Vaude are best known for their packs, but they do shoes as well. The Termatic RC is an outwardly simple but well-made winter boot.
It’s surprisingly heavy, largely due to the solid construction and a decent amount of Primaloft insulation (made from 70 percent recycled materials). This adds up to decent warmth, and the full-length outer flap and internal Sympatex waterproof membrane prove effective in the wet.
As with the Scott Heater, there isn’t a conventional tongue, just a neoprene gusset between the left and right halves of the shoe. Pull-tabs at the top of this and above the heel make slipping your foot in a breeze.
Although there are only two velcro straps (plus a tab to secure the cover flap and ankle cuff), the synthetic leather uppers are firm and well-shaped – between them they deliver a secure fit.
They’re a fairly wide fit, though there’s adequate, rather than generous, room in the toe box. On the subject of toes, there are no threads for toe studs, so you’re stuck with the decent if not spectacular grip they have.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.