I know what replaced it in the Shimano line-up; the GE9, but what are folks that used to use ME7 replacing them with?
For those of us with narrow feet, the ME7 was a god send, a brilliant mix of XC shoe with toe and heel protection and a bit of weatherproofing...It's been replaced in the line-up by the GE9 which has clown shoe proportions and looks - like every other MTB shoe currently; like a skate shoe. I don't want a skate shoe copy, I want a MTB boot, thanks.
So, I've yet to find an acceptable replacement for the Giro Terraduro, and now I have to replace my (very) worn out ME7's.
Suggestions?
Hate to say this but I replaced my beloved ME7s with... GE9. And they are really good 🤣
However, as you say, they are a bit chunky, so in truth I replaced my ME7s with GE9s when I'm on the big bike AND a pair of XC5 XC shoes with a Boa for the XC bike and gravel riding.
For those of us with narrow feet
You see that's weird. I've got a properly wide (G- fitting) forefoot and a high instep. The original ME7 were a great fit for me (but the 'kevlar' toe mesh ripped within weeks). The later ME7's I tried went back because they were a completely different fit.
Have shimano made some high volume shoes again? I wish they'd have some consistency from year to year.
If you have narrow feet, the XC3/5/7 should be fine. I have XC3's for summer commuting/gravel. Found that are a narrower fit than MW/RW winter boots and their older MTB (M089) shoes.
nah, I don't want shoes, I want a boot. I've got XC shoes. I want something that offers and bit of protection, and a bit of weatherproofing but that isn't a flat-soled skate shoe or a full on winter boot. The ME7 was a bit of a Goldilocks boot it seems.
Five Ten TrailCross Pro Clip-In worth a look? Probably too much flat-soled/non-weatherproof though.
https://singletrackworld.com/2023/06/adidas-five-ten-trailcross-pro-clip-in-review/
I'm dreading the day need to think about ME7 replacement - they're ideal for what I need. Bought a secondhand pair last year which I'm keeping for when my current in-use pair die. Just delaying the need for an alternative.
Yeah dismissed Trailcross for non-waterproofness. I don't need them to be water-tight - the ME7 aren't, but the flap across the speed lace deflects a surprising amount of water that it would otherwise soak up.
More difficult to replace than I genuinely thought it would be.
Endura burner? Waterproof too
Yeah dismissed Trailcross for non-waterproofness. I don't need them to be water-tight - the ME7 aren't, but the flap across the speed lace deflects a surprising amount of water that it would otherwise soak up.
We must be outliers as I'm surprised there's not more options similar to these with the laces flap and ankle collar etc. Can't be as in demand as I imagine! Pre-ME7 I used Mavic Alpine XLs which were even more water resistant than the ME7s (the toe but was more solid rather than mesh) - there's a used pair on eBay that look in good condition, but they're a UK5.5.
I genuinely didn't think it would be this difficult, y'know? The fact that I can't find a weatherproof ankle boot with an aggressive tread, that isn't a full on winter boot is really puzzling. I've looked at:-
Vaude, Giro, Ride Concept, Leatt, Lake, Pearl Izumi, Shimano, Fox, Crank Bros, Sidi, Fizik, Endura...There's nothing. Weird.
Anyone I've missed?
The fact that I can't find a weatherproof ankle boot with an aggressive tread, that isn't a full on winter boot is really puzzling. I've looked at:-
Fizik
I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for tbh - just seems that you don't want anything that isn't an ME7 😉
just seems that you don't want anything that isn't an ME7
At this point, I'd settle for anything that has anything near the features of it TBH.
I worry about the day that my ME7 wear out. I get the issue with most options these days that are very skate shoe inspired with a much flatter sole than the ME7. I find they just don't interact with pedals the way I want them to.
I went with the EX7 as an addition to my ME7. The Boa isn't terrible, but I do prefer the ratchet system. The EX7 ankle cuff is better at keeping stones and dirt out, though.
I went with the GE9's HS - apparantly slightly wider toe box with a not so slightly higher price. Frankly - underwhelmed for what i paid. They do the job, however the single boa and the crappy velcro fastner is not a patch on the ME7's ratchet which i could simply slide into and ratchet. Also, as has been said the "sock" on the GE9 is poop, it just folds striaght into your ankle.
Im also a wide fitting.
I still have some of the last MW7's for winter wear - these are good, however the new Shimano winter boots do look the danglies!
I’m sure Shimano have their reasons, but I reckon they’d sell an absolute truckload if they reintroduced the ME7.
I’ve replaced mine with some ride concepts Tallac boa. They’re good, but they’re not the same and given the choice I’d still be wearing ME7
@Sui is the cleat slot nice and long on the G9 HS? I know you say you're underwhelmed but they look like they tick a lot of boxes for me. Ta
@teethgrinder; what's the waterproofness on the EX7 like? I think I'm angling to this, but I'm not a massive fan of Goretex stuff that traps water inside
I don't know about the EX7 specifically but I'd guess it's like almost all other waterproof cycling shoes. If they've got a reasonably good ankle collar they're pretty good at dealing with mud and splashes and easy to hose down at the end of a ride. But if it's actually raining to any extent, or theres enough water on the ground that you've got constant spray, the big hole your leg goes into is an issue.@teethgrinder; what's the waterproofness on the EX7 like? I think I'm angling to this, but I'm not a massive fan of Goretex stuff that traps water inside
I'd say the EX7 are more splash-proof than full on waterproof like an MW7. Had rides in proper wet in the MW7 where it feels like there's more water inside the shoes than on the ground
You see that's weird. I've got a properly wide (G- fitting) forefoot and a high instep. The original ME7 were a great fit for me (but the 'kevlar' toe mesh ripped within weeks). The later ME7's I tried went back because they were a completely different fit.
Have shimano made some high volume shoes again? I wish they'd have some consistency from year to year.
Do we actually know if Shimano do two width options in all of their shoes?
I know when I looked at this before for the MW5 / MW7 there appear to be "wide" and "normal" variants of both. But shimano are so piss poor at communicating the differences that people end up making all sorts of assertions about width and fit having bought a specific Wide or Normal version but not actually knowing they've done so.