I love those shoes. I use them for bike tours in the spring/fall season, due to their comfort. I also have the Gore-Tex mid-height version, but I never liked mid. For me, it’s either low shoes like these, or a real boot.

One star taken off because the buckle could be easier to use when your fingers are stuck in thick gloves.

I bought these shoes a few weeks before the AZT 300 to break them in. They are a great, lightweight hike-a-bike shoe. I agree that the buckle could use some tweaking, I find them hard to take off after a long day in the saddle. On the last day of the race, I rode/hiked in them for 14 hours w/o any problems. Some of the trails before Picketpost are pretty darn steep, and these shoes have some descent traction. I will post more on how long they last in the Arizona rocky environment.

I’ve got a pair of these – and can’t wear them for more than 2 hour rides. The sole feels weak when used on my SS, leading to a big hot spot right over the cleat. Off the bike they are great as far as cycling shoes go. 2 stars.

I got a pair in the same shop and the same day as Dave above. I thought I would use them only for rides where there was a lot of hike-a-biking on tap. I love them and wear them for every ride now. I wore them for a 7 day bike-packing trip and they feel like slippers. They are plenty stiff in the sole for me even outta the saddle cranking on my SS but then I don’t generate much power and weigh less than most bikepackers ( ’bout #110). They are awesome for hike-a-biking. The last time I wore my Sidis I fell over cause I forgot how pathetic they were at hike-a-biking. I’ll be buying another pair when these ones wear out – which might not be long… I have about 7 months of solid wear in them and they are starting to break down in the heels and have some holes in the uppers at the cuff area from crank rub. The soles are bomber.

just to add a bit…there’s a lace up pair that has the same sole and works just as well. If you are at a shop and they don’t the buckle kind, just get the lace ups…plenty of adjustment, great sole for walking, and stiff enough that you don’t feel the pedals that much or waste energy in your spin. i used em for a few days on the CT and plenty of hike a bike trips in Pisgah…i wouldn’t (and don’t) wear them every time, partially because of the issues Dave mentioned, and partially because the lace up ones have a really meshy outer, and i don’t wanna tear it up, that being said, you’ll get plenty of trips out of them, and they’re great if you anticipate a lot of walking.

It’s true… These aren’t the stiffest shoes around. The new “Pro” version of the shoes, with the carbon plate, should be much better. I have challenges with these shoes on rides longer than 30 miles or so due to hot spots above the cleat area. I love ’em for hike-a-bikes and commuting, but not so much for actual riding…

I got the newer version and love them also. I ride them 24/7..bikepacking, commuting, local trail riding, bars on bikes, etc.

I tend to wear out the shoes every 6-8 months; I am on my 4th pair (old and new versions)

I ride this same shoe, but I am currently looking at getting new pedals. I want something that has a flat side and a clip on the other for deversity. Any suggestions??? I haven’t done my first bikepacking ride yet, but I got my Fargo back in April and am planning on some long CT rides.

I have had 2 pairs of these and I think they are great if you have to dismount frequently or if the trail is slick. I have had Sidi’s in the past and they have a far stiffer sole, but that does not translate to a better hiker. I have worn them for 2 seperate 100 mile bike races (Creampuff and High Cascades 100) and they were flawless; I’d give ’em 5/5 stars (and no, I don’t work for Pearl Izumi). My first pair started to delaminate between the sole and the midsole, I brought this to the attention of the local P.I. outlet and I walked out with a new pair. And yes, the buckle could be better and they run a bit wide/volumnious.

Sizing is smaller than you expect. Manufacturer mentions: “Please use the vendor size chart to determine the EU to US size conversion. Please be aware that there may be some inconsistencies in the US sizing conversion indicated in the shoe tongue label; the EU size is accurate, but the US conversion may not be.”

Earlier versions of Pearl Izumi breathable SPD mtb shoes like I-Beam were built of Sidi (Italia) quality, these are much cheaper construction, made in china, and the sizing is completely inaccurate. Rugged sole offers stability, but the shoe itself leaves much to be desired, a stiffer sole offers better protection.