Etnies Camber Crank First Impressions
Etnies recently sent us their new Camber Crank shoes to test. In this article, I am going to give you my first impressions of the shoe and then in a few months, I will do a review to see how the shoes performed and if they held up to the harsh conditions of British riding.
Etnies who are predominantly a skate shoe brand has moved into the bike scene focussing on BMX and MTB. They have expanding their bike shoe line and even have a few variations of the Camber Crank with both low, mid and high versions and multiple styles and colours to choose from. In this article, I will be looking at the low grey version.
Features:
- Grippy Michelin tread pattern designed for flat pedals
- Toe and Heel Luggy tread
- Sole: Rubber
- Closure: Lace-Up
- Shoe Width: Medium
- Stiff Board Last
- Abrasion Resistant PU Nubuvk Upper
The show is priced at around £74.99 here in the UK which compared to other MTB shoes is very reasonably priced.
Etnies has continued their collaboration with Michelin who have provided the grippy rubber for the soles of the shoes. Michelin has also moved into cycling with their very popular Wild Enduro tyres so know what riders want.
First Impressions
First impressions of the shoes are that they look great. They have a simple design using great colours that work well together. The shoe fabric has a smooth surface that not only prevents water ingress but makes them really easy to wipe the mud off.
Initially, the shoes were quite stiff which is normal for new shoes. It probably took a few days for them to bend and loosen but now they have relaxed a bit they are comfortable to wear.
The Michelin grippy soles are great. They are very tacky and stick to your pedals with ease but when compared to the stealth rubber from Five Ten then they don’t perform quite as well in the wet.
Overall I am really impressed with the shoes so far. They look great and aren’t at all clunky look like so many MTB Shoes are. I would happily wear these both on and off the bike. I love the colour scheme and the choice of fabrics. They are easy to clean and comfortable to wear both on and off the bike.
I would be keen to try Etnies Mid and High tops to see if they offer additional ankle support which I think would be a bonus particularly when it comes to riding dirt jumps.
What do you think of the Etnies Camber Crank shoes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and keep your eyes peeled for a review on these shoes coming in the next few months.