A lot of mountain bike shoes talk a big game about being waterproof, but Crankbrothers’ latest rainproof Stamp Trail (and presumably Mallet Trail) Speed Lace Seal shoes use a few simple tricks to actually keep your feet dry. I’ve only just started riding in the wet with the new Trail Seal shoes – it’s been super dry at home until this week, so I’m not sure how they will hold up over time. And honestly, there are few details that I don’t love. But I took these new Stamp Trail Speed Lace Seals out for a rainy trail ride through plenty of mud, puddles, and wet underbrush, and my feet stayed cozy and dry until I got home a couple hours later.
So, let’s give them a closer look…
Crankbrothers Trail Speed Lace Seal waterproof MTB shoes
Crankbrothers designed their new waterproof Trail Speed Lace Seal mountain bike shoes for ‘wet and unpredictable’ shoulder season riding. “Built with a waterproof membrane and a unique 360° ankle wrap to keep the elements out, our Seal shoes are built to keep you comfortable when the conditions get uncomfortable.“
Most mountain bike shoes billed as waterproof are usually either still low-cut – obviously filling up with water from the top in actual rain, or heavy high-top boots – often limiting ankle mobility for comfortable pedaling or still letting water and debris in around the cuff.
The new Crankbrothers Trail Speed Lace Seals are neither, and thus avoid the most common waterproof flaws.
What makes them different?
The all-new Trail Speed Lace Seal shoes essentially start with a conventional low-top main construction. Not so different from the other two Speed Lace shoes they debuted over the past year. To me, that means tightening them feels OK, but not exactly a perfect balance of lace tension across my foot. Although, generally good enough for riding in less precise, wet & slippery autumn and winter riding conditions.
Then, Crankbrothers add a loose-fit slip-on neoprene cuff on top of that, even adding an extra bit of elastic on the outer edge, so you can pull them on with the heel loop at the back. Nothing revolutionary, yet. (And I wish the loop was a bit bigger, as I can’t fit my fat index finger into it with any gloves on!)
But then, most importantly, they get a super-stretchy rubberized Seal strap that stretches around the neoprene cuff, velcros in place, and literally seals out water and debris around your leg.
This means you get normal ankle flexibility like a low-top. You get an extended neoprene cuff that’s loose enough to easily get in and out. Then, you also get another extra seal on top, which keeps out almost all water running down your leg. And importantly, that last seal layer extends high enough and stays thin enough that your riding pants slide over top. So, water and mud runs down your leg, and never gets into the cuff of these waterproof shoes to start with.
Tech details
- multi-layer laminated membrane construction for waterproofing and breathability
- 360° ankle wrap Seal to keep water out from the top
- flexible structured main body for mid-level ‘relaxed fit’ upper support with ‘low-rebound’ EVA midsole
- wide-opening elastic & neoprene mid-cuff with heel pull tab to slip the shoes on
- single pull Speed Laces secured with a locking slider for easy fit adjustment, with elastic lace retention loop
- ‘low-absorption interior’ materials to dry and stay comfortable even when your feet sweat or eventually do get some water inside
- TPU-reinforced toe protection
- reflective logos on heel & toe for added visibility
- available with two outsole options to Match with Crankbrothers pedals:
– soft, grippy Stamp rubber for flat pedals, or
– medium grippy Mallet MC1 sole with fiber-reinforced nylon shank for more support and SPD-style clipless pedal compatibility
- 371g per shoe claimed for Stamp, 492g per shoe claimed for Mallet (size US 9 / EU 42)
- 366g per shoe actual Stamp (size US 10 / EU 43.5)
- unisex US sizing; available in half sizes 5-13, plus 14 & 15
Crankbrothers Trail Speed Lace Seal shoes – Pricing, options & availability
The new Crankbrothers Trail Seals come in two variants – both in the same single olive green and grey look. The Stamp Trail Speed Lace Seal shoes I tested for flat pedals sell for $210. And the identical-looking Mallet Trail Speed Lace Seal shoes with a reinforced shank and cleat recess for clipless pedals sell for $230.
Both are available now in the same unisex US size range, either directly from the Crankbrothers online shop, or their retailer partner bikeshops.
