Er, winter boot recommendations?

Zippy

I know, I know: I'm a bit early, but I thought I'd buy now if there are any Sales on. I use toe-clips'n' (loose!) straps and need properly warm boots for winter. (I really feel the cold.) I daresay any recommendations will be for spuds; so does anyone have direct experience of using a spd-type boot in a non-spd way (if you get me)? And please don't suggest heavy-duty walking-boots; I've tried them: the deepy-cleated soles are murder to get onto serrated-edged metal pedals.

So: a warm, waterproof, winter boot with smoothish soles, anyone?

Thanks,

Zip'.

stumpyjon

Was going to recommend the Shimano MW02, it's fully waterproof so stops your feet getting numbed to the bone after the first puddle. Not sure how you'd get on with the sole though, there are a number of chunky cleats (but that's going to be fairly common with winter boots to cope with walking in the mud).

Might be worth considering SPD's, only cost and extra £20 for a pair of Shimano M520s pedals.

Chaka Ping

Shimano MT90s are SPD boots that look like hiking boots - and have a gore tex upper and Vibram sole.

But why not just get some lightweight hiking boots on discount somewhere if you're using toeclips?

passout

Lake do some I think (unless i dreamt it)

Zippy

Thanks, all.

Chaka Ping, the trouble with lightweight hiking-boots is that if there's a 'waterproof' tag on them it should really read, 'waterproof – till you go out in the wet in 'em'. Well, that's been my experience.

I really do want some good boots to wear on my bike thro' the winter: by definition that means warm, waterproof and tough. I suppose the complication is that I don't use the spd system. But I'll get out there and have a look at what's available in the bike-shops: yeah, while the weather's nice. Stumpyjon, I'll try that Shimano MW02: a decent shop should let me take them home and try getting them into and out of my toe-clips. And while I'm at it, 'passout', I'll keep an eye open for that Lake brand. (With a name like that surely I can expect waterproofness?)

Thanks again,

Zip'.

omegas

Have you tried overshoes?

I used Endura MT 500 overshoes throughout the winter over Shimano MT 40 shoe (which is a summer shoe) . The MT 500 is made of neoprene like the material you find in wetsuits, they kept my feet warm and dry every day through the winter and that’s doing a 20 mile commute on and off road.

Zippy

Thanks for that, 'omegas'; erm (embarrassed cough), no, I hadn't thought of neoprene overshoes. Sounds like the first thing to try, to be honest – then it wouldn't matter if the boots underneath were all that warm or waterproof on their own. Sounds like a result, to me. Thanks!

Zip'.