Kahrpistols

Hey guys! 28 mile (one way) commuter here and after today's 18 degree (F) ride I decided I'm getting winter cycling boots. My booties did a decent job of keeping my feet from falling off from frostbite but I still was not quite comfortable and towards the end of the 1.75 hours I did start to hurt in my toes.

My question to you: Which winter boots do you recommend? I use a cross bike as my commuting bike, so 2 bolt shoe suggestions, please.

I'm currently deciding between the Lake MXZ303 and the Specialized Defroster, but I am open to other suggestions if y'all have great experiences with other brands.

Important things for me are, in order of importance: Warmth, durability, weight, waterproofness. I'm not entirely sure I want to be riding through a rain storm to work, so the last point can be fudged if there's a boot out there that meets the other three requirements well. I commute entirely on asphalt, so grip on muddy conditions is not important at all for me right now, although it would be nice to have that option should I want to get dirty on the weekends.

Budget is $200-250.

WhyFi

Get the ones that fit.

I actually spent a good chunk of the last month trying on any and all winter boots that I could, but none were quite right (I have wide feet). If fit weren't an issue, I'd have gotten the Lakes - they feel like a really well-made product. The Defrosters I wasn't terribly impressed with (and I was disappointed that they didn't fit me very well when my regular road shoes are Spec, too). The 45NRTH Wolvhammers are probably way too heavy for you, but the Japanthers are a little less bulky, though you might want to size up a bit because their temp rating is in the ~25° neighborhood and you might need extra thickly socks some days and they're only water resistant, I think...

Another one that looks promising, but I didn't get to try on because I couldn't find them locally, is the new-ish Shimano (I think it's MW-700 or something). Waterproof, warm enough, look like they're well-made and $250 bucks, though they were on sale at Competitive Cyclist for $150 as of a day ago.

mpath

I've been riding with Northwave Extreme for the last couple of winters. Riding in 35-40F weather is nice and toasty with wool cycling socks till about the four hour mark.

dabac

The 303s are quite nice. I like the fit of the extra wide model.
One thing they don't do is breathe, they're lined with neoprene.
You will need a plan for how to dry them out after use, or face a considerable odour.
Waterproofness is a so-so thing. They're resistant enough, but will get soaked eventually if it rains hard and long enough.

Wittyname

I'm a big fan of my Wolvhammers, and yes they are heavy, but they certainly do a good job keeping the feet warm and dry.

Kahrpistols

I'm lucky that I have a specific boot dryer tool that hangs my boots and wafts hot air up into the boot and drys them out.

Chandne

The 45NRTH's don't fit me but the Lake MXZ303 (wides) do. That is why I got them, though the Wolvhammers were very nice. I have not tried them yet though I am looking forward to it. One thing you can do is after use, let a gentle fan blow air into them. I got them for temps below 40 and I hope to test that this weekend since the polar vortex is apparently showing up.

mpath

With an active highschool kid in football, rugby and skiing, I've been using a couple of these for the last few years, from Costco.

TenSpeedV2

I have a pair of the Defrosters and they are pretty good. They took some getting used to and breaking in but they are fairly comfortable now. With wool socks, your feet will remain warm and dry. And by dry, I mean you can walk a mile in foot deep snow and they will be dry. How do I know? Fat bike commute home in a blizzard and the plowed roads ended. It was either ride further and hope it was plowed or push the fat bike through a park to my complex in a foot of snow. I have also ridden in inches of nasty wet slush and my feet remained completely dry. Between the warmth and water protection they offer, they are a pretty solid purchase.

As a Reynaud's sufferer, the 57 minute commute home last night in 14°F temperature and near 0°F windchill in 3" of fresh snow on my fat bike had my feet warm and dry with regular athletic socks. It's a pretty good boot lol.