DZR Shoes are back – kind of. Now known as Drift, the ARC is their first new release, and it definitely retains the design language that made DZR what it was. It’s a premium clipless mountain bike shoe that looks more like a sneaker than most other options on the market. There’s no BOA, no ratchets, no buckles – just laces and a whole lotta leather. As someone who has a deep appreciation for raw/selvedge denim, leather, and high-quality clothing, I think the Drift ARC seems like a shoe I’ll get along with in the long term if it holds up and develops a nice patina.
Deven McCoy
I’ve had a couple of DZR shoes over the years, and they certainly had a reputation for being among the most durable bike footwear that doesn’t look like traditional cycling shoes. Heck, BIKE even had our own DZR shoes for a while. So when I saw that the brand was being somewhat reborn as DRIFT and releasing the ARC, I was excited to see what these new shoes were all about and whether they held true to DZR’s ethos.
Deven McCoy
- Full-grain leather
- SPD-compatible
- Composite shank
- Reinforced toe Box
- Rubber outsole
- MSRP: $240
Pros
Durable, waterproof, unique-looking, premium build quality.
Cons
Hot, poor heel retention, uncomfortable lacing, expensive.
Explore the Drift ARC at Drift-sports.com
In terms of build quality, I’d say they are some of the most meticulously built shoes I’ve worn on the bike in a long time, but in terms of how they actually ride on the bike, that has left a little to be desired.
First off, I’ll talk about the construction and feel of the ARC. They’re full-grain leather, and it’s clear that a lot of attention to detail was paid in the development of them. The seams are all robust, sealed, and I can’t imagine these falling apart after years of abuse, which is what these are designed for. They are waterproof, with a composite plastic shank for stiffness and a reinforced toe box for added security. I’m a huge fan of laces, and the ARC have been a reminder of just how comfortable they are overall. The eyelets are reinforced and again, robust. The extra lace that remains after tying them up can be tucked into an interesting flap at the tongue, secured by a small snap and an elastic band.
Deven McCoy
Deven McCoy
The cleat position is fairly mid-foot and comparable to the Fox Union Boa and Shimano GE900 HS, two of my other daily drivers this year, which feels really good. The sole is definitely pretty stiff, which translates to efficient power transfer on the downstroke and an overall comfortable feeling in the shoe on long rides.
If you’re someone who struggles with the current state of build quality in clipless MTB shoes, the Drift ARC could very well quell your worries, but that build quality doesn’t come cheap. At $240 USD, the ARC is a premium shoe with a premium price. But if it checks all the boxes, I can already tell that these will be a shoe that lasts forever and then some.
Deven McCoy
Most of the stitching is doubled, and the full-grain leather will do what leather does: break in over time if you treat it well. I really do appreciate the build quality, and the aesthetics are polarizing, looking more like a mid-2000s skate shoe than a clipless MTB shoe. They definitely give off Nike AF1 or Airwalk vibes, which could be a selling point.
The ARC is certainly a low-top sneaker disguised as a cycling shoe, and it definitely feels like that through the lens of comfort, but when looking at it through the lens of a mountain bike shoe, there are a few places where the ARC falls slightly short, at least in relation to what I’m looking for in a clipless MTB shoe.
When they say low rise, they mean it. That has been my biggest gripe with the ARC. The tongue feels far too short, resulting in a slightly uncomfortable lacing pattern, or an excess of leftover laces if I get them feeling really good. The heel also tends to pull up quite a lot if you aren’t totally strangling your ankles with the laces, and it has taken some time to get used to, especially since both the Union BOA and GE9 HS have such great heel retention.
The insole is nothing special – there’s no adjustable arch support or fancy footbed, but the actual finish of the inside of the shoe is free of any bumps, material overlaps, or folds that could cause discomfort.
Deven McCoy
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Having a waterproof MTB shoe is always nice; it also seems a little counterintuitive to go with a low-rise profile, but it does make them more versatile and wearable year-round. I will say that I was expecting them to be far less breathable than they are, and have been surprised that my feet didn’t totally overheat in the first few rides. I’m not saying my feet were cool or completely comfortable, but they weren’t burning up by any means.
Deven McCoy
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I’ve used the Drift ARC with both Crankbrothers and SPD pedals without any conflicts between sole, pedals, pins, or crankarms, which is a good sign, as some clipless shoes can have trouble playing nice with different pedal styles. I don’t really have much to say about the sole, because honestly, it doesn’t seem like anything crazy special. Drift isn’t using a proprietary rubber compound or a secret recipe; they simply advertise it as a “rubber outsole”. At the end of the day, it’s a clipless shoe, and as long as the sole doesn’t totally fall apart after a few hike-a-bikes, it’s good enough.
Final Thoughts
Deven McCoy
While this isn’t a long-term review and just my thoughts after a few weeks in them, they are so far an interesting shoe. I’ll be curious to see how the full-grain leather breaks in over time and if the initial impressions of the build quality hold up. Overall, they are pretty comfortable after a few dozen rides, and it seems they continue to get better with each subsequent adventure.