Which winter shoes / boots are people using?

Sure. If you want to spend that much money on a winter off road boot that's slippy and not very warm (which comes through in most, if not all, of the reviews I found), then you have the ideal boot. Also:

"very slippery on wet roots and rocks."
"They're not so uncomfortable that you can't wear them, but they're not exactly luxurious, either."

The fact that about £50 will get you a comfy goretex or similar vibram walking boot might throw some light on the value aspect of things though.

i don't go near roots

DK do you wear your boots all the time, or only when it is raining companion animals?

I don't own them yet, but I am in the market. Last winter got bitter and when I was looking for boots it was February/March... which I thought was silly as I'd only get a month or two out of them. This year since it's getting quite cold and damp already I've just thinking buy the damn boots early and get every buck out of them.

Totally waterproof?

According to the Lake guys... but that doesn't make them "walk through rivers" waterproof, just makes them waterproof to their purpose.

i don't go near roots

I have a pair of spd shoes with the type of sole mentioned in the review and I would never buy a pair with it again any stairs are a nightmare, door sills e.t.c You don't have to be going near roots for a sole that that to be of issue.

it's the same sole as on my dominators, only some times on wet wooden floors it can be a bit slippery, other than that they are ok.

The newer Dominators have the SRS sole, which the Diablo doesn't. Presumably for the very reason of lack of grip with old sole.

i think the newer SRS sole is crap, the rubber lasts half as long as the old ones,(black ones, and the grey ones are actually made of real cheese) and costs £40+ to replace, went through 3 sets on my eagles.

Pick your feet up when you walk.

ha!

pair here 44's half price, if anyone is interested

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sidi-Diablo-Gore-Tex-Mountain-Bike-Shoes-Boots-/300478468460?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Athletic_Shoes_ET&hash=item45f5e9916c

i think the newer SRS sole is crap, the rubber lasts half as long as the old ones,(black ones, and the grey ones are actually made of real cheese) and costs £40+ to replace, went through 3 sets on my eagles.

I refer you to the old Dominators vs Eagles thread for recent updates…

Sure. If you want to spend that much money on a winter off road boot that's slippy and not very warm (which comes through in most, if not all, of the reviews I found), then you have the ideal boot. Also:

"very slippery on wet roots and rocks."
"They're not so uncomfortable that you can't wear them, but they're not exactly luxurious, either."

The fact that about £50 will get you a comfy goretex or similar vibram walking boot might throw some light on the value aspect of things though.

You know that you're supposed to be riding over those bits, don't you?

it's the same sole as on my dominators, only some times on wet wooden floors it can be a bit slippery, other than that they are ok.

And you, what are you doing walking on wet wooden floors when you have a perfectly (read great) bike to ride. You make me sick.

shoulda said "wet wooden* pub *floors" :)

Is it forecast to be bad this Winter again?

Which forecast would you be referring to? Because there are no accurate forecasts for tomorrow, let alone the next few months, available in this country.

The longterm forecast. The one where they ask a local 'expert' to look at his pine cone leaves in a Gypsies teacup......or something.......

Are there any Groundhogs in the UK?

Yep. Still touring, great band!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzu8Zjv1rPc

met office has a seasonal forecast but they have made it less prominent due to last year due to stupid people in the media moaned when they said it was a 60% chance of a BBQ summer and the 40% non-bbq summer happened.

these:

Using cages, they can be a little tricky to get into. + I think you may benefit for getting your cages in a size up cos the bulk pushes your feet further back and can feel like you are pedaling with your talons.

My dad told me just that, the solution? those big cheap plastic cage make it a lots easier to get in.

The Lake mxz302 have great reviews in Norwegian bike mags. So they should be warm enough at least. Thats what i'm going with anyway.

It looks like that'll be three of us getting some then- wonder if we could get a group rate if we get a few more people involved?