So my MTB shoes have been getting pretty ratty and have enough “extra” ventilation these days that I end up with more dirt on the inside of my shoes than I do on the outside of the outside of the shoes. I have found that I hold out on my shoes as long as possible just because it always seem to be such a painl to pick out a pair of shoes. I used to just use the SIDI Dominators as they would last me for several years. That was until I became more skilled in riding technical terrian and spent more time exploring “Back 40” type trails. Those same shoes that were light and comfortable started lasting less than a year. The toes and outer edges of the shoes were being shredded from brushes with rocks, brush and other chunk. With the price of those shoes I was not willing to spend that kind of money that often for them. So the search for a comfortable well working shoes that did not kill the bank was in order.
My awesome girlfriend sprung for the Happy Feet effort with a nice birthday gift certificate to BikeBling. The number of different shoes available was crazy and I spent at least an hour farting around with all the different model. I ended up with getting a pair that was felt really comfortable, had a nice stiff sole and looked like it would hold up well. The shoes is a bit on the flashy side for my taste but I predict it will dull down quite nicely once I get a good dirt patina on it. I was told that much like wearing a Spongbob Squarepants jersey, (i.e. photo above) if you are going to wear shoes like that you had better bring “IT” on the trail.
I’m also going to to try out one of boot protector products out there. Either KG’s Boot Guard or Tuff Toes. If I could spend about $20 extra bucks and get a year or two more out of the shoes that would pretty cool. That also means I could delay the whole process of getting the clipless pedal cleats all dialed it. Stay tuned for photos of loud jerseys and shoes in action.
