SHIMANO’S LATEST FLAT pedal shoes look good on paper but seem to be missing a crucial ingredient when used out on the trails.
The Velcro lace cover and raised inner ankle tick some important boxes, and at 900g a pair (size 43) they’re not far off the benchmark Five Ten Impact VXis (804g, same size) in terms of both weight and the amount of padding. The Shimano shoes have the edge when it comes to cost though, coming in 37$ cheaper.
While the Vibram sole can be flexed easily enough by hand, we were surprised by just how stiff the shoes felt on the trail. The limited feel transmitted to our feet meant we struggled to feel where we were on the pedals. Coupled with the firmness of the plastic-like outsole, this ensured we never felt particularly connected to the bike, and even slipped off when riding on normally super-grippy Nukeproof Horizon Pro pedals.
The massive splash guard covering the laces and the AM7’s limited bulk mean they don’t let much water in, and what does get in isn’t absorbed by the shoe so they don’t get too heavy.
Although they’re comfy, the lack of feel and grip makes these hard for us to recommend
Price 135$