Published by Andrew on 15 October 2018
Richard Peace reviews the Vaude Moab, a practical mountain biking and cycle touring shoe that doesn't require clipping in.
Vaude Moab AM Bike Shoes
RRP £115
Compare cycle shoes online
I’ve never been a fan clipping my feet to pedals; the slight efficiency gains you get in cycle touring seem far outweighed by the inconvenient and occasionally dangerous situations I find myeslf in, not to mention the hassle of having to walk around tourist sites or into cafes in cleats.
Unfortunately many general purpose sports shoes are either not strong enough to stand up to the hard life they can get continually pressing on metal studded pedals or they are slippy – or both.
So it’s surprising there aren’t many shoes with regular soles out there made specifically for biking.
Enter Vaude’s Moab AM shoes aimed at mountain bikers but ideal for tourers too. I've been wearing them for cycling for a few weeks and so far they have proven excellent. The strong midsole is what transfers plenty of your pedalling effort to the pedals as possible and doesn’t feel in the least spongy but still manages a strong grip on the pedals.
At the front and rear are Vibram sole profiles which I have used on mountain walking shoes and which do an excellent job when you are off the bike in rougher terrain. They give you good grip and would double well as mountain walking shoes. There’s also a stitched, reinforced toecap area that should help durability.
Naturally, off the bike the soles feel stiffer to walk in than your standard trainers or running shoes but they are still comfortable. I have slightly wide feet and found the upper part leather part synthetic material stretched after a short while to accommodate my feet while remaining in good condition.
They are towards the top end of the price range for similar products but look very well made and if they stand the test of time they will be worth their weight in gold.
The shoes weigh 780g per pair.
Vaude Moab AM Bike Shoes
RRP £115
Compare cycle shoes online
About our reviewer
Richard Peace is the author of the official English-language guidebook to the Veloscenie Paris-Mont-Saint Michel bike route and the Sustrans guide to the London-Paris Avenue Verte. He also contributes to A to B magazine, Bike Europe and Eurobike Show Daily.
