A technical review of the new Chrome Industries KURSK 2.0
Alright! So it’s been now a little over 2 months with the new Chromes Industries Kursk shoes and it is time for a review from someone that destroyed a few pairs of the previous version but was really eager to try the new ones.
First things first let’s talk about the original Chrome Kursk and why it was amazing and hated at the same time. When I first discover a casual-looking pair of shoes that has SPD support, I was intrigued but also happy that someone in the industry went the extra step of answering one of many commuters’ needs. “I like SPD but I can’t show up at work with a pair of funny-looking clipless MTB shoes. So what do I do? “
Being the ultimate answer to that question but also somewhat weatherproof and comfortable to wear, the Kursk was an immediate success for the time it was around to suddenly disappear a few years later.
Well, when you create that kind of gear, you obviously face the engineering challenges linked to it. Especially when it’s getting beaten every day by a courier or subject to the forces and pressures you’re gonna apply on it while skidding, sprinting, jumping, or just riding hard.
Of course, it’s a good shoe but when you exert that kind of torture testing by thousands of people, everything including “lifetime products” will end up failing for some of them. And even if it was not supposed to be unbreakable, it was a practical solution to a common problem among a wide spectrum of users.
The most common issue was, “the shoe is falling apart”. The rigid sole would decide to stay on the pedal while the rest of the shoe wanted to stay with you. Of course, delamination is something that happens on every shoe, but even more so if you used it for anything else than “walking”. Those handfuls of misfortunes, conducted Chrome to pull the plug on every SPD compatible model, killing the Kursk in the process.
It is now 2021 and our favorite engineers had some time to think about the strongest of comebacks and that’s why this year was blessed by the new Kursk, but with a twist.
As I asked in the dedicated podcast (you can find it here) we did with Matt and Chris from Chrome Industries, the new model is not really an evolution. They took every element they gathered in the last ten-plus years and added some special sauce on top to create something that clearly feels like a brand new product.
Chrome X Panaracer is now rolling and it is no longer a secret since you can find some branding of it pretty much everywhere. On the box, on the tag, on the outer sole, and a few other discrete touches in the shoe itself. Chrome industries went ahead and partnered with one of the world leaders in terms of cycling rubber and that could only mean one thing: Japanese attention to detail, usability, and durability.
If you ever rode on a pair of Gravelking, you already know what’s up!
So how does that applies to our shoe? Well first, the rubber sole you walk on feels way more solid and dense. Foot-braking with that pair will last way longer than any other shoe on the market if it’s not made of wood. Then the foxing (outside rubber strip bonding the outsole and the shoe) goes way higher on the new Kursk than on its predecessor. A better rubber that covers more around the shoe almost eliminates the risk of premature delamination and extends the weatherproof capacities.
Talking about weatherproofing, the upper part of the Kursk is made of abrasion-resistant and hydrophobic nylon which helps to be water-resistant and extremely durable. Ever tried to rip that kind of nylon apart? Yeah, I couldn’t either.
Finally, I’ll quickly mention the new “rigid flex-plate” that has been improved and now feels stiffer without being a carbon-sole-like experience, trying to kill your feet after fifty kilometers.
Here is the main question though. How does it ride? How does it feel, is it even comfy and will . they . last . ?
I’ve tried them mainly on my Mash Work which is already a comfy but reactive bike with the pair on 404 it’s on. But of course, and as always, the user experience may vary. In the past few months, I went on sunny rides and rainy rides, long and short rides, daily commute, and weekend trips. So with my short but dense experience, I can give you a few thoughts about the new Chrome Kursk and how it performed for me.
First, it is a visual upgrade from the last generation, and that’s important. In whichever color you decide to take it, they look less goofy and more “rugged” but just enough so you don’t look like a security agent.
Second is the ride quality that clearly went up a notch. I can’t tell if it’s because they are more rigid or comfier than the previous gen but they feel way more “easy” to ride and somehow “faster”.
Finally, as lots of you may or may not know, I am an avid foot-brake user. Either because I am too lazy to skid, or just because that tubular tire is too expensive, and for some reason using the rubber on my shoe feels like I’m saving money.
Well, they did not lie! That vulcanized outsole feels way better and will for sure last longer.
Let’s sum it up then. If you’re on the hunt for a pair of SPD shoes that you can also walk normally with, should you consider the new Kursk?
Yes!
For me, they are feeling the empty spot between no SPD at all and using toe cages. And an SPD (SL) shoe that would be more “performance” oriented but without the ability to walk freely when off the bike.
It’s a cool shoe with a lot of nice details (reflective laces with a little strap to store them…) that will be handy in a ton of situations when you wanna go clipless without thinking about your bright white road shoes at home. Think about tracklocross and all the possibilities!
I really enjoy the 2.0 version and I think you should give it a try if you were not sold on the first generation. If you believe in second chances, here is a link for you to read more about the Kursk and decide for yourself!
Thank you to Chome Industries for sending the shoes over and @ellaellad for the pictures!
