The dimply Stealth rubber sole sticks perfectly to flat pedals
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I was lucky enough to check out the entire new range of shoes thanks to Bigstone, Sheffield based importers of everything Five Ten.
For those of you that don't know what the fuss is about, let's recap. If you run flat pedals, having shoes with good pedal grip is essential. So where does a climbing shoes company come in? Well, for climbers, friction from rubber to rock is key to success. Five Ten is a shoes company with a heritage in developing the stickiest rubber on the market - what they don't know about sole grip isn't worth knowing. Once they applied their rubber making skills to riding shoes, the result was blinding. I reviewed the last version here - check out the review for more details on the rubber and how the shoes perform. I'm still loving them 18 months on and rarely ride hard without them.
Rather than rest on their laurels, the product development team at Five Ten have embraced the new opportunity for the company and added to the range for 2007.
First up, the base model are a big improvement on the previous Impacts. Suede was never really the one in the mud and wet - the new synthetic 'action leather' upper has better water and mud shedding abilities thanks to a durable PU laminate on the material.
The low-tops also get a 'scratch leather' slingshot rand, which can be seen wrapping round the heel section. This helps secure the shoe around the heel.
As well as the Low pictured, the Impact 2 will come in ankle-protecting High tops.
The current Impacts are still available, and will remain so until the Impact 2's arrive. Demand is still very high and supply limited so check them out at your local dealer.
Now on to the Nathan Rennie and Sam Hill models. See the next pages in this article for more specifics and pictues. These signature shoes are super exclusive, on a very limited production run. So limited, in fact, that following Interbike previews, the whole allocation has pretty much been pre-sold into the current dealer base. There may be a second production run sometime later in the year, but this is not confirmed. So if you want these you need to speak to your local stockist now and get an order in now for delivery early May. Since supply is so limited, don't hassle shops without an account as there simply aren't enough shoes to go round!
This new range is a welcome announcement as it looks like Five Ten are not just continuing, but developing and building, support into our sport. Flat pedal users can now relax, safe in the knowledge that the grippiest sole bar non is here to stay.
While you wait for the shoes to hit the shops, check out the range below (and details of the signature models on the next two pages) and pick your favourite. Just don't hang about, 'cause the shoes certainlly won't!
The guys from Bigstone will be at the Wharcliffe Dig Day, lending a hand and showing the samples, so if you are keen to get a preview, make a trip to the woods on the 10th February 2007, move a rock or two and see the shoes first hand.
Pricing:
Impact 2 - Low £65
Impact 2 - High £70
Sam Hill £70
Rennie £80
Availability
Stock of the new shoes won't hit the UK until early August 2007. When the stock arrives, it will be in limited numbers so you need to be on it to get yourself some Impacts for '07!
Five Ten shoes will be available to purchase from HERE.
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