Cross Country racing is one of the most physically demanding disciplines in all of cycling, with rider and bike flirting the limits of low weight and huge power on technically demanding courses. Footwear must follow suit, so the best will combine class-leading stiffness, low weight, comfortable fit and a durable finish.
- Dropper post vs fixed post. Which is faster for XC racing?
- Cross-country shoe showdown: Specialized S-Works XC vs Sidi Drako
There’s a wide variety of options available for those wanting to pin on a number, so we’ve picked five of the best, plus a buyers guide to help you know what to look out for when purchasing your XC kicks.
So what do I need to look out for?
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Fit
No matter how light/stiff/shiny/fluoro your new shoes are, if they don’t fit correctly, you could find yourself in a whole load of bother; think hot spots, blisters, painful arches and worse.
Everyone’s foot is different, so always try on before you buy. In our test, every shoe had a different style of width, last shape, toe box and heel retention capability when riding, so what may suit one rider, won’t suit another.
Basics to look out for are to make sure your toes have some wiggle room and aren’t being crushed in the end of the shoe. Your heel must sit securely in the shoe and not lift when riding or putting down the power. Finally there should be no hot spots or seams digging in your feet when the shoes are tightened up. Your local bike shop will be able to help with correct sizing, so that’s the number one place to start.
Retention system
Sole
Protection
Weight
Ventilation
Specialized S-Works
Giro Empire VR90
Shimano SH-XC90
Sidi Drako
Mavic Crossmax SL Ultimate
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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