Piu Miglia may sound Italian, but it's actually a new UK-based brand with an eye on the ‘value’ end of the market.
The Montanos’ plastic sole unit is stiff enough that you can pedal without obvious power loss and there’s no hot spot over the cleat area. Toe studs and deep forefoot and heel tread lugs let you gain a solid foothold in sludgy mud, though a couple of good kicks are often needed to clear the cleat area afterwards.
The tread is made from hard, slippery plastic, so you do have to be careful of the shoes skating around on wet roots or rocks.
You’ll need to wear overshoes or waterproof socks in winter, because low-level mesh side panels and toe segments make the Montanos a breezy option. That’s great if you’re looking for a summer shoe though.
The plastic heel cup and ratchet closure keep them well anchored, and there’s enough toe room for the wide feet typically found in the UK, where we tested them, though narrower-footed riders may find the wrapover straps don’t tighten enough. Take a look around the internet and you'll be able to track them down for far cheaper than the list price, too – making them a definite bargain.
