Looking for some new XC shoes. The usual requirements – light, stiff, cheap. Current shoes are Suplest – only because I got them for quite cheap. They are also stiff, but not that light.

Anyway – I have fairly narrow feet, usually wear a 42 or 42.5 size-wise. What’s out there that people can recommend?

Specialized Comp MTB’s. Stiff, comfortable, Boa closure to adjust the tension easily whilst riding, good air flow, durable.

Narrow feet – then mavics. Same type of fit as salomons so if you have any salomon trainers then you should be fine in mavics.

Northwave Scorpious SRS are excellent and I think that Evans may have some dinky sizes left.

Lake MX331

Thanks for all the ideas. Those Lakes look nice, but definitely not cheap! I’ll look around for some Mavics, and the Northwaves are definitely in my budget.

Sidi are ok for narrow feet. Get the Drakos; light and stiff.

I’m going to be needing new xc shoes soon too – because my inside heels are falling apart due to the amount of heel scuffing i do.

Is anyone aware of any nice rigid xc shoes with a bit of protection on the inside heel to prevent them getting shredded?

Pearl Izumi X-Projects for me, I’ve got the 3.0, they are narrow and small sizes, I had to go to an 11 when I’m a 9.5….. Though I have quite wide feet, they are still a touch narrow to be really comfy for me but they are stiff where I need them enough flex for when I have to get off.

http://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/product/men-s-x-project-3-0/PZ15113010027400

Cheers, Steve

Anyone have experience with the Fizik shoes?

ferrals – Member
I’m going to be needing new xc shoes soon too – because my inside heels are falling apart due to the amount of heel scuffing i do.

Is anyone aware of any nice rigid xc shoes with a bit of protection on the inside heel to prevent them getting shredded?

I’d be more worried about your frame than your shoes, could always put gaffer tape on the heel cups.

I have narrow feet and just bought these after years with shimano and specialized, and I don’t know why I didn’t buy earlier brilliant

http://www.bikechaincafe.com/sidi-mtb-dominator-5-srs.html

Got Dragon 4s for my road bike. Very comfortable. More comfortable and better fit than the Shimano XC61s which I found too narrow but lighter and possibly stiffer.

+1 for the Northwave Scorpius SRS
Really are summer/race shoes, no good for wet/winter riding.

windyg – Member
+1 for the Northwave Scorpius SRS
Really are summer/race shoes, no good for wet/winter riding.

Great for racing cross though as they let all the water in and out again

Got both specialised sworks and bontranger xxx

The xxx are margianlly better. The grip is fantastic at shedding mud. Which helps if running in cx. Both super stiff. Bontranger easier to get on and a smidge wider.

Both are susceptible to scuffs around the heels.because the focus is on weight they don’t have protection from rocks etc when hiking/pushing. Probably get buggered and look terrible very quickly if your riding trails often. I race in my bontangers and use the specialised for training on the winter bike on the road