Submitted by
Tim D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Humboldt, CA Date Reviewed: October 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Durable, comfortable, durable, compliant for walking, did I say durable?
Weaknesses:
None noted
Similar Products Used:
Nike gnuba
Bike Setup:
two mtb's and a roadie with the same shoes.
Bottom Line:
I first purchased these shoes in '01 to replace a crappy set of nikes which lasted all of about a year before they disintegrated. I paid full price for the Shimanos at REI. They don't give you a break on their good stuff.
These shoes have held up through six years of year round riding on two different mtbs and my road bike too. They have only just now begun to break down to the lowest common denominator.
I have certainly gotten my money's worth out of these shoes. I would recommend them to anybody, but in spite of their incredible durability, Shimano has discontinued them. Maybe that's why...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J.C.
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC Date Reviewed: January 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Industrial Disease
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
Evolution
Strengths:
Very comfortable without needing an extra insole. Good durability and ease of cleaning. Tread wear rate is average. Cleat plate seems strong.
Weaknesses:
Pricey and I found them hard to find at LBS's.
Similar Products Used:
Nike Crapbahs, Crapbah II's, Scott 4x4's
Bike Setup:
Numerous bikes with Shimano 747's, 535's and now Crank Bros. Mallet C's. The CB plates fit with no problems.
Bottom Line:
Great shoes at a not-so great price. Wish there were more options in mid or high-cut upper shoes to compare to. I like the look of the original black on black, not sure if they still make it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal Date Reviewed: September 2, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
For a Shimano they fit very well. Strongly made abd real quality Good stiff sole and hardwearing grippy rubber. Easy to engage using SPD's.
Weaknesses:
No weaknesses.
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel with the usual appendages.
Bottom Line:
Great shoes. I bought them as a kind of stop gap because the shop didn't have my size in a quality racing shoe. I've ridden these ever since. For me they perform as good as a racing boot but they are comfortable, warm, pretty waterproof, have great grip for getting off in the slime and well made. These have lasted me no problem for 2 years of real hard riding and they'll last another 2 years easy. And they also look good. Dont understand how Shimano can call this a touring shoe...OK you can walk well in them but they perform like they should on the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rod
a Cross Country Rider
from the U.K. Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Cyclehub.co.uk
Strengths:
Well made and stiff. Good sole that's strong and with grip. Also the ability to walk/climb off of the bike when needed.
These are great shoes and will perform nearly as well as full-on racing shoes. But they are versatile and allow you to clamber up slopes, carrying your bike, in the sort of mud that we get here in the U.K. They are strong and well designed and manufactured and seem not to suffer from the too tight a fit that is frequently the case with Shimano shoes. I'm surprised that Shimano seem to "down-play" the worth of these shoes for they are, in my opinion, one of the best pairs of "real" mountain biking shoes they have produced. Even the ankle supports work. Recommended!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Gap Creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$90.00
Strengths:
Well Made, Double Stitching, Comfort
Weaknesses:
Not exactly light.
Bike Setup:
Avanti ADX450 (Can't be bothered listing the full spec)
Bottom Line:
These shoes are far better than the "Expeditionary / Fun Use" label gives them credit for. These shoes will stand up to trail abuse no probs. I find them to be very comfortable with excellent support. They breathe quite well too due to the venting material used on the sides.
Bottom line is I would buy them again when mine wear out... 4 Chilis (I rarely give 5 chilis unless the product is truely exceptional)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate New York Date Reviewed: April 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Newark Valley
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$69.00
Purchased At:
Beyondbikes
Strengths:
Ankle support, style, stiff sole for riding but, not to stiff for walking.
Weaknesses:
None that I can find. They are a bit pricey though. I got a great deal on line.
Similar Products Used:
Performance, Lake
Bike Setup:
Older model Cannondale, Richtey Pro V3 pedals
Bottom Line:
I had a concern ordering on line because I usually have problems fitting shoes. I take a size 9 and usually wide. I ordered the size 43 and they fit like a glove. Very comfortable. I don't think they are too heavy. I wanted something with a bit of ankle support and I'm very pleased with these. Very easy to clip in and out. I hope they wear as well as they look. I wore them today on a 3 hour road ride on my MTB and had no problems at all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matthew
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester Hills, MI Date Reviewed: April 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Nepaug
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
support, style and initial comfort, construction
Weaknesses:
long-ride (2+ hrs) comfort is very poor
Similar Products Used:
Shimano M072 (?)
Bike Setup:
Kona Stinky Deelux, 'Custom' 5"/5" Jekyll
Bottom Line:
I like the styling and the support from the stiff sole, and they feel great for about two hours, then both feat start to ache near the balls of the feat. Can't go much past two hours without serious discomfort. Pretty bummed about it. Otherwise I like them. I thought they would have worked in a little and stretched out by now, but they have held their shape, I guess due to their hearty construcition. I had an older pare of Shimano low-tops that velcroed shut that were awesomely comfortable. I thought these lace-up, high-tops would provide enough width for my 8.5EEE foot, alas, I was mistaken. I'd probably be three thumbs up if my feet were skinnier.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Domeatomic
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston Date Reviewed: April 13, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Cycle1st.com
Strengths:
Strong, well made, wide and comfortable, solid stiff sole but you can still walk.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
You name it!
Bottom Line:
Excellent shoes! Biking shoes should be comfortable, so many of Shimano's are way too tight. These are great. They're well made and stiff enough to give real performance. If you can get them for the sort of price I did thru Cycle1st.com then you're grinning big style!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dino
a Cross Country Rider
from T.O. CA USA Date Reviewed: December 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
the one with dirt all over it
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Very comfortable, well-constructed; lace and velcro for fine adjustability.
Weaknesses:
Haven't yet found
Similar Products Used:
Nike, Specialized, Diadora, Axo
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dakar Expert w/SPD 535's
Bottom Line:
I just bought these shoes and have ridden them only twice, but can tell they are going to be the best fitting, most comfortable MTBing shoes I've ever had. I usually don't spend this much on shoes, but as I'm sure many of you have found out, there's hardly a more important component than a really good pair of shoes. And for me, these are the ones. I'm being a bit conservative with the rating, mainly because I'm a cheapskate; but, if you like comfortable shoes, try these on at least.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Drew K
a Downhiller
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Sunset, Rocky Ridge, Schultz Creek (Flagstaff, AZ)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Very comfortable Freeride/Downhill/all around shoe. -Stiff plate in the outsole -2003 model has cool all black design (check Shimano website - the gray upper is pre-2003) -Double loop design (on heel and tongue) to pull shoe on with ease. -Sticky wide sole for any hike-a-bike sections -3/4 upper prevents any ankle biters, great protection!!
Weaknesses:
None for my style - will post if any occur. -[Just to be fair and unbiased] these aren't for cross-country racers or riders looking for a hard, thin outer sole, these have wide, meaty, aggressive rubber tread.
Similar Products Used:
Adidas, AXO, shimano racer style
Bike Setup:
Specialized, Marzocchi JR T, Crank Brother's Mallet pedals (ROCK!!)
Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a shoe that's geared towards freeride/ downhill this is it. -Doesn't look like a narrow cross-country race or road shoe, much more comfortable -Wide gripping meaty sole for those of us who don't have skinny feet. Great for the hike-a-bike sections and platform pedals. (If you’re not hike-a-biking once in a while the mountain's not steep enough). First weekend out was in mud during a storm in Flagstaff and I didn't slip once (Thanks Crank Brother's Mallet pedals-see post). -Very comfortable all day shoe. I can wear them the remainder of the day even after riding for hours.
4-chili value is for price. They're a bit high for recreational clipless shoes. Drop them $20-25 and they'd be on target. Since I haven't found any other good clipless recreational shoes this comfortable... I'll give it 5 chili's overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a
from Minneapolis, MN. USA Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The Road to Nowhere
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
rei
Strengths:
Comfortable!!, Style (this photo is not the current model go to Shimano.com for that) they're warm, and they look like a Mountain Bike should. Plus if you have to hike it, these things will definitely get you both up the hill and down.
Weaknesses:
Last year's model (see current photo) was not that great in appearance but they fixed that and now the shoe just plain rocks!! Doesn't look like some foo-foo road shoe.
Similar Products Used:
Nike, Cannondale
Bike Setup:
See Shimano pedal M324 or Trek 4100 post (I get tired posting it; gotta save my energy for riding).
Bottom Line:
If you want to look like you belong on a Mountain bike then get these. If you want to get some of the other shoes that look like road shoes, then get a road bike and post on the road bike review site. These shoes are beefy and will hold up very well...did I mention comfortability?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob the Builder
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Karrimore
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Cycle1st.com
Strengths:
Strong, Stiff, Comfortable and well made. Good grip off road
Weaknesses:
Nothing really, I caught the piping on the side which tagged a bit but so what.
A really good pair of shoes. They do what they're supposed to.I've battered mine so far and there's no wear.I use mine with Shimano pedals which is primarily what they're designed for and they do the business. My mate runs them with egg-beaters and they're great. I like the way these have some width. So many of Shimano shoes are way too narrow. These are properly comfortable. And I got them at a great price thru Cycle1st.com so I'm feeling good.........Recommend.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dusty
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anything
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Condor Cycles
Strengths:
Hard wearing upper, stiff, comfy
Weaknesses:
Ugly, heavy, useless treads, expensive
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper
Bottom Line:
I use these for the odd weekend ride, and commuting to work each day but I don't walk far in these - especially as they're not pretty in the looks department. They protect your ankles and have good grip to start with.
However, I can't recommend them at all because the soft rubber treads wear out very quickly and have worn my Time ATAC cleats away. There is no point in replacing the cleats as they will stand proud, and wear away in double-quick time, and that's not what I bought them for.
If they were cheap then after a year I wouldn't mind, but dispite the uppers looking almost pristine, I will have to retire these to the rubbish bin. I will be buying some sporty types with metal stud protectors in future.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lord Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002
Kona XC Hardtail w/ shiny new clipless pedals for my pretty shoes.
Bottom Line:
These shoes provide great support for a good price. I paid about $130 Canadian. The comfort and good grip are worth the price. Not to mention the decent materials and funky good looks. Yay for Shimano! Five flaming poos.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rimstrip
a
from Lykens,Pa Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Rock's Ridge
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
E-Bay
Strengths:
comfort,warmer for cold weather riding
Weaknesses:
???
Similar Products Used:
many other shimano models,cannondale,sidi
Bike Setup:
fsr's,super v's,and some hardtails
Bottom Line:
these babys are just what i was looking for.good for power transfer on the bike.good for walking to your bike after you've crashed it.warmer for the cold weather.ankle protection so you don't crack them off the cranks when your pedals release from too much body english.freeriders and adventure types rejoice-here is your shoe!yeah i got them from e-bay for $25,brand new,so you know my value meter is spiked.overall..they are just what i was looking for,for certain applications.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike o'b
a Cross Country Rider
from nyc Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Stillwell Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
performance cycles
Strengths:
Appropriate stiffness Easy enough to walk in Well cushioned upper
Weaknesses:
Difficult to keep clean
Bike Setup:
Bontrager Race Lite
Bottom Line:
Nice shoe of the aggresive cross country recreater. Comfortable and good power transfer
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
PJ
a
from Franklin Twp Police Department, Somerset, NJ Date Reviewed: May 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Kim's Bike Shop, New Brunswick, NJ
Strengths:
Great all around shoe, flexible to walk in when off the bike and stiff enough when pedaling
Weaknesses:
Insole is a little too thin
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Moab 2 (Police Patrol Bike)
Bottom Line:
This is the first shoe that was flexible enough and durable enough for Police Bicycle Patrol. I was disappointed when Shimano changed the colors (I need all black for work)in 2001. The shoe has held up wonderfully, no rips or tears....extremely durable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a
from Jersey CI Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Stiff and reasonably bash proof. It didn't hurt when I stubbed my toe the other day, the only damge was a scuff mark on the shoe
Weaknesses:
Light colour shows dirt a little too easily and the vent in the side lets in moisture. Also sole clogs in gloopy mud
Similar Products Used:
Answer Dueller 2000
Bike Setup:
Trek elite 9.8 with riser bars
Bottom Line:
Good shoes. I first tried them without SPDs and they gave good 'feel' and power delivery. With SPDs they are great, I wish I tried SPDs before. Light colour not ideal for dealing with British winter mud though they do clean well. Reasonable to walk in though not for a long distance. Good product if you wear sealskinz in the wet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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