Conclusion

If you don’t ride on the high hills or moors, then a regular shoe with a waterproof sock is going to be a more affordable option. You get to wear your regular footwear, the grip doesn’t change and you’re not adding a ton of weight. However, if there are multiple water crossings on your rides, or the mercury drops below zero with added wind chill, then a full winter boot really comes into its own.

For the low-level stuff, both the Five Ten Trailcross Pro and Ride Concepts TNT are more than adequate if you add a waterproof sock, but that just bumps up the cost. If you’re going to spend this amount of money you might as well go the full monty and be properly shielded from the elements.

Two boots offer this high level of protection – the Fizik Terra Artica and Northwave Kingrock Plus GTX. They are literally like walking boots with SPD fittings on the bottom. The problem is, getting into these two boots isn’t easy and they are hefty, which you feel more when they’re covered with clag. Even after we shimmed the cleat, so it was flush with the sole, we struggled clipping in and out of the pedals with both shoes. If you’re just starting out with clipless, you should avoid these because you’re going to end up on the floor more often than not and that can really dent your confidence.

Physically putting both shoes on was also a challenge – the zip on the Fizik Terra Artica just isn’t long enough, and the BOA system on the Northwave Kingrock Plus GTX doesn’t release enough cable, so you have to almost garrote your fingers getting it open.

We also struggled getting in and out with the Gaerne Icestrom, despite it having a sleeker profile and a cutaway sole. The cleat pocket on this shoe is deeper than most and the friction increased when the binding was clogged with mud. The Icestorm is toastie but it felt bulky and imprecise.

There was a trio of shoes vying for top honours in this test and they all have similar

XC styling. These shoes are the lightest on test, have excellent heel and crank clearance and generally feel more efficient compared to the Fizik and Northwave boots. All three shoes have a similar level of walking grip, although you can increase that on the Giro and Shimano shoes by adding studs. We did some deep puddle splashes on our test rides and none of the three shoes let water in, and even on cold rides there was very little in it for comfort. What did separate them was the ease of access, and simply that the zips on both the Scott Heater and Giro Blaze started to clog up after one ride. We know readers who’ve got these shoes keep the zip lubed, but that’s not something you have to do with the Shimano MW7. Using a Velcro closure means it’s way easier to open.

It’s not better in every department, it’s slightly heavier and more costly, but it’s just as warm and dry. If you suffer from cold, wet feet, you won’t put a foot wrong with the Shimano MW7.