adjust your ride length and only do a couple of hours?

Also consider if it it that wet and muddy if you should be on the trails from a damage point of view?

These.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men’s-warm-and-waterproof-hiking-boots-sh500-mid/_/R-p-307054?mc=8544960&c=brown_grey&utm_term=8544960-2713547&gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=gb_t-intbra_ct-shopp_n-pb-terms_ts-pro_f-cv_o-roas_spd-msp_spu-msp_sp-msp_pt-pb_pnl-com_l-en_pp-gads_bm-roa_pr-cpc_&utm_term=_n-pb-terms_ts-pro_spd-msp_spu-msp_sp-msp_pt-pb_l-en_LowPerf&keyword=&network=g&placement=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_e2wBhAEEiwAyFFFo7EFDDrfh-0sNJ9MX4M0hAbSeeSN742qaW-j1h8bG7JWFEaeh9rg7RoCXp0QAvD_BwE

Grippy enough on flats, warm, so far totally waterproof (including snowboard trips). Absolute bargain.

I tried the Decathlon ones that jamesmio’s linked too, I thought they were great in terms of comfort and waterproof performance but disagree about them being grippy enough, they felt very plasticky on the pedal rather than rubber like 5:10s and the grip pattern not being flat isn’t ideal. They’ve been great for walking though! I ended up with the vaudes didnthurt linked too – a bit stiff in the upper perhaps but 5:10-like grip on the pedal and excellent waterproof performance (especially when paired with a long pair of trousers that will sit over the top of the boot – I recommend regatta waterproof trousers that can be sized in long rather than just regular). I’ve ridden in some dreadful conditions this winter and they’ve only ever let a bit of water in occasionally, which most likely came in the top.

If only Russia made mtb flat shoes

if only…..I’m looking at half the shoes linked or mentioned and thinking straight away i’ll need to remove big and little toes as a minimum to stand a chance of comfort whilst out!

Endura have a pair:

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/endura_mt500_burner_flat_waterproof_mtb_shoes_2024-ID_88827

They’ve a fair bit of choice too. Hand’tlooked at cyclestore. Thanks for the nudge!

Me (very wide toe area) – Sam Hill 510 Impacts and Sealskinz. Merino lined version.
I have box like feet. Crocs fit nicely as a guide. Birkies too and Vivo barefoot. Altra running original fit.
There’s an Altra trail boot a US trailboss mate swears by.

NSMB reviewed some recently 45North perhaps. Very capable and surprisingly grippy according to Cam.

these are far superior to any cycling shoes i have ever owned.   and that is a lot.

very warm. waterproof outer. grippy. wide fit.

https://www.columbiasportswear.co.uk/p/mens-fairbanks-omni-heat-boots-1746011.html

Ton. That boot looks great. Sadly only tiny sizes available! I’d be tempted by a 10. Ooh. Amazon have them but. It tye “wide” fit. Maybe that’s US only?
Normal ones look quite wide too. Grippy enough on decent pedals?

+1 for Ton’s recommendation, I absolutely love mine, ended up getting a second pair. They’re not quite 5 10 grippy but they’re good, and the feel’s the best I’ve had out of any winter shoe which makes up a lot for that- it all works out more than good enough for me, and I’d choose it over the “grippy but zero feel” approach you quite often get in winter shoes. They’re more waterproof than most and stay warmer when they do get wet. They lack riding features like a waterproof “sock” so water gets in the top if you’re not wearing trousers, and I wish they had a lace shield, but other than that they could absolutely be a bike shoe and if they were they’d be one of rhe best. The breathability’s not great, they’re horrible if it’s warm, but that’s never usually a drawback. Ironically they are really pretty bad walking shoes, the mud grip is terrible for walking.

Another decent non-riding option, if you can find them, is the 5 10 Guide Tennie. The GTX version is long gone from the world but the standard one still crops up. It’s super grippy, not as warm or as waterproof and quite clumpy and a bit lacking in feel, I’ve basically retired mine since I got the Fairbanks but if you’re a grip-over-everything-else person they’re still a good shout. I guess mine are spare, if you’re a size 9?

Five Ten GTX is a reasonable effort, again they’re grippy but clumpy, way less feel than say my Freeriders or the Fairbanks, but that’s a matter of taste. Waterproofing is excellent, a wee bit better than the Fairbanks, but not as warm- with thin socks I can wear them pretty much all year round in the wet. Only reason I still wear them though, they only come out when it’s too warm for the Fairbanks.

EPS High are just awful imo, they’re very warm when it’s dry but they’re almost completely unwaterproof, and as soon as they’re wet they’re not warm. Just a really bad design, they’re only any good when it’s super cold and everything’s frozen but even then you can still get them wet enough to be a problem with a single stream splash. I plastered mine in waterproofing stuff and that made them merely crap. Honestly one of the worst bike products I’ve ever bought, both badly conceived and bad in practice, they literally just had to make a high top Freerider Elements and they ****ed it completely.

One thing I’ve found is that winter shoes tend to be expensive and that seems to mean manufacturers want to load them with extra features. Like, loads have damped/reinforced/D20 soles or similar which every single time, for me, means “shit feel”. I have never in my life been riding and thought “man I wish these shoes insulated me more from pedal feel, I could really go for a bit less knowing what was going on” Again this is a ymmv thing but it’s been a big ruiner of otherwise good products for me.

Hey Northwind. Good write up

flaps? I may have some surplus 510 Rennes. They have a nice flap. Otherwise like the Impact. Messaged you about your “tennies”

after a couple of hours my feet are freezing as my shoes are full of water.

What I find with non waterproof shoes and waterproof socks, is that the constant flow of fresh cold water through the shoe cools you down. If it was just static water in shoes it’d warm up.

I know you probably know this – but do you need to think about trousers/socks/shoe interface? What do you currently do?

Five Ten GTX

GripGrab CyclinGaiter to hold the bottom of my trousers over the shoes’ ankle cuffs.

 Currently wearing 2FO flats and waterproof socks through the bogs n swamps of our new monsoon climate but after a couple of hours my feet are freezing as my shoes are full of water.

Have you tried wool socks instead?

I’d just accept that your feet will get wet at some point, and focus on keeping them warm.

Defeet Woolie Boolies are the gold standard, but there are plenty of thick merino alternatives now too.

In terms of shoes, I’ve seen no mention of Ride Concepts – and I’d recommend their Hellion shoes as being almost as grippy as Five Tens, more durable and pretty water resistant. Go up a size.

Thorrlo mountaineering socks are the warmest I’ve found. Have to go up a shoe size. Warm when wet.

Went up a size on my 5:10 GTX and they are nice and warm with a couple of pairs of socks. Plastic pedals help too in the depths of winter. The GTX 5:10s still fill up from the top when it’s proper wet. I just wish I could find some trousers that are long enough to help prevent water draining into the boots. Most pairs seem to be sized to fit when you are standing up straight which means they aren’t long enough when your knees are bent pedalling. I was hoping the new Madison DTE trousers would be good, but they only seem to do 34” leg lengths for sizes M/33” and above. Seems odd to me that leg length scales with waist size as most tall folks I know are skinny.