First Look / Mavic XA Flex Mountain Bike Shoe

Carbitex sent over their new Mavic XA Flex flat pedal shoe for review. What makes this shoe unique is its Carbitex AFX internal plate which is a flexible carbon fiber and the sole design is unlike any other flat pedal shoe we have tested.

According to Carbitex, the AFX formulation is a flexible carbon fiber that is flexible in one direction and stiff in another which is a great fit for footwear. It holds its performance for over 500,000 cycles and it won’t crack while also being really lightweight.

Another cool feature that will be interesting to test is the sole design. This might be the first pair of flat pedal shoes that have a zoned approach to the sole. There are lugged sections at the toe and heal to aid with off the bike / hike a bike style walking while keeping the pedal contact point flat.

Will this help with hike a bike sections? We’ll have to see. MSRP is $165 but you can find them for less on Amazon and Competitive Cyclist. Stay tuned for the full review.

The XA Flex is designed with a Carbitex internal plate that produces a stiff pedaling platform for efficiency and power, but also has just enough flex in the forefoot area to keep your feet comfortable, especially when walking. This is important because trail riding is about more than just pedaling. Adventurous rides often require you to hike up steep hills, climb slippery rocks, or carry your bike across flowing streams.

The XA Flex sole is designed with specific zones, featuring soft, grippy Contagrip lugs on the toe and heel areas for walking traction. The midsole has a flat bottom for maximum pedal grip, along with an added layer of vibration-damping material that adds compliance and minimizes the shocks that come up through the pedals.

The shoe is constructed with a lightweight, anti-rip material that can stand up to the abuses of trail riding. It has a molded toe cap to keep your toes protected from rocks, roots and other trail debris. The tough, lightweight upper sheds mud, dirt and water and is easy to clean. It all adds up to the ultimate flat-pedal connection.

MAVIC.com