Which winter shoes / boots are people using?

south hampstead/ swiss cottage NW6

also work at Cannon St, but todays my last day till Jan 3

let me know if either work

I've just tried on 44 which fitted like a glove. I think 43 would be too small. thanks anyway

If the 44s were new, then you want to buy 43s!

Mine have gone from being just a little too tight when new, to too big after maybe 5 or 6 wears. I think the problem is that the material is very stiff so takes time to soften

Have just bought a used pair of these

Mixed reviews but got them cheap. I usually commute in my regular shoes but keen to test these. Have a few different shimano spd pedals inbound as well.

My ugly shimano touring shoes are great for commuting. Vibram soles, GoreTex lining etc etc. Warm dry and hideous to look at.

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I've got a pair of the road versions. They're OK, but not as good as the North Wave boots I've got. I tend to use them with electrically-heated insoles. This usually results in much derision, but I'm happy to be the subject of derision if the trade-off is that I have warm feet.

Ok. Well, I'm not spending £££s on cycling shoes just yet. Not even sure I want to use clipless or not on my commuter/beater bikes. But my commute just got a little longer and doesn't take me past anywhere I'd like to have normal shoes anyway so why not give it a go.

Edit: why are heated insoles reason for derision? Seems an excellent idea. Was rather jealous of a mate who had some on a recent skiing holiday.

Looking to downsize my northwave boots if anyone’s interested

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/316100/#comment14065484

why are heated insoles reason for derision?

Jealousy, I suspect, 'cos I have warm feet and they don't. I do have a bit of a reputation for being a gear freak with all the toys though, so it may be related to that.

I’ve got a pair of the road version too. They’re warmer than my normal Sidis, pretty waterproof in anything but sustained downpour or no front guard. However the portion of the boot above the ankle where a normal shoe stops, is neoprene and not waterproof so the water just drips down your leg into your boot and you end up with soaked feet anyway.
Otherwise I like mine :)

Haha, that sounds a bit shit! I'll soon find out I suppose. Maybe they can be modified somehow, sew a cuff on the top bit or something?

Definitely 10x more waterproof than a normal shoe so it’s not always an issue :)

The goretex cuff of the new northwave boots is a big improvement - much more flexible and waterproof. it gets damp, but I’ve never had the “boot filling with water” experience that I used to get with the old style boots.

I used to just run some tape round the top of the boots if I was going to be out for a few hours and it was properly raining. Bit ghetto but worked fine..

Water will find a way in even if the cuff has goretex like on the new northwaves, though not as quickly, but hiking gaiters or waterproof trousers that cover your ankle help.

gaiters

I had no idea what these were. Ebay threw up 6400 results. Time to try it out, thanks!

the water just drips down your leg into your boot and you end up with soaked feet anyway.

First real downpour/sleet/snow/blizzard of satan this morning and I had the same thing happen. Shoes full of water at end of commute. Have some gaiters inbound, will see what they can do.

I have the those sidis too... Warmer than a normal shoe, and more water resistant, but once it gets in it stays, for days.
Pro tip: Leave old newspapers at work, fill the damp shoes with paper, repeat if necessary.

Yeah I left them on top of a hot radiator during work, still soggy when I went home. Thanks for the pro tip, will try it.

Normal cycling shoes and sealskinz waterproof socks works for me, unless it gets really cold, then I find a settee and a brew works best.

Reviving this post as I'm looking for info.

I'm looking to invest in a pair of winter boots this year and unsure whether to go for the Lake MX 145 or the Lake MXZ 303. @Dammit as you've had both I'd ask you for feedback but you seem to have struggled with both.

This is for commuting in London and riding around in Kent/Surrey.

I bought some cheapo Diadora boots from eBay. Really happy with them - not been able to test the waterproofness yet but they kept my feet very comfy on a 200 at the weekend where the temperature averaged about 2 degrees.

However, towards the end of the ride the boots were rubbing my ankles a bit - do we reckon this is a case of it was pretty silly to give them a first outing on such a long ride? Do they need breaking in? Or do they not just agree with my feet?

cheapo Diadora boots from eBay

The one the Wiggle outlet has been flogging off? I looked at those because frostbitten toes (possible exaggeration).

FWIW I'd give them another few goes, taping up the bits of your feet that rubbed. Or swap out the insoles?

They might need a bit of breaking in - in the meantime, Compeed is your friend. Amazing stuff, supermarkets/pharmacies have it.

They're OK, but not as good as the North Wave boots I've got

2 years on I've ditched the sidis and switched to NW. Think they're called 'arctic' or similar, much more comfortable and warm.

Do they need breaking in? Or do they not just agree with my feet?

Time will tell. I've tried to break cycling shoes in but have had to give up, other pairs have yielded after a bit. Agree compeeds are great.