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This article was first published in November 2022 and was revised in November 2025
The most important facts in brief
If you are also an ambitious road racer or gravel bike rider in winter, a lined and waterproof winter cycling shoe is the right choice for you. However, compared to summer shoes, which all manufacturers offer in numerous variants and price ranges, the selection of winter shoes is limited. For our current test, seven manufacturers were each able to send one model into the race. Brands such as Bontrager and Specialized, which used to be involved, no longer offer winter shoes; Sidi did not want to take part in our test with its current model.
Based on our many experiences of cycling in winter, we decided to test winter shoes with mountain bike soles. Standing and walking on slippery, wet or even muddy surfaces is definitely safer with them. The disadvantage is that you have to screw a suitable mountain bike pedal onto the bike, as the cleats of standard road bike pedals do not fit on MTB soles.
Winter cycling shoes: The lightest shoe
Northwave >> e.g. available here
Winter cycling shoes - The warmest shoe
Vaude >> e.g. available here
This disadvantage can be compensated for by the fact that the wider winter shoes keep more distance to the cranks due to the longer axles of the MTB pedals, which helps to avoid ugly scuff marks. For those who prefer their usual pedal system even in winter, Fizik and Scott offer winter shoes with road bike soles from the brands in the test.
With the exception of Vaude, all manufacturers use vapour-permeable Gore-Tex membranes between the outer shell and lining; the brand from the Allgäu region relies on the recyclable pore material from Sympatex. All shoes have all-round edge protection to prevent cuts in the upper material caused by sharp rocks. Additional screw-in studs can be added to some of them for better grip when running off-road. The models from Fizik and Northwave are equipped with particularly thick teddy fleece. The Fizik shoe has an emphatically sporty look with the lowest shaft, while the 45 NRTH shoe with its extra-long neoprene shaft could almost pass for a boot.
Winter cycling shoes: the models in the test
Our testers tried out all the shoes intensively and documented their impressions of the fit and their experiences in practice. The shoes had to prove their waterproofness and insulation properties under laboratory conditions. The good news: all seven pairs keep your feet dry and warm, with 45 NRTH and Northwave scoring best - making them a recommendation for cyclists who are particularly sensitive to the cold. The models from Gaerne and Scott are significantly less warm.
That doesn't have to be a disadvantageOn the one hand, the individual perception of cold varies greatly, and on the other hand, during intensive training in highly insulating shoes it can quickly become too warm and therefore damp and consequently cold. All the testers had high praise for the fit of the Fizik pedals, which are also the easiest to put on and take off. But there is no advantage without a disadvantage: due to the short shaft, rain and splash water quickly runs into the shoes from above. This is where the models from Northwave and 45 NRTH score highly due to their high shaft design. You can read the results in detail below.
Winter shoes - How TOUR tests
The overall score is based on the assessment of the four criteria of waterproofness, handling, features and weight, which are taken into account to varying degrees. We determined the insulation capacity of the shoes using a reproducible method. Heated water inside the shoe cools down over the test period, while the shoe is sprayed with cold water at around zero degrees outside and exposed to the simulated airflow of a fan. The shoe that cools down the slowest is the one that warms best. Due to the very different individual perceptions of cold, we do not grade this criterion, but rather give a temperature recommendation.
Watertightness (30 %)
The shoes are stuffed with packing paper and paper towels and then exposed to a jet of water for a set period of time. We then document where and how much water penetrates the shoe.
Handling (30 %)
The design and operation of twist fasteners and laces determine how well a shoe can be adjusted on the move. The design of Velcro fasteners, the tongue or the shape of the heel can make it easier or more difficult to put on and take off. Soles with integrated, soft rubber blocks are safer to walk on than very hard soles.
Equipment (30 %)
The shoes that perform best here are those with twist fasteners that can be finely adjusted in both directions, are equipped with an insole to support the arch of the foot, allow additional screw studs to be fitted and have sufficient and sensibly placed reflective material.
Weight (10 %)
The difference in weight between the heaviest (Vaude) and the lightest shoe (Northwave) is half a pound. Lightweight shoes are more comfortable to wear than heavy shoes with the same good fit and generally dry a little faster.
The winter shoes tested in detail
45 NRTH Ragnarök Tall
- Price: 270 Euro >> available here
- Country of productionChina
- Weight (size)1055 gram (44)
- Sizes; half sizes: 36 to 48; 50
- EquipmentBoa-Li2 fastening with tool, high neoprene shaft with Velcro fastening, studs, reflective material
- recommended temperature range: -5 to 0 degrees
Winter shoes - TOUR rating
Watertightness (30 %) Grade 1.0
Handling (30 %) Grade 1.4
Equipment (30 %) Grade 1.5
Weight (10 %) Grade 3.0
Overall grade (100 %) 1.5
Conclusion: The winter shoe runs small, try a size larger; very warm, best splash protection thanks to the very high shaft, easy to put on and take off thanks to the Velcro fastener, the width adjustment on the move also works very well, lots of reflective material.
Fizik Terra Artica GTX
- Price: 259 Euro >> available here
- Country of productionVietnam
- Weight (size): 910 gram (42)
- Sizes; half sizes: 36 to 48; 37.5 to 46.5
- EquipmentBoa fastening L6 dial D, Gore-Tex insole, Velcro strap, pull-on aid, reflective material
- recommended temperature range: -5 to 0 degrees
Winter shoes - TOUR rating
Watertightness (30 %) Grade 2.0
Handling (30 %) Grade 1.8
Equipment (30 %) Grade 2.0
Weight (10 %) Grade 2.0
Overall grade (100 %) 1.9
ConclusionGreat fit; the material protects very well against water, the fluffy lining warms well; splash water can easily penetrate via the low shaft; the Boa fastener only locks in one direction. The model with racing bike sole is called "Tempo"
Gaerne G.ICE-Storm MTB 1.0
- Price: 270 Euro >> available here
- Country of productionItaly
- Weight (size): 920 gram (44)
- Sizes; half sizes: 39 to 48
- EquipmentBoa-Li2 fastener, Velcro strap,
- Reflective material
- recommended temperature range: 0 to 10 degrees
Winter shoes - TOUR rating
Watertightness (30 %) Grade 2.0
Handling (30 %) Grade 1.2
Equipment (30 %) Grade 1.5
Weight (10 %) Grade 2.0
Overall grade (100 %) 1.6
Conclusion: The shoe runs small, try a size larger; available in half sizes; the lightest shoe in the test can be finely adjusted in width while riding; splash water can penetrate behind the tongue; for temperatures above zero degrees and heavy sweaters.
Northwave Celsius XC Arctic GTX
- Price: 250 Euro >> available here
- Country of production: Cambodia
- Weight (size): 960 gram (44)
- Sizes; half sizes: 36 to 49; 39.5 to 45.5
- EquipmentNorthwave SLW 2 twist lock, studs, reflective material
- recommended temperature range: -5 to 0 degrees
Winter shoes - TOUR rating
Watertightness (30 %) Grade 1.0
Handling (30 %) Grade 2.2
Equipment (30 %) Grade 1.0
Weight (10 %) Grade 1.0
Overall score (100 %) 1.4 - test winner!
Conclusion: Test winner. Runs large overall, try a size smaller; a shoehorn helps when putting on and taking off, the twist fastener requires some practice and cannot always be gripped securely with gloves. Very good weather protection.
Scott MTB Heater Gore-Tex
- Price : 230 Euro
- Country of productionVietnam
- Weight (size)1085 gram (44)
- Sizes; half sizes: 39 to 48
- EquipmentShoelaces, splash guard with
- Zip fastener, Ergo insole, reflective material
- recommended temperature range: 0 to 10 degrees
Winter shoes - TOUR rating
Watertightness (30 %) Grade 2.0
Handling (30 %) Grade 2.4
Equipment (30 %) Grade 2.0
Weight (10 %) Grade 3.0
Overall grade (100 %) 2.2
Conclusion: Fits relatively large and offers a lot of space in the toe box, possibly try a size smaller; not so warm, but offers good splash protection with zip; size adjustment by means of lacing a little fiddly, forces you to get off on the way.
Shimano SH-MW701
- Price: 230 Euro >> available here
- Country of productionChina
- Weight (size)1030 gram (44)
- Sizes; half sizes: 38 to 48
- EquipmentBoa fastener L6 dial D,
- Splash guard with Velcro strap, Ergo insole, reflective material
- recommended temperature range: -5 to 0 degrees
Winter shoes - TOUR rating
Watertightness (30 %) Grade 2.0
Handling (30 %) Grade 1.8
Equipment (30 %) Grade 1.5
Weight (10 %) Grade 2.0
Overall grade (100%) 1.8
Conclusion: Comfortable shoe to put on and take off, the width adjustment also works very well on the move and with gloves; sole with plenty of grip; well protected against splash water; the insole supports the arch of the foot.
Vaude Minaki II
- Price: 230 Euro >> available here
- Country of productionVietnam
- Weight (size): 1200 gram (44)
- Sizes; half sizes: 37 to 47
- EquipmentBoa fastener L6, splash guard with Velcro fastener, reflective material
- recommended temperature range: -5 to 0 degrees
Winter shoes - TOUR rating
Watertightness (30 %) Grade 2.0
Handling (30 %) Grade 2.4
Equipment (30 %) Grade 2.0
Weight (10 %) Grade 3.0
Overall grade (100%) 2.2
Conclusion: Runs small and narrow, try a size larger; the warmest shoe in the test is well protected against splash water; a screw-on cover makes the sole suitable for flat pedals; the twist lock is inconveniently positioned under the splash guard; relatively heavy.
Matthias Borchers
Editor
