Been using hightop skate shoes for a while, I really like the extra padding it gives against the cranks.

I looked at Five Tens a while back but thought they were a bit pricey, so stuck with some DCs for £20. Last night realised after only about 4 month use that the DCs soles were separating.

Had a look around online, and it now seems the only hightop Five Ten is the super clompy looking Impact 2.

So, anyone know any good hightop alternatives? I’m looking for winter pedal grip as highest priority.

Not as grippy as 5-10s but grippy enough and with a stiffer sole – which I like…

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sombrio-shazam-mid-top-shoes/rp-prod114746?gs=1&gclid=COWCyZzo9sgCFWnkwgodVwEKmw&gclsrc=aw.ds

only hightop Five Ten is

Incorrect!

Blue suede shoes, sir?

Shimano and Spesh shoes have a raised inner cuff that’s pretty good as crank protection.

I like Globe Superfly, been using them on and off for a while. They hold up quite well IMO. Can pick them up cheap if you shop round.

Blue suede shoes, sir?

I did see those, they are under the ‘Dirt’ category so wasn’t sure how suitable they’d be for mountain biking?

Those Sombrios Shazams looks pretty perfect, so do the Loams. Reviews all seem positive too.

Do you have to pay extra for the revolving bow tie?

I’ve got Dirtbags on right now. They’re not blue, but I wouldn’t ride my bike in them. Definitely not really what you’re after I suspect.

Actually, those Sombrios look really good, colour apart.

On the subject of repulsive footwear, I’m currently rocking my last stockpiled, dirt cheap pair of these:

MP90’s – ugliest yet best ever MTB shoes.
Sniff.
Perfect for the op too, raised ankle padding works well.

Kevin has been using Five Ten Line Kings for years, you may need to shop around to find them but he says they are first class.

Abigale has a pair of these

Shazamzs are pretty good – I prefer them to the clumpy 5:10s. Not in that **** colour though 😀

jonathan – why not?

Firstly why wouldn’t you, and secondly the OP has said he’s happy with skate style shoes, as long as they stay together. These do, and they’ve got a grippy sole to boot (eh?! 😀 )

I’ve had a few pairs of the low top versions as my only riding shoes for a few years. They get wet when it rains. But the mud brushes off them OK. Depending how you ride, the sole will likely be trashed before the suede.

Not much protection from flying rocks, but same goes for other shoes than these.

The Line King looks good for a high-top bootshoe as well. The top 2 anyway!

nedrapier – Member

… mother shoes

Good Freudian slit there

The Line King was what I was looking at earlier in the year. Seems they are discontinued now and impossible to find in my size.

Giro Jacket

LINK

I haven’t used them yet but they’re next on my hit list.

Depending on the colour they are still out there to be had, Kevin got his last pair, the brown ones, from America earlier this year and with the postage and exchange rate was very reasonable
All terrain Cycles were showing different versions of the Freerider hightops in black or maroon as well as the Line Kings when he was looking

Good Freudian slit there

Perfection.

jonathan – why not?

I guess they’d do the job, and the soles are definitely sticky, but I haven’t found them very robust and you get wet toes as soon as they sniff dewy grass.

Shimano AM41s have the ankle protection you’re after – it’s just on the inside rather than all round, so doesn’t protect your ankle in other ways (IMHO that sort of ankle protection is over-rated though). Shame Teva stopped making the Links – I have some of their hi-tops and they’re ace.

The old Shazam came in rather dapper black and white (with a mesh toe to guarantee maximum foot-wetness) and a kind of disgusting purpley grey, which has a pretty waterproof toe and so is a fantastic winter shoe. Not sure about these new ones, I love the colour though, because I’m tasteless.

Going to give these a go when they are available
http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/VAUDE-Bike-Shoe-in-Green-Shape/?type=2&from=2016-02-01&to=2016-08-01&fnc=productNews&isDetail=true

Is there not a new Adidas MTB shoe that’s high top IIRC?.

There are a few pairs of teva Links Mid on ebay, not many sizes though but worth a look as I really like mine.

Is there not a new Adidas MTB shoe that’s high top IIRC?.

I had a look at the Adidas Stealth soled shoes, but they all seemed like freerunning jobs rather than MTB.

Ordered the Shazams in the end. They look like they’re going to fit the bill nicely. Cheers for all the suggestions.

When my Links mid finally give out I’ll be interested too.

I’ve got some five ten impact lows and the sole is great but the rest of the shoe kind of sucks by comparison.

I’ve almost resigned to the idea that I want a shoe no one makes any more…

There are a few pairs of teva Links Mid on ebay, not many sizes though but worth a look as I really like mine.

TK Maxx were clearing them out for £30 or less, might be worth checking your local store if they have any in stock (I got mine online).

I got mine from TK Maxx, but that was quite a long time ago, though having small feet I’ve found a source online as a result of this thread, so thinking of getting I’ve just ordered another pair (well kind of, the ones I’ve found are half a size larger than what I have which are a tiny bit tight).

There are a few pairs of teva Links Mid on ebay, not many sizes though but worth a look as I really like mine.

If the sole is like the none-mid verisons, I wouldn’t touch them.

I bought some Links and they have to be the least grippy riding shoes I’ve ever had. The soles are too thick as well, so I can’t feel anything.

My Freeriders are loads better grip wise but soak up water like. I have some Giron shoes that seem to be good compromise.