For many riders, winter sneakers are one thing greatest left to the fats bikers, however for people who reside within the colder climates — they’re a necessity. One in all my favourite winter sneakers is the basic Shimano MW80; it saved me from hours on the coach (earlier than they had been sensible), and chilly toes. So once I was provided an opportunity to take a look at Shimanos’ latest flagship winter sneakers, the MW702, I jumped on the probability.
Shimano MW702 — What’s new?
The Shimano MW702 replaces the outgoing MW701 and expounds on a number of the newer options that the MW701 dropped at the Shimano winter shoe line. The MW702 options an improved BOA L6C enclosure system, absolutely sheltered by a Gore-Tex lined flap with a velcro neoprene fastener. The match is barely wider than the MW701, higher accommodating winter-weight socks and toe heaters. Plus, the outer sole will get Shimano Ultread rubber and deeper lugs to supply a greater grip in icy and moist situations.
It’s cool to see that the design from the unique and early variations of the shoe is current within the MW-DNA. You possibly can see some similarites to the Shimano MW81 (beneath), my first introduction to winter biking sneakers, and a bit of equipment I’ve used for years.
The heel retention wasn’t one of the best, however the total efficiency was unmatched on the time.
Key Options — Shimano MW702
- Wraparound protect with tall cuff shuts out water to maintain toes drier when and wherever you journey.
- Waterproof Gore-Tex Insulated Consolation liner retains toes heat and dry in chilly and moist climate.
- Beneficiant quantity of cleat adjustment for fore and aft positioning.
- Toe spike appropriate — although they don’t include any.
- Light-weight Shimano Extremely Tread rubber outsole delivers a competition-grade grip that lasts.
- Low stack top midsole helps stabilize the foot and makes altering from winter to common biking footwear much less of an adjustment.
- BOA L6C dial makes winter sporting simple with a wide-open launch and fast micro-adjustments with gloves.
- Fleece-lined insole for added insulation and warmth retention over lengthy rides and hikes.
- 360-degree reflectivity for prime visibility — wonderful for commuting and darkish winter driving.
- Sizes: WIDE: 38 – 48 (43 examined)
- Stiffness: 7 out of 11 (Shimanos’ SH-XC902 being an 11)
- 500g per pair (dimension 43) Examined*
- Worth: $300.00
First Impressions — Shimano MW702
When the MW702s got here throughout my desk, the climate in Pittsburgh was beginning to get chilly. It was extra-thick overshoes time – or time to decide to a full-blown winter shoe. After a very frigid week, I made a decision there was no higher time than now to get this rolling and set off for winter mode.
After I first tried on the MW702s, I may inform the match was barely completely different. The “internal shoe” matches barely like an older nordic ski boot, having a decrease profile and good heel retention. The brand new BOA enclosure makes it simple to open the shoe broad and get your foot in, even with toe heaters caught to the forefoot.
I often journey a 42.5 within the SH-XC902, and because the new MW702 solely is available in full sizes, I went with the 43 for the additional room.
Shimano MW702 — Match and dial in
The Shimano MW702 has a barely wider match than the MW701, and the sizing is available in broad solely. In the event you’re driving with winter-weight socks, this additional room fills up quick, however there may be sufficient wiggle room to maintain airflow open for chilly toes. The BOA dial is a single knob for every foot and does a superb job of retaining the foot in place with out reducing off circulation.
The MW702 had barely extra fore and aft cleat adjustment than the sneakers I swapped. The distinctly completely different really feel from an XC race shoe to a winter shoe was sufficient to remain calm concerning the cleat place, and I discovered a pleasant center floor faster than I’d have thought. The stack of the MW702 is barely larger, like most winter footwear, and I went up about half a cm on my seat submit to maintain the identical place.
The match and total really feel of the MW702 is comfy, it’s roomy, however the BOA sinches down properly with out creating sizzling spots. The internal boot has a safe really feel, like a low-cut conventional biking shoe. The flex and motion of the MW702 are as pure as a biking boot can supply. The skinny Gore-Tex materials retains it simple to make pure pedaling motions — one thing that’s not nice in additional strong winter biking footwear. The reduce of the ankle cuff from Gore-Tex to neoprene is within the good place for exaggerated actions (like climbing up an icy hill) to really feel uninhibited.
On the bike
On the bike, the Shimano MW702 turned a fast coaching buddy; heat, waterproof, and cozy for a lot of winter miles. I by no means needed extra heat from the MW702, with at most utilizing a chemical-style heater and my Rapha winter socks (I really like these issues!) to maintain heat. My coldest day trip was Pittsburgh’s chilly blast with a -10 deg wind chill. My toes had been heat, although I solely spent a small period of time on the highway and most of my time within the woods.
While you first placed on the MW702 and tighten them down, that’s solely the preliminary tightening. After transferring round a bit, it’s essential comfortable up the BOA once more for the ultimate preride tighten. Although I like my sneakers tremendous tight, others may not be as choosy.
In the event you’re in search of winter coaching, commuting, and one thing that can final for a lot of seasons — that is your shoe. The additional quantity within the shoe permits for higher actions and blood circulate to the toes. The torsional and lateral stiffness is extra on the leisure aspect, however these are winter sneakers. The semi-flexible sole is sweet while you’re off the bike mountain climbing unrideable climbs, path options, or simply slogging via the snow. In the event you’re in search of full-on winter racing footwear … you might wish to preserve your XC race sneakers on and put money into mega-thick overshoes.
The $300 value is what I anticipate from a shoe of this high quality, and I consider they’re well worth the cash. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and if my older Shimano winter sneakers point out life expectancy, these might be round for a lot of seasons.
My solely gripe is the inventory insoles had been fleece lined however lacked any assist or safety from the chilly coming from beneath. I’ve loved different winter shoe producers together with Aerogel insoles that assist from the coldness of the cleat seeping into the footbed. I swapped the inventory insoles for the 45NRTH Jaztronaut Aerogel insoles I utilized in my final winter sneakers.
Ultimate Ideas
The Shimano MW702 is it if you happen to’re in search of reliable winter coaching, fats bike racing, commuting, and all-around comfortable chilly climate shoe. The MW702 has been a pleasure to coach and journey in over the winter months. I’m impressed with the slight updates’ spectacular impression on efficiency — primarily your complete Gore-Tex enclosed BOA drape. I like to recommend in search of an area store with a pair in inventory to guage sizing as a result of the match is beneficiant precisely, and it may very well be a skinny line between roomy and outsized.
