By Kurt Gensheimer   March 05, 2014 It might be March, but don’t tell that to all those half-frozen humans living in the Midwest and East Coast, where it’s been one of the worst winters on record. For many, riding outside in subzero conditions is absolutely out of the question. But for those few lunatics who have to get their fix outdoors on the bike no matter how wet, cold and oppressive the winter has been, some good insulated footwear is required to keep the feet from becoming ice blocks. My feet have always been the weak link when it comes to cold winter rides on the bike. No matter how many pairs of thick wool socks I put on, my toes go numb within the first hour of a ride. Actually, my winter rides don’t really begin until I can’t feel my toes anymore. Since wearing booties on a mountain bike ride absolutely sucks and wearing a plastic bag between two layers of socks keeps my feet warm in a pinch, yet sweaty as all hell, I decided that a legitimate pair of winter mountain bike shoes was needed.

Thankfully there’s no shortage of options out there, and I was able to rustle up four different shoes courtesy of Shimano, Specialized, Mavic and Lake. Weight (pair of size 47): 1150 grams I got to use the Specialized Defroster in a number of different scenarios including full on mountain bike rides in 15 degree temperatures and a 90-mile road ride in the mid-30 degree temperatures, which is what makes the Defroster so great – it’s extremely versatile. motorcycle repair in roseville miWhile a few other shoes have gnarly, aggressive tread, the Defroster has a more subdued outsole that could almost pass for a winter road shoe but still has enough tread to handle most muddy and snowy conditions.harley davidson sportster for sale chicago

The injection-molded midsole offers a reasonable amount of stiffness for good power delivery, yet still flexes nicely when off the bike and hiking up hills. But for real nasty mud and snow, you’ll need to use toe spikes because the Defroster tread alone isn’t quite aggressive enough. Thinsulate 400 gram insulation lining keeps heat in while letting moisture escape, and even on the coldest rides, with one Merino wool sock layer, my feet stayed surprisingly warm. motorcycle clothing swindonMy hands were a different story though. motorcycle tire supplier in manilaI think I did permanent nerve damage to them on a 15-degree ride with a three-mile downhill.motorcycle shop in weston super mare

This was the first pair of shoes I ever had with the BOA closure system, and it kicked ass. Lightweight, simple, and effective, the BOA system is flawless, however, it can be subject to user error. There is a tendency to want to over-tighten the BOA closure, which not only cuts off blood flow to an ever expanding foot and making it cold, but also causing pain on the top of the foot. used motorcycle parts greeleyIt was happening to me until a friend said to loosen the BOA closure. After I backed off, the shoe was much more comfortable and warmer too. The neoprene upper collar with a seam-sealed internal bootie does an exceptional job of comfortably locking in heat and keeping water out, and the wider toe box for thicker socks was a welcome feature for my gargantuan feet. A sheet rubber heel and toe make the Defroster look durable, while a flap over the midsection of the shoe gives it a distinct bootie-type look.

A few of my roadie buddies mistook the Defroster for a road shoe with a winter bootie over it. The Defroster is perfect for someone who wants one shoe to do both winter road and mountain bike rides. It’s capable enough to handle wet, muddy and extremely cold conditions off-road, but also sleek and low profile enough to look good as a winter road-riding shoe (provided you put mountain bike pedals on your road bike). 1 2 3 4NextEvery rider has different needs! But, there is a way to choose. Use our 2015-2016 Motorcycle Glove Buyer's Guide (below) -- pick the glove that best suits the conditions and way you ride -- and works for your budget. Oh, yes ... and check online reviews. Hearing what other riders have to say, is usually the best indicator that a glove will go the distance. All cold weather gloves have some combination of common features. Bottom line, there are two basic rules -- keep hands dry, and trap body heat, to keep hands warm. To make an informed choice, here are the options:

Waterproof glove inserts come in 3 different quality levels:  Gore-Tex® is the leader in waterproof, windproof and breathable technology ... but you can be very warm and happy in an Aquatex or Dri-Lock glove, too.  It's a matter of budget and personal preference -- the difference is the ability to manage moisture (), and let sweat evaporate from your hands.  We think it's worth it, but each rider has to make that call. The goal of a good winter glove is to trap body heat in, and keep cold out: First, with specifc insulation, such as PrimaLoft® and Thinsulate®,  and Thermolite.Then, with construction that adds warmth where you need it most -- i.e. extra insulation on the backs of hands or fingertips, and less on the palms for instance, for heated grips. Thermal Liners: Wear under an All Season or Deerskin glove, and you're good to go. Heated Gloves:  Some riders prefer heated gear. Whatever it takes to stay warm ... 3-Finger Gloves:  A cross between a glove and a mitten.