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When you pick up the Stamp Trail Boa for the first time, you're surprised: Wow, how light are these shoes? With their robust construction, the raised shaft with neoprene protection and the combination of Velcro fastener and Boa dial - the high-quality Li2 version is used here - the Crankbrothers look much more substantial. The neatly reinforced toe cap is joined by a seamless upper material that does without any ventilation slits and should also provide good protection against splashing water. For the sole material, Crankbrothers relies on its Match rubber, which should combine grip, durability and low rebound. The tread structure should offer a little more traction in the toe and heel area when running.
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Fit & handling
Visually, the new Stamp Trail Boa takes some getting used to. But once you have slipped into the shoe through the high neoprene shaft, any scepticism disappears. The Crankbrothers Stamp Trail sits comfortably and offers your feet very good support - especially at the heel. The combination of Boa and Velcro fasteners works well in practice and the shoe can be neatly adjusted to the foot - and also easily adjusted while riding. The toe area is not too wide, but offers enough space for most feet.
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Grip & stability on the pedal
It's hard to believe, but the Crankbrothers is the first shoe I've ever had the feeling of wearing: It's too light! Its thin sole can be completely twisted and pushed through in the hand. Even on the pedals, it doesn't give your feet much support, you can literally feel the pedal pushing through. Although the rubber is on the soft side, the pins have little grip, which is probably also due to the coarse and open profile. Both when pedalling and when descending, you have a lot of movement on the pedals with the Crankbrothers and don't feel very secure - although the high shaft and the solid toe area offer good protection in themselves, but could definitely be better padded. In technical passages, the foot wanders on the pedal, in comparison one of the shoes with the lowest grip level.
I really like the neoprene sock that protects the ankles. Overall, the Crankbrothers are very high quality and comfortable, but too soft and not grippy enough for my taste. The closed material makes it a little sweaty. - Laurin Lehner, BIKE test editor
Running with the Crankbrothers Stamp Trail Boa
If you then have to push, the picture is quite similar. The feet sit firmly and securely in the shoe, with no slipping at the heel. The seamless material also fits surprisingly snugly around the feet. But here too: Every little stone, every root pushes through the thin sole. This is annoying and tiring in the long run. The Stamp Trail Boa also has little to offer in terms of ventilation. The front is completely closed, only the tongue allows some air into the shoe.
Crankbrothers Stamp Trail Boa - Info & Price
- Weight¹ (size 46): 776 g
- Sizes: 35-49 / 37.5-46.5 half sizes
- Equipment: Boa Li2; Velcro; toe/ankle protection; seamless upper; Cordura fabric
- Fit: medium width throughout; normal length; true to size
- Price: 200 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
Evaluation & conclusion
With its seamless, robust upper material and the Boa-Li2 fastener, the Stamp has a sophisticated look and can be finely adjusted to the foot. A TPU cap and the raised shaft protect the toes and ankles on rough terrain. This is offset by the very soft sole, which flexes with every step on the pedal, while stones and roots push through when running. Because the rubber offers neither a lot of grip nor cushioning, the Stamp wanders on the pedals in rough terrain - even the coarser profile doesn't help much. For our taste, the shoe is too light and therefore not stable enough.
Stefan Frey
Editor
