Hot feet are almost unavoidable when it comes to mountain biking in the summer. After all, MTB shoes need to be thick and padded to protect our feet from rocks, and on top of that, we don’t do ourselves any favors when we choose dark colors. The new Crankbrothers Trail Speed Lace Vent mountain bike shoes, available in both flat and clipless versions, are designed to make summer riding a little cooler thanks to a few smart tricks.

I tested a pair of the Mallet Trail Speed Lace Vent clipless pedal shoes on some of the hottest rides of the year, and here’s what I learned.

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Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Speed Lace Vent Shoe key specs

• Weight: 960g / pair as tested (size 12US/46EU)
• Price: $189.99
• Buy from Crankbrothers

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These shoes are really vented

Most mountain bike shoes have some form of ventilation built into the toe box and/or around the sides. But not like the Crankbrothers Trail Speed Lace Vents. A wide, durable mesh wraps from the front of the shoe around to the sides for an open-air look and feel. Crankbrothers includes a tag reminding buyers that these shoes are for hot weather, in case that’s not obvious just by looking at them.

Even the insole is vented. All this ventilation is great for cooling, and I’ve found it’s also good for draining after a creek crossing. Water absolutely pours out of the shoe, though the flipside is that your socks are going to get wet at the first sign of any moisture.

Whether the Trail Speed Lace Vent shoes get wet from rain or sweat (eww), they dry quickly, which comes in handy for back-to-bike ride days.

Staying cool > looking cool

Light-colored mountain bike shoes are not usually my first choice, especially living in Georgia, where red clay can be found on pretty much every trail. Crankbrothers says the shoes are not, in fact, white, but are “Bone White,” a color that “helps to hide dust, and absorbs less heat.” On the second point, I agree; these shoes feel noticeably cooler in the sun.

However, unless you plan on riding through actual moon dust, these shoes are gonna show dirt. Hell, even the marketing photos show some pretty dingy-looking shoes.

After snapping some pre-ride photos, I resigned myself to never seeing the Trail Speed Lace Vents in their full glory ever again. My first ride was a literal mud-fest, and afterward I did my best to scrub them clean, but some of the stains are likely permanent. I suspect those who ride in mostly dry conditions will be able to keep their shoes much cleaner. The photo at the top of this review was taken after several rides, and though they are clearly dirty, I guess they don’t look that bad.

Speed lace: It’s in the name of the shoe

I have to hand it to Crankbrothers: these shoes literally tell you what they’re all about in the name. They’re vented, designed for riding trails, and feature a speed lace closure system. It’s quick and easy to tighten the laces with a pull, and loosening them doesn’t require watching a Youtube video the first time. In my testing, the laces stayed surprisingly tight for a secure fit in demanding conditions.

There’s a lace pocket on the tongue, and to be honest I’m not really sure how it works. Photos show the closure part tucked under the pocket with the looped end dangling freely. I’m worried that dangly bit might get caught in my drivetrain or snagged by a stick, so I tried tucking the end into the pocket.

Unfortunately, the pocket is basically inaccessible when the laces are tight across it. Tucking the ends into the pocket before fully tightening the laces sorta works, but it’s pretty awkward. What I found works best is pulling up on the lace pocket to keep it out of the way while tightening the laces so the pocket is still accessible. It would be nice if the tongue extended a bit more above the top of the laces to make this easier.

Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Speed Lace Vent fit and feel

The Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Speed Lace Vent shoes provide a pretty standard fit. The toe box is neither narrow nor wide, and I would recommend buyers size up a half size if they are uncertain. Personally, I’d prefer a slightly wider toe box on mine, even though I ordered a half size larger than usual.

For a trail shoe, the Mallet Trail Speed Lace Vent strikes the right balance between stiffness and walkability. The shoe feels efficient on the bike and is incredibly walkable thanks to the EVA midsole. The flat-pedal-shoe-style outsole makes traversing wet rocks and logs entirely manageable.

Crankbrothers touts their Match Outsole design, which is meant to pair seamlessly with their pedals. Don’t tell the nice folks there, but I decided to test mine with a pair of Shimano SPD pedals. Fortunately, everything worked out great. It’s easy to find the pedal thanks to a well-designed cleat channel, and there isn’t much click-clack noise when walking on hard surfaces.

My size 12US shoes weigh 960g for the pair without cleats, which is within just a few grams of a similarly sized pair of Fiveten Trailcross Pro shoes but heavier than a pair of Shimano GE-900s. With an SPD cleat and two bolts, each shoe weighs 515g, more than a kilo for the pair. That’s heavier than I would have thought for such an airy, ventilated shoe.

Pros and cons of Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Speed Lace Vent Shoe

Pros

• Keep feet cool on hot summer rides
• Drain well and dry quickly
• The sole offers the perfect blend of stiffness and comfort for trail riding
• Speed laces are secure, fast, and easy to use

Cons

• Lace pocket can be difficult to access
• On the heavy side for a trail shoe
• They won’t stay clean for long

Bottom line

The Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Speed Lace Vent clipless pedal mountain bike shoe is a smart choice for summer riding, performing well on and off the bike while keeping feet cool.