First Degree Seeker: First Ride - how the hike & bike MTB shoe performs in practice

The Austrians now have a number of flat pedal shoes in their programme. Their latest addition: the Seeker. Special: The flat shoe not only wants to cut a fine figure on the bike, but also as a hiking shoe. So much for the idea. The Seeker is available in two colours: Cream Purple (photo) and Dark Matter. Price: 139.95 euros >> available here.

Bike & Hike. How is that supposed to work?

The new Seeker is designed to work equally well on the bike and on foot - without compromising on performance. The idea behind it is simple - one shoe for everything, from pedalling to hiking trails.

A reinforced TPU heel cage promises additional stability on uneven terrain. This should also make the Seeker compatible for hiking excursions.

At the heart of the Seeker, however, is the newly developed Venom sole with integrated Power Link System - which is designed to boost comfort on the pedals. In addition, the Hypergrip outsole is designed to interlock with the pins of the pedals.

A good MTB flat shoe must fulfil 5 key requirements:

Comfort: It must sit comfortably even on rides lasting several hours without causing pressure points or blisters. The sole must be stiff enough to prevent the foot from "bending around the pedals" and causing cramps on long descents.

Grip: The sole needs maximum grip on the flat pedal - even in wet conditions and on technical terrain.

Protection & robustness: Reinforced toe protection, sturdy side walls and abrasion-resistant materials are essential to protect feet from stones, roots and falls.

Ventilation: Nobody wants sweaty feet, so the shoe should be well ventilated and still be able to withstand a shower or a wet descent without letting moisture inside.

Durability: High-quality workmanship and hard-wearing materials ensure that the shoe continues to function reliably even after many kilometres.

Enough rhubarb - the First Degree Seeker in practice

We've been trying out the shoe for the last three weeks - on the way to work on the bike, on the trails, in the bike park, on the way to the supermarket and on a short 600 metre hike - because that's where it wants to shine.

Comfort: Check! The shoe sits comfortably on the foot, can be easily fastened with the laces and the midsole is stiff enough to relieve the foot even on longer descents. In the park, I didn't notice any disadvantages compared to other models in this weight class. Even in a direct comparison with the robust Fox Union, the Seeker cut a good figure. My foot didn't actually tire any faster here.

Grip: The sole builds up enough grip. Are there any soles with better grip**? But the Seeker is perfectly adequate. I rode the shoe in combination with the new Sixpack pedals and the Shimano Deore XT.

Protection & robustness: In contrast to models such as the Fox Union, the Seeker has no pronounced toe protection and the heel protection is also discreet.

Ventilation: I'm probably more critical here than most (my feet start sweating early on). In my opinion, the ventilation is - as with most MTB shoes - rather mediocre.

Durability: No reliable judgement can be made after just a few weeks of use. The colour is still surprisingly bright even after riding in the rain. The soft foam in the midsole has already taken a few knocks from stones and sticks.

As a hiking shoe: In fact, the Seeker is also well suited for longer walks. The front sole area is flexible enough to climb steeper hiking trails. Check!

Conclusion on the First Degree Seeker

I like the Seeker! The look is somehow fresh, the comfort is great and the sole also has grip. At 825 grams, the pair is light enough. In fact, First Degree doesn't promise too much when they say that the shoe is also suitable for hiking. I like to use the shoe for trail rides and easy park laps - if it gets rougher, I prefer to use another shoe with more toe and heel protection (protects against stones etc.). The ventilation is only average. - Laurin Lehner, BIKE editor