ION Raid II lat-pedal shoes

£84.99

Whenever new flat-pedal shoes land in the office, the first thing everyone wants to know is, “are they as grippy as Five Tens?” Well, the answer in this case is… very nearly. Disguised under a casuallooking, skate-shoe-inspired upper is a sole that offers much better grip than expected. This is thanks in part to ION’s ‘Pin Tonic’ technology, which matches a fairly hard-compound rubber outsole, for durability, with a softer EVA midsole, which allows the shoe to flex and grip the pedal. A fairly flat tread pattern across the central portion of the shoe gives plenty of foot-positioning options, and there are ridged sections on the toe and heel for walking. While overall traction isn’t quite up to the vice-like standards of Five Ten’s ‘Stealth’ rubber, the excellent foot support gives a feeling of solidity on the pedals. The Raid IIs have a narrower and less sloppy fit than many Five Ten models, and the tight lace eyelets mean the shoes stay tight once you cinch them up. Pre-forming of the heel helps it to hold your foot in place without an excessive amount of foam padding too, making these fairly quick to dry after a soaking. ION make no pretences about waterproofing but, while the lack of any venting or mesh panels may not be good for summer, it does make for better splash-proofing. Ed www.ion-products.com

Their looks may deceive, but the Raid IIs offer the complete package of foot support and pedal grip