Crankbrothers Mallet Lace clipless shoes
For years now, the Crankbrothers Mallet clipless pedals have been one of the most popular pedals for all gravity disciplines and accordingly we have high expectations of the Crankbrothers shoes! Do the Crankbrothers Mallet Lace shoes have what it takes to become as legendary as the Mallet pedals? We put them to the test to find out.
Just unboxing them, you’re met with that easy-going Californian vibe. The Mallet Lace shoes feature a relaxed, minimalistic look, which we think is pretty cool. For those who like things a little less discreet, the Mallet Lace is also available in the limited Splatter edition in white with red splatters or the all-red Pump for Peace edition. So that you can hit the trails right away, the shoes come with Crankbrothers cleats pre-fitted. If you ride other pedals, you’ll have to change the cleats yourself. However, the installation is very simple thanks to the markings on the sole. The markings also make it easier to align the cleats identically on both shoes.
The Crankbrothers Mallet Lace shoes are ultra-comfortable to wear and they continue to be so at the end of a long day. Riders with wide feet found them just as comfortable. The ventilation is good, too, adding to their wearing comfort. The sole is quite soft, even compared to similar models. As such, the Mallet Lace shoes make it easy to feel where your feet are on the pedals. This is a plus if you happen to come unclicked unintentionally and have to click back in while riding.
After testing the shoes intensively for about a year and wearing them at least two to three times a week during that time, they’re slowly approaching the end of their service life. The ends of the shoelaces started fraying quite early on during the test. Conveniently, however, the laces can be stowed in a pocket at the upper end of the tongue. Due to the inner sides of the shoes constantly rubbing on the cranks, the mesh material has started wearing through, and the soles are also delaminating at some points. But we’re sorry to see the Crankbrothers Mallet Lace go as they’ve become our absolute favourite shoes during this test!
With the Mallet Lace clipless shoes, Crankbrothers have designed the perfect companion for the legendary Mallet clipless pedals! They don’t just look the part but function flawlessly too. Their excellent comfort and good feeling on the pedals thanks to their soft soles quickly made the Mallet Lace the new favourite shoes in the editorial office, regardless of the clipless system used. The only downside is the significant wear they’re showing after a year of hard use.
Tops
- very comfortable
- well ventilated
- generous cleat adjustment range
Flops
- totalled after one year of intensive use
Tester Peter Walker
Test duration 1 year
Price € 149,99
Weight 1070 g
More information Manufacturer’s website
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Words: Felix Rauch Photos: Mike Hunger
