Fox has only been producing mountain bike shoes for the past two and a half years, but the brand has been steadily growing its lineup of flat and clipless shoes. Fox’s flat pedal shoe range, in particular, has grown from the original Union Flat to include the top-of-the-line Union BOA Flat and the more affordable Union Canvas. The latest addition is the new Union Canvas Mid, a mid-top flat pedal shoe with, you guessed it, a canvas upper.
The Union Canvas Mid is based on the existing low-top version of the Union Canvas, but it features a taller ankle cuff for increased support and protection. When combined with the canvas uppers, the mid-top design gives these shoes a decidedly casual look that belies their on-bike performance. I’ve only taken a few rides in these new shoes, but I’ve got a pretty good feel for how they perform. Here are my first impressions.
- MSRP: $170
- Upper: Canvas
- Outsole: Ultratac rubber
- Closure: Laces
- Weight: 449 grams/shoe, 898 grams/pair (sze 43.5)
- Sizes: 37 – 47 EU (half sizes 41.5 – 45.5)
- Colors: Black, Adobe
Pros
- Sole has a good balance of grip and mobility
- High level of foot and ankle protection
- Relatively stiff soles – efficient on the pedals
- Killer style – can easily be worn casually off the bike
Cons
- Canvas upper gets dirty and is not water-resistant
- Sole stiffness limits grip slightly – comparatively
- Moderate weight
Fox Union Canvas Mid Details
The uppers are made of a “durable canvas” material, which does, in fact, feel quite durable and is largely responsible for the shoes’ casual looks. This material felt a bit stiff out of the box, but has been loosening up slightly over time. Around the toe and just above the sole, the canvas is wrapped in a rubber material to protect it from premature wear. Traditional laces tighten them over the foot, with a lace retainer to keep them in check. They come in Black or Adobe, which is a light olive green-ish color.
The most notable and obvious difference between the Union Canvas Mid and the standard version is the medium-height ankle cuff. This mid-top design covers the ankle bones (on my ankles, anyway), with a little padding that adds impact protection and some support for the ankle joint. The rest of the shoe’s uppers are thinner, but the reinforced toe cap and cushioned tongue add additional foot protection.
Underfoot, the “low-profile custom-tuned EVA midsole” is intended to provide improved pedal grip and feel, while a “molded internal stiffening plate optimizes power transfer and off-bike comfort.” The soles aren’t completely flat with a little rocker through the toes to facilitate a normal gait when walking. Fox uses its own proprietary Ultratac rubber for the full coverage outsole with the same elongated hexagonal tread pattern you’ll find on other Fox flat pedal shoes.
Riding Impressions
First off, I’m a big fan of the way these shoes look. Looks are obviously inconsequential when it comes to performance, but I always appreciate brands and products that don’t leave style as a total afterthought. Interestingly, its the casual style of these shoes that lowered my performance expectations. I assumed they would feel as casual as they look on the bike, but that was incorrect.
One of the first things that stood out to me about the Union Canvas Mid shoes was how protective they feel on my feet. The mid-top and its increased ankle protection are obviously major factors in that, but the canvas uppers are also pretty thick, the tongue is heavily padded, and the toe bumper is quite stout, too. These shoes are significantly more substantial than a pair of mid-top Vans, and I guess it makes sense given Fox’s use of the word “freeride” in the shoe’s description.
I’m not exactly a freerider, but I’m pretty into pedaling my bike to the top of hills and riding back down them. I was actually a bit taken aback by the stiffness of the soles at first. Out of the box, these shoes are noticeably stiffer underfoot than the Five Ten Freerider Pro BOA, for example. In terms of pedaling efficiency, they feel great to me. There’s no obvious flex under pedaling power and plenty of sole support from the ball of the foot back to prevent any calf fatigue on either the climbs or descents. That said, they are a bit heavier than some other options, with my size 43.5 test pair weighing in at 898 grams for the pair.
Fox’s Ultratac rubber feels nearly on par but just a tiny bit less tacky than the Five Ten Stealth on the aforementioned Freerider Pro. In side-by-side testing, the rubber itself and the tread design grip the pins almost the same. The stiffer sole mentioned above, however, doesn’t conform to the shape of the pedal quite as readily, which I feel reduces the overall level of grip by a small margin. The flip side is that it’s a little easier to reposition the feet when needed.
I’ll also be quick to point out that the soles have been breaking in progressively over the first few rides, and casual wear, including quite a bit of walking around. They aren’t quite as blocky feeling underfoot on the pedals or when walking, although they are still stiffer than my worn-in set of Freerider Pro BOAs. They still aren’t the most natural-feeling shoes to walk around in, but they are getting better in that regard as well. To me, they seem like a good fit for heavier riders or those who simply want more support underfoot than the ever-popular Freerider Pro provides.
The canvas uppers give these shoes the ability to transition pretty seamlessly from the bike to around town. The canvas has a much less technical look and feel than synthetic leather, for example, but that means it also has a less technical performance, too. These shoes have virtually zero water resistance, and the canvas material gets wet very easily. Likewise, it gets dirty easily, too, and the textured material tends to hang onto dirt and mud more than smoother surfaces. That said, the material seems to breathe okay, and I haven’t noticed my feet feeling egregiously hot while wearing them.
Fox Union Canvas Mid: My Short-Term Takeaway
I’m only a few rides in with the Union Canvas Mid flat pedal shoes, but I’m digging them so far. I’ve actually probably worn them more around the house and around town than on the bike, as I like their casual style, and I’m hoping the soles break in a bit more with time and use. It appears to be working, as the soles are flexing just a tiny bit more underfoot, which is gradually increasing their pedal grip in kind.
Still, I think they are a great option for anyone seeking a flat pedal shoe that doesn’t necessarily look like a mountain bike shoe. The style alone increases their versatility and makes them a more viable option for off-the-bike use. At the same time, they are still a purpose-built mountain bike shoe with added ankle protection, extra support, and relatively stiff and grippy soles. I’d say they’re pretty close to the best of both worlds and is a shoe that can actually pull double duty.
Check out the Union Canvas Mid on the Fox Racing website.
