MTB winter shoes on test: Vaude AM Moab Mid Winter STX - environmentally friendly and weatherproof

Vaude now also has MTB winter shoes for flat pedal riders in its programme. They are made from robust Cordura fabric and additionally reinforced at the toes and heels. On the sole, the Tettnang-based company relies on the grippy rubber from Suptraction, with honeycomb tread blocks to provide additional grip on slippery surfaces. The AM Moab Mid Winter STX is equipped with an environmentally friendly Sympatex membrane and Primaloft Eco Gold lining. Just like the Northwave Multicross Plus GTX the insole is laminated with an insulating aluminium layer. Two Velcro straps and a Boa swivel fastener secure the foot in the shoe.

We have collected even more hot tips for cold tours here:

>> Biking in winter: Clothing, lighting, buying advice - everything for the cold days

Handling & fit of the Vaude AM Moab Mid Winter STX

Thanks to the wide-opening Velcro straps and pull-on eyelet, the Vaude AM Moab Mid MTB winter shoes are easy to slip into. The adjustment via the Boa fastener and the two Velcro straps is ok, but there is a lack of support at the front of the foot. The heel is also not optimally fixed and slips up a little, especially when pushing.

Compared to most of the other shoes in the test, the Vaude is somewhat large and wide. Bikers with wide feet are more likely to find what they are looking for here than with other models such as the Gaerne G.Ice-Storm All Terrain 1.0 GTX. The AM Moab Mid Winter STX is not recommended for narrow feet, especially as the adjustment is not ideal.

Weather protection & insulation Vaude MTB winter shoes

In itself, the Vaude is really very waterproof. Even heavy rain is not really a problem for the robust Cordura and Sympatex fabric. However, we had a small dam break at the front of the toes of all places. We weren't able to determine exactly where the water had penetrated - presumably at the connection between the sole and upper. However, light rain was not a problem for the AM Moab Mid Winter STX MTB winter shoes.

Temperatures well below freezing are more of a problem. The Vaude is more comfortable down to zero degrees - and so are your toes. Despite its Primaloft lining and padded insole, there are warmer shoes in comparison.

How to wear the Vaude AM Moab Winter STX

The Vaude are not MTB winter shoes that you should buy blindly. They are slightly wider and chunkier overall, but cannot be optimally adjusted due to the stubborn material. This means you have a lot of movement in the shoe while riding. The Velcro straps sometimes pinch when pedalling, and overall the Vaude is less supple than the Northwave Multicross Plus GTX. Although the honeycomb structure on the sole grips the ground better and thus offers slightly better grip, the Vaude bends uncomfortably in the toe area when running. On the pedals, the tread has slightly less grip than the flat sole of the Northwave.

Vaude AM Moab Mid Winter STX - Info and price

• Price 230 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Sizes 36 to 48
• Weight 1088 grams per pair (size 46)
• Equipment (20%) SUPtraction sole; Boa L6 fastening; double Velcro; Primaloft insulation; insulating insole; Sympatex membrane; Reflex

Conclusion & rating Vaude MTB winter shoes

Reinforced all round and made with Cordura fabric, the Vaude is also suitable for rough terrain. Thanks to the waffle structure, the tread of the MTB winter shoes also grips well on the ground. However, the grip on the pedals is only mediocre, as is the power transmission. Warmly lined with Primaloft and equipped with a Sympatex membrane, they effortlessly defy wind and weather - water only penetrated the toes in very heavy rain. The fit is quite wide and the shoe cannot be optimally adjusted due to the stubborn material. Trying them on beforehand is a must!