Life In The Saddle

It is that time of year when your cycling shoes begin to pong. Over the summer months, a build-up of sweat, dirt and body oils creates the ideal environment for bacteria to breed in; then, with the constant damp of winter, your cycling shoes may never fully dry out—letting the bacteria multiply and emit unpleasant odours. Smelly cycling shoes are not uncommon, even in almost new footwear. I have taken new pairs of shoes on month-long touring trips and been on the verge of throwing them away at the finish because the stench is too bad. Bacteria build-up in shoes not only causes smells; if you leave your cycling shoes dirty, bacteria will lead to the decomposition of the materials and stitching, especially in synthetic and natural leathers. Removing bacteria will therefore reduce the chance of the fabrics rotting and extend the life of your footwear. The good news is that I have found a solution to cure smelly cycling shoes; as well as a means to keep them fresh forever more… Nikwax S...

Giro cycling shoes have been my choice for most of my long distance bikepacking tours; from my 2016 #CoastsandCols tour, to my 2018  #CelticCrossTrail  adventure. I began with the Giro Privateer MTB shoes and later upgraded to the Giro Code Techlace ; this latter pair of shoes has been in daily service on my gravel and mountain bikes since the Celtic CrossTrail adventure… With time (and many miles), the Giro Code Techlace shoes began to show their age, so last month I introduced the new Giro Sector MTB/Gravel shoes to my kit store. This is my review… Giro off-road cycling shoes have always been incredibly comfortable for me; with a secure and stable footbed, highly adjustable lacing systems, and wide roomy toe-box. Add in their exceptional durability, impressive power-transfer soles, and robust and grippy tread patterns, and they are a fantastic choice for all terrain long distance cycling as well as fast-paced racing. The Giro Sector shoes are towards the upper end of ...

The fi'zi:k Terra Ergolace X2 is a rugged and adaptable mountain biking shoe, with a traditional lacing system and semi-flexible lugged sole; giving it a more casual look and feel, and offering the versatility to also use the shoe as a casual off-bike shoe. The Terra Ergolace X2 is happy tackling any terrain—both on and off the bike, thanks to the versatile fabrics and sole tread pattern. I have been utilising this shoe mainly for running everyday errands and shopping trips rather than on the slopes of a mountain; but in this domain as well, the Terra Ergolace X2 excels… Ergolace Technology The fi'zi:k Ergolace technology refers to the unique way the shoe's uppers and lacing system combine together to provide maximum support for the foot.  The upper of the Terra X2 is made from hardwearing ripstop woven fabrics, and has an asymmetric traditional lacing system. The flexible fabric and lacing system allows you to adjust the volume within the shoe and create a cradle of ...

My first pair of full-carbon road cycling shoes came from Suplest—they were superb. The Swiss brand paused distribution to the UK for some time, but now they are back; with that, the Suplest Crosscountry Edge+ Pro Off-Road Cycling Shoes, featuring BOA's new IP1 closure system, flashed up on my radar as a strong candidate for the top spot in the gravel and off-road cycling shoe category. The Swiss always seem to make exceptional kit. It is a cliché—but it is true, in my opinion: Motorex —the best bicycle cleaners and lubes; Victorinox —the best knives in the world; SwissStop —the best brake pads in the world. The country prides itself on first-class workmanship, which shines through in the attention to detail in design, and in the faultless execution of their products. Suplest, is no exception… The new Suplest Crosscountry Edge+ Pro Off-Road Cycling Shoes take an innovative approach to fit and function—helped in no small part by great collaborations with BOA dials, Solestar in...

Giro have always been pioneers of interesting cycling shoe designs. Giro Empire road shoes rekindled a passion for lace-up cycling shoes, and now the Giro Code Techlace MTB shoes take things one step further; with a tri-closure system of laces, Velcro, and a BOA dial. These off-road shoes were my choice for the #CelticCrossTrail tour because of their superb comfort and performance. I have always liked Giro shoes. Look back on my previous long distance trans-continental tours, and you will spot that I wore Giro Privateer MTB Shoes for both the #CoastsandCols tour and the #7Countries7Passes . The Giro designs always seem to fit well, and most importantly they go the distance; providing comfort and durability. The new Giro Code Techlace MTB Shoes follow the trend. The Giro Code Techlace is a mountain biking evolution of the Giro Techlace shoe, which was launched by Giro in 2018. The Techlace concept uses laces attached to a Velcro tab for the two front closures on the shoe; this s...

When I reviewed the Chrome Industries Summoner Backpack earlier this year I was impressed by the quality, durability, and attention to detail in the Boulder brand's product — it has since become my go-to travel bag. With this in mind, their range of workboots also got me interested… could the Chrome Storm 415 Workboot be the ideal waterproof and comfortable casual boot for cycling errands and adventures? This is my review… Chrome Industries were the pioneers behind the original sling bike messenger bag. More than 20 years ago in the city of Boulder – Colorado the brand created the now famous bag out of seatbelt buckles and straps, five-bar webbing, and double-lined bombproof interiors. Their strapline now reads 'Building Indestructible Gear Since 1995' — a claim that they reliably hold true to. Work boots need to be indestructible, and the Chrome Workboots were designed for the factory workers in the Chrome headquarters; demanding constant daily use, for those often...

This year fi'zi:k completely redesigned their shoe range, with fresh ideas in both road and mountain bike lines. The fi'zi:k X5 Terra Mountain Bike Shoe might be at the lower end of the price and specification spectrum within the brand's range, but it is a well built and comfortable mountain biking shoe. New Lasts The first big change for all the fi'zi:k shoes was a change in the soles / lasts. The brand brought new technology to their design process, which looks at shaping the carbon sole of the shoe to match more closely with the contours of the foot; so providing more support and ultimately comfort for the entire length of the foot. The change is notable. I owned fi'zi:k shoes from the previous age, and they felt flat and shapeless in the footbed by comparison. This newer design feels more encompassing and more supportive. It is a solid base, even with the relatively small contact point of many mountain bike pedals. New Closures Going hand in hand wi...

In the depths of winter, and particularly for mountain biking and cyclocross, a pair of dedicated winter cycling boots really are a worthwhile investment. The Vaude Minaki Mid CPX Winter Cycling Boots are the best that I have tested to date. Overshoes will only take you so far, in terms of protection in the winter months. Thick neoprene helps to keep out the spray and wind, and the latest zip-less designs do seal around your ankles effectively. However, if you are dismounting and running through mud and snow, or if you are riding in extreme cold, then the fully integrated approach of a winter cycling boot is the ultimate solution. A winter cycling boot is a sealed unit: there are no gaps or vents for water to seep in, like it can on summer cycling shoes with overshoes. There are also no open lace systems, which turn into a nightmare when saturated in mud and water. Last winter, I rode in the Vaude Termatic RC II Winter Boots . They performed impeccably, both on the daily commute...

Vaude cycling kit is genuinely unique. As a company, the German brand has a heritage of producing top level outdoor apparel, with innovative fabrics and a focus on sustainable production. Their cycling kit extends this ethos into the two-wheeled world, and the winter jackets and shoes that I have tested to date have certainly been exceptional. The Vaude Exire Pro RC Mountain Bike Shoes are the top tier race shoes from Vaude , and have some interesting features that set them apart from the norm. Power transfer and race level quality The Exire is designed to be a cross country mountain bike race shoe; with a stiff sole and a fit that holds the foot firmly in place, to maximise power transfer. The sole is made from high density composite, whilst the uppers are a PU coated polyester with a ratchet strap and two Velcro closure straps. The low stretch upper, the stiff sole, and the secure closing system, mean that your foot feels stable and secure inside the shoes. Additional ne...

The Vaude Yara TR Bike Shoes are the most non-bike shoe looking cycling shoes that I have owned to date, and that is why they are great. For a long time, I've worn a pair of mountain bike SPD shoes to ride into town, but then had to take some plimsoles or flipflops to walk around in off the bike. Mountain bike shoes shoes look (and sound) a bit clunky as you walk down supermarket aisles... The Vaude Yara TR Bike Shoes are a dedicated pair of cycling shoes, and they perform well on the bike. Yet, they look and feel more like a pair of walking trainers, which also makes them perfect for off the bike wear. I have been testing them out on my weekly shopping trips and commutes... On the bike The Yara TR shoes don't have to be used with clip-in pedals. Out of the box they have a rubber cover glued over the two-bolt SPD plate, so you could just use them like normal trainers. However, it is super easy to remove this cover, and to then bolt on some SPD cleats; these sit neatl...

Why bother investing in a pair of winter cycling boots? Couldn't you just pull a pair of overshoes over your summer cycling shoes, and probably be equally as warm and comfortable? If you're a road cyclist, then yes you probably could; especially if you choose a high-quality set of overshoes, like those from GripGrab . However, for mountain bikers and commuters, where walking off the bike is a more frequent affair; then, overshoes fall down. Walking around in overshoes is a bit like going for a hike in a fleecy pair of slippers. It's not comfortable, it's rather slippery, and both your feet and your footwear are not going to stay looking or feeling top-notch. While I always ride on the road in proper SPD SL road shoes, I've commuted in mountain bike shoes for as long as I can remember; they provide better grip off the bike, more protection on the bike, and have greater longevity. When the winter approaches though, you end up needing to try and keep the mud, win...

Cycling enthusiasts will often spend hundreds of pounds on their riding shoes; choosing shoes that provide the lightest weight, maximum stiffness and most secure fit, in a bid to maximise their performance. What many riders don't consider, is that much like running shoes, cycling shoes are not 'one-design-fits-all'. People's feet are notoriously personal features, with different widths, arches and volumes. The consequence of this, is that the structure and support that your shoes need to provide, should be tailored to the shape of your foot. Perhaps people don't realise it, but professional riders will rarely be wearing off-the-shelf shoes. Most pro riders will have custom lasts (foot-beds) created for them, in order to provide maximum support for the shape of their foot. In particular, it is important to tailor the shoe shape around the ball of the foot, the arch, and on the heel; supporting the foot on the areas that move most when you push down on the pedal...

I bought a pair of these last summer, after the Diadora mountain bike shoes that I bought when I first started mountain biking in 2007 eventually gave up the ghost. I have a nice pair of Specialized Pro shoes that I bought for the Island Games, but I didn't want to be using an expensive pair of shoes for commuting and touring, so these seemed like a good option at around £45. When they arrived I'll admit I was a little disappointed by the initial looks; I'm not sure what I was expecting, but they're not exactly as 'Essex' as my shiny white Specialized Pros (I bought the black ones). However they have proven very practical and a good buy: The velcro closure and fairly roomy fit means that you can use them in any weather; for example with thicker winter socks or SealSkinz. The outer material is a synthetic leather, which has proven very waterproof and dries fairly quickly, almost negating the need for overshoes if you use waterproof socks. The rubber...