The Radavist

When we posted the new Stomp Lox Trail Worm shoes Kickstarter last month, there was some confusion about the term, ‘barefoot shoe.’ Well, Ronnie is here to break it all down for ya!

Ronnie Romance‘s shoes of choice, Stomplox, just announced an all-new model on Kickstarter called the Trail Worm. Unlike traditional sneakers, barefoot shoes have very thin soles that are so flexible they can be rolled up by hand and a zero-heel-drop design that lets you experience the trails as if you were barefoot.

Sound wild? Check out more at the Trail Worm Kickstarter.

Crankbrothers new Candy Lace clipless shoes ($159) are tuned for all-day rides with a minimalist synthetic upper, vibration-absorbing EVA insole. The  Match System optimizes engagement for Crankbrothers clipless pedals, while the extended 35mm cleat track retains compatibility with other common clipless pedals. Check out more at Crankbrothers.

Over the past few years, the fashion and outdoor recreation industry have influenced cycling footwear greatly and we’re here for it! Fizik‘s new Tempo Beat “casual road” shoes feature an SPD cleat/pedal interface and is designed for every rider and every road. While the sole isn’t designed for lengthy hike-a-bikes on chunky roads, they look perfect for casual gravel pedals. Check out more at Fizik.

Inspired by the wind-swept sand dunes of dry and arid regions, the Crankbrothers Mallet and Stamp shoes received a desert tan washed upper with dune lines overlaid in a glossy print. These shoes are available in limited supply via your local shop or Crankbrothers direct.

Ride Concepts took everything it loves about the Tallac and beefed it up in a robust mid-top silhouette, resulting in the Tallac Mid shoe…

The Tallac Mid has tech, more protection, and more support. Designed for all day rides, hard MTB tours, trail work, and everything in between.

The PerformFit™ Wrap from the BOA® Fit System is designed to improve power transfer and efficiency while providing a micro-adjustable, precision fit you can adjust on the fly. A mid-height collar seamlessly integrates 3D-molded D3O® protection on the medial and lateral sides to provide extra support and keep your ankles safe from side-impacts.

There’s also an integrated D3O® padding for top-of-foot for impact protection. Featuring the same trusted reverse-hex outsole as the low-rise version—grip on and off the bike is second to none. The Cordura® upper with welded construction is abrasion-resistant and built to last, one epic ride after another.

Like its low-top predecessor, this shoe is designed for big days in big terrain. The Tallac Mid is an aggressive shoe with protection and stability at its core. Available in a flat pedal or clipless sole.

Features (Flat)

• PerformFit™ Wrap from the BOA® Fit System delivers dialed in performance with micro-adjustable precision fit
• Integrated D3O® pads for top-of-foot protection
• 3D-molded D3O® collar protects ankles from side impacts
• MaxGrip rubber outsole
• Hexagon outsole featuring reverse hex traction pattern on toe and heel for hike-able climbs and descents
• EVA midsole provides support and shock absorption
• Fully gusseted tongue prohibits intake of dirt and debris
• D3O® High Impact Zone Technology insole absorbs impact and reduces fatigue
• Lightweight bonded upper featuring Cordura® mesh for durability and breathability
• Anti-bacterial mesh lining controls odor
• TPU mud guard to protect against dirt, debris and rubbing
• TPU toe and heel protection with reinforced anti-abrasion film
• Heel pull tab for easy entry
• Weights: 440g (per shoe – size US9/EU42)

Features (Clipless)

• PerformFit™ Wrap from the BOA® Fit System delivers dialed in performance with micro-adjustable precision fit
• Integrated D3O® pads for top-of-foot protection
• 3D-molded D3O® collar protects ankles from side impacts
• ClipGrip rubber outsole
• Hexagon outsole featuring reverse hex traction pattern on toe and heel for hike-able climbs and descents
• EVA midsole provides support and shock absorption
• Fully gusseted tongue prohibits intake of dirt and debris
• D3O® High Impact Zone Technology insole absorbs impact and reduces fatigue
• Lightweight bonded upper featuring Cordura® mesh for durability and breathability
• Anti-bacterial mesh lining controls odor
• TPU mud guard to protect against dirt, debris and rubbing
• TPU toe and heel protection with reinforced anti-abrasion film
• Heel pull tab for easy entry
• Weights: 530g (per shoe – size US9/EU42)

See more at Ride Concepts.

Wow! It’s already almost Summer. On a particularly cool and wet morning in Santa Fe, John wrapped up his Summer 2024 Product Picks list, showcasing ten items he’s been enjoying in everyday life and on big backcountry rides this year…

The all new Crank Candy Lace shoe ($159.99) is designed for off-road cyclists, featuring a stiff, fiber-reinforced nylon shank for optimal power transfer.

The only shoes John reviewed last year, the Fox Racing Union Boa Clipless, just got a few makeover option as a flat pedal. The Union Boa Flat ($224.95) is identical to the clipless model but comes in a grippy flat sole for flat pedals. After heavy use, John’s still a fan of these shoes. Check out more at Fox Racing.

The Vento Proxy ($249.99), Fizik’s newest racing shoe, is now available in coral/purple, white, and black colorway options–it has been developed for competitive riders seeking race-ready features and optimal power transfer on unpaved roads.

Last week, we posted about the new Crankbrothers Stamp Flat and Mallet Clipless Trail Boa shoes and this week, the pedal and shoe manufacturer announced the all new Stamp Flat ($149.99) and Mallet Clipless ($169.99) shoes in a lace-up configuration. These shoes, like their Boa siblings, feature a reworked, moderately flexible mid-sole, a new, versatile Match tread pattern, and our high-friction MC2 rubber compound combine to provide optimal grip on and off the bike. Both shoes are set to ship March 15th from your local Crankbrothers dealers.

Check out Josh’s review of the Mallet BOA shoes here: First Look: Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Pedals with Mallet BOA Shoes

Crankbrothers’ new Stamp trail shoes for flat pedals ($199.99) and Mallet trail shoes for clipless pedals ($219.99) landed today with a BOA® closure, mid-length rip-stop upper, TPU-reinforced toe box for enhanced protection and a flexible collar around the ankle to prevent debris from entering the shoe. In addition, a moderately flexible midsole, a new, versatile Match tread pattern, and our high-friction MC2 rubber compound combine to provide optimal grip on and off the bike.

Check out more at Crankbrothers.

Danish cycling brand Pas Normal Studios and Fizik, the Italian brand known for their innovative performance cycling shoes and saddles, have just announced a dirt-oriented collaboration: a new colorway for Fizik’s Ferox Carbon shoe.

Adidas’ Velosamba clipless shoes made a splash a few years back when they were announced. The shoes lots of cyclists had asked for were finally here! New for 2024, Adidas just announced the COLD.RDY Velosambas ($170). These not only feature a reflective outsole for those dark commutes, but also an insulated upper to keep your feet warmer.

Made with a series of recycled materials, this upper features at least 50% recycled content. This product represents just one of our solutions to help end plastic waste. See more at Adidas.

Spencer takes us on a walk and a pedal with a well-used review of Specialized’s Recon ADV shoes. The pursuit of a clip-in and lace-up shoe without all the other newfangled doodads led him to the Recon ADVs. It’s a simple shoe packed with plenty of technology nonetheless.

Over the past few years, Fox Racing has undergone a rebrand, and we’ve taken note of the new footwear in particular. Earlier this year, Fox unveiled the crème de la crème of MTB footwear with the Union BOA Clipless Shoes ($249.95). John’s been gettin’ these shoes dusty on the trails in Santa Fe and has some thoughts to share in a review below…

Named for the Lalashan Mountain Range in Northern Taiwan, Quoc‘s new Spring footwear capsule builds on their classic Grand Tourer series while introducing two new additions to the product line. Josh Weinberg and Hailey Moore have already logged some miles in the new models and offer first ride reviews of the UK-based designer-adjacent brand’s new Gran Tourer XC, Escape Off-Road, and the Lala Slide.

Launched today, the Mallet Trail pedals from Crankbrothers are the brand’s most recent entry into the clipless trail pedal category. Situated between the XC/gravel-oriented Candy pedals and their enduro offering, the Mallet E, the Mallet Trail features a lightweight yet substantial platform and boasts features that make it super versatile for a range of disciplines. Josh has been using a pair, along with the Mallet BOA shoe, for a couple of months and provides an overview along with some initial thoughts below…