The Best MTB Shoes for Flat Pedals

[@HolisticHealthEducation]

I am afraid that I can’t add much value, but I have been riding the specialised flats for the past 18 months now and am quite happy with them. It’s a little expensive, but surprisingly, it fits me well and the pedal grip is sufficient for my use.

[@KrisYahner]

Nice! Sounds like you’ve found a shoe that works well for you.

[@AHappyZeebra]

I absolutely love my 5-10 Trailcross. An amazing hike-a-bike shoe too if you know you need to get off your bike.

[@KrisYahner]

Nice! I think that's their key feature - good shoes on and off the bike.

[@Dialed1]

Great vid, solid topic. As a legacy shoe I really enjoyed the free rider contacts flat rubber zone, I feel like that sole offered the best blend of grip durability and stiffness. I’m currently riding the free ride pro’s and while not as grippy, I’m getting along with them pretty well. It’s an interesting pic you choose, but it all boils down to what works for you and it seems those are checking the most important boxes for you. Ride on!

[@KrisYahner]

the free rider pro is a solid shoe. I've owned a couple of pairs. I can't articulate it but they always left me lacking somehow. Miss those freerider contacts though.

[@Epiphonech]

Since my Karver sole is delaminating despite several atempts of gluing it back, so I'm searching for a replacement with fibula protection and mud flap for laces. Shimano SR9 looks decent but a pain to find in EU43 US9.

[@harrygrimley4352]

Good morning sir. Good to see you again. What we have here is what we call the goldilocks problem. I'm still amateur enough I just where whatever I have.

[@KrisYahner]

Haha! You're not wrong about it being a goldilocks problem. Shoes are one of those things that make a huge difference to me when riding. Probably because it's one of your main contact points with the bike.

[@grinnsessions]

Great topic! I picked up some Ride Concepts Hellions. Check a lot of the boxes. Good grip and just the right stiffness. Light and a solid toe box (bash tested). Only gripe is the ankle coverage is pretty low. Was happy enough I got a second set for next season.

[@KrisYahner]

Might have to give Ride Concepts another look. A lot of people seem to like them.

[@grinnsessions]

@@KrisYahner 50% off '21 stock this weekend.

[@robonbikes]

Great vid as always! I’ve gone through freeriders and freerider contact. I love them but my toes can start tingling, almost get numb (especially when on a road ride). Right now I’m in Shimano GRS and they’ve been fantastic. Wider toe box, great grip.

[@KrisYahner]

Thanks! Hadn’t considered the shimanos but they look like a good option.

[@panhandlemtb4308]

Flat pedal shoes are like saddles for me… I finally find some I really like, but ultimately get let down in the end. Like you, I’ve had a bunch of different flats and ended up with a pair of adidas trailcross. I have the next size down, maybe the midpro? Awesome video! It was refreshing to watch someone give an honest opinion and it came across very genuine unlike a lot of these mtb youtube influencers. I dont mean any disrespect by hat because I know its hard to make money doing these videos and takes up tons of time. I guess the last thing I wanted to say is that I agree with you list of important qualities in a flat shoe. The only thing I would add to it is a shoe with a cuff or gaiter like the trailcross have. I local trails are sandy and full of loose dirt so my shoes fill up with twigs, sand and whatever else. I have been begging a few of the major brands out there to make some flat shoes with s functional gaiter and only one has said to keep my eyes out as they have something in the works. Ride Concepts released a new shoe that looks great, but lacks the cuff. RC is the company that told me to hang tight And I might bd surprised! Shimano used to have a flat shoe with a built in cuff and I saw some specialized 2fo’s in a store a while back with a cuff. They werent my size and the sales guy couldn’t find them online anymore with the damn cuff! Ahhhhhh 😝🤣😂

[@KrisYahner]

The cuff is definitely a nice feature. My only complaint is that it makes a putting on your shoes a two handed operation. That thing is pretty tight. Thanks for watching the video and I appreciate your insights. Thanks for commenting!

[@jroase1658]

Nice Pendleton ! Ride Concepts wildcats are solid but it’s less grippy. I think I’m gonna try those 5s

[@KrisYahner]

Thanks! Let me know what you think of them if you give them a try.

[@scotth7382]

I don't even ride flats but I watched the whole video!

[@KrisYahner]

Thanks Scott!

[@porterhouse317]

Currently riding the Ride Concepts Livewire shoes and have been pretty happy with them. I recently went back to flat pedals and had heard 5.10s quality had fallen quite a bit after being acquired by Adidas. The Livewire has a good pedal feel and good grip. I just picked them up mid-2021 so they haven't seen a full season yet. Durability is still up in the air but so far so good. They aren't the most expensive or high-end that RC makes but I wasn't ready to drop a ton of money.

[@KrisYahner]

Yeah Five Ten struggled for a while with durability but the latest shoes seem to be solid.

[@thim8009]

Always on the look out for something else, but can't find any.

[@MrDamburger]

Love absolutely love the etnies semenuks, I can drive in them, then ride then have a beer with friends afterwards and not even notice them

[@KrisYahner]

Nice! That's one of the best features of flat pedal shoes.

[@thim8009]

I roll with 5 ten impact high. I had a crash and folded my foot over. Broke it in 2 places and pulled everything. I need that security of ankle support.

[@KrisYahner]

Damn! It seems tough to find a mtb shoe with good ankle support. Most of the high tops seem to be geared more toward protecting the ankle from impact rather than from protecting the ankle in a rolling situation.

[@astralzombie]

Currently riding Ride Concepts Powerline, great grip and ankle support, but just ordered a pair of RC Hellions, all of their 2021 shoes are 50% off right now because their new models are coming out…not bad for $60! I tried the 5 10 Trailcross low, they were decent but have a toebox like a women’s high heel shoe, I don’t exactly have “Hobbit feet” so I don’t really get the logic behind that shape, ended up having too much extra space like they were half a size too big.

[@KrisYahner]

That's a killer deal.! Yeah, I noticed that the toe boxes in the trail cross shoes are a little bigger than some other shoes but for me that's a feature. My last sets of shoes pinched too much in the toes so I appreciate the extra room.

[@mellowmiles-r5o]

Thanks for the information ! are there any flats that will actually protect from a rolled ankle ??

[@KrisYahner]

Not that I know of. I think all of the high top MTB shoes that I’ve seen are all about impact protection. You could try lace up ankle braces.

[@mellowmiles-r5o]

@@KrisYahner thanks so much 👊🏾

[@Schrica]

Hey Kris, have your tried the 510 for hiking? I’m looking for new hiking shoes and i like the idea of having a shoe that does both sports.

[@KrisYahner]

I haven't done any long hikes in them - nothing more than a couple of miles. The sole is a little thinner than a really burly hiking shoe and the hightop are more for ankle protection than support so not sure I'd use them for a big backpacking trip but they seem fine for shorter hikes.

[@bradevans3815]

Five Ten Freerider DLX. I ride in very hot weather, and need a breathable shoe. The Pro would be too hot.

[@simonchaddock3694]

Ive just bought some ride concepts downhil 93quid spot on at mo

[@BrianVaughn]

I can't express how much I hate the look of those new five tens. I really liked my Unparallel shoes but the bottoms started wearing out and they never released an updated version so I decided to try the Ride Concepts Hellion Elite. The RC shoes are great while riding but man are they stiff and uncomfortable while you aren't. I tend to wear my riding shows to the trailhead and after my ride so these shoes aren't working for me. I'm hoping they relax a little but I might be in the market for a new shoe next summer.

[@KrisYahner]

Wasn't sure about the look of the five tens at first but it has really grown on me. I ordered a set of Ride Concept Powerlines but while they were labeled as my size they were at least a half size too small for me so I sent them back. Now that was an ugly shoe! haha!

[@SteveTheDiva]

Uh...no mention of Ride Concepts?

[@KrisYahner]

I ordered a pair of the RC Powerlines couple of years back. The sizing was off and I wasn't feeling that stoked on them so I returned them. Might have to give them another look. Lots of people seem to like them.

[@northernairmtb4183]

I ride freeriders.

[@KrisYahner]

That's a great shoe. How do you like them?

[@northernairmtb4183]

@@KrisYahner They're the only ones I've had but I do like them a lot.