Need some new kicks

[Rontele]

After seven trusty years, my dominator 5s have official shit the bed. Love the way that they feel, but I am off the bike enough that I would probably prefer a rubber sole option. The Lake MX200 seems to be a good option, but can't find them anywhere. Suggestions?

[flatlander#2]

My Sidi's are same, soles are shot, but they fit like a glove. I was walking into the liquor store post ride, wet floor nearly broke my hip. Mine are only starting their third year, I'm not Old Larry.

Check out Giro's new shoe line, they have some swell ones. A friend is riding proto S-Works with a new BOA adjuster. He says they fit like custom, but again $400. Someone showed up with white Bonty's this spring, dashing.

[Rontele]

The Specialized Rime looks perfect actually (Boa and Vibram soles). Unfortunately, my size is out of stock.

[VTskibum]

...Someone showed up with white Bonty's this spring, dashing.

Don't do this. I have the black RXL's and on my 2nd pair in ~18 months. The first pair completely separated the sole from the rest in the heal area in 6-7 months of riding and I know another guy had the same issue. My 2nd pair has been better, but still not sure how they'll hold up to another season racing.

They are very light though.

[flatlander#2]

I haven't had that great of luck with the BOA thing it gave me hot spots in a pair of hiking boots from TNF. We're doing a 12hr this weekend, I'll see how his hold up at the end of the day. He's a big dude like you, single speed solo. NOT kind to products.

The one thing I have never liked about Sidi is the damn ratchet buckle. I've had times I can't get it to release (that's what she said), too tired just leave it.

[El Chupacabra]

PM OldLarry.

[XtrPickels]

Specialized Sworks Evo have a more durable upper and a bit more outsole than the standard Sworks MTB. The Rime does look good, but probably has a softer flexing sole than the Dom5's. Better for hiking, but may induce some hotspots after riding for a while.

[scrublover]

Man, go for whatever Shimano shoe fits your foot, budget, and pimp-tastic style constraints. Or lack thereof.

After trying many, many different brands over the years, I'm of the opinion they have the best those going in terms fit/feel/durability/price. Plus, if you go with a buckled model, they are very easy to get replacements for if you blow one up.

I did have a very comfy pair of Lake MX165 for a while. Nice and comfy, big lugged Vibram sole for off the bike hoofing. Only downside was they were very heavy, clunky feeling, and the sole was sorta' flexy feeling. The MX200 looks like it might be a better option now.

[springsproject]

I'm on my second year of my second pair of Lake MX165's. I really like em, gotta love mountain biking for the shear fact that you can wear silver velcro shoes and it's perfectly acceptable. Oh yea, they can be found for like 40 bucks sometimes

[concretejungle]

PI X-Alp series if they fit your foot.

[zombinate]

I will also throw my hat in the Giro ring (currently on their code's), but seriously , just go try shit on until you find something that fits

[ZomblibulaX]

Another vote for Giro. Picked up some code's cheap from crc after my mavics shit the bed (again). Put 50 miles on them right out of the box, no hot spots.

[Mikey]

Go to REI and try on some Giros. I have the codes and love them. They come with adjustable arch support - useful for me as i have high arches. Anyway, lots of miles on these shoes and don't have a bad thing to say.

[Yeah!]

I like my Pearl X-alps for days when I'll be walking and riding, but they're really ugly. Just so happens that matches my style, so it works for me.

Am I the only one who HATES Boa lacing?

[flowtron's ghost]

Go to REI and try on some Giros. I have the codes and love them. They come with adjustable arch support - useful for me as i have high arches. Anyway, lots of miles on these shoes and don't have a bad thing to say.


Or walk down the block to a friendly neighborhood bike shop and try some Giros. We have HV Gauges. Great shoe.

I'm also testing some new BOA systems on S Works shoes. As much as it pains me to admit it, they are the nicest mtn shoe I've ever worn. The don't walk for shit, but they sure are comfy to pedal. I am harnessing the power of the Sharpie today.

[brettf]

You're going to black them out? LOL.

[Rontele]

The Rimes were back in stock as of this morning, so trigger pulled. We will see how those work out.

[bagtagley]

In my experience, laces work much better than velcro and ratchet straps. Part of that is that I have a super high instep, so I can only crank the ratchet so much. With laces, I can spread the load across the top of my foot, and get a much better fit. I'm really interested in trying some shoes with the BOA system. Seems like a nice mix of convenience and fit.

[shredgnar]

Since Rontele made his purchase, I will thread-jack somewhat. Does anyone have an opinion on the Northwave shoes? My wife just got the road version and likes them. I tried some on and although they were a little small on me, I could tell that a half size larger would fit like a glove. Seem to be pretty well made (italian).

Otherwise, I'll probably be purchasing some new Sidi Dominators sooner than later. had mine for almost a decade and although the sole traction is shot and holes in the toes, they are still rideable. I like that.

[bagtagley]

I have Northwave Kameleons. They are a bit on the wide side, but fit well once tightened. They're going on their 5th season with no issues besides some of the decorative trim coming off. The ratchet mechanism can be a bit finicky, but you just have to make sure the strap goes in correctly. Like I said above, I'd prefer laces, but I'm not going to drop the cash on new shoes when these are comfy and have plenty of life left in them.

[Feldybikes]

Jack #2: since 3 or 4 peeps said they have Giro Codes... do any of you notice that they're so stiff that they hurt your feet? It took me a few weeks to get used to them to the point where rocky downhills weren't a little painful. Or is this just a sign that they don't quite fit right? I did mess with the different arch supports for awhile (including no arch support) before settling on the lowest one.

[shirk]

Why the hell can't one of the manufactures design a great trail riding shoe.

Not a race shoe dance slipper.

Not a DH skate shoe boat anchor.

Not a cheap fall apart low grade shoe.

A light weight shoe with a great sole for on and off the bike with just the right mid level stiffness. Recess the cleat enough you can walk in it, and make it not scream DORK with the colours or design.

[flatlander#2]

Or walk down the block to a friendly neighborhood bike shop and try some Giros. We have HV Gauges. Great shoe.


Indeed.

I'll try to take pics of Chad's this weekend, post ride.

[Smiley]

I had a pair of Dominator 5's for 8 years and just replaced them with Spiders with the SRS. They are a softish rubber tread and they added toe bumpers...otherwise just like a Dom 5. Love em!

[Rontele]

The Rimes showed up on my doorstep last night. Out of the box they look great. Light (as light as my Dominator 5s) with a nice stiff vibram sole.

[flatlander#2]

Friend of mine rode 5-18 mile laps in his Saturday. Asked him at end of race how they were and he said most comfortable thing of the day.