The amphicar was always just a lazy compromise. Yes, it could drive on land, and yes, it could also swim in water. However, it tilted through bends on its legs and could barely manage 120 km/h on the motorway. After five hours of swimming fun, the whole vehicle had to be re-lubricated, otherwise the Amphicar would swim straight towards its doom. We bikers also struggle with compromises: if you want to sprint over marathon courses with stiff soles, you can hardly stumble to the refreshment stand with them, let alone cross stone fields with a sure foot. In contrast, reasonably profiled touring pedals often have the energy efficiency of a slice of bread. The power dissipates in the soft sole before it even reaches the pedals.
But that could change now. Thanks to the enduro trend, manufacturers are designing models that combine the best of both worlds: stiff soles with a grippy, rubberised profile. Can this work? We asked the manufacturers for all-mountain and enduro models and received twelve specimens to test.
You can find these touring boots in the test:
- Bontrager Rhythm MTB (BIKE TIP: Price/performance)
- Five Ten Kestrel
- Gaerne G.Nemy
- Giro Terraduro (BIKE-TIP: Equipment)
- Lake MX145
- Mavic Crossmax
- Pearl Izumi X-Alp Enduro IV
- Scott A.T.R.
- Shimano SH-M200 (BIKE TIP: Test winner)
- Specialised Rime Expert
- Suplest X.1 Trail
- Vaude Taron Low AM
Innovations in touring shoes for mountain bikers
Most models have little in common with classic touring shoes. Laces are only tied on the Gaerne G.Nemy and the Vaude Taron. The other shoes are fastened with Velcro, a ratchet, a quick lacing system or the practical Boa twist fastener. In most cases, however, manufacturers combine at least two of these systems. Two Velcro fasteners plus Boa or ratchet fasteners are the best way to secure the foot in the shoe. However, the special Shimano fastener consisting of Quick-Lace, ratchet and Velcro strap also provides a good hold. If only a single Boa wheel is installed, as is the case with Five Ten and Scott, the pressure is not optimally distributed on the foot.
We fitted cleats and went to the test lab. There, the test shoes were clicked into a fixed pedal and loaded with a defined weight. We used the deflection of the sole to determine the stiffness. The result is astonishing: Five Ten and Specialized brace themselves like a dam wall against the pressing weight and achieve values that can certainly be compared with a good racing shoe. If you compare the values with the 2013 test, you might think you were pedalling with flip-flops back then. With the exception of Gaerne, Pearl Izumi and Scott, all models achieved stiffer values than the test shoes from two years ago. In order to check whether the increased stiffness is actually realisable in practice, we raced around Lake Garda. We quickly gained altitude with the stiff shoes, conserving our strength. Only with the three softer models mentioned above did we feel a little wobbly on the pedals and only put a little pressure on the cranks. Gaerne and Scott were finally able to score points on a rocky pushing section. The rubber of their Vibram soles bites into the rock like a predator into its prey. A total of five manufacturers enter into a grippy alliance with the Italian rubber specialist. However, rubber alone does not guarantee comfortable walking: with the Kestrel from Five Ten and Specialized's Rime, we walked uphill as if a board had been nailed to the soles of our feet. The soles are as stiff as a British butler. So the manufacturers have to design carefully.
And that brings us back to the subject of compromise: stiff where the power is transferred to the pedals and flexible where the shoe should roll when running. Giro and Shimano in particular have done their homework and designed soles that allow you to accelerate and still march comfortably over rough terrain. In the end, the realisation remains that a touring shoe will probably always be a compromise. But no longer a lazy one, like the Amphicar.
TOURING SHOES IN DETAIL
1. reinforced material on the toes and ankle protects the foot from contact with obstacles or the crank in technical terrain.
2. at the heel touring shoes should not be cut too flat, otherwise they will not provide sufficient support when walking. Be sure to try them out in the shop before buying!
3. ratchet and boa hold the foot securely in the shoe. On multi-day tours, however, classic lacing can be an advantage. You can get replacement laces almost anywhere.
4. for protection The sole should be pulled upwards at the toe box before contact with stones on sliding passages. This makes the shoe less sensitive and more durable.
5. comfort is important on long tours. Therefore, make sure there is enough space in the toe area and especially at the instep.
6. the sole should be as stiff as possible for good power transmission under the cleats. In the toe and heel area, however, the shoe must flex sufficiently for more running comfort.
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