Last year, Fox launched their Union mountain bike shoe line, and in a short period of time these kicks have gained widespread popularity. Chris reviewed the Fox Union Boa clipless shoes at launch and concluded they are an “excellent choice for mountain bikers who prioritize support, performance, and durability.” I wanted to see how the flat pedal version of the Fox Union shoes perform, and after testing them this summer and fall, I’ve found they perform very well, though there’s still room for improvement.
Fox Union flat shoes key specs
- Weight: 848g / pair (size 11.5US)
- Price: $149.95
- Buy from Amazon
The Fox Union flat shoe uppers are made from a welded TPU material that’s available in seven colors, including olive green, as shown here. Fox offers three different flat shoe models, and this one, with laces and the TPU upper, sits in the middle of the line.
The EVA foam midsole features an “Ultratac” outsole with a rounded hex pattern. Molded and reinforced toe and heel caps promise durability, stability, and protection.
On the trail
Starting at the sole, the Fox Union flat shoes offer excellent no-slip, flat pedal grip. The Ultratac material offers a nice blend of firm and sticky, and while the tread doesn’t help much on slippery slopes, on inspection it’s clear pedal pins have no problem digging in and locking on tight.
Sole stiffness is hard to get just right in my experience, and the Fox Union flats get as close to perfect as any I’ve tested. The sole is stiff enough to transfer power and not feel like I’m monkey-paw gripping the pedals, yet it’s flexible enough for comfort off the bike. In fact, I actually walked several miles in these shoes more than once to break them in, and I found they’re nearly as comfortable as my regular street shoes.
The toe box seems slightly narrow to me, though my feet are a little wider than average. The Fox Unions feel tight around my mid-foot, particularly on the right side. It’s only noticeable after a couple of hours on the bike, and since the tightness is pretty minor, I figured it would work itself out over time. However, the tightness remains, and in hindsight, I probably should have ordered a half (or whole) size larger. If you’re in between sizes, my advice is to size up half a size as they seem to run a touch small.
With a welded TPU upper, the Fox Unions are durable and do a good job protecting against scuffs and rock strikes. I lost track of the number of times I stubbed my toe on a rock or a root, with no harm and no foul. There’s not a lot of ventilation available, and just looking at these shoes, you’d think they would be hot and sweaty. Yet even on hot summer rides, they weren’t noticeably hotter than other shoes I’ve owned. The upshot is they also resist water intrusion from quick splashes through puddles and streams.
One thing I don’t understand is why the laces are so short. They’re barely long enough to tie a proper bow, let alone a double knot. The padded tongue might be to blame, but even smushing the tongue and cinching the laces tightly yields very little excess.
I suppose an advantage of short laces is that they don’t flop around or threaten to get sucked into your chainring. The Fox Union flat shoes do offer a stretchy lace keeper, but I literally couldn’t find it until I wrote this review. Like the laces and the tongue, the lace keeper is black and is about the same width (and texture) as the shoelace. With the shoes tied, my laces don’t even reach the keeper anyway.
Share your Fox Union Flat Shoes review
I’m jealous of the Fox Union clipless shoes, which include a wide Velcro strap in addition to the laces. It would be nice to have a firmer closure on the flat shoes to reduce heel slippage, especially off the bike.
I like the look of the Fox Union flat shoes, and the classic lace system is a big part of that. The colors are nice and neutral, and while I’m not normally a fan of the welded plastic look, the matte finish disguises it well.
Pros and cons of Fox Union Flat Shoes
Pros
- Durable construction
- Just-right stole stiffness
- Good looks
Cons
- Could benefit from a velcro strap for a more secure fit
- Laces are too short
Bottom line
The Fox Union flat shoes are a quality choice with a not-too-stiff, not-too-flexible sole, durable construction, and good looks. My advice is to order a half size larger if you’re unsure or are in between sizes… and to pick up a set of longer shoelaces to go with them.
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