XC Shoes

Heidi · Nov 28, 2007

I love Sidi's and will never get anything but. They last forever and just fit my feet really well. That said, they are expensive unless you catch a sale but there are deals out there every so often that you have to snatch up.

LordOpie · Nov 28, 2007

If you lived near an LBS, I'd say go try some on cuz while a shoe might be superior, it isn't if it's uncomfortable.

Maybe order 3-4 shoes from a big place like Performance and return the ones you don't want? I know it seems absurd, but if you can manage it, it's the best choice.

I_N_I · Nov 28, 2007

I also love my SiDi's

Willy Vanilly · Nov 28, 2007

I could never really justify the money for the Sidis although sometimes Nashbar will have some on clearance if you're okay with ugly colors or the mesh versions. I've used Pearl Izumi's, Shimano's, and most recently Specialized shoes.

The Shimanos are pretty nice. I also liked the fact that they used velcro (which you don't have to worry about bashing into rocks or malfunctioning down the road).

The outsole of the Pearl Izumi's (from a couple years ago, not sure what they're doing now) would keep tearing away from the shoe (they weren't stitched on at all, just glued). I originally bought them b/c they fit well but after several replacement pairs (for the soles starting to tear away) they seemed to have changed the fit to be more narrow as well.

The Specialized shoes that I've been wearing have a broad, flat toe box which works well for me since I have wide-ish feet. The buckle works alright... sometimes it is a bit hard to release.

I'll either stick with Specialized for my next pair or go back to Shimano. We'll see. Good luck.

TreeSaw · Nov 28, 2007

I love my Diadora shoes...very comfy and affordable. My husband has a pair of Lake's and they are nice, but don't fit him well.(apparently they run big)

I would really like to get a pair of Sidi's as well...they have gotten rave reviews and I too am in the market for some new shoes.

JohnE · Nov 28, 2007

I wanted Sidis, had talked myself into spending the $$ for them, and then got a case of the guilts. So I bought a pair of Adidas Durangos. I like them alot, stiff, nice sole and easy velcro lacing(?).
Someday I will get a pair of Dominators...

ire · Nov 28, 2007

I have an older version of this shoe, and I have been really happy with them. They are super stiff, you get great power transfer...I burn out when I pedal!!

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH311B02-Shimano+Sh-M181+Mtb+Shoe+07.aspx

Zark · Nov 28, 2007

I have a pair of Spec. comps, going on 2 years old. Good shoes!

James · Nov 28, 2007

Heidi said:
I love Sidi's and will never get anything but. They last forever and just fit my feet really well. That said, they are expensive unless you catch a sale but there are deals out there every so often that you have to snatch up.

Yeah, they cost a bit more, but tend to last longer, making them cheaper in the long run. Especially when you are talking about the sub-$100 shoes.

I have been on Sidis for a couple of years, and will never switch, I'm sold.

DirtyDog · Nov 28, 2007

Heidi said:
I love Sidi's and will never get anything but. They last forever and just fit my feet really well. That said, they are expensive unless you catch a sale but there are deals out there every so often that you have to snatch up.

Absolutely. Worth every penny.

MtnbikeMike · Nov 28, 2007

I've had S Works shoes for the last 2 years and love 'em. If the cheaper Specialized shoes fit anything like mine, I'd say get them. I had a pair of top or the line(at the time) Shimano M221's that gave me hot foot. That said, they may have been 1/2 a size too big. I recently purchased a pair Shimano M225's (in the right size) that I have yet to try out.

-dustin · Nov 28, 2007

prefer Speccy. too cheap for Sidi. i'm on my 2nd pair of Speccy shoes in the last 8yrs.

-dustin · Nov 28, 2007

i should add that the reason i went with Speccy Carbon Comps is because it was the only shoe i found (that i liked) that had 3 Velcro straps. i have the BOA on my SWORKS roadie shoes, and that's ok. not sure how reliable it is, though.

MtnbikeMike · Nov 28, 2007

I wish I could recommend the M225, but being that I have never ridden them. From that list I'd say the higher end Speshy.

Also, the link for the 225's was for 169$ at Pricepoint, fyi. Also, watch the E designation, as it may refer to the width, but I forget.

MtnbikeMike · Nov 28, 2007

-dustin said:
i have the BOA on my SWORKS roadie shoes, and that's ok. not sure how reliable it is, though.

A buddy of mine did the Great Divide MTB race and he was considering the Boa shoes. The Spec. rep told him to bring spare parts, so he got something else.

One of my Boa's snapped on a hike-a-bike miles from civilization. I was able to tie it off to keep riding. The shoes were 9 months old and they didn't warranty them. But they're comfy, and they haven't broken again, so whateva.

BikeGeek · Nov 29, 2007

Just James said:
Yeah, they cost a bit more, but tend to last longer, making them cheaper in the long run. Especially when you are talking about the sub-$100 shoes.

I have been on Sidis for a couple of years, and will never switch, I'm sold.

Word. My Sidis have already lasted longer than my previous 2 pairs combined.

-dustin · Nov 29, 2007

yeah...the whole BOA thing...supposed to be more reliable for 2008 stuff. i guess we'll see. i don't know if other companies are buying into it, or if the product really is that good. Foot Joy now uses BOA on some of their golf shoes.

ire · Nov 29, 2007

I vote for the shimano shoe. I've raced everything from DH to cross in them and never had a problem....they have held up really well

bluebug32 · Nov 29, 2007

I've had Shimano and Specialized. I can't complain, but they weren't very stiff and durable. I caught Sidis on sale last year at my LBS for $60 and love them. Rumor is that they're made for narrower feet (not sure if this is true. Anyone?). I love the stiffness and durability. They're not as comfortable and grippy for hike-a-bike as other shoes, but you can add an additional cleat to the top for better footing.

DirtyDog · Nov 29, 2007

bluebug32 said:
I've had Shimano and Specialized. I can't complain, but they weren't very stiff and durable. I caught Sidis on sale last year at my LBS for $60 and love them. Rumor is that they're made for narrower feet (not sure if this is true. Anyone?). I love the stiffness and durability. They're not as comfortable and grippy for hike-a-bike as other shoes, but you can add an additional cleat to the top for better footing.

Probably narrow in the normal widths - but this is the only prodcution shoe available in an extra-wide width - which is why I love them. Nothing else fits.

James · Nov 29, 2007

DirtyDog said:
Probably narrow in the normal widths - but this is the only prodcution shoe available in an extra-wide width - which is why I love them. Nothing else fits.

Sidis are available in Narrow, standard, and Mega. I don't recall the exact letter sizing, but I can check tomorrow if you care.
The major difference between the other brands is that they tend to be sized slightly bigger, so a larger % of people can fit into them. Sidis are available in the 3 widths, so you may have to go to the Mega when you could probably fit decently into another brand, but it wouldn't be perfect.

They are expensive, because they're made in Europe when most of the other brands farm their production out to Asia. Yes, they cost more, but you get what you pay for.

indieboy · Dec 7, 2007

the shimanos feel great. they are good shoes, just a bit heavy.

Captain Cogset · Dec 7, 2007

I have had a lot of different shoes. Sidi are the best ones I have used, but they are expensive. Specialized and Shimano shoes are also good and usually more reasonably priced. I just ordered a new pair of Shimanos on closeout from Jenson for $79. Shimano shoes and Specialized shoes seem to be a little more durable then Sidis, but Sidis feel lighter and do usually last a long time, though my are pretty ratty looking after 5 years. http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH311B02-Shimano+Sh-M181+Mtb+Shoe+07.aspx

XC Shoes

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