Why you need some proper MTB shoes.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

If you're reading this thinking "yeah right" then you'll be same as I was last month. (Stinkwheel I'm looking at you here )

I used to ride in some old Gravis shoes I've had knocking around for years. They were ok until the soles got chewed to hell by the pins in my DMR pedals.

In the meantime I picked up some Shimano MTB shoes in the sale. Still designed for flats as I prefer it for MTBing. Compared to by Gravis trainers they're so much stiffer on the soles, so less power lost with the sole flapping around. They also have the lovely flap over the laces to stop the mud and water getting in, which works well up to a point. That point is when you're trying to get across a flooded field in 18 inches of water.

https://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h267/Big_Ham/IMAG0700.jpg

The soles are lovely a grippy and shock absorbing with Shimano's vibram soles. Don't get me wrong, I've done loads of MTBing in crappy trainers and never had an issue aside from the odd slip and gouged shin here and there, but my first time in some proper MTB shoes was a revelation.


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[Ste]

SPD shoes & neoprene overshoes.

SPD's are awesome once you've got used to them, more control and more efficient pedalling.

If you're using DMR pedals then you should get the Terror Pins.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[stinkwheel]

TBH, I'm sold on the idea after my six mile walk on a stalkers path with two flat tyres in plimsoles resulting a fortnight of plantar fasciaitis.

I now wear a pair of Hi Tec 50 peaks hillwalking shoes. Grippy, solid, reasonably waterproof, inexpensive and also safe to get off and push/carry in with lots of grip. Grip is something the ones in the picture appear to be lacking.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Ste]

[The Tot]

SNAP

https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1/1891206_10152305248125712_1941472463_n.jpg

Oh, wait, no, mine are SPD's! For climbs, they are devastatingly effective! I've got DMR V8's on my hardtail and I notice the difference in effort when I had flats on the same bike!

I went clipless on the road bike, and decided that it MIGHT just work for the mountain bike! It turned out to be the best choice I made. Makes for easy bunnyhops, albeit with improper technique!

You won't get the finesse of positioning as you would with flats, but you also run less of a risk of your crank and pedals smashing your shins!

Each to their own, so it's all about personal preference. I might switch back to flats at some point to remind myself.
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[G]

I still haven't used SPDs off road, but do on road some times.
Haven't found it to be massively better really.

My mountain bike shoes are like these:
https://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/clothing/shoes/1259764082212-gog9gf2uosb1-399-75.jpg
So they've got decent grip at the bottom (which has got pretty chewed up with V12s), as well as bits to screw SPD cleats in to.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Clipless is for road bikes only.
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[Ste]

Clipless is for men with skillz.

They're easy once you get the hang of unclipping them and get enough confidence to stay clipped in for the extra control rather than unclipping due to the the possibility you might want/need to put a foot down.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Ste]

BMC Trailfox got sold.
Cannondale Scalpel Ultimate got sold.
Kona Caldera got sold.

At the moment I've not got a bike.

[Drew]

Strangely I have the same Shimano shoes, that I use on my Cyclocross bike

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Shimano FTW.
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[carlosthejack...]

[KLR600]

I have some Teva Links Mids and would recommend them to anyone who doesn't want to clip in. Great grip on pedals (V8's with normal pins), bit of anke support and also good for a bit of walking/trail building too.

I've tried clipping in a few times for XC stuff but never got on with it. Gently pushing over your mates on rides who are doing trackstands clipped in then watching the panic as they try to clip out in time is much fun though
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[Al]

I prefer being clipped in for XC, it took a little while getting used to and a while setting the pedals up. I have them set to release very easily, the slightest wiggle and you're free. It's really not a lot different to riding with flats apart from its easier to pedal and your foot can't slip.
I have Shimano M324 which are flats on one side and spd on the other for both my XC bike and hybrid bike.
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[drzsta]

I run superstar deltas with 5.10 Freerider vxi's, have no problem lifting the rear with them. Flats all the way.