Oh, that was great! All those tours where you recently had to protect yourself from being roasted by the sun. By starting the tour early or riding on trails that were as shady as possible. But the long, dusty days are over for now. It feels like the German winter lasts half a year, during which only the weatherproof have fun on their bikes. Feet are a particular problem area. Really warm socks don't fit into the summer slippers - and they alone wouldn't solve the problem: Because wetness and cold work closely together on the foot, the properties "windproof" and "water-repellent" are essential. The winter shoes in the test almost always have the membranes familiar from rain jackets, such as Goretex, Sympatex or microporous plastic coatings, which also allow the unavoidable foot perspiration to escape. The better this works, the warmer your feet stay. Nevertheless, the socks never stayed perfectly dry on our test laps. Apparently, the thick upper material impedes the vapour flow quite thoroughly.
You can find these winter shoes in the test:
- 45 Nrth Japanther (BIKE TIP: Test winner)
- Bontrager OMW
- Lake MXZ 303
- Mavic Crossmax SL Pro Thermo
- Northwave Extreme Winter
- Shimano MW-7
- Specialised Defroster Trail (BIKE TIP: Price/performance)
- Vaude Termatic RCII
This makes it all the more important that no additional water can penetrate from the outside. In addition to the upper material, this is primarily ensured by the construction details. To assess this, we bombarded the test shoes with an aggressive jet of water, simulating a brisk lap in mud. The forefoot and ankle area in particular get a lot of water during the procedure. Only the shoe with the best wetness protection, the Bontrager OMW, remained waterproof up to the top - but at the expense of pedalling performance. Only four other test candidates kept the water out reliably: 45 Nrth, Mavic and Northwave; the Shimano shoes only let a few splashes through. The remaining candidates also fended off at least the occasional puddle. However, all manufacturers are clever enough not to advertise their shoes as completely waterproof. The rubber boot-like sealing of the entrance, cuff and fasteners would drive the effort to senseless heights and possibly impair the fit and power transmission. At best, the winter shoes are highly water-repellent. They protect against splashing water, but not against hours of continuous rain or forced marches in slush. If particularly bad conditions threaten, additional overshoes are not a mistake.
Extreme water ingress can render a shoe unusable for days: Some models absorb up to 30 per cent of their own weight in water and are slow to release it. All models with Goretex lining - and the Vaude shoe in particular - proved to be sponge-like. Without newspaper and heating air, half a day is not enough to dry them out. The insole should be removed after every ride anyway. Only the models from Specialised and 45 Nrth can shine here. The inner shoe of the Bontrager was slow to dry even when wrung out.
In contrast, the differences in insulation are relatively small. In our elaborate cold chamber test, the internal temperatures of the shoes dropped significantly, but there was only just under five degrees between the warmest and the coldest model. As expected, two models set themselves apart: Bontrager and Lake recommend their shoes for significantly lower temperatures than the other manufacturers. First place in the thermal rating goes to Bontrager, closely followed by the massive Lake boot. This also corresponds to the "perceived truth" from the practical test. In favour of a firm fit, the other manufacturers tend to use thinner material, as a padded "moon boot" like the Bontrager requires compromises in terms of power transmission. The Lake MXZ 303 is also not as tight as a racing shoe, but clearly outperforms the competition in terms of power transmission. It is therefore the recommendation for dry cold conditions with snow.
The other thermal shoes are one temperature class higher. On tours lasting several hours, their comfort range for most bikers is likely to be somewhere in the single-digit plus degree range. In addition to the upper material and insoles, a pleasant pressure distribution thanks to the support system and ample toe room also make a difference. In the main class, the expensive shoes from 45 Nrth and Shimano were particularly convincing, while the price tip goes to the Specialised Defroster.
CONCLUSION by Jörg Spaniol, BIKE tester: I was surprised at how close the shoes were in the temperature measurements. Only the two hardcore models from Lake and Bontrager are significantly warmer than the rest. This has the advantage of a wide selection: You can also buy winter shoes largely based on fit, fit and features. Wetness protection is more dependent on the construction than on the respective membrane brand. Incidentally, a high shaft is no guarantee of better weather protection.
BUYING TIPS FOR WINTER SHOES
...
THE TEST RESULTS:
(¹BIKE measurement per pair in size 42. ²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price.
BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, satisfactory, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory).
45 NRTH Japanther
Price 290 Euro
Info www.cosmicsports.de
Weight¹ (pair) / sizes 1036 g (size 42) / 36 - 50
Extras Quick lacing, pull-on loop, reflex
Fit Medium width, roomy toe box, wide heel
Valuation
Equipment (25 %) 7 out of 10 points
Watertightness (25 %) 8 out of 10 points
Insulation (25 %) 8 out of 10 points
Drying (10 %) 8 out of 10 points
Performance (15 %) 8 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION Balanced, performance-orientated shoe that combines plenty of weather protection with enough space for thick socks. Although the boot is only laced, the upper material offers support. Also suitable for deep snow sliding passages - only a little water seeped through at the transition to the high shaft. It stayed tight on the foot. Very grippy sole. Top pedalling boot for the unwavering.
BIKE judgement² VERY GOOD
BONTRAGER OMW
Price 280 Euro
Info www.trekbikes.com
Weight¹ (pair) / sizes 1100 g (size 42) / 39 - 47
Extras Gaiter hook, rear light loop
Fit Medium width, lots of volume, runs small
Valuation
Equipment (25 %) 6 out of 10 points
Watertightness (25 %) 10 out of 10 points
Insulation (25 %) 10 out of 10 points
Drying (10 %) 3 out of 10 points
Performance (15 %) 5 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION The OMW (Old Man Winter) takes protection from the wet and cold to the extreme: a separate inner boot in the highly closed outer boot provides the best insulation values in the test. However, power transmission suffers from this construction and the inner shoe slips inside the outer shoe when walking. Special parts with a little fatbike appeal for small expeditions.
BIKE judgement² VERY GOOD
LAKE MXZ 303
Price 248,95 Euro
Info www.hartje.de
Weight¹ (pair) / sizes 1248g (size 42) / 39 - 50
Extras Cleat option, pull-on loop
Fit Medium width and height, runs extremely small
Valuation
Equipment (25 %) 7 out of 10 points
Watertightness (25 %) 7 out of 10 points
Insulation (25 %) 10 out of 10 points
Drying (10 %) 4 out of 10 points
Performance (15 %) 7 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION Lake's winter boot is an unconventional solution: as a complete leather boot with a neoprene lining, it sacrifices the last bit of waterproofness, light weight and performance in favour of comfort. But if you prefer to ride in dry snow rather than mud, the bulky MXZ 303 is a very good choice - even when pushing.
BIKE judgement² VERY GOOD
MAVIC Crossmax SL Pro Thermo
Price 220 Euro
Info www.mavic.fr
Weight¹ (pair) / sizes 896 g (size 42) / 4.5-13 UK
Extras Narrow reflective strip
Fit Consistently slim to medium-wide, rather flat
Valuation
Equipment (25 %) 7 out of 10 points
Watertightness (25 %) 7 out of 10 points
Insulation (25 %) 6 out of 10 points
Drying (10 %) 8 out of 10 points
Performance (15 %) 9 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION A little more support in the heel and a significantly stiffer, warmer insole are on the wish list for the otherwise very well thought-out, race-orientated shoe. The rubber sole offers good grip. The slim Frenchman is particularly popular for moderate winter use. It can withstand splashing mud and water for a long time.
BIKE judgement² VERY GOOD
NORTHWAVE Extreme Winter
Price 270 Euro
Info www.northwave.de
Weight¹ (pair) / sizes 984 g (size 42) / 39 - 48
Extras 2 twist fasteners, studs, pull-on loop
Fit Broad to medium broad, very voluminous
Valuation
Equipment (25 %) 7 out of 10 points
Watertightness (25 %) 8 out of 10 points
Insulation (25 %) 5 out of 10 points
Drying (10 %) 4 out of 10 points
Performance (15 %) 9 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION High-quality boot for anyone who wants to really kick it in winter. Firm fit and good pressure distribution thanks to two twist fasteners. Northwave has considered additional winter socks in the volume, which relativises the moderate insulation values. The plastic sole is too slippery for technical sliding passages. Just a touch short of the perceived "very good".
BIKE judgement² GOOD
SHIMANO MW-7
Price 250 Euro
Info www.paul-lange.de
Weight¹ (pair) / sizes 928 g (size 42) / 38 - 48
Extras none
Fit Medium-width base, medium volume
Valuation
Equipment (25 %) 7 out of 10 points
Watertightness (25 %) 10 out of 10 points
Insulation (25 %) 6 out of 10 points
Drying (10 %) 2 out of 10 points
Performance (15 %) 8 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION Shimano's classic shoe is also very well balanced in the latest edition. Lacing distributes the pressure and a Velcro strap provides additional support. Certainly not a shoe for long marches in the snow, but its water protection, power transmission and walking characteristics make winter training more enjoyable. Once wet, however, they are slow to dry.
BIKE judgement² VERY GOOD
SPECIALZED Defroster Trail
Price 179,90 Euro
Info www.specialized.com
Weight¹ (pair) / sizes 980 g (size 42) / 36 - 49
Extras Gaiter hook, pull-on loop, reflective stripes
Fit Medium width with spacious toe box
Valuation
Equipment (25 %) 8 out of 10 points
Watertightness (25 %) 4 out of 10 points
Insulation (25 %) 4 out of 10 points
Drying (10 %) 10 out of 10 points
Performance (15 %) 8 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION Perhaps the points rating does the Defroster an injustice: water penetrates at the instep and under the (somewhat angular) shaft, the insulation is moderate. This costs a lot of points in our scoring system. However, for winter tours with thick socks and puddles that are only a little rock-deep, the shoe is ideal - also considering the reasonable price.
BIKE judgement² GOOD
VAUDE Termatic RC II
Price 180 Euro
Info www.vaude.de
Weight¹ (pair) / sizes 842 g (size 42) / 36 - 48
Extras Cleat option, pull-on loop
Fit Narrow to medium width, very tight fit
Valuation
Equipment (25 %) 6 out of 10 points
Watertightness (25 %) 6 out of 10 points
Insulation (25 %) 3 out of 10 points
Drying (10 %) 0 out of 10 points
Performance (15 %) 6 out of 10 points
CONCLUSION With its well-covered quick lacing, the Sympatex-sealed Termatic keeps the foot dry for a long time. The upper material is comfortable, but not as tight as some competitors' models, which impairs power transmission. Drying takes a long time: if water runs in, it stays there for a long time. Rather a cosy, moderately warm companion.
BIKE judgement² SATISFACTORY
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