Diadora

X Phantom Shoes

With a strong presence on pro road teams like Movistar, it's safe to say that Diadora knows how to make performance cycling footwear, and all this expertise is brought to bear in the X Phantom Shoes. Of course, mountain bike shoes like the X Phantoms have a drastically different role than your typical road shoes. Where road shoes tend to favor weight loss and stiffness at the expense of every other attribute, the X Phantom opts for a blend of comfort, weight, and multi-use functionality.

Instead of space-age carbon, the sole is a space-age nylon that's reinforced with fiberglass for stiff power transfer that is still walkable and doesn't get unforgivingly harsh after 30 minutes in the saddle. It's also got pronounced tread, which takes advantage of the sole's targeted flex for walkability whether you're navigating some tricky terrain on foot or running up a muddy hill on a 'cross course. The toe boxes are also a tad wider than the minimalist road or XC race shoes, giving your metatarsal bones more room to comfortably expand while mashing on the pedals.