[Closed] What are current SPD shoes of choice?

I'm a few rides in on my new Shimano ME7s and happy with them: comfy and no heel lift when walking. They're a bit over £100. I assume the cheaper ME5 model would be similar and is under £100 and has velcro and a BOA closure thing: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/apparel-accessories/shimano-series-lsg-2019/SH-ME501.html

the ME7's look good and only just out of budget. Are they easy to get on and off? I ask as the neoprene heel cup looks similar to that on my Shimano winter boots and they take a bit on manoeuvring to put on.

I also have a pair of Shimano MW7s and don’t find them the easiest to manoeuvre my foot into (not helped by current dodgy back and poor flexibility). These ME7s are nothing like that – they don’t have a stitched in tongue so it’s a very large opening to get your foot into.

I've some Five Ten Kestrels, but having just looked them up they've got a fair bit more expensive since I got them! Maybe if you can find them in a sale .......

Shimano me7 or am9 for me

+1 for Shimano me7

The ME7's come off very easily, the neoprene cuff isn't very tight. One button for the ratchet and a pull on the quick lace and they're free

Whichever Shimano model you fancy.
All my Shimano shoes are high quality, durable and fit well.

I've had M085, M086 and now M089 over maybe 15 years of riding. All ace.

Slacken ME7’s off and you can almost step in and out of them.

I’ve recently bought suede heel grips for my to try and solve the heel lift but haven’t tried them yet.

I know they've fallen a bit out of favour for the main stream mountain biking world, but I've sort of re-discovered XC shoes lately.
Walking traction is simply night and day in muddy and steep ground compared to "AM" shoes, they feel light and dry super quick

Specialized 2FO - stiff, comfy and look good! (not sure if they are under 100 though)

Could i suggest that the question might be a little open?
i have very limited experience on SPD'sbut found out in no time that having the right shoes for hte right pedals is pretty important
for example, i have some 510's which work great on the huge platform of DMR v-twins, but when i wear them on a pure spd pedal it's a terrible combination.
I havent tried it the other way, but id assume a rigid xc style show would be god awful on the DMR pedal

Could i suggest that the question might be a little open?
i have very limited experience on SPD’sbut found out in no time that having the right shoes for hte right pedals is pretty important
for example, i have some 510’s which work great on the huge platform of DMR v-twins, but when i wear them on a pure spd pedal it’s a terrible combination.
I havent tried it the other way, but id assume a rigid xc style show would be god awful on the DMR pedal

Fair point. I have Shimano M540 pedals on all of my bikes so used to riding with next to no platform at all.

I know they’ve fallen a bit out of favour for the main stream mountain biking world, but I’ve sort of re-discovered XC shoes lately.
Walking traction is simply night and day in muddy and steep ground compared to “AM” shoes, they feel light and dry super quick

I agree, but only because I've never used anything else! Current shoes are MO76.

First ride on some ME7's this morning and initial impressions are good. Just need to sort a cleat position, where I normally have them, or further back for the current trend.

I use Shimano XC5 on my hard tail and gravel bikes. Nice and light, comfortable and dry quickly.

Another big +1 for Shimano ME7s.

They are super easy on/off but also cinch up night and tight with the ratchet and clever lace system.

In fact, I really wish they would do the exact same upper but with a flat sole lower too.

Currently wearing the ME3, same ratchet system as the ME7's, with 2 velcro straps, Light and comfortable, great shoe.

In true STW fashion and totally leftfield of the OP's requirements, I've just bought these for when I want to ride my non-flattie bike to the pub etc. Not ridden in them yet, but love em!

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52098399424_c607fd06ab_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52098399424_c607fd06ab_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://www.flickr.com/gp/85252658@N05/ggHjZv ]2022-05-25_12-53-30[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52093849380_7b62ca07e4_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52093849380_7b62ca07e4_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://www.flickr.com/gp/85252658@N05/a1214X ]2022-05-23_01-22-10[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52098158456_3baf99e217_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52098158456_3baf99e217_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://www.flickr.com/gp/85252658@N05/qBD280 ]2022-05-25_12-52-00[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

i liked the ME7's that much i bought another pair after half a dozen rides on them as my 2fo's are on there last legs.

previous shimano shoes i've had have always lasted well.

Specialized 2FO – stiff, comfy and look good! (not sure if they are under 100 though)

I bought a pair for £98 this very week!

After starting This thread a few weeks ago, and deciding that Boa on cheap shoes wasn't worth the extra spend I've ended up with These cheapo Garne Lasers. which I'm liking for their stiffer sole and relatively light weight (for the money). Definitely under £100 and having half size options is a good thing.