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Specialized Bicycles BG Defroster MTB shoe | $164.99
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Specialized Defroster

BikeRadar verdict

4 out of 5 stars

"Not the warmest, but a super versatile, year-round wet-weather trail boot"

By Guy Kesteven, Dan Joyce & Matt Skinner

It must be great to live in California where this counts as a winter boot. It’s more a spring/summer/autumn option here, but a great one at that.

If you’re used to the lumps and bumps of Specialized's Body Geometry system you’ll get a perfect fit straight away, otherwise bear with it for a ride or two and you’ll soon become addicted to the comfort they offer when you’re hammering. It’s a stiff, fast-cleaning sole for racing too.

The sealed sole, waterproof liner and neoprene collar keep the weather out well, although it’s not as well insulated as the other ‘winter’ boots if the cold really bites. That does mean it’s cool and light enough to wear year-round whenever it rains though, making it one of our most worn boots in 2008.

The Defroster has reflective heels for road use and the sole is well treaded, with toe-stud holes that would suit cyclo-cross use. The two Velcro straps and third tab make getting the boots on and off easy with frozen hands.

Manufacturers description



User Reviews

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  • User review of Specialized Bicycles BG Defroster MTB shoe

    I bought one pair of Defroster a month ago, but used them only twice (on road) because of surprisingly warm weather.

    Comfort is as usual very good with Specialized shoes. But shoes protection against cold is less good than expected, even after reading reviews of these shoes mentionning that charactéristic (I've read them before buying): temperatures were about 0, and despite warm socks (Ullfrotte 400g), I can clearly feel cold on my toes.

    Since I will probably switch insoles with specific ones (Spe ++ blue) as I did with my other shoes, I don't think that putting reflective film inside original insoles is a good idea; I've prefered it to be installed directly in shoes.

    Waterproof seems to be very good.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles BG Defroster MTB shoe

    My wife and I each bought a pair of these last year. We use them on road bikes fitted with SPDs for winter training. Within a month my wife had taken hers back and swapped them for the much warmer Shimano equivalents.

    I can report that they are incredibly comfortable and very waterproof and good for Autumn and Spring chills, but if you cycle in anything under 5 degees C, then you will also need to buy something else. I lined them with tin foil under the inner sole - not much better. We bought pairs of Assos' warmest socks - minor improvement. I now wear neoprene overshoes with them when it gets really cold.

    I have stuck with mine because I love the fit of the Specialized shoe. But if warm feet are important to you don't buy them, you might suggest that their name contravenes the trades descriptions act!

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles BG Defroster MTB shoe

    Great shoes - keep the worst of the weather out. They're waterproof to a point - nothing could be completely waterproof with a big hole in the top for water to run down.

    However, being totally windproof with a neoprene collar they are nice and warm even if they do eventually fill up with water.

    The three velcro straps make for easy on-off even when covered in mud or ice.

    Overall, if you ride in summer in BG shoes then these are probably the winter boots for you.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles BG Defroster MTB shoe

    So what people seem to be saying is this is a half-baked wannabee winter shoe for the same price as the market-leading, no compromise Shimano model?

    Really glad I bought Shimano, which is Goretex lined too!

    Nigel - I feel sorry for you, mate. If there's any aluminium foil left after we've wrapped the Xmas turkey, I'll sent it to you.

    : )

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
BG Defroster MTB shoe
Built by:
Specialized Bicycles
Price:
$164.99

Available Colours:
Black
Weight (g):
870 g
Reflective Piping/Accents:
Yes
Water-Resistant:
Yes
Features:
Thermal fleece-lined BG footbed uses a reflective metallic barrier to trap heat around the foot. Snug fitting collar forms a gusset to lock out moisture.
Shoe Type:
MTB
Shoe Sizes Available:
36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 UK
Sole Type:
Nylon

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