Built to suit the demands of downhill and enduro mountain biking, the Ride Concepts Tallac Mid Boa builds on the original Tallac’s foundation and increases protection by raising the cuff and adding more D3O. However, despite its great looks, capable weather protection, and phenomenal grip, the Tallac Mid Boa falls short in terms of sizing, comfort, and pedal feel.
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Ride Concepts Tallac Mid Boa shoe - Technical details
Donning the same name as its low-cut cousin, the Tallac, the Tallac Mid Boa gets many of the same features but uses a mid-height cuff. That not only makes the shoe look a little cooler but provides Ride Concepts with the opportunity to build in more protection.
Ride Concepts is a brand that’s become synonymous with its partnership with D3O, the company best known for its non-Newtonian protective technology that’s usually found in knee pads and such. However, Ride Concepts uses it not only for its protective qualities but also takes advantage of its impact resistance in the footbed. With that in mind, the bendy orange material is found in that new higher cuff, as well as several locations around the shoe’s bonded upper. The brand then uses D3O’s High Impact Zone Technology within the insole, which reduces vibrations and fatigue and absorbs impacts.
Sticking with the upper for a bit, the Tallac Mid Boa has a fully gusseted tongue to help keep dirt out. The bonded upper also benefits from Cordura mesh panels to encourage airflow. As for the closure, the Tallac Mid Boa is tightened using a single Boa Li2 dial and the ratchet system’s PerformFit Wrap. Then, a TX4 lace is picked for its low friction, and the shoe uses Ride Concepts’ medium last.
Sitting at level four on Ride Concepts’ stiffness chart, the Tallac Mid is designed for improved efficiency, but there’s also a MaxGrip rubber outsole. That rubber then benefits from a reverse hexagon tread pattern with more aggressively cut knobs at the toe and heel.
To boost protection further, there are TPU panels at the heel and toe, as well as what Ride Concepts calls a mudguard to add durability in high-friction areas – namely, the inside of the cuff.
As for weight, Ride Concepts claims 440g in a men’s UK 10. My UK 9.5s come in at 473g.
Ride Concepts Tallac Mid Boa shoe - Performance
During my time with the Tallac Mid Boa, I’ve found them to be rather hit-and-miss; Ride Concepts has done a great job with the very bones of the shoe, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. And the sizing is one area that could do with being addressed.
I’m a UK 9.5, or an EU44, and the shoe sizes up fairly large by a size or perhaps even two. They’re super roomy, which is great for those with deeper feet, but for proper stability, I’ve had to crank the Boa dial right down just to keep my feet from moving around in the shoe. The toe box is understandably roomy, but the Tallac Mid isn’t exactly true to size. I recommend trying before you buy and strongly suggest sizing down.
Although the Tallac Mid boasts many similarities to the Tallac, it is missing the Velcro strap at the toe. Although its Boa lace loops through three straps, pressure over the three isn’t particularly even. Having just a strip of Velcro at the toe would help with this in a big way.
With this shoe, there was a real break-in period where the upper was very stiff. Throughout the first couple of rides, I found hotspots on top of the balls of my feet, though after that, the shoes did loosen up and comfort in general improved, to a point, although those hotspots are still very present. Comfort isn’t the Tallac Mid’s strong suit. It’s super clear that it’s a shoe designed for maximum protection as the overall comfort is a little compromised through the extra stiffness of the mid-level cuff that comes as a result of that sliver of D3O on the inner side.
It’s a rather stiff shoe overall, and while that does mean improved efficiency through better power transfer, as power isn’t being wasted through a flexy sole, it’s not without its downsides, especially for a flat-pedal shoe. One positive is all-out support – even in situations where I’ve placed my shoe back on the pedal in a less-than-ideal position, I’ve not felt at a total disadvantage as the Tallac Mid can almost broaden the support and security of a pedal.
The trouble is that the pedal feel isn’t direct. Because the sole is so stiff, I’ve struggled to feel where my foot is on the pedal. It sounds mental, I know, but a bit of flex in a flat-pedal-specific shoe can go a long way when it comes to overall communication and feedback with the bike. On a clipless shoe, I would be a lot more understanding.
Although the Tallac Mid is far from perfect, there’s one feature that redeems the shoe, and in a big way – grip. The Tallac Mid’s MaxGrip outsole is outstanding. When paired with either the Deity Flattrak or Race Face Aeffect R pedals, traction is among the very best, if not hands-down class-leading. The MaxGrip rubber results in a feel that’s more solid than with clipless pedals, where I’ve struggled to shift my foot for proper positioning. This is a super stable shoe on the pedal. It just doesn’t move unless you want it to. When it comes to rubber compounds, Ride Concepts has knocked it out of the park.
Weather protection and breathability are pretty good, too. It's a solid balance: the TPU areas and the higher cuff block water and dirt ingress to a point, while the Cordura mesh panels also welcome enough airflow for comfort.
Ride Concepts Tallac Mid Boa shoe - Verdict
With a price of £190, the Tallac Mid Boa is certainly up there, but for a shoe loaded with D3O and a Boa dial – it’s to be expected. There are competing shoes around, such as Crankbrothers’ Stamp Trail Boa that costs £200. It doesn’t get the level of protection present on the Ride Concepts shoe, but I’ve been riding them alongside the Tallac Mids, and they are so much more comfortable, though pedal grip isn’t quite as plentiful.
There aren't many mid-height shoes around, but Five Ten's Trail Cross Mid is one, though these have a more hike-a-bike focus rather than an all-out protective, on-bike performance angle, like the Tallac Mids. There's no Boa present on these, so naturally, the price is lower at £150.
If you're looking for ultimate protection and unwavering pedal grip over anything else, that's the Ride Concepts Tallac Mid Boa. However, in the brand's quest to create a traction-rich, protective shoe, a few key elements have fallen by the wayside, namely comfort, pedal feel and sizing.