Which winter shoes / boots are people using?

Anyone with Northwave Arctic/Extreme able to comment on whether they break in / give a little over time? I picked up some Extreme XCR GTX in the sales but I find the upper very unforgiving and a little too tight. Tighter than my Shimano XC9 which have had a fair bit of use to be fair.

Considering returning them rather than taking them out to find out I don't like them and then having them un-refundable.

But not sure what I'd swap them for -Extreme's are no longer on sale, would be able to get Arctic for the same price in a size up leaving more space if the upper is still unforgiving. Less stiff sole but should be ok right?

Could also get Shimano MW7s, still on sale and cheaper still. Again worried about stiffness. Had been thinking with the Extremes they'd be fine on the roadbike too with a pedal change through the winter.

Also the Extreme's have a very flat footbed which is off-putting, another reason to return.

I get on well with Shimano generally but it's not clear if the MW7 come with similar multiple arch support insets for the insoles.

The one the Wiggle outlet has been flogging off?

Yep, but from another seller. Cost £30, brand new, amazing stuff. Very comfy, not too heavy, seem to regulate temperature well and kept my feet dry in the rain today.

They've loosened up a bit, but also turns out I think my cleat might be in ever-so-slightly the wrong place causing my foot to move weirdly, which I think might be causing the rubbing.

Any of you skinny bitches or circulation-lackers got any hot tips (pardon the pun) for socks or feet warming options? I suggested sandwich bags, double socks, Assos windproof socks and sealskinz to a mate but wonder if there's anything else to try before going for winter boots?

Therm-IC heated insoles. They rock. As long as you charge them.

I am a cold foot sufferer, and have found tin foil in winter boots and Galibier fire foot socks to work so far. I even stopped for a mid ride parkrun today (changing socks) and they were warm when wet

Nice. I've passed these suggestions on.

I've been using a pair of those latex shoe covers that trainer geeks use to protect their horrible £700 Balenciagas with. They're like £3, look awful, but you can't see them under regular overshoes.

Thin socks, then shoes, then oversocks, then latex abominations, then overshoes. Feet were still cold but not as cold as they used to be.

Sheesh, I just let me feet go numb. I'll suggest that too.

This is insane. Pics pls
Also, I use chemical baggies for sub zero long rides. You can put them in the hands too

Imagine some overshoes, but there's two more layers underneath you can't see.
I get cold feet really easily. I'm currently in my living room with the heating at 21C and thermal socks on and my left foot is still fucking freezing

Heated insoles are really the way to go, but I'd still start with a good pair of boots. I've used Grabber toe warmers, they don't work for very long.

Specialized Defroster MTB version..

Winter boots are worth it, but thick insoles with a layer of foil in them help with the cold pedals. But then the shoes souldn't be too tight and actually should be left a bit loose so there's space for air and to keep the blood flowing. Then thick overshoes and also keep your whole legs warm enough, not just the toes.

Yeah I sussed him out on how tight they were. They're not constricting at all so that's not the issue. I think his toe/shoe covers are pretty lightweight. If I can find my old neoprene ones he can try them.

I can't see him dropping £200 on winter boots but maybe it's more painful than he let on. I used Shimano winter boots with normal thin socks and my feet were fine but I've spent years turning my feet into numb stalks of dead flesh.

Maybe you've made a choice now 23 days after you posted but my experience with NW arctic has been good. I have really high arches and wide feet, the shoes feel good and my feet have been warm. What @Samuli says is important though:

keep your whole legs warm enough, not just the toes

I had a pair of the Arctic GTXs too and liked how they felt, almost like a summer shoe but waterproof and warm, though they were a bit fragile. The neoprene around ankle is stretchy but the waterproof lining isn't, so I tore it a bit as I was pulling them on. And the ratchet/boa type thing broke off as it scratched a rock, the part in the shoe that was holding it.

Has anyone tried the planet X winter offerings? Not too spendy but still too much to take a punt at if they are no good

the new shimano mw7 is nice. runs a bit large. a hair larger than the last gen mw5s they replaced.

Do any of these winter boots stay dry with shorts and not tights, provided I'd also use short-cuff socks? Thinking to get MW7s, as according to Northwaves doesn't seem to hold up and Fiziks need some kind of ankle gaiter to be actually waterproof... Any other alternatives I should consider around £130 range? I hate Velotoze and it's rarely full-on shoe cover weather down here if not for rain/water protection.

Just to resurrect this thread...I don't know who may need this but i certainly found it very useful indeed. I printed it on slow speed with 0.10 resolution and base supports and it turned out very well.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4633925

Northwave SLW2 knob replacement