Overall, despite the XC-styling and sole, the shoe is fairly high in bulk and will scuff up cranks more than some. No toe studs? The sole tread could be chunkier for better grip in wet grass, mud and snow, and a pair of toe studs would really help add versatility.

The cover over the Boa dial is an improvement over the MW701. Protecting the system from dirt minimises any compromise in the performance of the dial. The heel retention wasn’t the best, but the overall performance was unrivaled at the time. c. Jordan Villella Key Features: Shimano MW702 As always we have prepared a video for you to watch and there is a question below based on what you’ve seen. There is also a competitor from Shimano’s own line, the lace-up. Gore-Tex lined XM900 boots, which are more like a winter hiking boot. If you’re going to be doing more scrambling and hike-a-bike, then those are definitely worth a look. Even when it’s unavoidably wet, you’ll do better than in regular riding shoes Three things that could be improvedCleat slots could be longer – especially for riders coming from flat pedals. And while we’re here, why not make a flat-sole version anyway? The world is crying out for winter flat shoes. Shimano’s recently updated MW7 (or SH-MW701) shoe is their flagship winter clipless mountain bike shoe. Having been in the SPD pedal game for 30 years this year, you’d think the brand knows a thing or two about the shoes that connect to them, and you’d be right. Shimano shoes are generally excellent, and the MW7 is no exception. The dual-compound Michelin rubber provides good grip on the pedals and on the dirt. Plus, the tread pattern makes it easy to locate your cleats. Lawrence Crossman-Emms Beneath the boot is a rugged tread that has been specially designed by rubber wizards, Michelin. The rugged winter tread is fitted to a weather-proof boot upper featuring high ankle protection and a lace guard to prevent water ingress.

In addition to the Gore-Tex liner, other features include a fleece-lined insole, synthetic leather upper, Boa retention system, Michelin rubber sole, neoprene cuff, and a “Torbal” midsole. All of these features combine to make a well thought out and highly functional shoe. That impervious feel when on. Whether riding into a sleety head wind, or stepping into that unavoidable puddle to open a gate, the MW7 boots are an essential bit of winter kit. I expect these conditions are beyond what any shoes should reasonably be able to withstand (my other waterproof gear soaked through too), so I can’t mark them down, but don’t expect them to keep you dry in every circumstance.

It’s cool to see that the design from the original and early versions of the shoe is present in the MW-DNA. You can see some similarities to the Shimano MW81 (below), my first introduction to winter cycling shoes, and a piece of kit I’ve used for years. Shimano's MW7 SPD winter shoes are easy to get on and off, comfortable, warm, and as waterproof as any boot with a hole for your foot can be. The Boa dial is well positioned and the flap makes cleaning them afterwards easy too – just remember the sizing is more true to street sizes than many. Verdict I finished most of my rides with warm, dry feet. However, after a six-hour photoshoot in persistent hard rain, there was no stopping the water from soaking through.

While the MW710 felt like a decent trail-riding shoe, the MW702 has returned to XC-styling, which I feel compromises overall performance. I've previously worn out a pair of Shimano winter boots – the MW81s – as they were such faithful companions on six winters of cold rides. In terms of warmth and waterproofing, these MW701s aren't much different, as you get a Gore-Tex insulated, waterproof liner with a Velcro ankle cuff up top. The integrated lace shield keeps the laces mud- and water-free, and the Boa ratcheting system is efficient and effective, creating a tight fit without any pressure points. You can easily adjust fit when riding too. With regards to their waterproofness, I have mixed reports for the MW7’s. For the initial part of testing they did keep my feet dry and I was raving about them! I rode in the rain, I rode through plenty of puddles and hiked in lots of mud all with dry feet.

They turned out to be boat-like on my feet, and the size 44s I have now are on the generous side. To confuse matters further, I am also reviewing a pair of Shimano XC7 shoes at the moment, they're also a size 44, and they fit just right. In other words, the MW701s size up big, unlike other shoes in Shimano's range. Value That’s why you can see it was easy for us to give Shimano MW7 (MW701) Gore-Tex SPD Shoes 2019 such a high overall score of 9.3 / 10. It seems to have the perfect combination of features, quality and price making it a great all-rounder. The Shimano MW701 boot is designed to ensure your feet are warm and dry even in the most extreme weather conditions and come with all the features you would expect from a high-end winter riding boot. Team Freeride. The Boa retention system works well, and is super easy to tighten and loosen, even with cold gloved fingers. It’s also easier to cinch up than the Speedlace system that can be found on the MW5 shoes. The shoe is sealed all the way to the top of the laces, so in theory should stay pretty waterproof. The Neoprene cuff extends pretty far up the ankle, though they’re not not going to withstand hiking through rivers and the like. I did think that the cuff could have been tighter, but then I have quite large feet but skinny legs/ankles, so I am a bit of a weird shape. The Boa closure system snugs the shoes up nicely, and is easier to use than Shimano’s Speedlace system. The MW7 has a flex rating of five out of 12. I found this provided a very comfortable shoe when riding and walking, but without sacrificing power to the pedals – especially for a non-competitive, trail riding MTB shoe.

Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. The midsole uses Shimano’s TORBAL ‘torsional balance’ system, allowing more lateral flex towards the heel, which Shimano claims helps improve control on technical downhills and aggressive trail riding, and keep it stiffer under the ball of the foot for power transfer.I usually ride in a 42.5-inch SH-XC902, and since the new MW702 only comes in full sizes, I went with the 43 for the extra room. Shimano MW702: Fit and Dial In No matter what type of bike product your buying, from the simple accessories through to the full setup of your custom built road bike, there are lots of important considerations that you should take into account, especially when you’re shopping online and unable to test the product first. This is especially true when you’re buying products like Shoes – Cycle. The Shimano MW7 boots are a great ally in the quest to actually enjoy the winter months. They will find (and have found) favour with winter commuters, night riders, long distance trail riders and anyone who finds the thought of cold, wet feet unbearable and a limit to how much they can (or want to) ride off road during the winter months. They’re not the prettiest, but it’s probably dark and raining, so who’s looking? And ‘performance’ riders might want a stiffer sole and more strap closures. For me, though, the ease of getting them on and the instant warmth and comfort means that the Shimano MW7 has given me one excuse fewer for not riding my bike tonight. Review Info Brand: Shimano has a long history of making decent winter boots. Originally these boots’ predecessors evolved from Shimano’s original downhill clip-in boot, launched last century, but the design has been refined over the last couple of decades and what we have here is a great, if reasonably ugly/workmanlike, boot designed for the cold and the dark, the wet and the snowy. The Torbal mid-sole is said to provide flex in the sole when you want it (moving the bike around on descents), and no flex when you don’t want it (when putting power down). Again I’ll echo what I said before; for a shoe that isn’t a typical XC shoe, they have great power transfer, and they feel excellent on the descents and not restrictive at all. The MW7 shoes very similar in feel and fit to my ME7s, which is what I was hoping for. They’re a great all mountain/enduro style shoe with little compromise in performance, plus all-day comfort.