ProView – First Degree Arcade Review

Shoes are meant to provide support, comfort, and protection for your feet. Beyond that I hadn’t really given them much thought about them prior to trying the First Degree Arcade shoe, and as a Mountain Biking newbie, I wasn’t sure what to expect in regards to specific Mountain Biking shoes. It isn’t my typical style of shoe and I had no experience with other specifically Mountain Biking shoes prior, so I went into this review with a little apprehension. However, now that I have tried these shoes I must say they have become a favorite and I enjoy wearing them both on and off the trails. They are incredibly comfortable, allowing me to wear them all day in the office, running errands, or walking the dogs. Perhaps more importantly, they also provide enough grip that I am confident I can rough-house with the dogs on the Colorado sandy ground and know that they won’t slip out from under my feet during a competitive game of tug-o-war and am also confident my feet won’t slip while riding the single tracks and local trails around the Boulder area.

The classic sneaker is what originally caught my eye with these shoes, but their versatility is what brings me back day after day. The company is based out of the Alps, meaning they understand what is needed in solid shoe that can survive an all day beating on the trail. They are also on a similar price point to other brands, which is a nice bonus coming from a smaller independent company.The only improvement that I would like to see is a better selection of colors. 

Fit/Comfort

Ask my co-workers, if the snow isn’t two feet deep then I’m wearing flip-flops. I was not sold on an everyday shoe prior to trying these out, but First Degree has knocked the ball out of the park when it comes to comfort. They fit true to size which enhances breathability and allows your foot to be cradled by the shoe. The shoe’s toe box and heel area also sport dirt and water-repellent suede. They are well made and flexible without sacrificing any of the comfort, giving confidence that your shoe will hold up to all the beating you can give it. All of this means that I am wearing shoes even on snow-free days!

Look/Style

I am a flip-flop person, and when I do end up having to wear shoes these are not my normal style choice. That being said, this style really grew on me. The classic sneaker look gives them so much versatility from the singletracks and trails to the bar and a night out. They come in your standard colors with an earth color twist as one. I personally wore the “Earth” color and although I don’t love the color I found ways to include them in my wardrobe. It has a modern design that will fit in no matter your location.

Function/Performance

The First Degree Arcade performed better than I had imagined. My foot stayed on the pedals while cruising down the singletrack trails and lugging the bike back up. The water repellent suede and zonal design on the bottom are a great addition to a dirt shoe. Enough flexibility for an everyday shoe, but great stability for a performance shoe. 

Durability/Construction

The Arcade shoe box and heel sport feature dirt and water-repellent suede. The Arcade features an Antidote sole made from specially formulated rubber compound and shaped into a zonal design that allows for a self cleaning sole. The laces are secured by a pocket on the tongue keeping them secure from the drivetrain. The antidote sole adds that extra grip on the pedal you’re looking for. These have held very well considering the conditions. 

The Final Word

First Degree clearly put a lot of thought and love into this shoe design. The clean look and classic style allow for many uses from the singletrack trails to the dance floor at your local dive bar. The suede and zonal design allow for self wicking so you are always looking fly and fresh on the go. I highly recommend these shoes for those who are looking to go from the office, to the track, to the dog park, and then to an evening out without having to switch shoes. 

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