The Lab: Vibram Megagrip sole on the Giro Chamber II in review
In the “The Lab” we present the latest products and put them through their paces for you. Some undergo long-term tests, while we check others out only briefly. This time we reveal how the Vibram Megagrip sole on the Giro Chamber II fared.
Vibram is about as important to hiking shoe manufacturers as RockShox is to bike companies. As an indispensable partner to many shoe brands, they not only supply the technology and know-how but suitable products as well. Vibram have taken their expertise from the hiking, skiing, trail running and also motorcycle industries and brought them to the world of mountain biking. Our tester Felix has put the Vibram Megagrip sole on the Giro Chamber II through a very hard time. Even Aaron Gwin trusts in this sole, and although we can only guess whether it has helped him win races, at least we’ve never seen him slip off his pedals. And that’s certainly in part because of Vibram’s grippy Megagrip sole. The pins of your pedals drill deep into the soft rubber, offering excellent grip. The smooth tread profile around the cleat offers a large contact area on the pedal cage.
Whether for the track walk or the next hike-a-bike adventure, the Vibram sole provides lots of traction while walking. Although the Giro Chamber II is very stiff for a gravity shoe, the pre-formed curvature in the sole is great for walking. The sturdy construction of the Chamber II is hard wearing and offers a lot of protection for your feet in case you hit a rock from time to time. Unfortunately, the Vibram sole hasn’t been able to solve one of the longest standing problems with bike shoes. After a few weeks, the pins wear away a circular patch in the sole and you lose traction on the pedals. There is only one thing that helps: turn out pins and ride on.
With the Megagrip sole, Vibram’s hiking expertise have found their way into the world of mountain biking. When it comes to traction both on the pedal and on the trail, the Vibram Megagrip sole is the way to go. Unfortunately, even the “miracle material” from Italy can’t stand up to the wear caused by the pins on your pedals.
Tops
- great traction while walking
- good grip on the pedal
Flops
- lots of wear from pins
Price: € 149.99
Test duration: 6 months
Weight: 1,080 g (Giro Chamber II 44)
Tester: Felix
More info vibram.com
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