Five Ten Freerider Pro Shoe
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Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $150.00
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Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $160.00
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Five Ten has produced quite a few excellent shoes over the past couple of years, but there were times when we thought that the perfect shoe would have been a combination of several models, taking the best aspects of each and combining them into genetically modified, super mutant footwear. We don’t know if they can read minds over at Five Ten, but Brown Santa showed up just before Christmas with something all new and very shiny – the Freerider Pro. Was it the real life manifestation of our dream shoe? Read on to find out.
Five Ten Freerider Pro Highlights
- Synthetic, Light-Weight, Weather-Resistant Upper
- Impact-Resistant Toe Box
- Compression-Molded EVA Midsole
- Removable Ortholite Molded Sock Liner
- Full Stealth S1 Dotty Outsole
- Sizes: US 5 - US 14
- Colors: Night Navy, EQT Blue, Light Granite, Black/Red
- Weight: 452 grams, size 12 US, verified
- MSRP: $150 USD
Initial Impressions
Imagine if you could combine the improved construction of the Impact VXi with a Stealth S1 sole that doesn’t deteriorate as fast as the Mi6 version, in a shoe that weighs less, absorbs less water, is stiff enough for any kind of riding but is also comfortable enough to wear all day. Throw in an Ortholite insole and good arch support, and you’re pretty close to the perfect shoe. That’s the Freerider Pro.
Compared to the regular Impact, the Freerider Pro drops 200 grams per shoe, and it feels very light when you pull it from the box. It also sports a very modern design, and although it retains sort of a bike look, you can confidently stroll into the post-ride pub without people wondering if you moonlight as Bozo the Clown. The attention to detail is great, and there are a lot of little features that are worth pointing out: ventilated yet water resistant upper, eyelets in the lace holes, fully stitched outsole, scuff-resistant rubberized coating on the toe and heel areas, and a reinforced toebox.
The general construction of the shoe is robust but far from clunky. The tongue is quite thin, and filled with material that should not absorb much water. Beneath the insole, the sole is coated with what appears to be a water resistant foam layer – all in all, we were excited to see that Five Ten apparently continue to improve on the all-weather aspects of their offerings.
Thin yes, but flimsy? Not so. There is a lot of inherent rigidity in the Freerider Pro, and a lot of that actually comes from the construction of the upper shoe. The upper holds its shape really well, and is doubled up on the side for extra sturdiness. Despite the slimmed down overall appearance, the Freerider Pro seemed ready for action – and we obliged.
On The Trail
Right out of the box, the Freerider Pro was among the most comfortable shoes we have tested. Snug but not tight, supportive but not constrictive, stiff but not clunky. The first thought that crossed our mind on the trail was “performance” – as cliché as this may sound, the Freerider Pro is definitely a performance-oriented shoe. It offers a bit more forward room for the toes than the regular Impact or the Impact VXi, and more support on the sides. The sole is also a lot stiffer than an Impact VXi, for reference. This translates to an on-pedal feel that is close to the regular Impact, but not quite as isolating. You can still just about feel your pedals with the Freerider Pro, but the focus here is definitely on power transfer and efficiency.
As one would expect from any Five Ten shoe, the grip of the Freerider Pro is outstanding. In fact, we found it to deliver MORE grip than the Impact VXi, even though the softer Mi6 rubber used on the latter would seem to suggest the opposite should be true.
We are splitting hairs here, but we tested across several pedals and we found that pedals that had previously failed to fully impress us really started to shine under the Freerider Pro. Stealth S1 for the win!
Combining the best parts of several shoes into one probably sounds easier than it actually is, but Five Ten has delivered a winner with the Freerider Pro.
Since we tested the Freerider Pro over winter, we made sure to get it both wet and dirty. We are happy to report that Five Ten has done an excellent job here, the shoe resists moisture exceptionally well, is easy to clean once it gets dirty, and dries out quickly. We initially worried that the ventilation holes on the top of the upper shoe would let water in, but that is not the case, they are protected by a water resistant, breathable membrane of some kind. A great way to make a shoe both water resistant and breathable.
We also managed to test some of the protective features, including a scary, high-speed toe-stubber that resulted in a spectacular wipe out. Bruised and battered we came out a lot worse for wear, but the shoe shrugged it off without breaking stride, if you forgive the pun. In general terms, the Freerider Pro does not offer the ironclad feeling of invincibility that the regular old Impact procures, but in terms of absolute protection, it’s probably not far off.
Things That Could Be Improved
If there is a way to improve the Freerider Pro, we can’t see what it is.
Long Term Durability
We’ve been putting several pairs of the Freerider Pro to the test, under several different riders, and after 3-4 months, we have no durability issues to report. The shoe is holding up nicely, and the sole is proving as hard wearing as we have become used to when it comes to Stealth S1. Overall, the Freerider Pro seems destined for a much better reliability record than some past Five Ten products.
What’s The Bottom Line?
Combining the best parts of several shoes into one probably sounds easier than it actually is, but Five Ten has delivered a winner with the Freerider Pro. Light, comfortable, and efficient, it provides world class grip from the bike park to the trails. Unless you’re a pure downhiller looking for the extra protection of the classic Impact, the Freerider Pro should shoot straight to the top of the list of the flat pedal shoes you have to try for yourself.
More information at: www.fiveten.com.
About The Reviewer
Johan Hjord loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.
Photos by Johan Hjord and Nils Hjord
5 member reviews
Ask who makes the best mountain bike shoes on any online forum and there will be a variety of brands as a response. Arguably, the most popular brand will be Five Ten. What makes their shoes so good? I got my hands on a pair of some of their best shoes to figure that out. With 5 months of ride time, here are my impressions:
Detailed Specs
Full S1 dotty outsole
Synthetic, light-weight, weather-resistant upper
Impact-resistant, 4-layer toe box with PORON impact-resistant foam
Compression-molded EVA midsole
Removable Ortholite molded sock liner
Weight: 338g each (Size 9US) and 399.5g each (Size 12US)
Out Of The Box
Pulling the Freerider Pros out of their packaging, they appear to be pretty similar to the less expensive Freeriders. Same style, profile, tread pattern but just a wee bit more expensive. That is, until you look at the details.
The Freerider Pros appear to have a tougher outer material which would theoretically boost their protection, stiffness and, durability in comparison to their cheaper predecessor. This couldn’t be more true thanks to the impact-resistant, 4-layer toe box which also is found around the heel of the shoe as well. This protection makes slamming rocks and clipping roots nearly painless.
Even with better protection, the Freerider Pros come in at about 15% lighter than the original Freerider shoes (comparing size US 12.) Coming in at 799 grams, although it doesn't seem to by much lighter than the Freeriders, the Freerider Pros' light weight is noticeable.
It seems like everything riders loved about the Freeriders was stepped up a notch in performance with the Freerider Pros which makes these quite possibly the best AM/Enduro/Light DH shoe Five Ten has ever made.
On The Trail
While the Freerider Pros may appear identical to the basic Freeriders from 20 feet away, viewing closer and more specifically underneath, you’ll find the same full S1™ dotty outsole on both of these shoes. Kinda a shocker that they retail for such a different price point. After thinking about it for a while, I realized I actually prefer the Pros to have the “less advanced” S1 rubber because the S1 has offered all the grip I’d ever wanted in the past and love the idea of the Pros being more durable than other high end shoes like the Contacts.
Besides the awesome grip, I noticed that Pros came with two components that made it feel even better.
The first one, although it wasn’t a groundbreaking, earth shattering improvement was the Ortholite molded insole. Putting all my force into blasting a corner or slamming down my foot to save myself from an awkward kicker, I could tell there was a little more support than the Freeriders alone offered.
Secondly was the deep and heel box. Although it wasn’t included on their detailed specs, the support the heel box offers is leaps and bounds better than the basic Freeriders.
Durability
This is the main thing that sets the Freerider Pros apart from any other shoe they have ever made. Sure you can find a set that will last forever and yeah, you can find a pair that offer the best performance. But to be able to find both of these features (which are often at opposite sides of the spectrum) in one shoe is nearly unheard of. I say “nearly” because the Freerider Pros are just that shoe.
After 5 months of riding, they show hardly any sign of wear which is quite peculiar because they have offered excellent performance.
One of the main places where I would have expected wear, because I’ve seen it on every other shoe they have made at this point of use would be the insider wall of the shoe. Crank arms don’t play nice with this part of the shoe and taking a look at the Freerider Pros, they appear to look like new. No frayed threads, no cuts, scuffs, or tears. This to me was pretty unbelievable.
Only Complaint
With all the protection the Freerider Pros offer, there is one thing that is sacrificed. Breathability. Although they come with plenty of breathing pores over the toe box and tongue of the shoe, that’s effectually where it all stops.
The heel, and walls of the shoe are made of complete sealed material which limits how well they can cool off your feet on a hot summer’s ride. Although I wouldn’t label these shoes as the swampiest on the market, I did notice the temperature rising to a slightly uncomfortable temperature a few times. In short, a few more breathing pores around the shoe would be nice.
Bottom Line
The Freerider Pros are just that, the pros of all the Freeriders. They offer the best protection and durability ever seen in the entire line without sacrificing any major performance. An upgraded insole and heel box keep the foot locked and supported. These things were built to perform and last forever. Just a few more breathing pores would make these shoes the absolute best shoe on the planet but even with warm summer feet, you’ll be stoked on the Freerider Pros.
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Post a reply to: Five Ten Freerider Pro Shoe
These shoes grip awesome but the soles wear out quick. The toe box is tough but the material over the toes cracks over time. I have stopped wearing these because they are wearing out so fast. Now I only wear them for LONG days or races. The Impact Pro is 5 times as durable and 80% just as grippy.
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Post a reply to: Grippy and lightweight but fragile.
I bought these shoes with the promise of a sturdy Mtb shoe with great sole grip and was not disappointed. The only thing that made me buy other shoes for biking is that they are great for the mountain, but not so much for the city. Obviously great for biking but once you get off the bike, the shoes fail to deliver a casual comfortable walk for city life. I also ride street and for breake-less breaking you sometimes use your shoe to slow the tire, after a while this ripped the sole open, I hadn’t noticed until I walked with them and noticed something didn’t feel right.
I might have to attribute this to my dog chewing on them, but the top of the shoe, has opened up not giving as much support near the ankle as I would like.
For city life and ankle support I bought myself some boot vans.
But for the mountain, 100% the five tens are my best choice.
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Post a reply to: Mountain yes, city no
After running several Five Ten flat shoes into the ground, these have definitely earned their place as my favorite. I strive to find mountain bike products that I forget about when I use them. These shoes are number one when it comes to that. Throw on some riding compression socks and these shoes and you'll feel directly connected to your bike like never before.
I personally have had issues with 5.10s in the past because their rubber compound can often be too grippy. The problem this has always caused for me is that on the initial foot-to-pedal placement at the start of the ride can get tricky. Putting my off foot on and getting that correct foot position is even harder. With these shoes, the fit and inner cushion material is somehow able to remedy this situation. The shoes are just as grippy as 5.10s have always been, probably even better. But this iteration fits so well (on me anyways) that re-positioning my feet just happens intuitively, as it should.
The breathability of these shoes is not the best, but is also not at all an issue. The newer iteration seems to have more toe box perforation as well, so expect even better airflow.
A few months ago I crashed while wearing these shoes. I ended up with cuts on my left leg and face, bruising on my torso, and a fractured radial head (elbow.) As most crashes go, I barely remember what happened, but I do remember the top of my left foot slamming a pyramidal rock stuck in the ground. That foot got away unscathed. Even the top of this shoe, which is generally the least protective part of any shoe, is protective enough for any stupid crash you can manage.
So, in the market for new great trail shoes? Get these. Freeride or downhill shoes? Get these. New to mountain biking and want the best? Get these. Don't know what you're doing? Get these.
0 comments
Post a reply to: The gold standard
If you are looking for a grippy shoe for your metal pinned flats... then look no further. This shoe has been the best shoe that I have ever owned when it comes to flats.
1. The rubber compound is extremely grippy and holds on to a flat pedal as if you are clipped in, however, you don't have to worry about dying if you are going through some gnar and are clipped in.
2. I myself have a wider foot, and these shoes fit amazingly! So if you have a little bit of a wider foot I highly recommend this shoe.
3. This shoes are made durable and can take an absolute beating! I have had 3 pairs over the last three years and have put them through the ringer and they hardly look beat up!
Buy these shoes and you will never search for another. The only thing I did not like was the length of the laces, but this is an easy solve!
1 comments
Post a reply to: Freerider Pro Shoe: maximum grip
Specifications
Impact-Resistant Toe Box
Compression-Molded EVA Midsole
Removable Ortholite Molded Sock Liner
Women's: US 5 - 11
Core Black/Cloud White/Cloud White
Core Black/Core Black/Cloud White
Grey Five/Cloud White/Halo Blue
Core Black/Carbon/Wonder White
Women's Colors(2023):
Core Black/Crystal White/Acid Mint
Hazy Emerald/Hazy Emerald/Sand
Discontinued Colors
Black/Red/White, Black/Active Orange/Grey Two, Black/Grey Two/Grey Five, Night Navy/Cloud White/Collegiate Gold, Strong Olive/Raw Khaki/Ash Silver
Women's:
Black/Clear Onix/Shock Pink, Carbon/Shock Cyan/Black, Onix/Ash Green/Clear Grey
| Where To Buy | |||
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Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $150.00
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Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $160.00
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30 comments
Post a reply to: Tested: Five Ten Freerider Pro Shoe