When we are going to ride a bike regularly, it is advisable to buy special shoes. Cycling shoes have to meet a requirement: they have to have cleats to hook them to the pedal and allow us to pedal more efficiently. On the other hand, not all of them are the same and, depending on the type of cycling, we will need some characteristics or others. In this article we will talk about the MTB shoes, some that have to allow us to pedal comfortably, but also to walk safely in mud or a ground that will be more uneven than asphalt.
Best MTB shoe brands
Spiuk
Spiuk is a brand that has specialized in accessories for cycling. They are a very interesting brand for their value for money, and in its catalog we find garments and accessories with good design and durable without having to make a large outlay. Among its sports garments there is more variety in terms of quality and price, but in MTB shoes, like those of the rest of the cycling type, what we find is something more of a medium to high range.
Shimano
Shimano is a very popular brand in the cycling world, partly because, less bikes, it offers everything. It is common that, while we are reading the components of a bike, whatever its specialty, there are some from Shimano, such as the change or brake systems. In fact, MTB cleats carry your brand, and the ones that don't are often based on them.
That they manufacture and sell all kinds of cycling items also means that they manufacture and sell pedals and shoes for cycling, and both Shimano MTB pedals and shoes. they are good quality, let's choose the model we choose.
Scott
Scott is a Swiss-based company that has been specialized in the manufacture and sale of bikes for any type of cycling. Together with Specialized, it is one of the brands that is most seen in the mountains around the world, and this is so because of the quality of its products. They are not the cheapest on the market, but it is one of the options chosen by those looking for something of advanced quality, especially when looking for some carbon and, for the mountain, bikes with front and rear suspension.
Although they are specialized in bikes, by extension they also manufacture and sell other items, such as jerseys and culottes, parts and shoes for MTB and any other type of cycling, all with the best quality.
Luck
Luck Cycling Shoes, better known as simply Luck, is a company that has specialized in the manufacture and sale of cycling shoes, but stands out mainly for its MTB shoes. They stand out for selling the best quality shoes, but also because offer the possibility of personalizing them with any drawing. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that the design of Luck shoes is usually more casual than those of other brands, which looks good, especially in MTB shoes.
Sidi
Sidi is an Italian company that has specialized in the manufacture and sale of articles related to cycling and motorcycling. In its catalog we find mainly footwear, such as boots for two-wheeled motorized vehicles or MTB shoes or any other type of cycling that has very good value for money.
Mavic
Mavic is a French-based company that has specialized in the manufacture and sale of bike parts. Its name comes from Manufacture d'Articles Vélocipédiques Idoux et Chanel, which means Factory of Velocipédicos Articles Idoux and Chanel. His specialty, or what is most popular, is for being one of the world's leading wheel manufacturers, so much so that many professional cyclists choose Mavic wheels.
In your catalog also we can find other items, such as brakes, bearings, fenders, bottom brackets, cyclocomputers, chains, stems, or others to put ourselves as MTB shoes or for any other type of cycling.
Specialized
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Almost everything we have said about Scott we can say about Specialized, although the latter was created 18 years later in the United States. They have the honor of being the first to make a large-scale mountain bike, something they did in 1981. Shortly after they launched very aggressive marketing campaigns, which made them gain popularity and money, which in turn drove them to continue to improve as a brand.
Specialized also creates all kinds of bicycle accessoriesAmong which we have sportswear, pieces and some MTB shoes and any other type of cycling with a quality that only a brand like this can offer.
What should you look for when choosing MTB shoes
Closing
Like walking shoes, MTB shoes have to be able to close to adjust at our feet. There are three types of closure, to which a third and a fourth are added depending on the quality of the shoes. We can find sneakers with these closures:
- Laces. Lace-up shoes are very common, but they may not be the best option because they can be untied. For this reason, there must be something on the instep to fix the excess cord once tied.
- Velcro. There are shoes with velcro that are very comfortable, but, depending on the quality of it, they can stop closing well sooner rather than later.
- Laces + velcro. In theory, the velcro added to the laces makes it fit better.
- Ratchet closure. This is a better option. There is usually a pair of velcro straps, and at least a third that is on top with the tightening / closing system. This system is a strap that we can tighten or release by pulling a ring or pressing a button, something we can do even on the bike.
- Boa. This system has a nylon cord that is tightened or released with wheels. They are very comfortable and quick to adjust, and they are durable.
Sole
As we are going to detail more in the following points, there are different types of sole in MTB shoes. What interests us is to see the studs, the pattern it has, if there is the possibility of exchanging the studs and the material of the sole itself, and we must choose the shoe that best suits our needs. At both ends we have the soft ones that are almost like those of a running shoe and those that have the sole made of a hard plastic material with some interchangeable studs.
On the other hand, if we want to save some money and can see the shoes physically, it does not hurt to see if it is well sealed or not. All will have the holes / slides to adjust the cleat, but that should be the only point that remains open. What's more, it is worth including a sticker that covers that hole from the inside, which will make it difficult for water to enter.
Interchangeable cleats
There are MTB shoes that also have interchangeable cleats. These are usually on the front of the foot, almost on the toe, and, like soccer shoes, they are designed to sink well into certain types of terrain and give us grip. The shoes with interchangeable studs are for cyclists who are going to move a lot through the mud, and that we can change them will ensure that we can always push comfortably and without slipping.
Sole stiffness
As we will also explain in the next point, not all MTB shoes are the same. There are softer ones with which to walk will be similar to doing it with normal shoes, while there are also harder ones with which it is less comfortable to walk, but they are a better option to move through mud. On the other hand, the stiffer a shoe is, as long as it is not of poor quality and we use one of our size, the more efficient the pedaling will be.
Sole material
MTB shoes can be of different designs and materials. There are some that are little less than sports shoes where we can mount the cleats and others whose sole is a hard plastic material with the most rigid studs. Choose one or the other material it will depend on the type of cycling what we are going to do, or more specifically how much and where we are going to put our foot down. For general use, or for cycling where we want to walk more comfortably, a pair of rubber-soled shoes is worth it. If we are going to put our foot on the ground a little or we want to rest it on mud, what interests us is one with the sole of hard plastic material and good studs.
Ventilation
Sneakers they can be more or less hermetic. If what we are interested in is going out more in summer than in winter, it is worth buying some MTB shoes with some ventilation. This will prevent the feet from getting hot and sweating more than necessary, which can be worse if we add some poor quality socks, since rubbing can hurt us. Without ventilation, when we get home and take off our socks we will see that they are soaked, something that is better to avoid.
Time of year to use
Like walking shoes, there are many types of MTB shoes. Yes we will go out throughout the year, It is worth buying something that is neither very sealed nor with much ventilation, since if it is hermetic we will be very hot in summer and if it allows air to pass we can get cold or get our feet wet when it rains. If we plan to go out more in winter, we should buy something well closed, and if we are going to go out more in summer, we are interested in something well ventilated. It is also important to mention that in winter, with humidity, the terrain can be more muddy, so we will also need a shoe that grips the mud well and does not slip a lot on the ground.
How to attach cleats to an MTB shoe
Attach cleats to an MTB shoe It is very simple, but the first time it will take a little longer due to inexperience. You have to follow these steps:
- We put on the shoe and adjust it as if we were already going out on a route.
- Now we have to mark the "height" at which we are going to place it. To do this, the most precise way is the one that will make us put the cleat between the joint of the big toe and that of the little finger, the ones that join the toe to the foot. So in this step we put painter's tape on both sides.
- We locate the joints by touching with the finger and make a line on the tape to mark the two points. We will have a line on the left side of the foot and another on the right, but they will not be at the same height.
- To find the point where we will place the cleat, the best way is to pass a rope between the point from one side to the other.
- We make a mark at the point where the line drawn by the rope and the center of the part of the sole where we will mount the cleat coincide.
- With that point already marked, we draw a line with the marker and mark the height on the blocks.
- We put the part inside, where the screws will be screwed. If the shoes include a protection sticker, we also put it on now.
- Now we put the cove. Here you have to be careful, since we have to put it straight and centered with the eye of a good cuber. The cleat must be at the same distance from the studs on both sides and straight.
- We put the piece that acts as a washer.
- We put the screws by hand.
- Now we take the allen key and we are tightening little by little. Be careful here too, as the cleat will dig into the sole. It is worth tightening each screw a little at a time.
- When we see that the cleat begins to set, we make sure that it is at the desired point and that it is straight.
- If everything is correct, we press very hard.
It seems important to mention that the key that we will use from step 10 has to be fine, that is to say, that it is not a little deteriorated to avoid breaking the screw. Otherwise, with the dirt and the passage of time, if we want to remove it it will cost us much more.
Where to buy cheap MTB shoes
Decathlon
Decathlon is a French store specialized in sporting goods. In its catalog we find practically everything related to sport, and everything with good value for money. It helps that much of what we find there are own brands, as is the case with Rockrider for mountain biking. MTB shoes are something that we can find in many and varied models, both the cheapest ones belonging to the company and other advanced quality brands. Of course, if they are so popular it is because the prices are competitive.
Amazon
In any list of recommended stores it has to be Amazon. It has to be there simply because they offer all kinds of items at a good price, that in addition to good guarantees and after-sales service. What do we find on Amazon? Personally I like to say that anything that can be sent, and it is a reality. If it can be shipped by courier, that item is in this store.
Me what I am fond of cycling, I have made a lot of purchases on Amazon. Among them, my bike computer, my pedals, the handlebar horns, the taillight and my MTB shoes.
El Corte Ingles
El Corte Inglés is a Spanish multinational very popular with department stores. Although in its stores we find many and varied articles, its strongest points are fashion and electronics. To be more specific, the first of the previous points covers everything that we wear, which includes sportswear and footwear. It is in these latter sections where we will find MTB shoes, and also others for road cycling or, why not say it, for running, playing football or skiing.
Mammoth
Personally, I think Mammoth is a reference in the world of bicycles for a reason that may surprise you. On the one hand, they have their physical and online stores where we will find everything we need to equip ourselves for cycling outdoors or indoors. But if I think they are a reference, it is also because they have a YouTube channel (from which we have taken the image above) where they explain everything we may need, such as how to put the cleats on a cycling shoe or even tips for learning to use them.
In your catalog we will find bikes, components, clothes or shoes, among which we will find the best and most expensive MTB brands or something more discreet. They also sell electronics related to cycling, and it does not matter how old we are, since among their offers there are items for children.
