Serfas Trax MTB Shoe

Regardless of your level of participation, a good pair of shoes will improve your mountain biking experience. They don’t even have to be expensive – the Serfas Trax carries a suggested retail price of $80, and provides a great combination of comfort and traction,  in a shoe that is equally at home on and off the bike. Since I already had two other pairs of shoes, both of which were a compromise, I requested a pair of the Trax to review, to see if they would live up to my expectations.

Comparing the sole of the Serfas Trax to some light hiker and trail runners, it’s easy to see where the majority of their weight comes from. The tread pattern is pretty familiar, but the lugs are taller, the channels between them deeper. This is necessary for the cleat recess, but also provides a ton of traction. Inside, there’s a soft footbed, and it’s well-finished throughout, with nothing to irritate, and no hot spots. All this is wrapped up in a mesh and synthetic upper that provides a good mix of ventilation and abrasion resistance. There’s also a bit of silvery reflective material, and white stitching provides a nice bit of contrast too.

I prefer a shoe with a wide toe box, and slipping them on, they did not disappoint. A combination of laces and a large velcro strap allow for a really good fit. Of course, there seemed to be more lace than necessary, but that’s easily fixed by cutting them down a bit, so they don’t snag on anything.  As far as pedaling efficiency goes, they strike a good balance between stiffness and walking comfort. Since I’m not much of a climber, I mostly appreciate the traction they provide. Whether pushing my bike up a steep section, or carrying it on my shoulder through technical bits too difficult to ride, I found the Serfas Trax kept me from slipping and sliding around. Our weather is definitely on the cooler side right now, but my feet still get plenty warm when cycling, and the Trax do a great job of staying cool. During the wet and snowy season I definitely prefer flats over clipless. These should do well then, and those deeps lugs should help on everything but ice.

If your group rides end with a stop at a Mexican restaurant (as they should), or you just don’t like switching out shoes for riding and driving to your post-ride meal, it’s hard to to beat the Serfas Trax. One of my other pairs of shoes are the clipless skate-style, which worked great for BMX racing, but have no traction off the bike, and are just too stiff for walking. The other ones are basically a road shoe, but with a hard, lugged sole for mountain biking. Too narrow for all day comfort, and miserable to walk in. That’s what I found so appealing about the Serfas Trax. It doesn’t scream “cycling shoe”, and feels more like a robust hiking shoe with a bit of extra stiffness for cycling. At its price point, this is a great beginner’s shoe, but serves advanced riders too. serfas.com

– Brian

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Serfas Trax MTB Shoe for free from Serfas, in consideration for review publication