User submitted reviews
Review by Charlie
I wanted warmer shoes for winter riding in Wisconsin. my winter riding is mostly road riding, but I ave done 8 or 9 trail rides qith them too.
I like the warmth and the ankle coverage.
They fit my wide feet very well, and have a very adjustable fit. If I am not careful I can get them too tight and my feet will be cold. Set them to the right tightness and they are warm and comfortable with great control.
I do have wide feet, and when set properly for my feet, there is a bit of the velcro visible. I wish the flaps were a bit bigger, but people with narrower feet probably feel the opposite.
So far they have worked great for riding about an hour and a half at a time six days a week in temperatures ranging from 11 to 60 degrees. Typically it has been in the 30-35 degree F range
It is often snowy, and I have been rained on about a half dozen times now, and my feet/socks have never felt wet showing that they breath pretty well too. WHen I wore shoe covers in the past my feet were often wet from sweating.
After using these shoes this winter I will never go back to shoe covers again.
Review by TR
Unfortunately, this is the first pair of Shimano shoes that fit me poorly. Unfortunately, I had to ride in them to figure out they horribly rub my outer ankles when peddling so I can't return them. I've tried to mitigate with adding thicker insoles which has helped a little bit. The good: they're warm. The bad: most everything else in my case unfortunately. Could entirely be just a personal fit issue, but I do ride/have had three other pairs of Shimanos which I really like, hence the trust in the brand. These ones are just not good for me nor my feet.
Review by PDXDalling
Love the shoe. It keeps my toes warm and that keeps me riding. The size seems to run a bit larger than I am used to, but with winter socks the fit was perfect. Feels like these things are built like a tank, so if weight is your concern you may go elsewhere.
Review by Lotek7
More and more I ride in the winter months whenever possible. Cold hands and feet are the bane of cold weather cycling. I rode on a mix of gravel trails and a bit of road with wind chill in the 20's. These boots are superior to my road boots in that they seem totally wind proof. Wearing a single pair of Castelli wool socks I couldn't believe how warm and comfortable my feet remained. Given how insulated they are I wouldn't ride with them over 35-40 degrees. When I did my feet actually felt a like clammy. I don't know how they'd hold up in the very wet conditions I've heard people describe. They do feel very heavy as well if that's important to you. As I said my road boots feel light but not as protective and warm.No need for chemical warmers with these for me anyway.Oh I sized up one size as recommend by Western staff for a perfect fit!
Review by Lotek7
Fingers and toes can bring your riding to a close. Ever think you'll lose digits after a ride? I was riding in the 20-30 degree range with great shoe covers and chemical warmers because I really didn't ride my old heavy mountain bike much. There was some suffering. This year I wanted the option to take my Iron Horse 4.5 instead of my expensive road bike when sun glare and wet roads made riding too risky for me, I sized up from 46 (winter road boot and shoes) to 47 as suggested by Westernbikeworks staff, the boots fit perfectly! I rode yesterday in windy thirty-degree weather. Wow! What a difference! My feet were almost sweating with one pair of Castelli socks and no warmers. These boots look like they will last forever, and the price is right! very happy
Review by Anonymous
Good fit for my narrow/flat foot. Really warm. Have yet to truly test long wet ride. Unfortunately, one lace already developed a knot/bubble and does slide through the tightening strap. Should be easy replacement, but bummed it happened so soon (1-2 months in).
Review by Anonymous
Good fit for my narrow/flat foot. Really warm. Have yet to truly test long wet ride. Unfortunately, one lace already developed a knot/bubble and does slide through the tightening strap. Should be easy replacement, but bummed it happened so soon (1-2 months in).
Review by icmitch77
So, after years of riding with cold wet feet I decided to give the Shimano MW501 a try. The first ride out the temperature was at 22 degrees and wet. With a wool pair of socks these shoes rocked. My feet were warm and dry, which is a first while riding for a long time. I used to put the bike up for the winter but not anymore.
Pros:
Waterproof, a thin layer of flannel type of material, with wool socks they will keep ur feet warm, grippy, sturdy, made to last
Cons:
Price (but you get what you pay for) and they run a size big (I wear a 13 so I ordered my typical 48, had to return them for a 47).
Bottom line. GET THEM if you are tired of cold wet feet.
Review by Astoria OR commuter
very warm and after sizing down, I think they may be the best fitting bike shoes in my collection. I have a "low volume" foot and fit them with superfeet insert.
Review by snappa
Great shoe for getting out on those cold days on my gravel bike. Let me extend my season. Have worn them down to 40 degrees and wind and kept warm.
Review by Prairiedoghill
I love this shoe! It's warm on the trails and is also great for a commuter trip to the grocery store that might include icy walkways. The deep lug soles provide plenty of traction on combination snow, ice, mud & rock trails. It is a good fit for my D width foot and provides solid support with good power transfer to the pedals. So much easier than an over-boot or plastic bag inside my warm season shoes.
Review by Hozzerman
I have used them for fat biking in the snow. I plan to use them during the wet spring mountain bike rides. I think they will keep me dry for the most part. I'm hoping they will repel water through the peddling river crossings.
Review by Anonymous
Feet are warm and dry. Typical ride is 40 miles 3-4X per week over a mix of paved gravel and single track. Shoes have been warm and dry. Layer over the top of shoe collar is key to keeping dry. Plenty of room for winter socks.
Review by jno62
I have purchased much more expensive boots that didn't perform as well as this one.
I live and commute in Seattle. Our winters aren't REALLY cold, but they are damp and wet. This boot has been awesome.
I bought a larger size so I can put on a thicker winter sock, and it's fantastic. This morning was 34 degrees and damp. I never once thought about my feet.
They have a LOT of velcro, but after putting them on a few times, it becomes very second nature.
Highly recommend this boot, especially at this price!
Review by pierre b
6�-1� 210lbs daily commuter. I wear size 11 usually but sized up 11.5 for doubling up on socks to use these shoes year round. I no longer use use shoe covers thanks to these shoes,� perform so well. Warm down to -10�C on 1 hour early morning commutes and flexible for good pedal control & comfortable motion. Completely waterproof and wind proof. Just make sure no gaps between bib or tights at ankles. Killer shoes all round, great price, great design.
Review by Anonymous
Use them for road and mountain biking now for several years. So far down to 6 degree celsius but would expect that they are also excellent down to lower temperatures. Never cold or wet feet, used them also in heavy rain. The laces are simple but effective - make sure that they don't get caught in the Velcro. Fit is great for my feet, would also work with thicker socks - although I never had to do that. I should have purchased them years earlier. Not cheap but worth the purchase.
Review by HR Cyclist
This year I decided to invest in warm cycling gear to keep me riding beyond the typical season. This is a warm, dry boot that I use on gravel rides and my short work commute. I typically wear booties but they're never quite warm enough. My feet stay dry and warm without fussing with booties.
I like that there is enough volume in the shoe to wear a thick sock or even two socks if it's really cold. However, a thin sock might leave you wanting to add a thicker insole.
This has the bulk of a boot - it's intended for mtn biking. But I don't mind the bulk even on 1-2 hour gravel rides. This is Shimano quality at a reasonable price. I expect them to last a long time.
Review by RUR
I bought some Shimano MW501 shoes and I really like them. I've been using regular MTB shoes and shoe covers for six years and these boots just make the whole getting ready and actually riding really nice :-) If you're used to using your regular MTB shoes and putting shoe covers over them for winter/rainy cold weather riding, you'll like these shoes. They are just a little stiff compared to my regular shoes..but they are boots, so that's expected..but they are comfortable and did I mention..WARM. Plus... the snow and rain and mush won't be pushing up through your cleats into your shoe like when your wearing shoe covers. Summary: you won't regret buying them...and you can still use your MTB shoes and covers to remind yourself occasionally...what it used to be like riding in winter. Oh..and if you can, buy some "Leg Shields" for winter riding too.
Review by Marco
Well made & warm. Good down to about 30F with my cold extremities. I'm a 10 in everything & the 44 is large enough for thick socks. Sole stiff enough for riding, OK with walking. 360 degree reflective features.
Review by MDBicyclist
I ride in "Maryland cold" weather - down to about 20 degrees F - to work and for fun. Admittedly my feet are typically lumps of ice (says my wife) but these shoes while weather resistant don't have a lot of insulation. My tootsies get numb after about an hour. I'd suggest buying a size up and purchasing a couple pairs of wool socks. That said, they sure beat my summer shoes and I expect them to last many seasons.