I've had my ME7 shoes for 3 or 4 years - over the last 9 months they feel as though they have widened (suspect just my feet have 'slimmed' a bit now I'm walking with shoes on more rather than the lockdown bare feet padding about the house). They have been great shoes, but wondering what is similar but with less of the neoprene cuff and perhaps less 'airy' toe box section.
They have been comfy and reliable but in the summer, the airy toe box has been great to keep my feet cool, but the neoprene cuff makes my ankles sweat; in the winter, the toe box 'sucks' cold water in and chills my feet.
So as the sole has almost worn smooth, I thinking I should be looking at new shoes to purchase in the next month or so. I'm being lazy and not spending time nosing around myself and looking for some suggestions.
I'm not wanting/needing a race SPD shoes as with y poor ability on a bike, I do hike-a-bike and walking with the bike more than I used to do when I was fit! The ME7 worked very well for this type of usage, but after the amount of time I've had them, I'm thinking I could probably get a slightly more appropriate shoes with a few tweaks.
Thanks.
Just get the new me7s. Everything else is trash for hab.
I was similar with ME7s but since found the Giro Chamber 2 better in every way except perhaps the hike a bike bit. I have an ebike though so don't much of that. The Giro has a very slim fit which suits me perfectly. I also read that the newer ME7 is slightly wider
I really like Shimano's neoprene cuff thingy, for keeping gravel, mud and twigs out of the shoes.
ME7 still the best trail shoe out there, IMO... Leatt's are good, endura's ok, but for all-round use, and plenty of hike a bike, the ME7 trumps all of them I reckon. the neorpene sock is one of their best features - is a sweaty ankle, of all things, a real concern?!
M089's for the summer (although discontinued) and MW7's for most of the year as it's usually wet and muddy - only good if running clipless though.
ME7 still the best trail shoe out there, IMO
Closely followed by M089.
The sweaty ankle isn't a massive issue, but I do seem to have a few periods of a week (3 or 4 times a year) where I get a real itch/rash and it seems to follow a particularly warm/sweaty ride (doesn't seem to matter how quickly I get my feet washed and fresh socks on (suspect there is something ingrained in the neoprene cuff that aids the itch)..so as much as the neoprene cuff is very useful, it isn't entirely trouble-free, but I'd be more than happy to keep it.
The sieve-like toe box during winter is more of a concern...waterproof socks keep my feet dry but as the shoes then fill with cold water, they don't stay warm for very long.
I'll get to a shop and try some new ME7 shoes, if they have been made slightly wider then they won't fit my feet anyway.
Buy some winter shoes and keep your ME7s for everything else.
The newer ME7 s are narrower. I couldn’t wear them whereas the older ones fit well.
ME7 for summer, MW5 for winter.
Trying to buy one pair of shoes to do it all inevitably ends up in compromise.
Just found some old Northwave winter boots that I forgot I had (must be about 12 years old!) - will need to drill the old cleats out as they are stuck solid and appear to be multi-release and I'm not skilled enough to ride those!
MW7 with thick socks in winter and thin socks in spring and autumn until the puddles go or it gets properly warm. They and the MW5 are brilliant for UK riding.
