Which (if any) cycling shoes are made in the USA?

September 3, 2006 12:45 PM

Which (if any) cycling shoes are made in the USA?

I'm looking to switch to a pair of clipless pedals. I want mountain biking shoes that are made in America or, barring that, are made in a country that has excellent labor laws. I would have thought this nearly impossible after my search for sweatshop-free atheletic shoes turned up absolutely no manufacturers who manufactured atheletic shoes in the US exclusively, but I have noticed that lots of cycling apparel is made here. Maybe this will be less of a challenge. Thank you in advance for your input.

posted by raddevon to sports, hobbies, & recreation (8 comments total)

Sidi shoes are made in Italy, I know that much.
posted by jimmythefish at 1:10 PM on September 3, 2006

I believe that Nike's high-grade cycling shoes are also made in Italy, dating from the Armstrong-endorsement era. It's fairly specialised manufacturing, so your choices are basically Italian-made or Far Eastern. Go with the Italian ones.
posted by holgate at 1:32 PM on September 3, 2006

Rocket 7 shoes are made in the good old US of A. You'll need to pony up $439.00, though. It costs big bucks to have principles. I'd go with Sidi (I have two pairs, they are that good). for less than half of that price.
posted by fixedgear at 1:55 PM on September 3, 2006

Yes, buying all american, can make you go broke!
posted by ken1247 at 2:09 PM on September 3, 2006

Does Avocet still make shoes? They're in Palo Alto.
posted by turducken at 2:37 PM on September 3, 2006

Avocet makes tires and computers, haven't seen shoes in many years.
posted by fixedgear at 4:45 PM on September 3, 2006

Lake Cycling Shoes is based in Illinois, but I'm not sure if the shoes are made there or if they are imported.
posted by lemhuxley at 8:14 PM on September 3, 2006

Lake shoes are made in China, unfortunately. Having said that, I have a pair (they're great shoes). Goooo sweatshops!
posted by jimmythefish at 9:34 PM on September 3, 2006