Which MOUNTAIN BIKE Shoe is BEST? 16 Different MTB Kicks Compared 15

So. Many. Options. Now.

94 iceman2058 https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/94/avatar/c50_johan_1385064431.jpg?1385063576 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/iceman2058,94/all 08/01/09 1081 114 4052 1661 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/iceman2058,94/setup 90 880 7269 239 36

iceman2058
4/23/2021 1:30 AM

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. Check out the video below to find out! Links to full reviews and more information are listed below.

Useful Links

Previous edition of Flat Pedal Shoe Roundup
New Five Ten Freerider Pro Primeblue
Specialized 2FO Roost
Specialized 2FO DH
Ride Concepts Hellion Elite Review
Fizik Gravita Range
Leatt DBX 2.0 and 3.0 Shoes
Crankbrothers Stamp and Mallet Shoes
Specialized Rime
Five Ten Trailcross

adidas Bontrager Clipless Shoes Crankbrothers Five Ten Fizik Flat Pedal Shoes Leatt Ride Concepts Shimano Specialized

adidas Bontrager Clipless Shoes Crankbrothers Five Ten Fizik Flat Pedal Shoes Leatt Ride Concepts Shimano Specialized

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94 iceman2058 https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/94/avatar/c50_johan_1385064431.jpg?1385063576 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/iceman2058,94/all 08/01/09 1081 114 4052 1661 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/iceman2058,94/setup 90 880 7269 239 36

iceman2058
4/23/2021 1:30 AM

15 comments

45809 mscofield4 https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/45809/avatar/c50_IMG_3536_1512881471.jpg?1512881217 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/mscofield4,45809/all 12/09/17 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/mscofield4,45809/setup 2 32

mscofield4

7/14/2021 2:27 PM

have you guys tried the latest pearl izumi flats? they look pretty dialed

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94 iceman2058 https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/94/avatar/c50_johan_1385064431.jpg?1385063576 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/iceman2058,94/all 08/01/09 1081 114 4052 1661 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/iceman2058,94/setup 90 880 7269 239 36

iceman2058

7/14/2021 2:51 PM

We haven’t, no.

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31410 matmattmatthew https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/31410/avatar/c50_68022_10100644556854875_1844876852_n_1402753821.jpg?1402753489 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/matmattmatthew,31410/all 06/14/14 2 107 190

matmattmatthew

4/23/2021 4:51 PM

Been riding nothing but the Specialized 2FO clip lite since 2013. In fact, when my 1st pair bit the dust I bought 2 replacement pairs just in case they discontinue the shoe.

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54348 Jaymz /images/default/avatar/c50.png https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/Jaymz,54348/all 02/16/21 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/Jaymz,54348/setup 2 1

Jaymz

4/23/2021 2:37 PM

You really need to add Northwave's Clan to the flat shoe list. They're quite good.

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34804 airwreck /images/default/avatar/c50.png https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/airwreck,34804/all 04/07/15 21 19 1

airwreck

4/23/2021 1:19 PM

My new Impact "Pro" mid's are in the mail, I'll make sure to get them reviewed ASAP.

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46859 Ceecee https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/46859/avatar/c50_IMG_0473_1643996098.jpg?1643995197 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/Ceecee,46859/all 04/26/18 3 81

Ceecee

4/23/2021 12:51 PM

But Freerider Contact was the best fit for narrow-medium bony feet. Is the relatively baggy Freerider Pro still the best replacement? Does the shank in Trailcross make it as stiff as Pro, presuming one maintains a mid-pedal foot position? So many lumpy toeboxes

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175 bizutch https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/175/avatar/c50_s1600_Bizutch_Butch_Greene_1640094179.jpg?1640093997 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/bizutch,175/all 08/01/09 6 5 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/bizutch,175/setup 4 202 1908 8

bizutch

4/23/2021 10:47 PM

No way would I call the Freerider Pros wide

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6301 jefedelosjefes /images/default/avatar/c50.png https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/jefedelosjefes,6301/all 01/17/11 7 96 2

jefedelosjefes

4/23/2021 9:14 AM

So many laces! Bring back boas, laces get stiff with dirt and mud and are so much harder to use.

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37457 Falcon https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/37457/avatar/c50_DBADDE6B_0789_4B12_93E3_1C48693BC80A_1627401799.jpg?1627400881 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/Falcon,37457/all 09/06/15 9 229 17 2

Falcon

4/23/2021 11:08 AM

I agree. Laces always get me in trouble - chains, pedals, etc. Give me something that won't get in the way or wrapped up in the bike.

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30783 grizzatom /images/default/avatar/c50.png https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/grizzatom,30783/all 04/25/14 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/grizzatom,30783/setup 51

grizzatom

4/23/2021 11:43 AM

Boas create pressure points and fail all the time. Laces work great and are easily replaceable, but they need at least a basic cover. An ankle gaiter is also needed on all of these shoes, I don't know why all these companies ignore that feature. I could do without the shoe collar compressing all the trail shrapnel into my ankle as I ride. IMO Shimano makes the best overall flat shoe (price, wet/drying performance, comfort, durability), but Spesh has the best rubber now, it's purely next-level.

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38863 doerrf https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/38863/avatar/c50_IMG_3455_1452172411.jpg?1452171804 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/doerrf,38863/all 01/07/16 5

doerrf

4/27/2021 5:00 AM

that´s your pov. boa didn´t fail at my shoes. and doesn´t create any pressure point. maybe it´s not made for you...seems that you are a bit to rough with ya stuff...hahaha

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30783 grizzatom /images/default/avatar/c50.png https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/grizzatom,30783/all 04/25/14 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/grizzatom,30783/setup 51

grizzatom

4/28/2021 1:37 PM

You're not wrong about me being hard on things, and all I can offer is my opinion. It is based on real experience, though. I've had the BOA fail on several boots and shoes within the first season of owning them. The cable system requires hard plastic guides to allow it to tension properly. Those guides inevitably create hard points in the shoe, which I just don't enjoy. If someone is looking for a boot or a hard-shell shoe that's fine, but I prefer a shoe with a comfortable, soft-laced upper and a supportive shank/outsole. I don't think I'm alone in that sentiment.

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175 bizutch https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/175/avatar/c50_s1600_Bizutch_Butch_Greene_1640094179.jpg?1640093997 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/bizutch,175/all 08/01/09 6 5 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/bizutch,175/setup 4 202 1908 8

bizutch

4/28/2021 3:10 PM

@grizzatom I'm in the same boat. I've snapped Boa laces more than once or had them fray at the Boa or lace hole. If Boa breaks, you're not getting out of the woods easily. If your foot is funky shaped, Boa causes pressure points that don't mold or give as you move. Laces can be tied shorter, replaced easily if a shoe lasts that long & they allow for oddly shaped bulges on feet.

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175 bizutch https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/175/avatar/c50_s1600_Bizutch_Butch_Greene_1640094179.jpg?1640093997 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/bizutch,175/all 08/01/09 6 5 https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/bizutch,175/setup 4 202 1908 8

bizutch

4/23/2021 10:48 PM

I usually wear out a pair of riding shoes before the laces. Not a problem. Quick laces rip themselves within a week though

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43988 dlxah /images/default/avatar/c50.png https://www.vitalmtb.com/community/dlxah,43988/all 03/17/17 8 12

dlxah

4/23/2021 8:25 AM

Awesome roundup! Would love to see a chart like you guys did for the pedal shootout rating things like grip, stiffness, width, arch support, hiking traction, etc.

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