Another athlete from the Team Lafuma Vibram, after Guillaume Peyronnet, answered our questions about the Northwave "Bike and Walk" shoe, and its Vibram sole.

The answers of Sylvain Montagny:

Sylvain, what is your opinion about the Northwave “Bike & Walk” shoe?

The versatility is the main feature of this shoe, as suggested by its name. You don’t want to walk with clogs (I mean the traditional and stiff MTB shoes) when you need to carry your bike. The “Bike & Walk” shoe, powered by Vibram sole, helps you get the best mix between a powerful pedalling and a comfortable walk. Rolling is perfect, the style is sober yet refined.

Which route did you particularly felt at your easy on with? Which conditions is it specifically performing in?

The experience of Transvésubienne 2009 (90km, 4500m downhill, 3000 downhill) represented a real test for this shoe: it proved to be so safe and reliable that I decided to wear it always. No faults, no slidings, total control. When you ride pushing the bike, the sole’s grip provides you with an outstanding grip. On muddy uphills, the forefoot of the sole increases support.

What about the Vibram sole?

This sole’s resistance helps the shoe last longer. But the main differences with competitor products is represented by its grip on wet surfaces. Moreover, the sole’s design is very refined in the forefoot, where the pedal stud is: as the metal insert doesn’t come through the lugs’ highness, you don’t risk to slide when you put it on the terrain.

Would you recommend this shoe to a friend?

Just done!