HT may have a premium image, but at only £40 / $54 the 878 represents good value for money for a relatively light cross-country/trail pedal. While a lack of a proper cage helps keep the weight down, you do get a little side-foot support.
The cleat has a very positive engagement/disengagement that many will like, and the mechanism holds you tight in the pedal – we’d like a bit more float from the stock cleat, but this is available as an aftermarket option.
There’s not masses of shaping to guide you into the pedal and, without a cage, if you’re trying to re-clip in mid-trail after a dab you might find them a bit tricky to locate, but as we’ve mentioned, when you’re in, you’re definitely in.
Tension adjustment is fairly wide, despite the locked in feel. Our only real issue is that the cleat seems to feel pretty tall, especially when run with a relatively shallow-treaded shoe – you certainly feel like you’re stood directly on the cleat, rather than being offered any surrounding support, so it’s much better suited to a stiffer soled shoe.