Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Speed Lace Vent Clipless Shoe

As temperatures rise and summer riding gets underway in North America, riders looking to stay cool on long trail rides have a growing list of warm-weather gear options. The newest additions to this list are Crankbrothers Mallet and Stamp Speed Lace Vent shoes. With generous venting throughout and a sleek profile, we spent the past month logging hours to see how well they perform.

Highlights

• Mesh upper for maximum airflow
• Also offered as a flat shoe (Stamp Vent)  
• Match Outsole and Compound
• Low-rebound EVA midsole
• TPU-reinforced toe box
• Speed lace closure with integrated lace pocket in tongue
• Relaxed fit
• 403g per shoe (size 9)
• Sizes: Men - US 5-15 | Women - US 6.5-16.5
• MSRP (USD): Mallet - $189 | Stamp - $169

Details

The Trail Speed Lace Vent is essentially the same shoe as Crankbrothers' existing Trail Speed Lace, with the key difference being the switch from a synthetic upper to a heavily ventilated mesh upper. Coarse-mesh vents wrap from side to side, crossing over the tops of your toes. Passive and active airflow help keep the shoes cool, while also expediting drying. A non-absorbent EVA foam tongue further keeps the shoes dry and includes an integrated pocket to store the speed laces.

Both the clip (Mallet) and flat (Stamp) models feature Crankbrothers Match outsole tread designed for on- and off-bike usability. We tested the Mallet, which uses a mid-friction compound for smooth pedal engagement and extender wear lift. It also has a stiff fiber-reinforced nylon shank combined with a low-rebound EVA midsole.

There is only one color option—Bone Grey—which was intentionally chosen to help hide dust and absorb less heat. The Stamp flats retail for $169.99, and the Mallet clips retail for $189 (cleats not included).

On The Trail

I tested the Vented Mallet Trail shoes in Bellingham and Whistler over the past month paired with Crankbrothers Mallet pedals and standard-release cleats. The cleat box is roomy. I run my cleats in the back half of the cleat box, and had plenty of freedom to move the cleats where I wanted.

The comfort and functionality of the shoes have been great. They’re light, and the vents are nicely placed to where I could actually feel a difference in breathability over other shoes. The speed lace is simple to use. The cord tucks away nicely in the shoe's tongue, and the overall aesthetic is clean. The sole is also not too bulky and provides a good balance of stiffness and flex. This kept my heel and the ball of my foot from chaffing or fatiguing on long rides or bike park days.

As for the appearance, I am not the biggest fan. They give off more of a golf shoe vibe than a performance mountain bike shoe. Additionally, while in theory white shoes are better because of their reduced heat absorption, in practice they just get super dirty and end up looking more tattered over time.

The vents do not make these an every-ride, every-condition shoe. It’s pretty warm in Bellingham now, but it’s wet and cold almost all winter long. In those conditions, a shoe with a bunch of holes would leave your feet soaked and frozen. The Trail Speed Lace Vents have their time and place, but are definitely a region- or condition-specific shoe unless you live in a predominantly dry climate.

Durability

The shoes have held up fine during the few weeks I’ve tested them. There haven’t been any premature wear areas or points of concern. I do wonder if the area around the toe venting is more susceptible to wear due to the material's thickness and the inherent flex in that area of the shoe. But to be clear, there has yet to be any actual concerning wear.

How do they compare?

My personal shoe of choice has been the Mallet BOA for a couple of years now, so I knew what to expect with the Vented version. The fit was very similar and familiar.

As you’d expect, the vented shoes breathed much better on hotter rides. The speed lace closure worked well, but I prefer the BOA + strap system as I can achieve a tighter and more even fit. I also felt a little more protected if I inevitably kicked a rock with my Mallet BOAs, and definitely preferred them for bike park riding. That said, the shoes would pair nicely if I exclusively rode shorter-travel bikes.

What’s The Bottom Line?

Crankbrothers’ Vented Mallet Trail shoes function just as you’d hope—they keep your feet cool and comfy during warm rides. Condition-specific shoes rarely trend towards warm weather, so it’s cool that Crankbrothers now provides that option. The look of the shoes is up to personal preference, but as long as temps stay high, they’ll be what I’m riding in.