Mavic have built up a great reputation for top performance footwear for those who can afford it, and the Screes deliver exactly that to discerning all-weather trail riders.
With dials, fishing line and ratchets becoming more popular, it’s a relief to find a simple four-strap, Velcro-secured closure – especially if you’re trying to get them off with wet or frozen hands. The top strap gets an elastic anchor piece so it stretches to allow unrestricted movement despite the fat tongue and tall ankle.
The low-cut ankle backs and heel pull-straps make it easy to pull them on and off, but the rubberised heel wraps still keep them secure when stomping the pedals or toeing up a steep pitch on foot.
The broad toes also get thick reinforced bumpers for effective protection against trailside logs and rocks when you kick them by accident. Unintentionally volleying a stone flicked up from the front wheel won’t stub your toes either.
The real protection you’re paying for is weatherproofing, thanks to full height Gore-Tex liners. These combine with the fat tongues to seal them well from rain, snow or drizzle.
They’re not as well sealed round the ankle as a full winter boot, so big splashes will flood over the top, but so long as they stay dry the insulation means they’re just as warm as most full-on boots.
Unlike those walking boot-style shoes, these have stiff and relatively low-profile soles, so you can give the bike gas on climbs without your feet flopping over the pedals.
It also helps you kick the ‘Contra-Grip’ tread into soft slopes when off the bike, but compromises extended rambling comfort. Mavic shoes are generally bombproof, which eases the initial expense.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
