Hiker bike footwear - lakes

Flats - whatever 5:10s I happen to own at the time.
clips, nowt too racy.  My Shimano AM9s were perfectly adequate when I did 4 passes + Red Pike earlier this year.

The consensus seemed to be Vaude Moabs a while back, but they have their own downsides.

Feels odd to be in terrain I'd wear boots to hike, but with a bike extra and just in trainers.

Salomon X-Ultra. Work perfectly on and off the bike. Love them. The waterproofing can be a curse if you dunk your feet in a river but that's more of a problem on multi-day rides.

I just wear my least stiff SPD shoes... So currently Fox Union or Rekon 2s. No ultra stiff stuff... Nightmare to walk in!

Previously these

Now these

I do more hike a bike than most and really like Shimano MT7s for use with SPDs. They have an aggressive tread on the sole, designed for gripping the ground as well as a pedal (unlike, for example, Shimano AM9s or any 5:10s). They've got a goretex liner which doesn't help stuff coming over the top but does really help if you're hiking through bog or wet grass. They have a BOA closure which stays tight, unlike laces. And they're light and comfy.

https://bikepacking.com/gear/shimano-mt7-review/

Still running a pair of Shimano MT91s. They are years old and Shimano are now on the second replacement version, the EX9. It is weird but I use walking shoes when hillwalking and scrambling but actual boots for hike a bike. Go figure. I like the high cuff and the fact my feet stay dry through moss and bog. They are supremely comfortable to walk in. They are my all round mountain shoe of choice. If it is properly foul or I am going into deep snow, I run them with ankle gaiters and 7 Mesh Thurnderpants. I totted up the Wainwrights I have ridden hike a bike style since December 2022 and am up to 163 so I reckon I have probably experienced pretty much everything that the Lakes can offer conditions wise in that time. When my MT91s give up the ghost, I will immediately replace them with whatever the latest Shimano version is.

The downside is the laces do come loose every ride but it is not really an issue for me. I really cannot fault them. They are as near to perfect as any bit of kit I have ever used.

With Salomon X Ultra’s, I can wear through them in a matter of months. Usually the upper goes first on them. Now moved to La Sportiva with much better results.

Hope this helps?

Cheers

Sanny

When my MT91s give up the ghost, I will immediately replace them with whatever the latest Shimano version is.

Even though I've bought the XM9's mine are showing no signs of giving up. Must have had them 15+ years(?), albeit they far from get used all the time

When my MT91s give up the ghost, I will immediately replace them with whatever the latest Shimano version is.

+1 I've had them all, mt90/91 & xm9 series, wearing them year round, I find the sole become too flexible (spd's become hot spots) and replace them. Seem little point in recommending them, when they are no longer available, and I've moved onto the EX09. THe Ex09 seem pretty good replacement but I've yet to use them in anger (I'm currently broken), so am unsure about how the sole (non-vibram) will hold up in the mud.

Thanks everyone, plenty to consider there. It does seem to open up the lakes alot more  if you're prepared to chuck your bike on your back from time to time.

We are usually there in early Feb and March and have never really considered hiking with a bike if it's too mild for snow and ice.

Adidas / fiveten trailcross + waterproof socks for 11 months of the year.

For the past few years I’ve been using shimano me7, but now they’ve been discontinued I have no idea what to replace them with.

I'm looking for something like this too. I bought some Lake MX146 which on paper, seemed perfect but they fell apart in a matter of months with minimal use so I'm giving up on them.

Must haves for me,

• Aggressive tread and grippy sole.
• Membrane based waterproofing.
• High ankle.
• Chunky enough to be protective.

Out of everything I've found so far, the front runner looks like the new Shimano EX9 but that's about the only thing available (that I've found) that seems to fit the bill.

I'm considering trying to learn to ride flats again so I can just wear hiking boots. Then there a million options to suit any budget.

I wonder whether stuff like the XM9s didn't sell well enough and that's why they're no longer made? It seems to me that there's a gap in the market for a proper mountain boot for mountain biking.

Maybe it's too niche these days because everyone is too busy schralping berms to spend time in actual mountains?

I wonder whether stuff like the XM9s didn’t sell well enough and that’s why they’re no longer made?

I've only recently acquired mine - Ridewill in the EU. I prefer the look to the new model

Limited sizes though and I still have my FedEx bill to pay

Yeah, I remember you saying in another thread that you'd got some recently. If I was certain on the size I'd need, I'd get some too but the whole customs/duty/vat thing is off putting and then the through of having to do it all in reverse if I need to send them back just puts me off entirely!

I tried some MW5s last year and they didn't feel like a great fit. Slightly too long and narrow to be able to size up or down. Size up and they'd be way too long and size down, they'd have been too narrow. I know the XMs are a totally different show but if they size up like the MWs, I'm not sure how well we'd get on.

Out of interest, what are FedEx charging?

Out of interest, what are FedEx charging?

Without the bill in front of me, I think the total is something like £56

MT91's are still going strong though not used so much now I mainly ride flats. Still surprise people that they're clip in.
Trailcross GTX was a revelation for winter riding. Just been through their third winter and I might get one more out of them.