Boardman MTB Cycle Shoes? views please

[FrothNinja]

Been told the £40 Boardman MTB Cycle Shoes will make an ideal cheap intro clipless shoe for road and dirt. Is this true?
I tempted to nip to my local Halfords in the morn so I can try a pair on to see if they fit. Anything to watch out for?
Ta

 

[vickster]

Just that they fit and that the sole is decently stiff for clipless.
SPD 2 bolt shoes are fine for on and off road

 

[Cycleops]

Decathlon also do some good budget MTB shoes. Might be worth checking out. £35 for this one.

 

[FrothNinja]

Thank you 👍

 

[cougie uk]

I think fit is the most important thing. A £40 comfy pair will be better than an uncomfortable £300 pair.

 

[vickster]

When you go to try them, take the socks you’ll wear riding…in winter (when you may wear 2 pairs) and summer

 

[cougie uk]

I only ever wear one pair of socks. You don't want to squish the blood flow in the winter. Just get some cheap Planet X over shoes to keep the chill off.

 

[FrothNinja]

Have done the deed - Halfords didn't have the Boardman in stock in spite of what the website said. Went next door to Sports Direct and splurged 38 squids on a pair of Muddy Fox MTB 100. They fit with both flavours of sock but I had to go up to size 11 as the 10s felt like the sort of things they used to put Chinese women's feet into. Not impressed by the robustness of the loops the velcro goes through, hopefully be proved wrong.
Now its time to do my last 1/2 hour ride of the week and go and sort cleats/pedals at my local bike shop

 

[vickster]

Have done the deed - Halfords didn't have the Boardman in stock in spite of what the website said. Went next door to Sports Direct and splurged 38 squids on a pair of Muddy Fox MTB 100. They fit with both flavours of sock but I had to go up to size 11 as the 10s felt like the sort of things they used to put Chinese women's feet into. Not impressed by the robustness of the loops the velcro goes through, hopefully be proved wrong.
Now its time to do my last 1/2 hour ride of the week and go and sort cleats/pedals at my local bike shop

Those aren't actually very good...don't expect them to last too long (you can save up for better in the meantime)

 

[Sterlo]

Have done the deed - Halfords didn't have the Boardman in stock in spite of what the website said. Went next door to Sports Direct and splurged 38 squids on a pair of Muddy Fox MTB 100. They fit with both flavours of sock but I had to go up to size 11 as the 10s felt like the sort of things they used to put Chinese women's feet into. Not impressed by the robustness of the loops the velcro goes through, hopefully be proved wrong.
Now its time to do my last 1/2 hour ride of the week and go and sort cleats/pedals at my local bike shop

Agree with @vickster. The MTB100 were my first foray into clipless and they nearly put me off. I did ponder upgrading to the 200 but thought if the 100's were so naff would they 200's be any better. Ended up with some Northwaves (can't remember which one) then ended up with Lakes wide fit, only the budget version but I love them. I'm looking to upgrade by another couple of steps as soon as I can afford them.

 

[cyberknight]

Be careful with entry level shoes I found the cheapest ones from decathlon had a flexible sole so could lead to hot foot

 

[vickster]

I think Sigmasports have deals on Lake shoes at mo. Sportpursuit often have good deals on NOS too

 

[cyberknight]

The next level up decathlon shoes are reduced to the same price ,they were good but narrow so didn't suit my wife feet

 

[Spiderweb]

Shame you didn’t ask about Muddy Fox shoes before buying. You may be lucky but could be a case of buy cheap buy twice.

 

[vickster]

What's SD's returns policy if you've not had the cleats fitted yet that is?