Winter is rapidly rearing its frozen head in my neck of the woods. And the limiting factor of any long ride these days is keeping fingers & toes warm. FLR shoes is helping in the insulated feet department, with their popular & affordable Defender winter riding shoes now available for both road & mountain bikers.
FLR Defender affordable insulated waterproof winter bike shoes
Deciding to buy a proper pair of winter bike shoes is a watershed moment in extending your riding into the colder months. Far more effective & durable than any pull-on shoe covers, a proper set of insulated & waterproof winter cycling boots is the most reliable way to keep feet warm riding in inclement weather. And it doesn’t have to be a super expensive endeavor. In fact, FLR’s updated Defender winter shoes actually will sell for a bit less than before – just $139 / 129€ as the MSRP. Plus, besides their international dealer network, FLR offers free global shipping for direct sales.
FLR Defender tech details & what’s new?
The Defender has been in the FLR lineup for two winters already, but this year they’ve been revamped for improved usability. The two key differences are a larger velcro laces-cover flap opening to make them easier to get on & off even with thick gloves, and the addition of a 3-bolt road sole option to the standard MTB sole. Overall sticking at the openings in the upper and velcro also has been reinforced for longer durability.
The FLR winter shoes share a multi-layer insulated construction to keep feet warm & dry. Starting with a thin fleece shoe liner & fuzzy faux fur insole against your socked foot, the shoes then get a 400g Eco Star insulation layer on top of that, then a seam-sealed DryS-Tex membrane to keep water out, and finally a coated Cordura upper with rubberized synthetic leather around the entire shoe for durability.
A neoprene cuff with a separate velcro closure makes for a reasonably tight seal against your leg, and a large velcro flap covers the thin nylon laces with slide lock closure over the gusseted tongue. Reflective accents finish off the all black shoe for a touch of added low-light visibility.
Two sole options are now available. The fiberglass-reinforced nylon M250 MTB sole is direct from their entry level mountain bike shoes with lugged tread & optional toe spikes. The road version gets a similarly constructed R250 reinforced nylon sole with fixed toe & heel lugs for grip on the unavoidable walk to & from the bike.
Both MTB & road versions are available now in the same 38-47 whole size range through international FLR dealers. Plus, they should also be available direct from FLR’s website in the coming days.
