I consider myself a mountain bike adventurer. All day excursions, climbs into the alpine, bikepacking with my family, rock hopping across the high desert and park laps with my kids – I ride it all! I was excited when Ride Concepts released their new trail mountain bike shoe, Tallac. Tallac is lighter than my usual mountain bike clip shoe, Transition, and is a good fit for my adventure style of riding.
Tallac is a comfortable men’s mtb shoe right out of the box. The midsole feels supportive and the insole is comfortable. The outsole provides great traction, both on and off the bike. The toe traction is particularly reliable when hiking up steeps. Tallac Clip has an extended cleat runway that makes it easy to clip into my pedals. It also gives me the adjustability to really dial in my cleat position so that I feel stable on the bike. Bonus, the larger cleat runway also clears mud better.
I’ve been riding Tallac since last fall and it’s proven to be a durable shoe. The Cordura® upper is holding up really well. The fabric is tough and keeps my feet protected from punctures and abrasions. At the same time, the upper breaths and dries well which is a big benefit for back-to-back alpine bike adventures. The TPU guard provides added protection against water and mud when I have to hike through wet terrain.
Tallac has a low-key style that suits my preference for adventure riding. The look is similar to a trail runner, but with the performance needed for mountain biking. I’ve been riding Tallac Clip with traditional laces and enjoy how I can dial in the fit along my foot.
Eric Porter is a Ride Concepts athlete, adventure rider and proud dad living in Park City, Utah.
