Winter shoes/boots

bogmanfan

I suffered with cold feet on the bike last winter, so thinking of splashing out on some nice warm, waterproof footwear for the months ahead. Currently looking at the Specialized Defroster boots (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftr/shoes/mtb-shoes/defroster-mtb)
Anyone any experience with these, or any alternatives? I used neoprene overshoes last year, but would prefer a separate shoe.

Seweryn

bogmanfan wrote: »

I suffered with cold feet on the bike last winter, so thinking of splashing out on some nice warm, waterproof footwear for the months ahead. Currently looking at the Specialized Defroster boots (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftr/shoes/mtb-shoes/defroster-mtb)
Anyone any experience with these, or any alternatives? I used neoprene overshoes last year, but would prefer a separate shoe.

I currently use these and find them good.

There is also an MTB version with just different sole.

JC 3.14159

I got a pair of these recently:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=57565
Only used them a couple of times so far for very rainy days (e.g. 6:30am this morning). Too early to say how they'll do in very cold weather but so far so good.
There's an 'Arctic' and 'Standard' model (and one for road shoes). The Arctic has a furry fleecy lining inside.
Socks do get a small bit damp in heavy rain/puddles after a 1h15m commute - I think it seeps in along your socks from around the top, but I think that will happen with any boots. Rainproof trousers will prevent a lot of it if you can get them long enough (or get some with an elastic strap to go under the sole or something). If you just wear shorts or tights your socks will get a lot wetter. It feels fine though because it stays warm - I didn't even realise my socks were wet until I took the boots off. Again, it might be more of a problem on very cold days.

One niggle - the sole lugs are hardish plastic so they're a bit slippy on a wet road surface when starting off at lights etc. I've seen talk on other forums about glueing bits of old tyres on to improve grip - I might have a go at this.

Sizing wise - I had to go 1 size up from Shimano MTB shoes.

kenmc

My pair of NW Celsius GTX arrived yesterday. Lovely and warm cycling home last night in the dry. This morning I was disappointed it had finished raining - wore them even still, and was glad I did when I had to go through a bb-deep puddle on the long mile road. I was pedalling through the puddle, so the boots were being semi-submerged each and every stroke. Socks got a little damp, presumably a wicking effect, which is hardy surprising, but my feet stayed toasty. I had my legwarmers on also, and had them outside the top of the boots so that any rain/water they absorbed would not just drain straight into the boot. Normally even with overshoes you'd get wet feet from water coming in the cleatholes - didn't notice that with these.

So far: I'm a fan. Very tempted to get the farenheit equivalent for the road bike for winter training.....
Sizewize, I went with a 44, which is what my mavics are (actually they're a 44 2/3 apparently!), and which my Shimano M075s are, but I think I could actually do with a 43, but for the 30min each way commute they're fine.

BTW over in Merlin Cycles they're 156 euro, with an additional 10% off. you pay a little for shipping, but it still works out better than the CRC price