Issue #019 Review

Vaude AM Moab Shoes in review

First and foremost, cycling shoes have to serve their intended purpose. To do so, they need to be as comfortable as possible without developing hot spots on long rides and they need to provide a positive connection to your bike, either with a grippy flat sole or an intuitive and reliable clipless system. Only once the shoe has met these basic requirements, can you start to consider additional features.

The Vaude AM Moab is a flat pedal shoe that offers a wide fit, with ample space in the toe box and a comfortable climate for your feet. That suited Manne who certainly wouldn’t have worn these shoes on the trails for over 8 months otherwise. But it’s not only on the trails that the Vaude AM Moab’s shine. They’re very comfortable to walk in, making them perfectly suited for riders who often push or carry their bike or generally walk around in their bike shoes. The sole construction strikes a good balance between stiffness for power transfer on the pedals and flexibility for walking.

At first glance, the Vaude AM Moab doesn’t look like a bike shoe. The design is clean with a smart looking water-repellent leather upper. The perforations at the front are reminiscent of brogue shoes and offer ventilation for your toes. The workmanship of the Vaude AM Moab is good and after 8 months of almost daily use, while they’re showing obvious signs of wear, they have a lot of life left in them. The soles grip to the pins of flat pedals quite well, but they can’t quite live up to the stickiness of Five Tens. We didn’t find the sole supportive enough for bike park use either.

The Vaude AM Moab is a discreet flat-pedal shoe offering a very comfortable fit, and the construction of its sole is ideal for long days in (and out of) the saddle. The ‘Green Shape’ label, guaranteeing environmentally conscious production, is an added bonus.

Tops

  • comfortable fit
  • sole offers good grip on flat pedals
  • environmentally friendly production with sustainable leather exterior

Flops

  • the sole doesn't do well shedding heavy, clay-rich soil

Tester: Manne
Dauer: 8 months
Price: € 150

Weight: 820 g (size 42, UK 8, USM 9)
More info: vaude.com


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Words: Manne Schmitt Photos: Jonas Müssing

About the author

Manne Schmitt

As the proud father of Robin and Max-Philip, Manne has been there from the start and is the wise elder of the editorial team. He won his first cycling race in elementary school at a school sports day. After less successful attempts at football, he found his passion for cycling via endurance racing in 1989! The world of racing still consumes him and no one in the team knows the EWS pros better than Manne. As a former head analyst of a state agency, he knows how to do proper research and finds exclusive news that no one else has. He supports his sons in day-to-day business dealings as the authorised signatory for 41 Publishing – viva la familia!