Shimano MW5 All-Terrain Winter Shoe Review

Riding in cold and wet weather can be a real challenge, especially for the extremities (hands and feet), whether on the road or off-road. With the MW5, Shimano offers a pair of high-top shoes initially designed for mountain biking, but also suitable for Gravel in the middle of winter. We tested this mid-range model in (almost) extreme conditions. Our verdict.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

On the road in wet weather, the main difficulty in fighting cold feet is managing splashes caused by the wheels on the asphalt. Not only do these splashes reach the top of the shoes, but also the sole and lower leg, causing water to run inside the shoe covers. Off-road, there may be fewer splashes along the legs, but the upper and sole of the shoes quickly become covered in mud, sand, or snow in truly wintery conditions. Moreover, it may sometimes be necessary to put a foot down in a puddle of water or icy mud. Enough to ruin the rest of the ride!

Gravel riding in the middle of winter combines the difficulties encountered on the road and off-road. Some sections in the woods are similar to what you find in mountain biking, while road connections in the rain only add cold water jets to the dirt already accumulated on your feet. In these conditions, shoe covers are not always effective or practical when you frequently have to get on and off the bike. However, there are some shoe models dedicated to these particular conditions, such as the Shimano MW5, off-road boots that have been in the Japanese manufacturer’s catalog for six years now.

These mid-range shoes are designed with a last shape and sole lined with fleece, then a synthetic leather upper with sealed seams and a Dryshield lining, a lightweight, breathable, and above all waterproof material. A high-top neoprene ankle collar protects against moisture and dirt penetration. The closure is a quick lacing system that is easy and fast to adjust, protected by an additional waterproof flap that completes the shoe’s closure.

Finally, the composite fiber-reinforced nylon soles accommodate SPD cleats, while also featuring fairly pronounced lugs to facilitate walking in difficult conditions, or even traction in portage sections over wet rocks. The MW5 weigh 780 g per pair in size 39, which is far from light but not the primary objective when riding in extreme conditions.

Between puddles, mud, and rocks

I was able to test the MW5 on a few dry rides in cold weather (but on muddy trails nonetheless) and especially during an epic three-hour Gravel ride in continuous rain at 3°C, consisting of two-thirds dirt and one-third asphalt.

With their wide opening and lacing system, the MW5 are easy to put on, before adjusting the tightness. The insole is a little flatter than the insoles I usually use (with pronounced arch support), but there’s no question here of doing without the softness and warmth of the fleece inner part. The last shape is quite wide at the front, leaving plenty of room for the toes. The outsole is not very curved and significantly less rigid than my S-Phyre XC9 off-road shoes. But this is rather an advantage when you have to get off the bike, as the shoes conform more easily to the terrain, while providing welcome grip when you have to carry the bike on a very steep singletrack, with slippery stones hidden by soaked dead leaves.

With the ankle collars, the pedaling motion is a little less fluid than usual, but it’s ultimately not very bothersome except when riding out of the saddle, where the shoes seem to weigh heavily and alter sensations. The heel is correctly held, the front part a little looser, but with a less rigid sole than if it were carbon, you feel a very slight pressure under the foot with each pedal stroke, which promotes good blood circulation. Ultimately, the most destabilizing aspect concerns the external volume of the shoe, which also largely overflows into the space usually reserved for the crank arm. At the end of this extreme ride, I notice that my almost new crank arms are very marked, with the black anodization very damaged.

For nearly two hours, the MW5 resisted the elements. Water did not penetrate the upper (which here confirms its perfect waterproofing) or the soles, whether due to puddles or stepping in liquid mud. I didn’t feel cold, as I had already noticed during a dry ride with the thermometer close to 0°C. Unfortunately, water eventually penetrated the shoes, passing through the ankle collar. My tights were so soaked that they could no longer absorb the excess moisture, which entered the shoe by simple contact. My feet ended up wet, very wet in fact, because the water didn’t drain once trapped in the shoe. After two hours in these deplorable conditions, my hands, protected by Gore-Tex gloves, were still holding up, but the thick Shimano Elemento jacket also began to stop repelling water, and I shivered. The return journey, fortunately with a tailwind, was done by pushing a harder gear to stay as warm as possible. My feet were wet, and the sensations on the pedals were not optimal. Nevertheless, I wasn’t cold, because the Dryshield membrane that makes up the upper is also windproof. And the fleece inside the shoes protected me from early cooling, even though it was waterlogged and the shoes seemed very heavy once the ride was over.

=> SEE ALSO: Buy the Shimano MW5 on sale for €131.96

In short, the Shimano MW5 shoes are not perfect for fighting moisture, because in extreme conditions water eventually penetrates through the top of the ankles. However, they keep you warm despite everything, and that’s what we primarily ask of them. For colder and drier rides, or even in snow, they are in any case much more practical than off-road shoes combined with shoe covers. Their modest rigidity and wide last shape at the front do not favor performance, but that’s not what is expected of them. This is the first time I’ve tested specific shoes for difficult conditions, and I’m ultimately totally convinced.

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