winter cycling boots

gubber12345
gubber12345 Posts: 493
in Road general
not sure if in the right section but here goes

i'm in the market for a pair of winter cycling boots for road riding..looking advice on what is the best in terms of keeping feet warm and dry..been looking at fizik r5 boots and nortwave boots but seem to get a lot of negative feedback on feet still being wet and cold and having to size up...budget can stretch to possibly £200

any other brands I can check out ?
TIA
Lapierre Aircode 300
Merida

Comments

  • iantr
    iantr Posts: 31
    I like the Shimano boots, particularly the MTB SPD version.
  • trevor.hall12
    trevor.hall12 Posts: 486
    I have the Fizik R5 Artica very comfortable and warm .If its really cold I use spatzwear overshoes too
  • pep.fermi
    pep.fermi Posts: 383
    Red Cycling winter MTB shoes.
    Absolutely fantastic.
    And I normally suffer cold feet more than other folks.
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    edited December 2022
    I got some Northwave boots a few years ago in a sale and they worked well in terms of keeping my feet warm and dry, but I didn't like them very much when riding.
    My ankle movement felt too restricted and I tried a few things to fix it, but never felt comfortable with it and eventually sold them on.
    It looks like the design might have changed around the upper section, or maybe I just flex my ankle a lot - not sure - but it's something to be aware of.
    I had these ones.
    https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/northwave-fahrenheit-arctic-2-gtx-boots-review/
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,820
    I jusat got the Shimano MTB version of the winter boots. Can't fault them. Size as normal as they are roomy. BOA fastening and velcro overflap things.
    https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/apparel-accessories/shimano/SH-MW701.html


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • yellowv2
    yellowv2 Posts: 282
    singleton said:

    I got some Northwave boots a few years ago in a sale and they worked well in terms of keeping my feet warm and dry, but I didn't like them very much when riding.
    My ankle movement felt too restricted and I tried a few things to fix it, but never felt comfortable with it and eventually sold them on.
    It looks like the design might have changed around the upper section, or maybe I just flex my ankle a lot - not sure - but it's something to be aware of.
    I had these ones.
    https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/northwave-fahrenheit-arctic-2-gtx-boots-review/

    I've had a pair of these for years and find them excellent, no problems with comfort/fit/ankle movement very comfortable and certainly do the job.
  • i.bhamra
    i.bhamra Posts: 304
    I was in the same position and ended up taking a punt on some Spatzwear overshoes. they are expensive for overshoes but very good, I was a bit dubious about how long they would last but are into the second winter of use and they still look like new. I got the "legalz pro" version and they are very good at keeping feet (and calves) warm and dry even when it's freezing. I think they have a model (Roadman?) which is supposed to be even warmer. They aren't bulky and are easy enough to get on and off. I'd say they are worth considering vs a dedicated winter boot.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,165
    I've got some Northwave ones and think they're great. Had them a few years and still going strong.

    Got to be very careful to keep water from coming in over the top if the road's very wet, but that's about it.
  • gubber12345
    gubber12345 Posts: 493
    kingstongraham said:

    I've got some Northwave ones and think they're great. Had them a few years and still going strong.

    Got to be very careful to keep water from coming in over the top if the road's very wet, but that's about it.

    any issues with sizing...read a few reviews which mentioned sizing up
    Lapierre Aircode 300
    Merida
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    Fit, fit, fit and fit.

    Top brand winter boots will do a job so concentrate on fit.

    I ordered a pair of Mavics in my size but could barely get them on. Sent them back and ordered a pair of NorthWave which fitted very well and perform perfectly.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,165
    gubber12345 said:

    kingstongraham said:

    I've got some Northwave ones and think they're great. Had them a few years and still going strong.

    Got to be very careful to keep water from coming in over the top if the road's very wet, but that's about it.

    any issues with sizing...read a few reviews which mentioned sizing up
    Northwaves have crazy conversions to UK sizes. I think I'm in my normal EU size, but they say it's a 12 rather than a 10.
  • michaelmichaelmichael
    michaelmichaelmichael Posts: 13
    Have had both Northwave Raptor Arctic (2 bolt) and the Fahrenheit 2 (3 bolt) and needed to size up as others have said but the thing I'd note is the cleat slots seem fairly far forward, I'm slammed as far back as I can go on both pairs and I still can't match the position on my summer shoes and I don't think I have a particularly extreme cleat position.
  • ktuludays
    ktuludays Posts: 97
    I've got a pair of northwave fahrenheit gtx - did size up a size and they are great boots. i also have a pair of planet x das boot spd mtb boots which i think are much better. sadly planet x no longer sell them.

    with any winter boot if water gets in your feet get wet but still stay warm. top tip is a marigold cuff cut off and slid up your leg and down over the top of the boot once on saves water getting in if it's raining.
  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    The marigold trick only works to an extent. You still have the problem water in soaking tights seeping down to your socks from capillary action. The way to stop this is to wear extra long overshoes (like Spatz or long GripGrap ones) under your tights, and covering your socks so they are separated from the tights by the overshoes. With decent sealed boots like the Arctic 5s, you can cycle for hours in a downpour and still have dry feet.
  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    The trouble by the time I’d managed to get all that lot I’d too knacker*d to go for a ride.
  • hpaul
    hpaul Posts: 114
    I have a pair of nw celcius r gtx. I bought a pair of gripgrab gaiters which sit above boots to keep water out. They are confortable and warm but I wasn't happy having to spend extra. Useless in wet without these
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,165
    bobones said:

    The marigold trick only works to an extent. You still have the problem water in soaking tights seeping down to your socks from capillary action. The way to stop this is to wear extra long overshoes (like Spatz or long GripGrap ones) under your tights, and covering your socks so they are separated from the tights by the overshoes. With decent sealed boots like the Arctic 5s, you can cycle for hours in a downpour and still have dry feet.

    Or just have the marigolds cover your socks.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,057
    Or wear neoprene socks over some thin socks.
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,663
    I have yet to find “marigolds” small enough to fit tight enough on my calfs.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,165
    gethinceri said:

    I have yet to find “marigolds” small enough to fit tight enough on my calfs.

    These are the same ideahttps://www.gripgrab.com/products/cyclingaiter-shoe-cover-cuffs
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,663
    kingstongraham said:

    gethinceri said:

    I have yet to find “marigolds” small enough to fit tight enough on my calfs.

    These are the same ideahttps://www.gripgrab.com/products/cyclingaiter-shoe-cover-cuffs
    Thanks, but I don’t need that solution if I’m wearing winter boots.
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,819
    gethinceri said:

    I have yet to find “marigolds” small enough to fit tight enough on my calfs.

    Durex Extra Safe?
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,165
    edited February 2023
    gethinceri said:

    kingstongraham said:

    gethinceri said:

    I have yet to find “marigolds” small enough to fit tight enough on my calfs.

    These are the same ideahttps://www.gripgrab.com/products/cyclingaiter-shoe-cover-cuffs
    Thanks, but I don’t need that solution if I’m wearing winter boots.
    Why are you looking for big marigolds then?

    The link is to the bit that stops water getting into your boots, not the shoe covers.
  • hpaul
    hpaul Posts: 114
    edited February 2023
    gethinceri said:

    kingstongraham said:

    gethinceri said:

    I have yet to find “marigolds” small enough to fit tight enough on my calfs.

    These are the same ideahttps://www.gripgrab.com/products/cyclingaiter-shoe-cover-cuffs
    Thanks, but I don’t need that solution if I’m wearing winter boots.
    If your going out in rain you need that solution. Even light rain, trust me. One of the biggest design flaws ever. Certainly in the northwave ones anyway. I sent them a video of me pouring water out of both shoes, and I've been out in much worse wearing overshoes. My feet were drier with overshoes. Hopefully the gaiters sort the problem.
  • hpaul
    hpaul Posts: 114
    Size up to. Size chart isn't great on them gripgrab gaiters
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,663
    kingstongraham said:

    gethinceri said:

    kingstongraham said:

    gethinceri said:

    I have yet to find “marigolds” small enough to fit tight enough on my calfs.

    These are the same ideahttps://www.gripgrab.com/products/cyclingaiter-shoe-cover-cuffs
    Thanks, but I don’t need that solution if I’m wearing winter boots.
    Why are you looking for big marigolds then?

    The link is to the bit that stops water getting into your boots, not the shoe covers.
    I should’ve clicked the link really, shouldn’t I?
    🤣🤣🤣

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