So the situation is, I’ve ridden my current sixsixone Attacks for 4 years now (Like my moneys worth!).

I’ve tried flats and although they’re alright from time to time I’m all about SPD’s!

So what next? Any recommendations for my typical trail center riding?

I absolutely love the look of the new Shimano SH M200’s but they’re out of my price range.

M162’s?
XC50N
OR
AM45’s???

Anything else I’m missing for consideration?

New 2FO coming soon from specialized looks good.

New 2FO coming soon from specialized looks good.

That they do but they also look rather holey, Not great for our wet climate?!

AM45’s are brilliant shoes, but I’ve heard nothing but praise for the Giro SPD shoes…

I have come from Shimano MP66 stormtrooper boots and onto some ‘proper’ SPD shoes (Spesh BG Comp). Frankly, I can’t see why I bothered with the heavy, water-absorbent, flexible Shimano shoes for such a long time. The spesh shoes are better in every way (unless you count the stormtrooper look as a plus, I don’t particularly) – stiff, light, better fit, more hardwearing, better grip for walking in mud.

I heard the Shimano AM45’s were a massive improvement on the older MP66’s?

Can anyone clarify this? I read somewhere that AM45 were pretty water resistant?

I have the XC50Ns. Despite the current weather, their waterproofness will come in handy when it’s floodmageddon time again.

I have or rather had the XC50N shoes, worked well but a year of off road commuting ruined them. The outer shell basically peeled off. Riding mate had the same happen to his. Probably ok if you don’t wear them twice everyday.

Mavic Alpine XL? I wanted something a bit tougher than normal xc shoes and these are perfect. Good stiff sole for pedalling, very comfy for walking and decent protection.

Unless buying trainer-style Shimano shoes, don’t bother with any of their other ones – they drop to bits in no time!

I’ve just bought some of these, but not used them yet – heard good reports though. £47 from fleabay

[url=https://flic.kr/p/ovey69]Untitled[/url] by davetheblade, on Flickr

If I was going for a more ‘traditional’ shoe, I’d probably have got these…