So my 8 YO Time MXE mtb shoe sole has unglued from the shoe itself and the shoe shop repair lasted just a few miles, so it’s ‘time’ for new shoes.

I’m a bit old school, I dont fancy BOA as if dirt gets in, it’s pretty crap, also if you break the cable, you have no B plan.

I don’t fancy buckles as walking over rocks there are chances it will open if you hit one, also, as soon as it’s worn or get mud/mud dirt it’s pretty crap.

I love old school velcros, simple, light, effective.

BUT, I can’t seem to find carbon soled shoes with velcros, even if it’s not carbon, just a very stiff sole.

Any suggestions for wide foot shoes with velcros?

http://www.bikechaincafe.com/quality-cycle-brands/sidi?art_type=5046

These have a good range of sidi’s at good prices

How about the Specialized Sports?

http://www.southdownsbikes.com/men-s-clothing/shoes/specialized-sport-mtb-shoe-2016

I’ve been using the Comp’s for a few years now which do have the Boa and I’ve never had a problem with it. I also use the Sport in road guise and they have been great.

I recently bought some Specialized Rime shoes, chosen because that’s all the LBS had which fitted. Velcro straps, so no problems with mud, and they’ve been good.

Been running S-Works XC for a couple of years now in all sorts of gloopy crap, including falling off in to, and filling shoes with, some nasty chalky clay.

Not even the slightest hint of a problem with the BOA. Hose ’em down, dry ’em out. Ride. Repeat.

IME as soon as they’re worn or get mud/mud dirt they’re pretty crap 😉

I recently bought some Lake MX175.
Really nice. Go one size up, I’m a 9.5/10, the 44 were a little tight, the 45’s are perfect for my duck feet.
http://www.saltdogcycling.com/lake-mx175-mountain-bike-shoes/

What about laces? I’d had a pair of Giro Empires for the best part of two years now and they still look pretty new if I can ever be arsed to clean them.
By far the most comfortable bike shoes I’ve ever had too.

http://www.giro.com/eu_en/empire-vr90-38.html/

I don’t fancy buckles as walking over rocks there are chances it will open if you hit one, also, as soon as it’s worn or get mud/mud dirt it’s pretty crap.

there are also chances that an ice block from a 747 could land on your head!!
Unless you are picking your feet through ankle deep rocks then your probably fine. I guess using velcro for 8 years has shielded you from modern technology 😉 Been running varients of these

and it’s the velcro that is the problem, just too long and lifts up when the crank clips it. Used to run the ratchet strapped Spec Shoes, the ratchet was replacable so it was servicable if it broke or wore out.

I have had Boas on my snowboard boots for years.

Still got the cable I bought with them in my spares pack.

It’s the way forward…

If you insist on Velcro, I’d try a pair of these –

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sport-mtb-shoe-EV195669

Both my 2FO’s and Comp MTB’s have BOA closures, no issues and have run both through winter.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve used all the systems (I used to test gear) so I was one of the first to use BOA when Lake (IIRC) was one of the few licensed to use them. Maybe it was the first version, but wasn’t sold on it, might give it a try again though.
I also used to ride in rocky terrain, and buckle ‘auto-open’ feature was quite annoying.
The laces option is also appealing.
Will have a look at all the options, thanks guys.

padkinson: does the point of the shoe flex a bit for walking or are they one continuous stiff sole from heel to toe? I like the look of the giros very much.
Are they suitable for ‘widish’ feet?