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Diadora X Vortex Pro mountain bike shoe review

Comfortable and durable Boa closure off-road shoes

Diadora X Vortex Pro

Diadora X Vortex Pro
Straight out of the box, Diadora’s X Vortex Pro mountain bike shoes attracted attention. The fluorescent yellow pair of kicks feature a double-Boa closure system with an anti-stretch air-mesh and Suprell–Tech microfiber construction to keep the foot stable and for breathability. The material is very suitable for a pair of off road shoes as it sheds mud and wipes off clean quite easily. On hot days my feet never became noticeably hot and they held up well on rough trail rides.

Diadora X Vortex Pro
The Duratech rubber on the sole was grippy when I did have to resort to dismounting to navigate my way through tough sections, whether on slick rocks or in mud they were comfortable to move around in and I could take steps confidently. The shoes construction is not ultra stiff and there were times when I was pushing hard on the pedals or was out of the saddle that I wished their uppers were just a little more rigid but that is a matter of personal preference as it also comes at the expense of comfort. The Net Breathing system on the sole makes them feel quite light but still maintain an immediacy due to the shoes stiffness.

Diadora X Vortex Pro
The use of a dual-Boa closure system is always welcome evenly tightening up to keep the foot in place and is easily adjustable. To improve heel retention, the shoes feature Diadora’s Fish Scale non-slip textile. The material helped keep my heel in place whether during hard efforts or while walking. It’s a nifty alternative to heels so stiff they are uncomfortable.

Diadora X Vortex Pro
The MTB Multiplied system where the cleat are installed worked flawlessly being easily adjustable to find the perfect cleat position. A small gap was left which was prone to accumulate debris however never did it prevent me from clipping in.

Diadora X Vortex Pro
The shoes are a durable and reliable off-road option for trail riders. Their light construction make them race-ready and comfortable for long, hot rides during the summer. Also suitable for messy conditions, the shoes clean up easily and can withstand a beating. Diadora X Vortex Pro are available at cdn.diadoracyclingamerica.com/ for $360.