SPD shoes or boots for trail riding – STW recommendations?

Looking for STW recommendations for new SPD shoes after THIS and THIS happened last night (not just the cleat but the whole cleat and metal cleat plate ripped out of the sole of the shoe – finishing a ride on your insole isn’t recommended).

They’ll be replacing these Mavic Alpine XLs which were ideal. I’m struggling to find much similar: taller ankle, ‘scree’ guard around ankle, decent splash resistance, good tread for hike-a-bike, NOT disco slippers:

Current shortlist:
Shimano ME702
Northwave Enduro Mid

What others am I missing? I’m struggling to locate the above in UK11/EU46 so looking to widen my search.

Thanks.

I’m not sure what the difference is between ME7 and ME702 but I really like my Shimano shoes that were the model before those – the M200. I’ve had them 6+ years in regular use and they’re holding up well so that’s what I’d try and find.

Rutland have size 46.
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/clothing/footwear/shoes/shimano-me7-spd-mtb-shoe-olive/BME702E46.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw06OTBhC_ARIsAAU1yOVqe5WXrNgd4QjE2bJ3gjvAllysbEiXldQ4fVi5IelyVTVtnBarVigaAiBHEALw_wcB

I’ve got a pair of ME7 and they’re good comfy all rounders. A bit too hot for the heights of summer and less waterproof than you’d hope they were. I bought to my size euro 44 (I’m a size 9 in most things) Lots of room for sealskins, with lighter socks on they’re loose – which I quite like, YMMV.  You can move the cleat around quite a bit if you want to push it back to a more neutral position and the tread’s pretty good for walking up steep stuff, the ankle cuff still lets stuff in, but is a god-send in winter with a pair of trousers.

I forget I’ve got them on, which is pretty much all the praise they need

ME702 here – super secure whilst riding but a bit of heel lift when hiking which no amount of tightening will solve. I’ve not had this problem with similar shoes from Northwave.

Thanks all. Good spot on the stock at Rutland @Superficial.

TBH I’m really looking for reasons NOT to buy the Shimano ME7/702s – I’m sure they’ll be a good choice, but I might be missing some choices I don’t know about. I’ve got MW7s for ‘winter’ use (still wearing them today…) for commuting which I find comfy so the ME7/702 should suit me.

I’ve since found the Vaude Downville Mids as an option too.

I really like my Shimano XM9 boots. They are much lighter than they look, have good protection, great grippy soles and are very comfortable. Mine have been up many Munro hike/bike routes and the best I can say is I never even noticed them.

They do come up a little small though – I’m usually a 43 but in Shimano world I’m a 44. CRC have them in stock in a 47.

I swear by Mavics boots they are extra hard wearing but always come up a size to small im a UK 12 but have to get the 12 2/3s that are a pig to find at the best of times . My deemax are 4 year old and still very very strong I wear them 5 days a week. My H2O demax were 4 years old when they died but they spent soo much time hike a biking in the Lakes its no wonder they jossed it.

I’ve got the ME702, I really like them and they’re a good all rounder. The only issue I had was I didn’t get on with the insole but a cheap (but more comfortable) replacement made all the difference

I had (actually still have ) the Alpine XL and they’ve been 9.5/10. Loved them, they were just slightly on the small side – great for summer with thin socks, a squeeze for thick socks BUT wide enough which is more important. Very comfy.

My ME7’s are 9/10, again down the fit. They feel slightly too big but that works well for thick socks. With thin socks I have to over-tighten the ratchet so it feels like they’re grabbing my ankle.

Neither are too lightweight or too heavyweight. I’ll wear the Alpine XLs in summer til they break and ME7’s in Autumn / winter with thick or waterproof socks.

I searched for a replacement pair of the Alpine XLs this morning but can only find them in a UK9 (Ciclisport, £80 for anyone with small feet). They were a near-perfect shoe for me.

I really like my Shimano XM9 boots. They are much lighter than they look, have good protection, great grippy soles and are very comfortable. Mine have been up many Munro hike/bike routes and the best I can say is I never even noticed them.

Good shout @boriselbrus. I’d looked previously at XM9s more as a winter option, but since I’m also needing new winter MTB boots I’ve just bid and won a pair on eBay! If they turn out to be too warm for all-round use I’ll get a pair of ME702s also probably.

Thanks all.

I’ve been in a similar situation for a year now. Mavic Alpine XLs were great shoes, but now all the seem to produce are footballer-esque disco slippers.

The Northwave Enduro mid is pretty good, but too porous for the wetter months. Presently I’m rolling with a set of Vaude Downeville AMs, which are sort of a split between the ME7 and the Alpine XL.

@Scienceofficer, it was an old post of yours that appeared in a search that put me onto the Vaude shoes. How do you find them sizing up compared to other shoes? I was EU46 in my Mavics, the same in Shimano SPD shoes and generally a UK11 in non-biking footwear.

Another vote for Shimano ME7. I was between sizes so went for the larger option (44 but I’m a 9) and just wear thicker wool socks. Only had them a few months so can’t comment on how hot they get…

I’ve previously had a few different Spesh 2FO versions and they’ve also been excellent. Didn’t like the new version hence the move away.

Very similar fit to the old Alpine XL, which IME was a similar to a very slightly wider shimano.

To be clear, I’ve not had any recent shimano shoes – they may have changed.

I’m basically running one EU size larger for width. They’re long enough already.

Enduro mid are good but the side mesh wears out really fast

+1 for Shimano ME7’S, replaced a pair of am9’s and the stiffer sole took a bit of getting used to but I prefer them now

Have a look at Lake shoes/boots – I have some winter ones and they are amazing…

Just ordered some of the ME7s from Rutland. They arw doing 10% off if you add Pedals too. I stuck a pair of cleats in with the shoes and it gave me 10% off the order which meant I got the cleats for 99p.

ME702 here – super secure whilst riding but a bit of heel lift when hiking which no amount of tightening will solve.

I really like the MW7 winter boots but like this poster found the ME7’s hopeless for hike a bike due to the heel lift. Plus the ‘indestructible’ kevlar toe mesh ripped on both feet during the first week of use on holiday (but they’ve changed that for some pleather in the latest version).

I’d confirm the opinions of the XM9s users above, I’ve used all of their boot series (previously MT90 & 91) over many years and love them, especially the added ankle protection. Even the middle of summer I’ll wear them, as there’s always a puddle to soak summer shoes. They work really well, and are tough as errr old boots. Though they aren’t as stiff as the ME07, as mentioned & so are easier to walk in, they also don’t have a stupid open holes (indestructible mesh?!?!) above the toe box (hence my under used ME07’s…).

they also don’t have a stupid open holes (indestructible mesh?!?!)

Kevlar mesh (which tore and kept no water out at all, but was very well vented)

later version