If your feet suffer on Winter rides then it's worth getting an insulated boot to keep the chill off your toes. Shimano's RW80 is certainly one to look at, with a full Gore-Tex Duratherm liner it will keep the rain and the cold out.
The RW80s are solidly constructed with a full PU-coated leather upper which is topped off with a Neoprene sleeve and Velcro strap. This helps to keep your ankles warm but more importantly stops water from getting in the top on wet rides. The rest of the boot is completely waterproof thanks to a Gore-Tex liner that extends right across the tongue and under the insole.
The polyamide sole is plenty stiff for the road, but since this is specifically a Winter shoe it's disappointing that there isn't more tread on the heel. Three Velcro straps keep the whole thing nice and tight and there's discreet but well-placed reflective on the sides and back of the RW80.
Given the size of the shoe they're not massively heavy (claimed 750g for size 40, our 47s were 925g), though obviously they weigh much more than the equivalent Summer shoes in the range. That's not a big concern though when the main issue is whether they'll keep you warm and dry. And that they do very well. The Gore-Tex membrane keeps the wind out and the insulating layer and full leather outer mean that it's plenty warm inside. Even on really cold mornings they're fine without an overshoe. The Neoprene sleeve does a great job of stopping water ingress, so long as your socks don't poke out of the top.
The fit is nice and snug, I found the toe box a bit narrow to begin with but my feet are wide and the toe box is starting to stretch a bit now too, all in all they're pretty comfy and I didn't suffer from numb feet or hot spots. On really cold days they're not so big that you can't add the extra warmth of a pair of (big) overshoes, with that setup there shouldn't be any weather to stop you.
Should you get some? Well, if you really suffer from cold feet out on the bike then you should certainly check them out for yourself. They're well made and should last a good few Winters, so although the initial price is high these boots, like their MTB equivalents the MT90, should prove to be good value in the long term.
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
Yup. Not sufficient, but apparently necessary....
Not that I've had trouble with them myself, but people are peculiar in their choice of pet.
I presume the same people moaning refuse to watch any ITV cycling coverage thesedays when he's on....
Like healthcare or formal education?
Like the cycle race named after a pastry?
"He also drove off after the collision but did return a short while later."...
Less batshit crazy, more seagull shit crazy.
presumably the administrators of whats left of Wiggle that Mikey didnt buy....
Very nice read, Personally i think the part of the bike your disliking mostly boils down to the tyers and wheels. Shove some alpinsts in there and...
Ipswich residents try to improve Humber Doucy Lane traffic, essentially they want to create an LTN....