Fox Racing Union Canvas Review
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Final Rating
Summary
Testing these shoes around the French and Swiss Alpine terrain in the Portes du Soleil proved that the Fox Union MTB shoes have predictable traction and are comfortable to wear all day.
However, they are not the most ventilated MTB shoes on the market, and water resistance stops at puddle splashes.
Pros
- Excellent grip on the pedals, but you can still make micro adjustments mid-corner if you need to.
- Mid-stiff EVA mid-sole stops arch ache during lift-assisted laps.
- Canvas uppers deliver relaxed, street-style looks, so you don’t look out of place during post-ride beers.
- Competitive pricing undercuts top models from other brands.
Cons
- Canvas soaks quickly in heavy rain (although it should dry out overnight)
- Breathability isn’t on a par with airy mesh rivals.
- The soles can fill with mud, making walking up wet and slippery slopes challenging, especially when pushing your bike.
- Probably not the best choice for wet winter riding.
User Review
( votes)The Fox Racing Union Canvas flat pedal MTB shoes are designed to be an alternative to the Five Ten Freeriders. At first glance, these shoes appear understated, but Fox has packed in some great tech and comfort.
To bring the price down, Fox went away from expensive welded synthetic materials. Instead, they went for canvas fabric, which reduces costs while maintaining high performance.
But don’t think that Fox has cut costs elsewhere. You get Ultratac rubber soles, mid-sole support, and tough protection without breaking the bank.
Testing these shoes around the French and Swiss Alpine terrain in the Portes du Soleil proved that the Fox Union MTB shoes have predictable traction and are comfortable to wear all day.
However, they are not the most ventilated MTB shoes on the market, and water resistance stops at puddle splashes. Therefore, expect sweaty or soggy socks if you don’t plan according to the weather forecast.
With this in mind, these compromises are acceptable when considering the style, pedal grip, and approachable price.
What Is The Fox Racing Union Canvas Flat Pedal MTB Shoe?
The Union is Fox’s answer to providing mountain bikers with a cost-conscious option. Their designers wanted to keep performance characteristics while replacing more expensive materials with durable 12-ounce canvas. Therefore, they have grippy soles, nylon stiffening plates, EVA cushioning, and an elastic lace keeper.
These shoes are for mountain bikers who prefer flat pedals, a “lifestyle” appearance, and everyday wearability without performance compromises.
Features
The standout feature of the Fox Union MTB shoes is the Ultratac soles. The grip pattern has hex-shaped lugs that interlock with the pins on your pedals, giving you plenty of security.
But these lugs are pretty shallow, so you can shuffle your feet a bit to make adjustments before dropping into corners. I like the wide spacing in the toe and heel zones, which improves traction when pushing uphill or nervously walking down.
Inside, these shoes have moulded nylon plates that spread loads, preventing mid-foot collapse during big compressions or heavy landings. On top of this, the tuned EVA mid-sole does a great job of absorbing chatter from breaking bumps while giving you plenty of valuable feedback.
If you tend to ride in rough conditions, you’ll like that the canvas material resists abrasion better than cheap synthetic materials.
This is enhanced by the moulded toe shield and rubberised sidewalls, which protect against crank rub and impacts. You can also choose between seven colour ways to complement your bike and outfits.
Padding under the tongue distributes lace pressure, and collar foam reduces ankle irritation during long days.
Performance
When on the bike, the first thing you’ll notice is the immediate grip on the pedals. This is confidence-inspiring as the pins sink into the Ultratac rubber soles, but the compound isn’t overly gummy.
I found this to be extremely useful when riding downhill trails in Morzine, as I could still reposition my feet without awkwardly lifting them off the pedal at the wrong moment.
The Portes du Soleil has a lot of long Alpine descents, so I wanted to see how the Fox Union shoes would hold up. Thanks to the flex plate, I hardly experienced any arch fatigue. These shoes still felt comfortable when walking up a rocky track. They flex naturally, while the midsole provides plenty of support.
Since I’ve been riding in the Fox Union shoes, we’ve been experiencing a heatwave here in the Alps. The breathability of these shoes is pretty average, and I have been finishing my days with sweaty socks. Although the temperatures are higher than usual, there’s still room for more breathability.
After several days of hot and dry weather, we usually get heavy storms. Unfortunately, one of these storms came in with lightning that closed the chairlifts, causing a premature ride down the mountain back home.
When it was just drizzling, the splash-proof coating kept water at bay. However, the following showers soaked the fabric after several minutes. After placing the Fox Unions near a radiator overnight, they were nice and dry and ready for riding.
Living With Fox Racing Union Canvas Flat Pedal MTB Shoe
As the sole flexes moderately at the toe, walking around in these shoes feels natural. It takes a bit of effort to clean them, though. Dust and clay get into the canvas fibres. If you’re picky about keeping your shoes clean, you’ll need a brush and mild detergent to do a proper job.
The good news is that they dry out quickly, so they don’t gain a musty smell. I can imagine that you’ll need thick socks on a cold winter morning, as the canvas offers minimal insulation. However, this isn’t something I’ve experienced yet.
Final Verdict
The Fox Racing Union Canvas flat pedal MTB shoe does a great job of merging affordability, style, and performance. Traction on the pedals easily competes with industry favourites. At the same time, the mid-sole support reduces fatigue on techy and long descents.
When it comes to downsides, the modest ventilation and water ingress are something to be aware of. However, the Fox Union shoes are pretty good in most conditions, so these negatives shouldn’t overshadow the positives.
If you’re in the market for a new pair of flat pedal shoes, you should consider the Fox Union Canvas. They are a worthy alternative to similar models from Five Ten, Giro, or Ride Concept. The best thing to do is try some on and see how they feel.
Tom Fortune has been reviewing cycling products for several years from his home in the French Alps. As the owner of mtb-threads.com, he mainly reviews mountain bike products but also reviews road cycling products independently.
