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I know it's been done before and done to death but each time they change the shoes, the question comes up again.
The Impact Pro (IP) is currently cheaper than the Freerider Pro (FP) by about £30. Both have the same fit and feel. The IP is a thicker and heavier shoe but offers better protection. The tread on the sole of the IP is deeper which might not grip as well because the pins might not reach the bottom of the tread effectively.
The FP is narrower on the sole and looks like it would miss 3 of the pins on my pedals. However, the slightly more flexible sole might wrap around the pedal for better traction and the tread is shallower so the pins get the the base material better.
IP has fewer holes across the toe so might resist puddles better.
Outgoing shoe is an Impact VXi and typically used for day rides around the Peak.
I went freerider and have recently developed a knack for catching my toes on the ground while riding. I wish I got the impacts
I think you’ve summed up the differences but
The tread on the sole of the IP is deeper which might not grip as well
I’d say it grips as well but being thicker you can’t feel the pedal through it so much and the FP already has less feel than the plain old Freerider.
I've got both. IP is heavier, grippier and harder wearing.
FP is more flexible which allows you to wrap your foot around and feel the pedal more.
They're both excellent shoes, but just subtley different.
Grip on the IP is more than adequate and I went for them instead of the FP because of the extra rigidity in the sole as I found my previous standard freeriders gave me foot ache on steeper terrain. I reckon the FP would dry quicker than the eternity it takes for me IP to dry.
I have gone off the FP this year as I too find my feet fatigue with the thinner sole.
Thanks all, seems there's a bit more love forthe Impact Pro which is not what I was expecting.
I own the FPs and have ridden in a friend's IPs for a day.
I'd get the IPs if they were both the same price, let alone cheaper. But both are excellent.
But I have numerous pairs of riding shoes on the go at any time. I'd use the IPs for full enduro-ing and the FPs and/or other shoes for trail riding.
No experience with the Impact Pros, but been on a pair of Impact Sam Hills and have nothing but praise for them. Riding 2/3 times per week and they're in great shape, plenty of life left.
I really appreciate the stiffness and burly construction, not only on the bike but also if you are walking around really rough trails they're way better than more flimsy shoes.
The rubber outsole is much thicker than on the FP, and lasts much longer. My mate is on a pair of FP for an year, riding much less often than me and they are further down the road compared to my Impacts