You place higher demands on your cycling shoes in winter. Few things are as uncomfortable as riding with cold feet. Fortunately there’s such a thing as winter cycling shoes. Particularly the mountain bikers have a plethora of choices available when it comes to winter MTB cycling shoes. Road cyclists have slightly fewer options available, but with the right winter cycling shoes they to can take to the cold feeling warm.

With proper Winter Cycling Shoes, you’ll hardly ever have to use overshoes again. Cycling shoes for extremely cold conditions are windproof and waterproof on their own. Keeping out the wind and water is, after all, a basic requirement for keeping your feet warm.

What winter cycling shoes should I go for?

We’ve got the two brands in our range that offer the best winter cycling shoes for mountain bikers and road cyclists, namely Northwave and Mavic. So why should you go for one cycling shoe and not the other? Which does best under what conditions?

We firstly take a look at the winter cycling shoes by Northwave. The Husky Winter Tech is suitable for temperatures up to freezing and can be used with SPD pedals. The shoes are, contrary to many winter cycling shoes by Northwave, wind- and waterproof.

The sole is carbon-reinforced to ensure an efficient power transfer on the bike. The lanyard in the shoe allows you to easily adjust your fit by simply pulling on the cord.

Brave the freezing cold with the Northwave Extreme XCM GTX

Is cold never cold enough for you? Then the Northwave Extreme XCM GTX mountain bike shoes are perfect for you. These MTB shoes keep your feet warm in temperatures as low as -15°C! On top of that fantastic level of insulation, the sole is extremely efficient in transferring your energy as it’s super stiff.

The raised cuff at the ankle prevents water from running down into the shoe. And with one of the best Gore-Tex membranes fitted the shoes offer excellent insulation without preventing your feet from breathing freely.

Take to the cold with the Northwave Raptor GTX

For the slightly less arctic days we’ve got the Northwave Raptor GTX. This winter mountain bike cycling shoe has got you covered down to around -3°C. A great winter cycling shoe for on the mountain bike which should serve you nicely on most winter days in the UK.

Is getting colder? Then the Raptor Arctic GTX is probably better for you. The Raptor Arctic GTX is really just a regular mountain bike shoe, but with considerably improved insulation which makes it both wind- and waterproof.

What makes these cycling shoes into real winter MTB shoes are the raised cuffs around the ankles. Thanks to this, the shoes are closed off from the elements better and keep out the cold and water more.

The Raptor Arctic GTX also boasts a foot bed with 4 layers of aluminium, keeping your feet warm down to -10°C. So do you frequently head out in winter, or are you heading abroad to find some more extreme cold climates? Then these shoes are just that little bit warmer for you.

The Northwave Raptor TH for the crisp days

Not everyone likes to take to the woods in the freezing cold. Don’t need those extreme winter MTB shoes, but would you just like a little extra protection during the winter months? The Raptor TH is here for you.

These MTB winter shoes are warm and waterproof, but not as thoroughly insulated as the other Raptors. Plan on riding through the rain with these? Then we’d recommend using overshoes to keep your feet dry.

Our Northwave Winter Mountain Bike Shoes

Mavic Crossmax Elite CM for the milder days

For the mountain bikers amongst us, we’ve also got the Mavic Crossmax Elite CM. These low profile mountain bike shoes have only a slight raise around the ankles. This way you don’t feel like you’re wearing full-on winter shoes on your feet while still enjoying sufficient protection from the cold and wind.

These MTB cycling shoes are particularly suitable for crisp and wet days, but less so for when it’s freezing out. Are you really not fond of cold, or do you plan on riding on when temperatures drop below freezing? Then a warmer winter cycling shoe might be the better choice.

Winter cycling shoes for road cycling

It’s not just the mountain bikers who like warm feet in winter. We haven’t forgotten about the roadies amongst us! The winter road cycling shoes are just as warm, windproof, and water repellent as the mountain bike shoes, but specifically designed with road cycling in mind.

For the coldest days; Northwave Flash Arctic GTX

Firstly we have the Northwave Flash Arctic GTX. These are the warmest winter road cycling shoes we have. They’re wind- and waterproof and can keep your feet warm in temperatures down to -10°C. No more excuses not to head out on the bike in winter then.

These cycling shoes have raised cuffs and offer excellent insulation. These are the ideal winter cycling shoes for when you want to ride all winter long without cold and wet feet. The hi-vis fluorescent yellow colour is an added bonus, helping you stand out in traffic more.

Warm, but not too warm, with the Northwave Flash GTX

Only slightly below zero, say down to -3°C? Then the Flash GTX is probably a better choice. Is the temperature unlikely to dip below zero at all? Then go for the Flash TH.

The Flash GTX has a raised area around the ankles to better keep out the rain and cold. Don’t need that? The Flash TH is probably more than enough for you. It’s almost the same as the GTX version but slightly less warm and without the raised cuff around the ankles.

Our collection of Northwave Winter Cycling Shoes

Cosmic Elite Vision CM is warm for autumn days

Finally we have a cycling shoe which doesn’t really fit into the list of winter cycling shoes. It’s wind- and waterproof and does offer reflective elements to aid visibility in traffic.

Because it’s less well insulated though, it’s more suited for mild winter days or during spring- and autumn rides with temperatures of around 3°C. Expect rain? Then overshoes wouldn’t go amiss when trying to keep out the water.

No need for cold feet in winter

Already own a pair of cycling shoes but are they just not warm enough? Or are they, but aren’t they waterproof? Then you could take a closer look at a pair of overshoes. They’re also available as waterproof and well-insulating versions. Plenty of choice then when you don’t wish to spend the winter riding around with cold feet.

Feet warm already, but is the rest of your body still lacking? We offer plenty of choice when it comes to winter cycling clothing. And if you want to stand out in traffic, then we offer plenty of hi-vis cycling clothing and accessories as well. Not to mention all the different kinds of bike lights. What we’re saying is: whatever you need to get through this winter on the bike, we’ve got it in store for you.

Het bericht Winter Cycling Shoes for Crisp, Cold, and Freezing Days on the Bike [Buyer’s Guide] verscheen eerst op Mantel.