I have just got a pair of these. Having had enough of cold and wet feet despite over shoes and thicker socks.
I agree that they are roomy. I had tried Northwave and Shimano and these were both too narrow for my wide feet. I went up on shoe size to make sure the thick socks would fit and not cut off the circulation. Yet to get them out in the wild so we wait and see.
They were the only winter boots that I could get to fit. THey are comfortable and very grippy if you put the studs in but they seem to be very cold. You really do need to use them with thick socks and/or Sealskins.
Probably not being helpful here but if you need thick socks/sealskins doesn't that defeat the point?
I find normal spesh spd shoes with a sealskin sock is toasty for 99% of winter riding - very rarely I might use an overshoe if its sersiously cold - but that doesn't happen much darrn sarrrf.
I have been trying to get by with Sealskinz and overshoes so far. Not as good as I would have hoped hence why I have gone for these. I guess it all depends on the individual and where they ride.
Surely you've tried the thermal version with the dark blue ring. I do find they keep my feet nice and warm plus you get a bit of padding which avoids any rubbing.
Yeah, they're warmer, they're a bit of a funny shape though. I prefer waterproofing on the outside of the shoe and the warm layer inside, on the whole. The problem with all this stuff is that people's feet vary a lot - what's warm enough for one won't be for another and will be too hot for a third.
My newest pair of sealskins are the mid lights - my other pair is approx 10years old (and not waterproof but still warm - isssh). Buy a big enough size and you could wear a liner if needed - same as you would with a defroster....
I have bought a pair of the defrosters and after a few cold rides reckon they are better than my previous cold-weather set up of standard shoes plus over-shoes. My toes have not been as painful to revive after recent cold rides in the defrosrters.
I find two thin socks warmer than one thick one, whatever the shoes. I too have wide feet and find the defrosters comfy especially as i bought a size larger than I would for summer shoes. They proved sufficiently waterproof for big puddles and mud but let in water during a few stream crossings last week...perhaps not too unsurpisingly!
I haven't been out in near zero temperatures yet but as my feet get cold quickly I don't expect the defrosters to keep my pinkies defrosted without perhaps some overshoes as well, which is a shame. Even then they'll still get very cold!
Overall I'm pleased with the shoes...comfy, easy to get on/off and sufficiently waterproof and warm for all but the more extreme conditions...imho.
I invested in a set of Northwave Celcius GTX boots for this winter and when cold they are just great - super toasty - but try as I might I cant find a set up that can handle 3-4 hours of sheet rain. As for Sealskinz after 3 pairs of all different types - even special canoe ones - they still end up filling up with a lakes worth of water... I did a bike tour and put carrier bags around my foot and tied them around my ankles.. this was easily the best system.
Cold feet are not something I have ever really suffered from - at least, not unless they were soaking wet.
I bought a pair of Defrosters, size 44 rather than my usual 43, and I despite going up a size I can't fit my feet in with anything but my thinnest socks on as they are too narrow. Despite that , my feet have been extremely warm on all of my recent rides, even today in the rain, mud and severe winds.
These are my third pair of Specialized shoes, but the first for a few years and the first that I have found to be too narrow. Perhaps they now use a different last?
Irene, posting company adverts on forums is way out of line - pay for your adverts like other companies! Personally I will intentionally avoid your company now and tell my friends to do the same.
I have been using mine for a while now and thought it time for an update.
In short I am very happy with them
My feet did get a bit damp due to a very deep river crossing. This was no more than some seepage over the top and I cant moan about that as wellies will suffer the same if you go deep enough. This is the only time that I have had any issue with water ingress.
As far as keeping the cold out I am very happy with them. I normally suffer from the cold but these boots have kept my feet nice and toasty when there has been snow and ice on the ground.
Re the sizing I ended going up 2 sizes too make sure I could get couple of pairs of socks in them and not stop the circulation in my feet. I do have wide feet and as previously mentioned despite going large in Shimano and Northwave I could not get a good fit, even 2 sizes up.
I have passed my previous recently purchased over shoes on to a mate and have not looked back.
