CRANKBROTHERS STAMP SPEED LACE FLAT SHOES REVIEW

Words by Caitlin Wilkinson  |  Photos by Michael Walker

Forming the second part of their Match System, the Crankbrothers Stamp flat pedal shoe is designed to work in perfect harmony with their flat pedals. I was excited to see how the Stamp Speed Lace flat pedal shoes performed and paired with their Stamp 7 Small pedals. Read on to find out!

ABOUT THE CRANKBROTHERS STAMP SPEEDLACE FLAT SHOES

The Crankbrothers Stamp Speed Lace Flat shoes are built around their Match System, which is designed to offer the best possible interface between the pedal sole and the Crankbrothers flat pedals. Their MC2 rubber compound is optimized for grip and durability, featuring a high-friction stick to the pedal body and low rebound properties to help damp vibrations. Abrasion resistance is given a boost by the rounded shape of the lugs.

The Match outsole on the Crankbrothers Stamp Speed Lace has a tread pattern that is designed for both on and off the bike. The directionally angled and spaced toe and heel lugs offer traction for hiking up and down steep terrain, which proves handy for push up laps. In the area where the pedals are intended to sit, the tread pattern is tighter, designed for maximum contact surface and compatibility with the pedal platform. The lug depth is also cleverly designed around the pedal pin dimensions, to absorb the pin and offer an extra layer of protection.

There are a few different versions offered in the Crankbrothers Stamp Flat shoes, with the option tested featuring a Speed Lace closure that allows the user to quickly enter and exit. There’s a pouch in the tongue to hide these Speed Laces, and there is also a velcro strap for additional security.

The Crankbrothers Stamp Speed Lace shoes weigh a claimed 386g per shoe in a US 9 / EU 42. All shoes come in 6 different colorways, with prices starting from $149.99 / £154.99.

THE DIRT

Soon after receiving my set of Crankbrothers Stamp Speed Lace shoes to test, they became my go-to for my mountain bike. I loved the colourway option I chose, they really look fantastic. They were subtle, but a lovely colour to add to my kit. They are super comfortable, and didn’t require any breaking in at the start. I found the shoes to be nicely supportive, with a toe box that was lovely and wide to offer plenty of space and give a natural feel. I rode these shoes in some of the most challenging terrain across the UK, and found them to be great in everything from granite to slippery slate. These shoes effectively protected me from all rock strikes and slams.

The Speed Lace was handy, making for a very quick and easy time putting the shoes on and taking them off. I’m not ashamed to admit that it took me a while to figure out that there was a pocket in the tongue to hide them though. It’s well hidden below the velcro strap! I can safely say that it is very important to hide the Speed Laces, as I got myself caught in my pedals a few times early on. Silly me.

Similar to the vast majority of aggressive mountain bike shoes, I found the Crankbrothers Stamp Speed Lace to be quite hot on warm days. I can also confirm that they are not water proof, following some incredibly wet testing days in Wales. They were breathable enough to keep me comfortable on the mild days, no doubt helped by the little breather holes at the top of the shoes. This also helped them dry fairly quickly once they were given some heat.

The shoes interacted very well with the Stamp 7 Small pedals I was testing at the same time. With the Match system Crankbrothers developed, they have really nailed the relationship between pedal to shoe. This is done where the pedal pins align with the sole tread pattern, giving a “locked in” feel without being too sticky. I found that I was still able to dab my feet on those “oh sh*t!” moments, and felt super confident to descend without feeling like my feet were going to fly off at any given point.

The Wolf’s Last Word

Crankbrothers have really nailed their Stamp line, offering great durability, comfort, and an excellent interface with their Stamp flat pedals. I can highly recommend the Stamp Speed Lace Flat Pedal shoes to fellow riders.

Price: $149.99 / £144.99
Website: Crankbrothers.com

WHERE TO BUY
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