“Whether you are logging big trail miles or beating gas pump prices, the X-Alp Mid is your go to shoe. Built for the long haul, the R&R plate allows you to drop the hammer on the pedals but has enough flexibility and traction for when you have to get off and push up the big hills. Quick drying, highly breathable mesh/synthetic upper. Endo-skeletal fit system securely wraps feet.”

So sayeth the sellers. I sez;

“I’m just now shopping for a new shoe having completely ridden through my last pair of this PI Alp model. Due to my tendency to downhill with my left foot down and forward, holding most of my weight when standing off the saddle, after 18 months and 6-7k miles of on and off pavement touring, commuting, some single track and a good deal of hiking (mech. breakdown, too steep/loose, just walking around off the bike, etc) and nearly constant wear, the left shoe is pulling apart at the toe and along the outer mid-sole. The uppers are subject to wear and fraying from friction with the crank, and about 2\” of the left upper has pulled apart at the reinforcement around the laces.

That said, this is a well built, comfortable multi-function shoe with an excellent $/value ratio. I would highly recommend it to the dollar concious backwoods banzai artist who does not want to carry an extra pair of shoes whether on tour or just commuting.”

Apparently, great minds think alike. As always though with any heavily used and depended upon gear, durability versus cost versus available funds versus necessity is what the equation boils down to. Shoes? Ya gotta have ‘em. I paid $70 on clearance for mine and got about 6500 quality miles out of them. That’s about 0.9 cents per riding mile only, not including the daily wear for walking. The scientific method would now suggest that my next pair cost significantly more, to provide abasis for evaluating cost/performance on the cents per mile scale. Unfortunately for the scienbtific method, these match the orange and black color scheme of my ‘07 Trek Portland.