Sorry, I know this is a repeat topic.

I rediscovered a love for training over the last few months, and have started to think about things I’d like to do next year, nothing specific... yet... and I’m not entirely sure multi day or single day. But it does mean I want to shift my training forwards which will be throughout winter.

I’m looking for flat pedal ankle height boots that are warm in the temp range +4c to -5c and have to be waterproof, even if that last bit impacts on durability. Stream crossings are not a thing, these are primarily a training boot for from the doorstep rides. A stiff mid sole is important. Now, I do have SPD compatible boots that do this but really just don’t want to use those pedals on the MTB, although they will see use on the gravel bike when the mud is too much. I can see stuff like the Bonty OMW but they seem overkill.

And, gloves, +4c to -5c again, have to be waterproof even at the cost of durability. These seem easier to source.

Sports Pursuit have these at £50 in size 47. I wondered about some for next winter.

EDIT: or in black and a full range of sizes for £100 here: https://www.xc-elitesports.com/product_ ... gLe3fD_BwE



I wouldn't mess about with gloves. I'd simply buy some pogies.

Uh, do they not say down to -40 in the blurb. They don’t look that warm tbf.

Uh, do they not say down to -40 in the blurb.

Think I'd ignore any claims of -40 but I didn't think they looked bad for typical UK conditions.

The manufacturers website is somewhat brief on details. Might check to see if that’s just a limited English language version.

They look pretty decent for a winter boot

There's a video of that boot in Russian here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPjZLKT ... l=NiceBike

Pogies make all gloves obsolete. They are my favourite pieice of winter equipment.

Are pogies much of a muchness? I saw these for drop bars at £26. Worth a punt?

https://www.wish.com/product/582045e29a ... &share=web

jobro wrote: ↑Sat Apr 24, 2021 4:25 pm Are pogies much of a muchness? I saw these for drop bars at £26. Worth a punt?

https://www.wish.com/product/582045e29a ... &share=web

There's a lot of difference. Think along the lines of sleeping bags: some are fine for cool weather but not really cold whereas others are good for the really cold stuff but you'd just sweat when it gets anywhere near 0C.

Those linked are neoprene but there's no insulation in them, probably OK down to 0C or a bit higher. These https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... iwawPogies are at the opposite end: -18C up to -5C. Revelate used to do a set for even colder temps.

A Nordic ski boot would be pretty good as a winter biking boot, I was looking at a pair of Salomon ADV8s for fat biking on flats. They are certainly going to be warm enough, but there are a couple of caveats. Though most of them look pretty water resistant they aren’t really designed to be waterproof per se, usually if it’s cold enough to ski and precipitation is usually dry as in snow. There is a bit of overlap when using in conditions around 0deg but it’s often a little wet snow, rather than riding in the rain here in the U.K. The binding can obviously be ignored for the most part, unless it gets in the way. Most BCN and NNN binding fittings won’t be an issue. Don’t be tempted by classic/skate type boots!! Nordic tourers.
Of course a good pair of walking boots would work too, I have some Scarpa Ribelles and I have bikes in them, they were great. Light, warm, fairly stiff and reasonably waterproof.

whitestone wrote: ↑Sat Apr 24, 2021 4:43 pm

jobro wrote: ↑Sat Apr 24, 2021 4:25 pm Are pogies much of a muchness? I saw these for drop bars at £26. Worth a punt?

https://www.wish.com/product/582045e29a ... &share=web

There's a lot of difference. Think along the lines of sleeping bags: some are fine for cool weather but not really cold whereas others are good for the really cold stuff but you'd just sweat when it gets anywhere near 0C.

Those linked are neoprene but there's no insulation in them, probably OK down to 0C or a bit higher. These https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... iwawPogies are at the opposite end: -18C up to -5C. Revelate used to do a set for even colder temps.

For flat bars I've used these and there great.
https://www.hotpog.co.uk/
For my Alpkit bomber bars I'm using these
https://moosemitts.com/online-ordering.html
As for winter boots I found a pair of second hand Sympatex lined motorbike urban trainer type ankle boots. Warm, waterproof and stiff flat sole.

Does anyone use SPD compatible shoes on flats? Can’t say I’ve ever tried it.

https://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Activity/Ro ... 5070100380

https://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Men/Shoes/B ... 4786780380

Yep. I've used my OMWs mostly on flats. They came with a cover plate for the SPD so not as slippy as they might have been. They still have a bit of a rocker sole though, so nowhere near as grippy as a semi-decent flatter sole. It was a compromise I was OK with for proper fatbike conditions, until I discovered the Columbia Fairbanks. I don't think these would meet your requirement though as they are not a stiff-soled boot at all.

In terms of Pogies.

How easy are they to fit remove, something like this might do the trick some of the time.

https://45nrth.com/products/draugenklaw

Although those Hotpogs seem more likely

My Hotpogs were easy to fit. Slip over the handles and brakes, fasten velcro strap and pull tightening toggle. They even fitted over my Ergon GP2 bar grips.Those ones look a lot less "oven mitty".

Hotpogs can be fitted in a few seconds. However, they seem to have stopped making them sometime last year. I was going to email them to find out if there are plans to restart production.

Perhaps these? I have 2 bags from them and the quality is great and they'll happily customize for you.

https://7rbags.com/custom-bags/pogies/

Perhaps these? I have 2 bags from them and the quality is great and they'll happily customize for you.

https://7rbags.com/custom-bags/pogies/

I've just noticed that on their site it says "Ride your bike where even the Woolves are scared to sh1t" Is that a sheep hybrid or a take on this?

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Apr 26, 2021 10:48 am

Perhaps these? I have 2 bags from them and the quality is great and they'll happily customize for you.

https://7rbags.com/custom-bags/pogies/

I've just noticed that on their site it says "Ride your bike where even the Woolves are scared to sh1t" Is that a sheep hybrid or a take on this?

If someone wants to buy some of these and report back once they're on sale cheap it would be much appreciated

https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea ... olor=42975

I’d looked at those but I think the mid sole will be too soft for me.

Really what I’m after is a waterproof/insulated ankle heigh pair of Five Tens with enough tread for the odd muddy/icy path.

Pogies, I think the issue I’ll have with those is regularly swapping between two different MTBs and a drop bar bike.

5-10 summer rider also. Winter is XM9 boots, was SPD but now with the supplied cover plates, plenty grip on and off road. And yes, hotpogs if properly Baltic.

Piemonster wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 11:19 am Pogies, I think the issue I’ll have with those is regularly swapping between two different MTBs and a drop bar bike.

It really is seconds swapping my Hotpogs over (might be moot as they're not making any at the moment).

All the drop-bar equivalents seem to limit riding to on the hoods only.