ShimanoSH-MW81 Gore-Tex Cold/Wet Weather MTB Shoe(Return to Product Page)

I've used these shoes for several cold and rainy commutes, and am surprised at how well they protect my feet against rain and road spray. A little moisture may seep in around the cuff above the ankle, but the feet and toes stay dry. The shoes also insulate well in cold, dry conditions without making your feet feel clammy. The longest I've ridden with these shoes is about an hour, but I have friends who use these for longer rides (3 hours) and greatly prefer them to road or MTB shoes with booties. If temps get REALLY cold-i.e., sub-teens-you could wrap neoprene covers around these shoes and be reasonably comfortable.

Oustole and upper constructionfinish looks very high quality, so Im sure I'll put these shoes through several seasons before needing new ones. However, like most cycling shoes, the stock insoles are pretty chintzy so I recommend swapping them out with nicer ones with customizable arch support. Also, the high cuff might feel a little restrictive if you're not used to riding in boots, I got used to it after a few rides.

Lastly, Shimano doesn't sell these in half-sizes, so you might have to upsize by 0.5 to 1. For point of reference, I wear 42 Fiziks (road) and 42.5 Giros (MTB), but purchased the 43 Shimano boots. They're a little roomy, but that's better for your feet than an overly snug fit, especially in cold weather.

Just got the shoes delivered yesterday and took then out today on a ride in 20 degree weather with a 15 mph head wind. My face & hands froze (as usual) but my feet were fine - nice and warm. I usually wear a size 45 & bought the same size in this shoe - fit was fine even with a fairly heavy wool sock. Very comfortable shoe & a good value.

I have used these for a couple of Winters and always enjoyed warm toes. Last year after Christmas I had to ride 100 miles round trip. The first 50 miles in 5F temperatures through occasional snow drifts, the second 50 miles it warmed up to 9F but with a headwind.

I can honestly say I never been more miserable, literally in pain. my polar mittens failed, my ruskie fur hat failed, my legs and arms and torso were all cold to the touch when I got home. The only part of my body that didn't hurt were my feet. I imagine booties would have helped even more, but these shoes are amazing. I don't recommend riding 11 hours in those kinds of temps, but if you do, you better have these shoes. Worth every penny at suggested retail price, but BTD always has them for less.

I was using shoe covers for my regular cycling shoes and it was effective until the temperature dropped below 50 and windchill became a real issue. Not only that, but shoe covers wear out really quickly if you start walking around in them (which I have to since I cycle commute and use my bike to do errands), so after my second pair of shoe covers less than one month after my first I decided that I was going to need a more permanent solution to get through this brutal Northeastern winter. I got these and now it is practically impossible for wind to breach and give me cold toes, and it doesn't wear and tear like Neoprene booties.

I needed a warm pair of Mtb shoes for the Fat Bike Nats in Ogden,UT this month. Did a little research on some major brands. I saw these on Bike Tires E-mail and they were on sale so I popped for a pair. I paired the shoes with some Merleno wool socks (med weight). The race was at 8200-9000 feet in the snow. My feet NEVER got cold. I highly recommend these shoes if you are doing any cold weather riding.

Love the fit. Great overall. Very warm.

Ride started out at 18 degrees and gradually rose to mid 20's over 3 hours. With Smartwool socks, feet did not get cold at all.

Splashed through many watery spots and feet stayed dry.

Only drawback I did not anticipate was lack of grip on rocks and frozen ground where my riding buddies with higher-end boots had softer sole lugs and no gripping problems on the hike-a-bike sections.

These shoes do really well in the typical Seattle rain on my 40min commutes. However, if it's raining hard then expect soggy feet for sure. The top liner is not water proof and water running down your legs (or from your leg warmers) will fill these shoes with water.

This has happened twice since I've had these shoes, both on unusually heavy rain rides.

I commute year-round and the winters were always challenging with traditional riding shoes until now. I just put these shoes on with a warm pair of socks and I'm good down to -5, really! Colder than that I'll add a second pair of socks. When it is really, really cold I'll put on a pair of riding booties (like -15 with a pretty good wind chill). Those that had reviewed this shoe before me recommended going up 1-2 sizes and that was awesome advice. I sized up 2 sizes and am very happy. The shoes are pretty decent for walking too (like if the snow is too deep on certain parts of my route). If these shoes needed to be replaced, I definitely buy another pair!!!

Tested these mountain biking with 2 pairs of socks- a thin base sock & a thick wool sock over it. 25 F out for 2 hours in snow, & was just starting to feel a little cold at the end. bought them 1 size larger than my regular cycling shoes & the sizing seems fine- should have room to use a foot warmer/hot hands insert if needed.

comfortable fit- lots of overlap on the closure seems like it will keep out wet weather- but havent tested this yet.

I've got about a dozen commutes on these now. Low temperature is 24F so far. They are too warm beyond the upper 30s. Very comfortable and warm. Haven't been sweaty so far, so the GoreTex seems to be doing it's job. I don't have any snow or heavy rain rides in yet, so I can't comment on the waterproofness.

Easy to get on (although you need to reach inside once on and flatten down the flap going up to the collar on the top).

I bought a size up from my normal size and they are a bit roomy as expected so size seems about right.

Great all winter commuting boot. Warm. Dry in all but the wettest weather. No need for those pesky shoe covers. The weak spot is where the neoprene sleeve attaches to the lower shoe. Treat it gently, don't pull too hard. I did have one separate from the lower shoe, because the threads wore through from friction on the inside. David Page, cobbler, in Seattle reattached it and glued a nice leather patch inside to prevent recurrence.

Use these shoes for cold riding, they are nice! Alittle roomy in toe box but I can wear two pair of socks if needed! Glad I bought them.

Ride year round in Chicago and these boots really keep my feet warm during the fall and winter. Throw in some toe warmers and even the low 20's are fine. They do not keep your feet dry in the rain. Not a big negative since I really try to stay away from rain riding. Sizing allows for extra socks. I wear a 47 in Sidi's with thin socks and bought 47's in these. Without two pairs of socks my feet would be swimming in these boots.

This is the only rain proof, snow proof, cold proof, wind proof solution that I have found for my Boston 26 mile round trip winter commute. Its very comfortable and very easy to put on and take off. The ankle gaiter is great.I rode 13 miles home last night in a constant downpour and only the tops of my socks were a bit damp. My feet were the only dry part of me when I arrived home. Good traction in snow and ice and I haven't installed the optional spikes.....just be careful on wooden bridges in winter....plastic treads do little in this case, but I doubt anything aside from spikes would.

I am a year round bike commuter. Even though I live in a relatively mild climate, I suffer from cold toes. I have tried double sock plus neoprene booties over my summer biking shoes, but still had painfully cold toes. These shoes are comfortable, and with lightweight wool socks, they kept my feet comfortable. Not warm, but comfortable.

My first ride with these had steady rain for the first 25 miles or so. The shoes are not waterproof. They take a while to soak through but eventually do. The temperature hovered around 40F the entire day. Although I could feel a little puddle of water in each toe, my feet were never uncomfortably cold. I was wearing fairly lightweight Smartwool socks. I'm going to try spraying them with Scotchgard to see if that will repel more of the water. In spite of the fact that they did soak through I still have to give them two thumbs up, since they kept me warm. I doubt that there is anything better available. As shoes go, they are quite comfortable.

I use this shoe for winter riding in Boston, both commutes and morning routine rides. Definitely keeps me dry and warm, so far down to high 20s (winter hasn't gotten very cold yet). Needed a shoe that walks well off the bike, and this is fine in that respect as well. Could use a small finger loop or pull in the rear to make it easier to pull on, but that's a quibble.

I have used these at least 15 times the last two months. Love them! You can use them in 45 degree weather with thin socks and 10 degree weather with a pair of Woolie Boolie socks plus toe warmers! I ordered up a size from my regular shimano Mountain bike shoes which fit me on the snug side. Well worth the money. They will last you for many years. My last pair of shimano winter shoes are 5 years old and a friend rides with them now. I needed the next size up so I purchased them again.

In the winter, I'm wearing these shoes nearly every day back and forth to work about 4 days a week and on the weekends usually at least one day. They are fabulous. They're easy to put on and take off, easy to wear, totally comfortable. As advertised, they're not waterproof, but water resistant. You will get wet if it's raining hard and you're out for more than, say, half an hour. If it's just damp or not raining too hard, your feet will stay dry and toasty. I love how warm these are. I sometimes wear a gore sock over a regular wool sock. My feet are almost too warm, even when it's at or near freezing.

Minor knock on these would be the difficulty in actually feeling where the shoe meets the pedal. Takes a bit of getting used to. Obviously, the price is another, but for good shoes is pretty normal. They're definitely worth it as far as I'm concerned.