When you're biking your favorite trail, you might find that basic road pedals or road biking shoes just aren't up to par. Mud, dirt, grit and gravel from the trail can fly up and get lodged in your shoes or your pedals. That can not only make your ride uncomfortable, but may also cause your bike's performance to suffer. Protect yourself and your gear with shoes or pedals specifically designed for tackling trails.
Trail Shoes: Mavic Alpine XL
The Alpine shoes are Mavic's best trail-ready footwear, reports "Bicycling" magazine. The publication notes that the shoes are so comfortable that you won't mind wearing them all day, and also notes that they have enough padding to protect your feet on even the toughest trails --- or even when performing stunts. Additional features include rubber trail grip on the outsole, and a Velcro closure to keep your shoe laces from getting tangled on your ride.
Trail Shoes: FiveTen Impact 2 Low Sam Hill
FiveTen's shoes received a perfect five out of five stars from BikeRadar.com's editors. The website says they're so comfortable that you won't want to take them off when your trail ride is over, and also found its trail-tested rubber sole's grip to be "astonishing" in its performance. Additional features include protective cushioning, as well as improved flex in the bottom so you can get more sensitive feedback while pedaling.
Trail Shoes: DZR Ovis
In its 2010 gear guide, "Bicycling" says the one and only problem with these trail shoes is that they're stylish and you may be afraid of getting them dirty. The magazine loved the ability to switch out the bottom for a cleated sole, thus quickly converting the shoe from biking footwear to an everyday shoe that you can wear grocery shopping. Trail-friendly design features include a protective toe cap and a high-grip rubber sole.
Trail Pedals: Shimano XTR M980
"Bicycling" magazine praised Shimano's high-end, trail-focused pedals in part due to their cage's wraparound design. The magazine says this is especially helpful on very rough trails and helps to protect and shield the pedal's bindings from any impact-related damage. Additional features include a wider interface area, which helps improve pedaling performance on muddy trails, plus a lighter construction.
Trail Pedals: Time Carbon Atac
Attack your favorite trails with the Atac, which BikeRadar.com handed one of its highest ratings. The site's reviewing editor, who's also the editor of "What Mountain Bike" magazine, loved the ability to tune its sensor system, plus high-quality sealant that helps prevent blockage caused by dust, grit and other trail debris. "Overall," concluded the site, "this is a solid set of trail pedals."
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