Shimano

I've been riding another pedal brand for years and I recently made a switch to the PD-R8000 SPD-SL (Long Spindle +4mm), based on a call i had with a BikeTires Direct helpline person. He explained the reasoning behind the extra width for the spindle and how it can help riders who are wide in the hip (me) so i gave them a shot. They were a game changer. Changing to a new set of cleats was no issue as they came with the pedals. Bought a second pair for my gravel bike. Great price on both sets and a great decision, I'm not looking back.

I run the pd-m9100 on all my gravel bikes but I wanted to see how the platform felt on a mountain bike. Very solid feel but the outer cage deflects the rock garden type stuff from hitting your shoe and knocking it off the pedal. So while they are a bit heavier than some other spd pedals they have the benefit of some minor protections. Few hundred miles on them already and don't think I'll be swapping to the m9100s any time soon. At this price these are a steal.

The most comfortable SPD cycling shoe for wide feet ever. My feet don't get too hot when riding in 90-degree heat or too cold when the temperature is 40 degrees. The newer version of the shoe fits like a glove. This is my second pair. That's not to say that my first pair is worn out after nearly 20,000 miles of riding tarmac and gravel. I just wanted a backup shoe with the exact fit when the time comes to retire my first pair of RX80. Highly recommend.

If you've ridden the RC7 shoe for road biking, you'll find that these a really good complement for mountain biking. They have the same excellent, adjustable fit and a good level of stiffness to deliver strong power transfer on clipless pedals, but also still walkable in hike-a-bike sections. They're reasonably breathable in warmer conditions and grip is solid in various conditions.

So far in the limited number of rides I've had them, the tread seems likely to be durable over the long-term. They also offer a good range of adjustment area for cleat location, which is helpful for one's preference of optimal pedal orientation to one's foot.