Review: Crankbrothers Stamp Street Fabio Shoes

Jan 27, 2023
by Henry Quinney  
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Crankbrothers might be better known for their pedals and components, but since coming into the shoe market several years ago they've certainly made a splash with their clipless models. Riders, myself included, love the construction, fit, and how well they integrate with the brand's own pedals. That said, clips are just one way to go, and flat pedal riders are a different proposition entirely.
Stamp Street Fabio Details
• Two-part construction
• Four colorways available
• Sizes: 5-14
• Weight: 299g per shoe (US 9)
• MSRP: $129 USD
www.crankbrothers.com

The brand has two main lines of aggressive trail and downhill pedals: the Mallet clipless pedal and the Stamp flat pedal. Both ranges get their respective shoes under the same name. The idea is that you buy into a system that was built and designed from day one to integrate seamlessly. Both shoes would share the same uppers and be fitted with different soles.

With their new shoe, the Stamp Street Fabio, they've teamed up with trials and street superstar Fabio Wibmer to make a more casual shoe that's better suited to trials and dirt jumps than flat-out janky tech and World Cup runs.


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The inner bootie is a good system, with loops to make life a bit easier.
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Your laces can be held in place with an elastic loop.

Comfort & Fit

These shoes are very comfortable to wear. The uppers, which are made of a two-piece system that includes an internal bootie as well as a more conventional shoe outer, are form-fitting and supportive without being restrictive. There is a bit of a theme with this shoe and that is flexibility. If we cast our eyes back to the original Five Ten Impact, which is possibly the most influential mountain bike shoe of all time, then these are the polar opposite. Where something like that was bulky, these are lightweight. Whereas the Impacts were voluminous, these are minimalist.

As you can imagine, that does mean the shoes don't quite have that armored feel others have, the reasoning for which I'll come back to when discussing on-bike feel, but that's not to say that the shoe doesn't have protection. It does, but it's well-placed and thought-out rather than universal. There is a reinforced inner pannel to protect from impacts from the cranks and a reasonably solid toebox.

Unlike other Crankbrothers shoes, this model doesn't feature a pouch on the tongue to store the laces in. Instead, they make do with an elastic strap on the tongue. There are pull tabs on the tongue and heel for ease of use.

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The sole isn't the grippiest, but that should make it at least more durable.
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These aren't the best breathing shoes, despite the perforations.

Performance

Before I talk about using these on mountain bike trails we need to acknowledge the elephant in the room - I don't think these shoes are really meant with all-out mountain biking in mind. What we want from a flat-soled shoe on the trails isn't such a priority for an someone like Fabio Wibmer.

For every left-of-field observation, there is sense to be found on its dexter side. So, in no particular order - are these shoes particularly grippy? No, not really, but for some that means ease of foot adjustment. Are they stiff under power? No, but that does mean a "monkey gripping" on the pedals for extra control is very easily done. Are they burly and armored? No, not really, but they do make a great everyday shoe.

The truth is, if you're looking for the ultimate mountain biking shoe this isn't it. But if you want to get a shoe that's comfortable to ride in, while being good at all the things mountain bike shoes are bad at - IE. all day comfort and looks - then this shoe is actually great and really offers something. If you're commuting to the gym or mincing about town and filming a viral YouTube hit on your trials bike in the afternoon then these will serve you well.



Pros

+ Very light
+ Comfortable and casual
+ A good sole for walking, dirt jumps and street riding
Cons

- Not grippy enough for rough trails
- Not particularly armoured
- A very flexy sole




Pinkbike's Take

bigquotesI don't think anyone at Crankbrothers will read this review and consider it a revelation. These shoes are good at what they're meant to be good at, it just so happens that when reviewing things on a mountain biking website it's hard not to have your attention drawn to the things they don't excel in. If this was streetbike.com though, I'd be writing a glowing review. Comfortable? Absolutely. Good looks? Sure. Ready to smash that super triple black diamond downhill run? Not so much. These are good shoes, and if you want something that is good for cycling and everyday life I would suggest them. For mountain biking though, I would lean toward other options.  Henry Quinney


Author Info:
henryquinney avatar

Member since Jun 3, 2014
322 articles

57 Comments
  • 11 0
 I just bought a pair of the Stamp shoes. Same sole, similar shoe. I've paired them with the Stamp 1 pedal. I would have to agree, light weight, comfy but not grippy or much protection. Maybe these will be my trail work shoes.
  • 5 0
 I'm in the same boat. However, I think that the lack of grip is the fault of the Stamp 1 pedal, rather than the shoe. I had an email convo with some CrankBros staff and they said that a revised and improved Stamp pedal is on the way as the result of customer feedback on exactly this issue.
  • 3 1
 My buddy got this set up and I tried it out, wild how little grip a Stamp shoe and Stamp pedal have together. I've been stoked on Ride concepts lately, next up is Leatt on my radar. Got to try them all
  • 1 0
 Same here, gum soles are sticky to the touch but not so sticky to the pedals. they are comfortable tho!
  • 2 0
 I have Stamp shoes, agree they are shite with the Stamp 1 pedals. I suspect it’s the raised spindle area that limits the contact with the pins. But they’re great with OneUp Composites and excellent with e13 Base flats, neither of which has a raised spindle area. And the Stamps are the most comfortable bikes shoes, heck most comfortable anything shoe, I’ve ever worn. Will buy again when this pair wear out.
I picked up the Mallets to try for clipped in days, and by golly they’re just as comfortable as the Stamps, stiff, great off bike. And play very well with Saint SPD pedals. And yes I’ve tried Shimano AM9, AM5, Ride Concepts and XC shoes. CB shoes just work for me. YMMV.
  • 1 0
 It looks like a great collector of dirt wih the neoprene kind of internal sock
  • 1 0
 @ratedgg13: thanks for that feedback
  • 4 0
 Stamp 1’s have a lot more grip if you install longer pins, 12mm instead of 10mm worked well if I remember right and they are standard bolts you can find on Amazon, etc. If you go up from a Stamp 1 the grip is a lot better out of the box or just use longer pins on Stamp 1’s
  • 2 0
 @dhrider92: I tried your suggestion. I put 12mm pins in and it makes a huge difference.
Thanks!
  • 14 2
 vans 4 ever be like vink!
  • 2 0
 Forever wishing vans would make something with just a bit more vibration foam. I loved my vans bmx shoes in all ways but that. Personally I am happy with a bit more flex and feel, but having my feet vibrated to death felt like shit if I was riding bike parks
  • 1 0
 @panthermodern: Have you tried the Van's Ave pro's? I'm going on my 3rd season on a pairn and I think they've got pretty ample vibration protection.
  • 1 0
 @Brave1i1toaster: thanks! I will give those a go!
  • 7 0
 Looks like maybe a 5.10 sleuth kinda deal.

I liked mine but same issues. Not stiff enough, no protection etc. grippier sole tho…
  • 3 0
 Same experience here. Sleuths look good but for actual mountain biking I'll go with the Freeriders
  • 1 0
 @tom666: I've been riding the Sleuth DLX shoes for a while and they've been decent to be fair. Unsurprisingly they're not great in the wet and take forever to dry, but on the whole they're fine. Weirdly they keep my feet drier than my Shimano AM9s do! Those are a much more "technical" shoe but the lace cover and toe box perforations mean they funnel water into the shoe. The Sleuth DLXs don't to the same extent, probably because the materials absorbs some of it perhaps...

I typically go for shoes that offer a degree of flexibility rather than being super stiff, so they suit me in that regard. I've worn mine for some long rides (and rode Ard Rock in them) and comfort was never an issue, although I use pedals with quite a large platform so that might offset some of the lack of support from the shoe itself.
  • 1 0
 I like those shoes for urban ridding or quick laps in easy trails. But the sole got chewed in one year. I had the grey one´s but got more like khaki color in a few rides,never come back to the original color,always looked like dirty shoes.
  • 1 0
 I have both sleuths and the stamps. I like them both and use both interchangeably, the stamps are definitely softer but no skate shoe, and the sleuths are in between those and free riders.
  • 3 0
 I love my speed-lace Stamps for riding. They're (for me) the perfect fit & gripiness with minimal bulk. I didn't like my Sleuths for riding so they became my street shoes - now they're falling apart. I guess I know what will replace the Sleuths now.
  • 3 0
 The "comfort & fit" section of the article does not say a single thing about "fit"...

Are they true to size?
Are they wide / narrow?
Are they roomy or compact in the toe box?
Heel hold?
etc etc

I know nothing from this article, and please don't say try them on at my local bike shop. The only way the majority of readers here will get these shoes is via internet order.
  • 3 1
 I was looking for some new casual shoes that would also be good for goofing around on the DJ bike, and the occasional pump-track outing (Only occasional 'cause I unfortunately don't have a local one. Yet.). Ended up getting some Etnies BMX shoes (Devon Smillie signature model, fwiw.). Bit stiffer than the last pair of Vans I had, but still comfortable for walking in, decent grip, and don't scream out "bike shoe!" to everyone that looks at 'em. They're currently going for about $50 on Etnies site.

Also had decent luck with Vans, but I had a promo code for Etnies, so I figured I'd try 'em...

tldr; Not sure why you need $130 shoes to goof around on your DJ bike.
  • 5 0
 Lost me at "not grippy enough"....
  • 1 0
 Never ridden trials, so I've no idea if that needs a less grippy shoe, perhaps for easier bails? Might be the perfect bike shop staff shoe, I guess...
  • 3 0
 @mountainsofsussex: As a trials rider you generally want more grip. It's why a lot of riders tend to run FiveTens, and why I would never run these.
  • 3 1
 Lost me on 129 USD
  • 1 1
 Great for crankflips
  • 1 0
 @onetrykid: Crankflips are actually easier with grippier shoes.
  • 7 2
 So a MTB shoe that's not good for riding...
  • 1 0
 Strictly Ibis
  • 4 0
 Woah - a trials rider made shoes not designed for rough trails? Who knew that would be marked as negative on a Street shoe.
  • 2 1
 - Not grippy enough for rough trails - Not particularly armoured - A very flexy sole - Don't Breathe - Same price as many other options - Look pretty good So, ticking the same boxes as everything else from Crank Bros, and they probably come in an Apple-quality shoebox.
  • 1 0
 I ride Street all the time and the biggest problem is:
-if the shoe is grippy (aka soft soles) then they last 5 month before shoe sole is totally shredded
- if the sole is hard, they last a long time but your feet fly off spinning 180s or 360s -and steal your confidence

These seem like you’ll need a new pair in 5 months. And why do they look like bowling shoes? Thought Fabio would want flashy fluorescent color accents ?
  • 4 0
 These look like bowling shoes.
  • 2 0
 or golf shoes Smile
  • 2 0
 Definitely was gonna comment the same thing …… bowling shoes vibes
  • 3 0
 these are so bad it hurts.
  • 3 0
 They look all white they do.
  • 1 0
 Yes, until you get the urban shit on them.
  • 2 0
 I'm looking forward to reading Henry's a five star review of these on mincebike
  • 1 0
 Wow, people have way more problems with their MTB specific shoes than I do with my new balance skate shoes? Oh right, that's why I switched back 3 pairs ago
  • 2 0
 Mincing about town! Henri you're such a wordsmith
  • 1 0
 Maybe I’m doing wrong, but I sure don’t get a lot of “impacts from the crankarm” while I’m riding….
  • 1 0
 So they got the guy who loves internal routing to review shoes best for dirt jumping. Okeydokey.
  • 1 0
 Dexter with his monkey grip left me with no sinister quip
  • 1 0
 Reviews like this reinforces HQ’s integrity and credibility.
  • 1 0
 Basically any runner I pull out of my closet would be the equal of these.
  • 1 0
 White riding gear. Always a good idea...
  • 1 0
 No branding? Perfect for the office!
  • 1 0
 Clark Griswold had entered the chat.
  • 1 0
 Somebody queue up “Big Pimpin” quick.
  • 1 0
 They should buy 5dev. They need cranks.
  • 1 0
 So would you describe them as non grippy Sleuths?
  • 1 0
 white mtb tennis shoes.
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