Santic MTB Shoe questions on fit and stiffness

[GSoroos]

Looking at this shoe: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804454454535.html

Wondering if anyone has experience with them and how they fit compared to US sneaker sizing and compared to other cycling shoes (Sidebike, Sidi)?

Also, photos "look" like it has a carbon SPD area. Is it carbon and how stiff is it? I like them as stiff as the stiffest road bike shoes. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

[Crash217]

The sole and overall build look 99% identical to a pair of Darevie MTB shoes I have.

They’re fine. Bit narrow and the cleat placement is pretty far forward.  But they are comfortable.

They are nowhere near as stiff as my Shimano RX800 shoes. The Shimano shoes are wider and the cleat placement adjustability is much further back.

[ejump0]

i dont have this mtb model, but i have Santic flat pedal 'lockless/lockfree' ones that looks like roadbike shoe.
Fitting wise theyre like Adidas Adizero running shoe fitting. kinda on narrow side. the flat model only came in reinforced plastic midsole, kinda stiff vs other aliEx of similar style shoe(bought one to compare, sold it n keep only Santic), n it has the X-plastic plate under arch to mitigate arch flexing.

For flat pedal roadie, imo Santic is the best out there in this segment for stiffness pwr xfer. i hope one day they consider hybrid carbon midsole, tho this is super niche market

[johnnyboy4711]

was debating going for AE Gravel/CX shoes and went for these instead from Checkia
Force is the brand and waiting on item to be shipped for winter gravel hacking
seem like great value, waterproof and warm for Irish winters.

https://www.outdoorweb.eu/MTB-ICE21-cerne-10211265
cost 85 on sale.


other similar shoes/boots were 70 euro plus from AE and so so reviews

[Bluehills5]

I've a pair of Santic Austin mtb shoes which are more gravel then full mtb. They have a single boa dial. They were advertised as carbon sole but it looks like generic black plastic and is definitely not carbon stiff. That said, they are comfortable and the sizing (size 45) is similar to Shimano or other shoes I've owned. They were also very cheap at about $50 from Santic Australia's website. They weigh about 375gm each and I've had them about 3 years and they're still in good condition.

[bremerradkurier]

Had the same hard plastic and therefore slippery sole on a pair of $40 something Ali  MTB shoes.

Ended up moving on to these which were far better in every way.

https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/crono-cx2-mountain-bike-shoes-262719.html