Marketed as a “cross country race ready shoe”, the Rushes are effectively a more affordable version of the £240 Furys. We’ve tested the Furys and we’d describe the Rushes, in comparison, as slightly more comfortable for regular riding, but without the same sort of support when rides are longer or more intense.

A small amount of flex in the sole means the Rushes are comfortable to walk in, the soles are relatively grippy on wet rock and the outers are well protected from scuff damage, but a couple of test riders fitted arch-supported insoles to prevent outer foot ache on long rides.

We like the almost slipper-like uppers though, and the straps and ratchet are easy to snug tight down for a secure fit, which is a good thing as the fit is more generously proportioned than most other shoes here — they taper less towards the heel and are slightly wider across the fore foot.

There’s loads of protection via rubberised heel and toe bumpers, and the ratchet buckle can be repositioned on a secondary mounting hole, higher up the side of the shoe, a good thing as the lower position tends to mean the ratchet catches on trailside vegetation.

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