Shimano MW502 winter cycling shoe review: a small price to pay for warm feet

The MW502 - aka the MW5 - is Shimano’s second-tier winter shoe, an existing model that’s been rebooted for AW24/25 with a raft of upgrades. It’s no coincidence that they look a lot like Shimano’s premium MW702 shoe, the feature set is almost identical despite the execution being more economical. Shimano, it seems, has chosen to cut the non-essentials rather than corners.

Frankly, the best way to keep your feet warm and dry during winter is to hop on a budget airline and fly somewhere warmer. Andalusia or the Balearics receive my vote for escaping the chill, damp British climate, but unfortunately, this solution is rarely affordable or realistic, and it’s certainly not sustainable.

Taping up the perforations on your summer shoes to decrease airflow and increase weather resistance is the worst solution by far. Trust me, I’ve been there, it’s completely ineffective for anything other than brief mid-season rides. However, gaiters and overshoes have their place - more on this later.

The only viable fix for frozen feet is to bite the bullet and buy some proper winter cycling shoes or booties, like these MW502s. However, winter shoes are notoriously expensive – often more than the aforementioned airfare to the sun – but fortunately, at £149.99/$225, these are a little more pocket-friendly.

Construction

The MW502’s most obvious features are the large wrap-over flap, which weatherproofs the tongue and laces, and the short, flexible neoprene cuff that keeps your ankles warm and helps to stop water ingress.

The rugged XC3 outsole is designed to receive a two-bolt mtb-style cleat - Shimano doesn’t make a three-bolt version of the MW502 or MW702. It’s made from soft, grippy rubber with deep lugs that, despite looking business-like, lack the aggressive tread pattern of the MW702’s UItread compound version.

The midsole is glass fibre-reinforced nylon, with a stiffness rating of 5/12, so it’s slightly more supple than the MW702, which is rated 7/12.

Waterproofness and breathability come courtesy of a Dryshield membrane, a step down from the Gore-Tex liner found in the MW702, while the fleecy lining and insole promise warmth.

The MW502 lacks the MW702’s L6 Boa dial closure, substituting speed lacing instead. In theory, the MW502s will be the more aero of the pair, though that’s hardly a consideration for this sort of shoe.

Build quality appears to be very good, all the stitching is neat and the reinforced rand that expands around the toe cap and heel cup suggests durability. The aesthetic is very minimal, and very dark but at least Shimano has thoughtfully added some reflective detailing at the heel and on the front edge of the weatherproof flap.

The Ride

Let’s get cleat compatibility out of the way first. If you insist on only riding three-bolt systems, such as Shimano’s SPD-SL or Look’s KEO, then these shoes clearly aren’t for you. However, while I ride KEO's on the road in the warmer months, I use SPDs during winter for two reasons. First, aggressive soles with recessed cleats offer better traction off the bike on slippery winter tarmac, and second, you can pick up seemingly bullet-proof Shimano M520 SPD pedals for under £30/$50. As a cyclist for whom athletic performance isn't critical, I’d much rather be riding wet, gritty roads with these than an expensive pair of road pedals.

Similarly, the stiffness rating isn’t a biggie for me. Sure, it's easy to flex and twist the MW502's sole, but I also appreciate that this slight flexibility makes the shoes grippier off the bike and less liable to induce heel lift. In theory, at least, the potential to bring movement to your feet and toes should enable these extremities to remain warmer too.

Pulling some winter shoes on with cold hands on can be a challenge, but once the wrap-around flap is opened and the speed lacing relaxed, my feet slip into the MW502s with ease. Fit appears to be to size but the width is quite snug, which isn't a surprise as these shoes have inherited the Dynalast last from the MW702s, a shoe known for being narrow. However, the MW502, like its more expensive sibling, is available in wider width options across all sizes from 38 to 48.

The fleece lining within the shoe and covering the insole is fairly minimal but it does feel suitably luxurious and, thankfully, doesn’t interfere with the already close fit. Tugging on the speed lace tab snugs the shoe up evenly, ready for the wrap-over flap to be secured via a long strip of Velcro that runs along the side. Usefully, there's a small Velcro 'lace garage' to keep any excess lace in place to stop it interfering with the flap closure.

The neoprene cuff is soft and relatively short, so it doesn’t hamper my pedalling action. Additionally, both the cuff and wrap-over flap do an excellent job of keeping the cold wind out, enveloping the foot with satisfying cosiness.

But, how cold is cold? The lowest temperature I’ve ridden in is 4°C, and my feet felt warm enough wearing medium-weight socks. Importantly, the Dryshield membrane, which works in conjunction with the two rows of perforations on the outer, lets my feet breathe, stopping them from getting clammy and cold.

While the winter in the UK has been mostly mild, it’s also been very wet. These shoes have shrugged off road spray, splashes from occasional pothole mishaps and light rain without complaint, and my feet have remained dry.

Do they remain waterproof in torrential rain? Let’s get real. No shoe that relies on a neoprene cuff will remain watertight for long in a heavy downpour, the material isn’t sufficiently waterproof and the seal isn’t secure enough. Fortunately, additional gaiters from brands such as Velotoze, Aquaseal, Gribgrap and Spatz will likely fix this. However, for those of us riding in more typically benign weather, the MW502s are a great choice on their own.

Value and conclusions

Cycling with cold feet is an immeasurably vile experience that’s not going to be cured by taping up the perforations on your summer shoes. Unfortunately, winter cycling shoes can be quite an investment, but I believe Shimano’s MW502s hit the sweet spot in terms of price vs performance. At £149.99/$225, they offer 95% of the functionality of Shimano’s more expensive MW703 for less than 75% of the cost. Shop around and they can be picked up for even less.

Specs

• ​​SPD-Compatible
• Dryshield membrane with fleece liner
• Speed Lace Closure
• Rubber gravel pattern outsole for increased traction
• Standard Sizes: 38 – 48
• Wide Width Sizes: 38 – 48
• Weight: 391g (Size 48)
• Price: £149.99