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No one likes having wet, cold feet. If they say they do, I’ll almost guarantee they’re lying.
It’s a problem all cyclists face come winter, especially if you live somewhere such as the UK and you’re a mountain biker.
There are a number of waterproof MTB shoes out there to help remedy this, although they’re expensive and don’t always work that well.
Fox’s Union BOA All Weather shoes could be new front-runners, though, providing impressive levels of waterproofing, loads of cleat adjustment and a less XC-focused outsole.
And while the £229.99 price might seem high, they’re certainly competitive.
I was blown away after my first ride in a torrential downpour. Dry feet, enough feedback and feel from the pedals and just the right amount of flex. What’s not to like?
Keeping the elements out
Fox states these winter boots are ‘water-resistant’, rather than waterproof, although my initial experience while riding through a biblical rainstorm suggests they lean more towards the latter. I finished after three hours of riding with dry, warm feet.
To help keep the elements out, Fox uses a water-resistant upper made from what appears to be very similar material to the other Union shoes in the range. However, the All Weather uppers forgo any kind of perforation, for obvious reasons.
A tall collar extends high up over the ankle, just over the typical sock line. There’s added scuff protection on the inside of each collar to help prevent wear from crank rub, which is a nice little touch.
The collar offers a fairly close fit, but it’s not what I’d call snug. That means for maximum protection from the weather, you’ll want to pair these with some decent waterproof trousers that can sit comfortably over the top of the collars.
Two pull-loops at the front and back are there to aid getting the boots on. Trust me, you’ll need them, along with the ankle flexibility of a ballet dancer.
With no way of opening the collar up, slipping the boots on takes a bit of effort. But getting them off is where you’ll need Houdini-like escape skills – these things don’t come off easily.
A single Boa dial takes care of keeping the Union All Weather boots clamped to your feet. It can be popped up to speedily loosen the wire, too, making removal marginally easier, but it's certainly less of a chore when they’re thoroughly caked in mud.
What’s more exciting here, for me at least, is the outsole.
While many waterproof shoes or boots seem to be based around cross-country riding (with the exception of some excellent flat-pedal options), these aren’t.
That means you get loads of rearward cleat adjustment and a tread pattern that isn’t littered with lugs and studs, along with a little more flex and feel.
While those chunky treads are a massive help when scrabbling up muddy, unrideable trails, they’re terrifyingly unstable when you can’t clip in after dabbing a foot through a turn. The minimalist tread on the Ultrac All Weather outsole should be far easier to rest on a pedal until you can clip in again.
Fox also includes D30 inserts to help cushion impacts coming up through the pedals, to boost comfort a little further.
As well as the D30 insert, Fox also includes removable arch support, which is secured in place using Velcro. There are high and low versions to choose from, depending on your preference.
And did I mention that I could slam the cleats right back towards my mid-foot for the ultimate in downhill control? I did? I’ll shut up then.
Competitive pricing and loads of sizes
At £229.99 for the clipless version seen here, they’re not cheap. But they're in a similar bracket to top performers from the likes of Shimano and Fizik.
Shimano’s MW702 shoes offer more of a cross-country fit and feel, and cost £10 less than the All Weathers, while Fizik’s Terra Nanuq X2s will set you back £289.99.
Both of these other options use a Gore-Tex liner, making them fully waterproof.
While the Fox Union All Weather boots can’t quite boast those same credentials, their fit, feel and performance may well help them trump the more established winter boots on the market.
What’s more, Fox offers 16 sizes, as well as a flat-pedal version for £209.99.
I plan to be living in these for the next couple of months, so stick around for a full review soon.
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