XC race shoe recommendations

Discussion in 'Racing and Training' started by Joalst1, Mar 17, 2012.

  1. MohammedInABearSuit

    MohammedInABearSuit Sticks and Stones...

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    +1 for SIDI.
    I wear the Dominator 5 and love them.
    My original pair are pretty beat up by now but they have held up quite well thru streams and mud.
    Love the replaceable parts as they really make the shoe itself last.

    Like 'em so much last time there was a sale I bought 3. Still have one pair new in the box for a non-rainy day ;)
     
  2. Salespunk

    Salespunk New Member

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    I am a Sidi guy as well. I have been riding the Dragons for 4 years now. I still have my previous Dominators which didn't wear out even though they are 6 years old. They are a warranty set sent to me after I split the sole on my previous 5 year old Dominators. Unfortunately they sent me yellow and when I got a pro deal on the Dragons I could not pass it up just based on color! They are worth every penny.

    BTW if you have wide feet and go to look at Sidi's make sure you try on the Mega's and not the standard shoes.
     
  3. Pho'dUp

    Pho'dUp Spam Musubi MasherSS

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    Careful that sounds like Morton's Neuroma. Might need to adjust your cleat placement too if the shoes don't fix it..
     
  4. Waldo

    Waldo Lebowski Urban Achiever

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    One more for Sidi, which fit my feet great. I swap Sidi's relatively flat insole for a Specialized BG insert, which has more contour and arch support, and it's a world of difference. At $50, their insoles aren't cheap, but they make a good shoe feel fantastic, and they seem to last a long time.

    FWIW: I don't bother with ratcheting buckles on my mtb shoes. Sidi's velcro straps work fine and don't break or jam like I've seen many buckles do on friend's shoes. Buckles on road shoes make more sense to me, but for mtb, they're not my preference.
     
  5. rjcsocal

    rjcsocal Member

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    Fit is the most important. I can't wear Shimano's because they're too wide, and Sidi's heel cup is too low for me and it feels like it is going to slip off my foot unless I really tighten them up, then they ride on an uncomfortable part of my heel. So I've been a Specialized fan for quite a while. I ride the Pro model. You get a much stiffer shoe and is worth the extra dough. Save the S-Works for the road -- I'd rather not chance the boa fastener off-road.
     
  6. MnMDan

    MnMDan Member

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    The OP mentioned feeling strain on the front half of the foot...the pedal is nearly as important as the shoe itself. A flexible shoe that feels comfortable on the HAB sections may be great on Crank Bros. mallets, ok on candys, and complete failure on eggbeaters. MTB shoes are always going to be more flexible at the lower end than the higher end because those buyers typically do more walking, while the high-end people are willing to live with HAB discomfort in exchange for the power you get from a more rigid sole (its why road bike shoe soles increase rigidity with price)...I'd say stay away from the small platform pedals with the more flexible shoes...I used candy's and old-school xt's with my $100 shimano shoes for years because of the platform, but always had discomfort...now with a Giro Code shoe with a super-stiff carbon sole, the eggbeaters feel great, but HAB not so much.

    Velcro will last, but are the straps replaceable? If you buy a shoe with a buckle, make sure you have two replacements...anything with a BOA lacing setup, get the extra laces and dials. They will all fail....

    Most manufacturers have started putting "stiffness" indexes on their shoes. Doesn't translate between brands. Also, if you're not getting fit to the bike, you can play around with the cleat position forward-back to take care of some of that foot discomfort.

    Good Luck
     
  7. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Don't forget to look at/try on Gaerne. Unfortunately, SIDIs don't fit my flippers right. I love their teeth-on-velcro closures, and I love Italian fit (usually). I am running Speshy Carbon Expert and they are meh. One year old and the velcro is already getting weak. Jury is out on the BG foot position. Good luck. There are lots of great shoes- but fit is critical, and hard to judge on the shop. Too big, you will lose a toenail. Too small, you will lose a toenail. Kinda like ski boots (or SB boots).
     
  8. Waldo

    Waldo Lebowski Urban Achiever

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    Two great points there!

    I don't know if the straps on my Sidis are replaceable. My last pair lasted through 6+ years of riding 2-4 days per week. Granted, I wore the lugs off the soles, but I can't complain about their durability!

    When I had a fitting done a while back, I think that the most important changes we made were to lower my seat a bit and move the cleats back in the shoes so the right part of my foot is over the spindle. Big difference.
     

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