Gloves, helmets, jerseys, socks, trousers and protectors - Fox Racing had everything a mountain biker needed, always with the fox as a huge logo somewhere. But apart from armour-like motocross boots, there were no shoes for mountain biking from the Americans? From now on, that's different, because Fox is launching a stylish low shoe for 2023: the Fox Union. Whether this has anything to do with the company's takeover of Vista Outdoor in July 2022 is uncertain. Incidentally, Vista Outdoor is a US holding company that also includes the helmet and shoe manufacturer Giro.
The Fox Union MTB shoes were co-developed by athletes such as Greg Minnaar and Nina Hoffmann
According to Fox, it took more than two years to design and develop its first MTB shoes - halfway through the project, everything was thrown overboard after professional and amateur racers gave feedback. Input was mainly provided by Fox athletes such as Greg Minnaar, Laurie Greenland, Jackson Goldstone, Nina Hoffmann and Steve Peat. The result is three models of the Fox Union: two MTB shoes for clipless pedals and one for flat pedals. Each model will be available in four different colours - black, grey, mocha and red.
According to the manufacturer, all Fox Union mountain bike shoes have a welded upper construction. A moulded toe cap and a reinforced toe box provide additional protection against stone chips. The Ultratac outsole is designed to provide grip both on flat pedals and when pushing.
The Union and Union Boa models for clickers also have a lightweight fibreglass nylon upper for efficient pedalling. The MTB shoe is also equipped with a flat Velcro fastener to improve fit and comfort. The Union Boa is equipped with the Dual Boa Li2 twist lock - with all the advantages that the system offers in terms of adjustability and adaptation to the foot.
The Union Flat is closed with laces and the outsole has hexagonal studs for better grip on platform pedals and hike-a-bike trails.
And if they have already been involved in the development of the new Fox MTB shoe Union, then Greg Minnaar and the Santa Cruz Syndicate Team, Neko Mulally, Niels Bensink, Mark Scott and other Fox athletes can compete in the Union shoes this year. From now on, we can too. The price is ok for the two models with "normal" lacing. When it comes to the Boa system, Fox - who is surprised when they belong to the same group - is on a par with the current MTB shoes from Giro. In comparison to the current Fizik Terra for example or the Suplest TrailFox demands a little more.
Details on the Fox Union mountain bike shoes
Sizes:
Fox sells the Union in unisex sizes with a range of 37-47 EU (5.5-13 US men / 6.5-14.5 US women). Half sizes are available between 41 and 46. For the two clipless models, the Americans include two pairs of insoles for the arch height in the shoe box in order to better customise the fit.
Prices:
- Union Flat: 149.99 euros
- Union: 169.99 euros
- Union BOA: 239.99 euros
Marc Strucken
Editor
