I want my mountain bike shoes like I want my ski boots; stiff and tight. When I’m cruising down singletrack on banked turns, I like my feet to feel locked down and immobile. And if I’m cranking up a steep, rocky hill, then any slippage inside my shoes which takes away even a sliver of power, becomes a source of irritation.
Unfortunately, the Shimano MT32 mountain bike shoes embody all of the above. Yes, they have stiff midsoles with reinforced toes and standard removable sole plates for SPD cleats, but the upper parts of the shoes are where they fail. Cheap-feeling construction with synthetic leather and standard laces seem to be the culprits that rob these shoes of any performance when it matters.
Shimano markets the MT32s as “mountain biking shoes,” and they did perform well on cruiser flats and mellow ascents. In the city streets the shoes were top-notch and comfortable. But when off-road biking got hairy on the trail, these shoes wanted to curl up and hide.
Overall, the Shimano MT32 shoes are probably fine as “sport” shoes and will do the job for anyone looking for commuter or cruiser shoes. The soles are great for walking and rubber tread outsoles provide plenty of traction when off the bike. They also feature a shoelace keeper to keep laces away from the chain. But mountain bikers who like to explore anywhere beyond easy urban trails, a shoe that is stiffer and more solid than the Shimano MT32 may be needed.
Purchase the Shimano MT32 mountain bike shoes here.
For more information, visit the Shimano MT32 webpage at the Shimano website.
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