Current bikepacking shoe options?

[zuren]

I've been doing a bit of research on footwear needs around bikepacking.  For the Colorado Trail, it sounds like one should plan for a lot of "hike-a-bike".  So what are people currently using?  

I have a pair of Specialized mtn race shoes that work great most of the time.  However, a recent trip to Moab proved they are down right dangerous when hiking on rock; almost no traction!  For any future trips, I want something better suited to stepping off and walking/hiking yet able to clip in to my Eggbeaters.

Any experience with these shoes?:

Mavic Scree - http://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Mavic/Mavic-Scree-Mountain-Bike-Shoe-2013.axd
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Enduro - http://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Pearl-Izumi/Pearl-Izumi-X-Alp-Enduro-III-Shoe.axd

Or is the best option to use platform pedals or Powergrips with a standard hiking shoe?

Thanks!  

[AZTtripper]

I just got a pair of the Enduro III's and I really like them. Running shoe comfort in a riding shoe. They have great traction, but I am not walking on slick rock.

[Buttermilk]

I run the PI X-Alp (the one you linked to) with Candies. Great shoe. I end up doing some HAB on almost every ride i do and these shoes are up to anything I throw their way. Techy step-up moves on granite to long sandy slogs. Wore them on the CTR last year without complaint. Just ordered another pair for this year.

[Couloirman]

Do you run platform pedals? If so, forget the MTB specific shoes. I just use some aggressive trail running shoes with relatively stiff sole, some rubber protection on the sides, and a reasonably flat tread. I tried those PI X-Alps and despised them for both hiking, and biking. The most important thing (IMHO) is to get a half size larger than you normally wear. My feet swelled up a lot within the first two days last year (when I sadly had to bail due to mechanical issues) and my big toe was numb for months afterwards.

[zuren]

Do you run platform pedals? If so, forget the MTB specific shoes. I just use some aggressive trail running shoes with relatively stiff sole, some rubber protection on the sides, and a reasonably flat tread. I tried those PI X-Alps and despised them for both hiking, and biking. The most important thing (IMHO) is to get a half size larger than you normally wear. My feet swelled up a lot within the first two days last year (when I sadly had to bail due to mechanical issues) and my big toe was numb for months afterwards.

No, I mentioned above that I use Crank Brother EggBeaters.  After years of using platform, I can't imagine going back to them again.

slhappy - Do you feel the Candy is a good combination with those shoes?  I've read that the more comfy the shoe is for walking, the worse it is for biking due to lack of stiffness.  I was wondering if the Candy platform helps that.

Thanks!

[tahic]

Check out the Specialized Rime SPD shoe with vibram soles ..I like them a lot for bikepacking as they provide good stiffness and are also comfy to HAB in.

[Slim]

I like my Specialized Rimes a lot. They have fairly good stiffness. My friend loved his X-alps(not sure which model) on the Colorado trail.
The Candy's offer no support, so if you try them out with your bikepacking shoe and find you get pressure points, you could switch out for a pair of the Mallets. They have a large platform that provides a lot of support for pedaling. Additionally, if something were to happen to your cleat or the spring mechanism in the pedal, you can still ride well.

[Buttermilk]

hey zuren - yeah i like the Candy/X-Alp combo. I just wrapped up a 200 miler in Utah with plenty of HAB and I was reflecting in how much I like the shoe. Soft enough to take up the impacts of hiking over rugged, sharp terrain and stiff enough to be out of the saddle and climbing. Also comfy at camps and resupplys. I switched from the Eggbeater to the Candy and did notice a platform improvement, although other pedals might offer more. Another major plus is the ratchet closure. Comes in handy when your beat at night and just want to get the shoes off, no fusing with laces. And...I normally wear a size 45 but need to size up to a 46 with these. Hope that helps.

[HOser]

+1 for the Specialized Rime. 

I tried a pair of PI Trans Alps a while back, and they are great to walk in, but just too flexible to ride in for any length of time.  There was too much pressure on my foot at the cleat.  They've been relegated to commuting.

I tried the Rimes next and they are about as stiff as Sidi Dominators, so they are great for riding.  With the Vibram sole, you can walk in them pretty well; but not as well as the TransAlps, the Rimes are stiff enough I get a little heel rub.

My conclusion is that, short of carrying two pairs of shoes, there is no perfect solution.  You have to compromise somewhere in the stiffness vs. walkability equation.

[bartspedden]

+1 for X-Alp with either the candy or the egg beaters - I used the candy's for years and decided to give the egg beaters a shot. I was concerned that I would feel more of the spindle on the beaters, but it never happened. I recently used the X-Alp/egg beater combo on a 24 hour race without any issues. For me, the benefit of the egg beater is mud clearance since I don't notice any comfort differences between the two pedals using the X-Alp.

[csm]

I was holding off for a pair of the PI x-projects but it seems they are just teasing us with those. 


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[MikeB]

It's hard to talk to people and say, "I am looking for a bicycling shoe that is good for walking in." Lots of strange looks.
I did a lot of looking around and ended up with the Mavic Rush.
They have a nice rubber sole, the cleats are a bit "recessed" so you don't have much metal on rock contact, and they're ventilated so they are cool and dry fast. I think that they will be great for the CTR.

[legendontour]

I rode the PI x-alp pros for the TDR this year.  Lots of walking and they rocked.  I tried some of the rimes bt had two issues - firstly the boa closure is a liability.  My mate who rode them for the TDR crashed and ripped it off the day before the race.  Hard to replace and he ended up with a ski strap around his foot for the race.  Second I found they pinched me across the top of the foot.  The PI's have awful footbeds, so expect to replace that immediately.  The pros are still available in limited sizes in various sites on the web but otherwise the enduros are fairly close specs.

[drwelby]

There's also the Lake MX-100, which seems to be a bit stiffer in the toes than the Pearl Izumis, but still has a nice, walkable vibram sole. The older versions were lower cut and sportier, newer versions are a bit more like a low-cut hiking boot.

[jaken]

I picked up a pair of the X-Alp's last week at REI for an upcoming Colorado Trail tour.  REI currently has them on sale, which sealed the deal for me.

Running them with XT's.

http://www.rei.com/product/828574/pearl-izumi-x-alp-enduro-iii-mountain-bike-shoes-mens

[macr237]

Has anyone tried the shoes from shimano?
I am considering these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/shimano-mt71-mtb-spd-shoes-2014/rp-prod55381, but thoughts on the older versions would be good.
I know all shoes are a compromise, but besides cycling and walking, I would like the shoes to look like a pair of hiking shoes, not cycling shoes, so I can wear them out and about when I hit a town.

Macr

[Area54]

I'll be running some M088 shoes for the kiwi this year, these shoes are available in a wide boot which suits me perfectly. I'm very happy with them, great to walk in with a well shaped outsole, but do look more like an mtb shoe.

I tried some Mavic Alpines, wasn't happy with them.

I've also got some Lake MX100, great looking touring style shoe, bit narrow, so had to upsize a bit to get the width right, which then makes it a longish shoe. Pretty happy with them as an all round shoe, but yeah that long shoe issue makes a difference on steep HAB sections.

[kiwidave]

Has anyone tried the shoes from shimano?
I am considering these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/shimano-mt71-mtb-spd-shoes-2014/rp-prod55381, but thoughts on the older versions would be good.
I know all shoes are a compromise, but besides cycling and walking, I would like the shoes to look like a pair of hiking shoes, not cycling shoes, so I can wear them out and about when I hit a town.

Macr

I've been using the MT91 (boot version) for 3 years doing in the Alps and they are very comfortable biking and hiking with no grip issues on rocks. I'm also looking at getting the MT71 shoe due to it's lighter weight (and better cooling in warm climates). Size it +1 as I ride a 40 in my Specialized (MTB and road) and a 41 in the MT91.

[pedalad]

+1 for platform pedals.

I wear La Sportiva Boulder X approach shoes. They are comfortable, good to hike in and stiff enough for long days in the saddle.

Also bring a pair of Teva Churn water shoes for river crossings, camp and as another option to have out there. I don't like the idea of having only 1 pair of shoes and these are light and pack down easily.

[macr237]

I ended up buying a pair of Shimano SH-MT91 Mountain touring boots. I chose these, as I could ride, walk and step out in them, which means I have one boot to pretty much do it all.
I found that this is a very comfortable boot to ride and walk in, but have noted one major issue with these boots. They are Gore-Tex lined. Awesome if you step in a puddle, mind blowingly fucked if you step in deeper than a puddle (e.g. A creek crossing for example) or your are caught out in the rain.

Why are they mind blowingly fucked you ask, well once water runs down your leg in the rain or comes in the boot when the water is deeper than you expect, it stays in there. For days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep once wet it takes numerous days to dry them out. Can anyone say foot rot!

So what are my options? I could make/buy some ankle gaiters, or I could look for a better boot. Now if they just made a boot, that you can wear out/ride/walk in, that was quick draining/drying, then I may be on a winner.