Which MOUNTAIN BIKE Shoe is BEST? 16 Different MTB Kicks Compared

With so many new mountain bike shoes introduced over the past 12 months or so, we thought it was high time to round them all up to see which ones are best. Dig right in to find out! Links to full reviews and more information below. #MTB #mountainbiking #shoes
Video Timeline
0:00 - Shoe Nightmare
1:37 - Five Ten Freerider Pro
2:27 - Specialized 2FO Roost and 2FO DH
3:30 - Ride Concepts Hellion Elite and TNT
4:36 - Fizik MTB Shoe Line
6:20 - Leatt DBX 3.0 Aaron Chase Signature
7:42 - Crankbrothers Mallet E Lace and Stamp BOA
9:31 - Specialized Rime - MSRP $130 USD
10:17 - Five Ten/Adidas Trailcross Mid Pro and LT
11:36 - Bontrager Flatline - MSRP $130 USD
12:04 - Shimano GR7 - MSRP $140 USD
Previous edition of Flat Pedal Shoe Roundup - www.vitalmtb.com/features/Vit...
New Five Ten Freerider Pro Primeblue - www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-r...
Specialized 2FO Roost - www.vitalmtb.com/features/Has...
Specialized 2FO DH - www.vitalmtb.com/features/Sli...
Ride Concepts Hellion Elite Review - www.vitalmtb.com/product/guid...
Fizik Gravita Range - www.vitalmtb.com/product/guid...
Leatt DBX 2.0 and 3.0 Shoes - www.vitalmtb.com/features/Fir...
Crankbrothers Stamp and Mallet Shoes - www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-r...
Specialized Rime - www.vitalmtb.com/product/guid...
Five Ten Trailcross - www.vitalmtb.com/photos/featu...

[@vitalmtb]

Video Timeline 0:00 - Shoe Nightmare 1:37 - Five Ten Freerider Pro 2:27 - Specialized 2FO Roost and 2FO DH 3:30 - Ride Concepts Hellion Elite and TNT 4:36 - Fizik MTB Shoe Line 6:20 - Leatt DBX 3.0 Aaron Chase Signature 7:42 - Crankbrothers Mallet E Lace and Stamp BOA 9:31 - Specialized Rime - MSRP $130 USD 10:17 - Five Ten/Adidas Trailcross Mid Pro and LT 11:36 - Bontrager Flatline - MSRP $130 USD 12:04 - Shimano GR7 - MSRP $140 USD

[@pchlars5666]

This is by far the best mtb shoes test I've seen!

[@buhayfratman7237]

Please give me a gift. I really want a freerider. Watching from philippines

[@NerfHerdsman]

One of your most helpful videos, particularly as my fivetens are nearing their last ride!

[@ilovephotography1254]

Quick, concise and full of valuable info. Thank You for sharing a well performed video review.

[@esan0715]

This video assisted me in buying the 5 ten free rider pro mids. After a few rides, love the shoe. Sticks really well to the pedals. Thank you

[@adamt3289]

Johan you do excellent reviews top job mate

[@vitalmtb]

Johan says thanks!

[@walterbrown6388]

Great review. Thanks

[@charpayn1915]

Sick I was looking forward to something like this

[@thebrownfamilyriders]

Awesome video love to see more !!!!!!!!!!!

[@nateodom8681]

Wow! So many great options!!!!!!

[@onerider808]

I’m having a heck of a time finding MTB shoes to fit my wide feet. Many say they have “volume”, but few do.

[@BramBiesiekierski]

Very helpful and thorough reviews.

[@vitalmtb]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheGuyWho3415]

I really like the idea of the Trailcross for trail building, just wish they'd stick the lugged sole onto a tougher shoe.

[@polluxtroy2010]

Finally an informative video about MTB shoes!. How would you compare the Fizik versus Crankbrothers Stamp flat pedal options?

[@superawesomefuntimego]

I have been running 5 10's for a while now and decided to give the RC Livewire a try this time around. Only a couple rides on them so far, but I like them, the grip is pretty good, although not quite like my Freeriders (at least until my pedals eventually tore holes out in the sole). Thinking I should have maybe gotten the Hellion Elites for that bit more grip, next time maybe.

[@vitalmtb]

yep, if you like the Livewire you'll LOVE the Hellion Elite. Great grip, great shoe.

[@steveprasser4801]

I already had a pair of LEATT DBX 1.0 and DBX 2.0 and am really happy with them, so I bought a pair of the LEATTs (Aaron Chase edition as in this review). After only a few rides (pretty mild XC riding) one split across the vented section above the toes. LEATT replaced them under warranty (reluctantly) but the replacement pair split exactly the same way the second time I wore them. The online retailer gave me a full refund, and I bought a pair of Northwaves, which are holding up just fine. Still happy with my LEATT DXB 1.0 and 2.0, but the material used for the uppers in the Aaron Chase edition seems prone to tearing around those vents.

[@zdream720]

I wear the DC Skate Winter version for the extra padding and I love them, but sadly corona seems to have wiped them out of availability. Time to try out something new I guess.

[@Later_Nerd]

I dig the look of the Specialized 2FO shoes. They have a nice mix of a skate shoe mixed with a more athletic trainer, plus a nice green/olive color. Nice to hear they are right up there with Five Tens in terms of grip (I hate most of five tens designs besides the Sleuth which is too flexible for anything but park days.) It's overall just nice to see other options. It's a bit annoying that the default answer every time online is just Five Tens. They make a great shoe and people recommend them for a reason. But they are far from the only answer. One problem is MTB shoes are so niche that I really haven't found anywhere you can try on a bunch of options at once. Even at REI or Evo they only have a couple in store. There's some awesome MTB and downhill oriented bike shops are here, but nobody carries all of the options. I would love to be able to try Five Ten, Specialized, Ride Concepts, Crank Brothers, ect all in one place, side by side. I do also like the new Fox shoes but they seem to only be available online. It's hard to justify spending $150 on a pair of shoes that you can't even try on. You have to be really careful about return policies if you are buying online. I found some great deals on Five Tens on Adidas own website, but the reviews are claiming absolutely no returns. Which, for a clothing item is pretty ridiculous. Kind of turns me off the company as a whole honestly. It's not like a pair of Vans or Nikes where a lot of people know their sizing.

[@9livesMtb]

Just bought 5/10 mid pros...without doubt the best mtb shoe ive ever had..took two or three rides to bed in..and proper ankle protection with d30...im in a real warm country and no problems with heat atall 🤙🤙recommended

[@Nate_K111]

Thanks for the video. Have you had a chance to test out ion’s new shoe?

[@vitalmtb]

Nope. Last ION experience was in 2018, with the Raid AMP. We liked the shoe a lot, but the grip was so-so.

[@NoBrakes23]

I got those Trailcross LTs as they remind me of my all time favorite shoe for riding, (An adidas Terrex approach shoe that had Stealth tips and wasn't even meant for cycling.) Unfortunately they are excruciatingly painful. Rolling the dice on some of the others now.

[@thmsvd]

I have tried several shoes from brands like shimano, leatt, northwave and also several models from five ten, but the freerider pro is without a doubt the best pair of mtb shoes i have ever ridden. Mega grip and support, with a stiff sole for power transfer. Also, it isnt too bulky, as the freerider is.

[@VideoNOLA]

I'd be interested to hear whether you think the Ride Concepts Livewire (on sale now at Amazon for $70) give your Freerider Pro shoes a serious run for the money.

[@thmsvd]

@@VideoNOLA have tried the new rideconcepts hellion which werent bad but didnt compare to the freerider pro. Mainly the sole was a bit too floppy for me. Size was also bit too big even when I always have a 46

[@nick_john]

Did you ever try the Lake MX 145? They are an absolutely awesome clip shoe! On my 3rd pair.

[@mikedesilets3324]

I just got my first pair of 5 10's. I've been using some pretty rough Van's. So far I like them, but for the price I may go back to Van's in the future. Kind of depends on how long the 5 10's last.

[@InfiniteVibration]

vans bmx pro hightops. love them.

[@ryanabenojar6095]

Great review for someone who’s looking for flat pedal shoes. Can anyone recommend for wider foot/ toe box? I’m checking on shimano gr7. Anymore options?

[@MrWoowootila]

What I really like to see is a manufacturer that caters to customers who have different width feet. I have 4e wide feet and it is difficult buying regular shoes. Looking at getting back into mountain biking and a running shoe is not comfortable. Skate board shoes do not come in 4e. I would be happy to pay a premium and willing to do mail order so a manufacturer or retailer does not have to have a huge inventory. Strange that I know a lot of people with narrow and wide feet, yet so few manufacturers offer shoes in various widths.

[@ChinoZ32]

I owned the 5.10 Freerider Pros and not only it wasn’t durable inside, it was extremely uncomfortable and my rides felt muted. Nice grip though, that’s about it. I now have the RC Concepts Powerline and although it’s not as grippy, I am enjoying my ride that much more because it’s extremely comfortable and my rides aren’t muted.

[@ab_mtb]

Great vid guys. Is there any truth that the "primeblue" version of the freerider pro uses a different, firmer version of stealth rubber? Thanks

[@WordupG]

I have a traditional Freerider Pro from 2017 and a PrimeBlue model from 2020. Despite the old ones having many, many more miles on them, the sole still looks almost new. No tear outs from pedal pins. The PrimeBlue, on the other hand, are pretty chewed up already. Both offer good grip, but I’m very disappointed in the durability on the PB.

[@robadobdob]

I got the FiveTen Freeriders as my first serious flat pedal shoe. They fit my feet well, but my feet get tired much quicker than with my fallback Pearl Izumi SPD shoes.

[@vitalmtb]

Regular Freerider? (i.e. not Pro)

[@robadobdob]

@@vitalmtb Freerider canvas, to be exact.

[@Indarow]

I wore the 5:10 freeriders as a daily shoe for over two years. I’d be willing to vouch for its tread life.

[@brandonl5653]

I just started getting serious with technical terrain riding mostly going dh and uphill on rocky terrains. What pair of shoes would be a good start? Thanks.

[@weekendprofessional6866]

I'm glad to see that shoe manufacturers are bringing back White Shoes. Companies like Shimano, Specialized, Crank Bros, Fizik, and even Five Ten. All other companies should take notice. Ride Concepts would be nice in White.

[@TheCureThatKillz]

That was an interesting first :40 seconds. Not quite sure what that was all about but, umm, yeah.

[@nick_john]

Been waiting for the 5/10 trailcrosss mid pro to become available but nobody has them.

[@gernottoventile_mtb]

NIce ish-shoe, thanks!

[@vlbz]

I started serious DH riding on a pair of light hiking shoes. It grips so much I cannot readjust my feet. Are these dedicated shoes better? Ps. great reviews, ty

[@Jydmd]

I really like my Five Ten Freerider Pro shoes and I got them on sale, but they're my first pair of flats (I was a clipless-riding roadie before) so I can't really compare them. I hope they'll last.

[@brianwilliam6288]

thats alot of shoes, i could use one! :D

[@gabrielmarias972]

Hi, any feedback about fizik gravita tensor clip sizing? I have 44eu in all my shimanos, but some reviews say fizik run small... Thanks

[@sofa1903]

Will you ever do a clipless shoe comparison?

[@vitalmtb]

we might get to it one day too... ;-)

[@djbigt126]

I still love my rc Wildcats

[@evanblackwell3920]

I know this review was primarily flat pedal-focused, but I am wondering which clip shoes have the largest cleat box and allow for the furthest back cleat position. It looks like the Crank Brothers pedals with the "Race Zone" must be up there, but I am curious about how they compare to others. Thanks!

[@vitalmtb]

All the models mentioned in this review have what our tester refers to as "plenty of room". The Race Zone on the CBs lets you gain another 5mm on top of "plenty", but he didn't have any issues with the non-Race Zone equipped model from CB, and the Fizik models tested here also provide "a lot" of room.

[@jamesconnell323]

Damn at the shoes.

[@bluesolarmx]

Which is the most breathable for desert like conditions?

[@rafalp9915]

I’m left puzzled. The shoes look used but still no sign from any damage caused by pedal pins. All my shoes get holes from the pins so easily 😳

[@pedallinwithparedes]

+Vital MTB Johan....why no Northwave Mid Enduro or any of the flat pedal shoes in your reviews?? Considering it's a European brand I'd think it would be in your videos.

[@vitalmtb]

No particular reason, just a matter of having enough time to get to them all...

[@squishlefunke]

Shoes are one of those things that I'll buy once a year, particularly flat pedal shoes. Until they unlock the code for grippy and durable rubber.

[@paulkelly4961]

I have very long, narrow feet and riding shoes have never fit me all that well. Any suggestions?

[@vitalmtb]

The Ride Concepts Hellion Elite is your best bet out of the ones tested here, it really allows you to cinch it down for a tight snug fit, without hotspots.

[@emteehillshawaii]

the etnies camber cranks i just ordered didn't make the cut :/

[@brien1254]

I can't believe Etnies is still around

[@brokenlegz]

I got them in mid. I love them!

[@trkoo]

Ion shoes are amazing...

[@karl_schtolke]

Vans und Flats 4ever!!

[@brokenlegz]

Good combo! Just make sure you get the “pro” version of vans. More cushion! And the bmx sole is a bit stiffer. Vans just don’t have much padding in the upper and around the toes is all. Etnies crank series kind of bridge the gap!

[@alexzed43]

Where’s the Shimano GR9?

[@src248]

All I need to know is if any of them actually fit wide feet

[@vitalmtb]

The Specializeds are the widest among the top contenders.

[@brokenlegz]

No etnies?? I love mine

[@BrianVaughn]

So many shoes yet no Enties or Unparallel.

[@vitalmtb]

We did test the Unparallel a while back. Great grip, the shoe itself is average at best: www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Flat-Pedal-Shoes,60/Unparallel/Dust-Up,26275#product-reviews/3566

[@brainpaint43]

Where's the northwave tribes at???

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

Practically all the shoes above $130 and no large sizes at all, with even Shimano dropping their largest sizes and upping the prices, I beg to differ about it being a great time to be a mountain biker. It's a great time to have fat wallet and all body dimensions falling into average I'd say. Great comparison though, thanks. Actually my soon to be only option for clipless shoes will be clipless sandals. That top feature of open toebox is going to be my saviour one day in near future. But them rock strikes will be my nemesis.

[@raysoares9014]

If a shoe falls short of the grip from 5:10 or Specialized, and is not half or two thirds of the cost, its a BIG no!

[@devinwillis7787]

I mean if they last longer it could be a real option for someone not riding that agressive

[@erikanzenmtb3124]

My five ten freerider pro are unusable after one season, the sole has worn through enough that my pedal pins makes my feet loose circulation and hurt a lot.

[@devinwillis7787]

@@erikanzenmtb3124 yeah you for sure have to replace them every year

[@mtbboy1993]

I am not impressed with the Five Ten Trailcross mid pro's quality, seams. Pulling loop failure after few rides Gæadheisive failure at protective pad. Very painful seam at inside of gaiter where the loop is arched at the front the red and black seam i solved it with few layers of Gorilla tape. But the gaiter seam has failed at the top on my left shoe. I am working on a review myself, but I've not tried the other shoes So dar I've only had 2 long rides and few short rides with them. I comfirm they are good to walk in. But a syou diad the front of the shoes don't give a smuch protection I hit my foot so hard with a pedal that my toe and foot hurt for the next day. The gaiter is too big for me, but I wear size 44 cus I need the width of 44 shoes to not have my pinkie toe be too tight. So I actually need size 42 or something with size 44 width. But to fix the gaiter problem you can modify it wrap laces around.

[@tigerbalm666]

Vans for me...don't need stinkin overpriced shoes...

[@idiotbrownie1525]

which ones do you use? I recently got into mtb

[@tigerbalm666]

5 10 sole is NOT deep enuff for pins!

[@mvm006]

Really? No Unparallel Dust Up Shoe? The only one with better grip than fiveten, still no one test it. How much does a brand have to pay to send its shoes!?

[@vitalmtb]

our Dust Up review from June 2019 - www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Flat-Pedal-Shoes,60/Unparallel/Dust-Up,26275#product-reviews/3566

[@jonathanhowson6420]

5Ten are great, but they fall apart. Shimano are brilliant and really durable but they dont have the same grip as 5 ten rubber and specialized are also really good, but the Boa laces fail after a while and they are a pain to get sorted

[@obi-wankenobi9871]

Great comparison, but I always find shoe comparisons quite disappointing. The conclusion is always the same. Every shoe is worse and more expensive than five tens. I like five tens, but it would be cool if there were more good options.

[@vitalmtb]

"I like five tens, but it would be cool if there were more good options." - the top three brands mentioned are clearly all in the "good options" category - no, in fact, they are in the "great options" category.

[@obi-wankenobi9871]

Not really since they are much more expensive for the same performance. Five tens cost about 80€, the other shoes usually go for 120 to 160€.

[@TheNotoriousMIC]

Two mins into the video and it’s already a what’s the best shoe that isn’t a five ten video. Completely wasted my time again. Do another video when there’s actually real alternatives to five ten. 🤣 thanks though.