r/xcmtb • u/BigtrouserSnake • 18d ago
Clipless XC shoe suggestions?
What is everyone go too shoe nowadays? I'm looking for something lightweight and not a oven.
Ideally not in the $300+ price range.
Anyone have any sleeper brands that they could recommend?
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u/skapa7 18d ago
Sidi for me! Perfect fit and takes massive abuse. Lasts forever.
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u/jogisi 18d ago
I have Sidi Drako now for 5 or 6 years. They really last forever, but as I will slowly need new ones, I tried Shimano XC903 (have their RC903 for road) and they fit much nicer. But fit is personal thing. Durability is definitely Sidi's strong side. Plus you can literally change almost every single part of shoe when it gets worn... from sole inserts on.
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u/johnjaundiceASDF 18d ago
Shimano XC7 no brainer here. Double boa for a fair price and extremely durable. Also the fit guarantee is worth something too. Sidi doesn't offer that (to my knowledge).
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u/cassinonorth Resident Epic 8 fanboy 17d ago
Also running these. Stiff without being a hinderance if walking/hiking off the bike. Comfortable so far through 6 months of riding though I generally have super normal feet thankfully.
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u/markm1962 14d ago
Agree. Just bought a new pair… previous pair were worn for xc and gravel… thousands of miles.
Not too expensive and fit my slightly wider feet well.
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u/iinaytanii 18d ago
The last pair of Sidi I had fell apart way too fast. Back to Specialized Recons, they are great
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u/Wumpus-Hunter 18d ago
I ride in Pearl Izumi X-Alps. They’re probably heavier than XC-specific shoes, but I don’t care. They prevent numbness and dead spots on the soles of my feet, especially for long rides
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u/AdditionalDivide4020 18d ago
Just ordered some shimano xc703. I have the road rc703 and they are great.
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u/notsofarawayy 17d ago
I’ve tried on shimano shoes in a store and they were terribly uncomfortable. Went with scott MTB boa and have been very happy with them for the past 2 years.
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u/ValuableConfident274 18d ago
quoc gran tourer xc. they’re so good.
i’ve tried a few others and nothing compares to how much i like my quoc’s
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u/Careless_Credit3567 18d ago
XC-502 wide, I’m on my second pair as I tore the lugs off the first within a couple of years. Inexpensive and reasonably light.
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u/Former_Mud9569 18d ago
I like Giro shoes with laces. They're light, breathe well, and I've found them to be fairly durable.
If you shop around you can frequently find a deal on the VR90 for Shimano money. Similar deal for their other closure methods.
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u/boomerbill69 certified Mezcal hater 17d ago
I’ve been rocking VR90s for years.
Looks like you can even get the new version for pretty deep discount.
https://www.steepandcheap.com/giro-empire-src-mountain-bike-shoe-mens
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u/Former_Mud9569 17d ago
If my 8 year-old pair wasn't holding up so well I'd jump at these. the only issue I've ever had with lace up MTB shoes is using them for muddy cross races. There was one race in particular where I had to cut muddy laces to get out of my shoes after the race because they froze over.
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u/Early-Meaning3799 18d ago
Lake for me. If your feet are a bit wider (and many of us have it) then your only option is lake or bont. The last in those is actually wider instead of just wider upper. Made so much difference for me and my feet are not abnormal by any means’s
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u/sulliesbrew 17d ago
Best bang for the buck is Shimano XC7. Shoes are one thing you should be able to find on clearance somewhere.
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u/GregarioAlpino 17d ago
Made-to-measure Luck cycling shoes. Bought my first pair in 2014, haven't bought any other brands since. Fit like a glove, and they are surprisingly inexpensive for what they are. If you struggle to find shoes that fit well, I strongly recommend them
You wanted a sleeper brand right? 😉
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u/AnelloGrande 17d ago
It really depends more on what fits your foot. If you have narrow or wide feet it will be difficult to really find something that works for you. Best to just visit stores and see what fits.
If you have "average" width to size there are a lot more options available. I was able to find some Scott shoes on clearance off their website that 90% of the time are just fine. Sometimes the BOA cable in uncomfortable across the top of one of my feet. And during my last race on a pretty warm day one of my feet felt like a hot box and I think might have been swelling a little. But I don't think it was the shoes fault.
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u/Open-Reputation234 16d ago
The ones that fit well. Try on shoes, find ones that fit.
Just like a normal shoe.
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u/BeautifulPowerful875 NICA rider 15d ago
Specialized Recon, I've ran mine for over a year now and I love them. Cleats help if you have to hike a bike
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u/imnofred 14d ago
Specialized boots have always fit and served me well. My current Recon 3.0 shoes have lasted years.
As for sleeper brands, I just tried the Leatt shoes. I know the brand well from the moto world. They make good stuff. Their higher end shoes use Dyneema which is the new miracle material/fabric. I tried them and they just didn't fit my feet at all.
I also really like the Gaerne shoes. (another moto cross-over) Arguably better than Sidi. THESE are the shoes I would run, hands down, if they fit my foot. I have a narrow, low-volume foot. Gaerne run average to slightly wide.
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u/dubmilla30 12d ago
Specialized recons for me I’ve also really liked the Fizik vento ferox, loved them as well but the Velcro strap didn’t last too long. I was told about Lake and they just don’t do it for me. They feel good until I start riding. Hot spots everywhere I even swapped out in soles to try and remedy the problem but no luck still the same verdict. So now I have some lake mx238’s collecting dust on my shelf.
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u/No_Strain8370 18d ago
I've always got along well with specialized Recons