When looking for the Best Shoes For Mountain Bikes, there are a plethora of options. To calculate which couple is good for you, the first conclusion you will have to make is whether you like to go with the best mtb shoes for flat pedals or the best clipless mountain bike shoes.
Our In-Depth buyer’s guide will help you pick, as well as give some information on the basis of the best mtb shoes. You will find all the Best Shoes For Mountain Bike reviews on this page, & whether you ride Cross-Country, trail, enduro or downhill on flat or Clipless-Pedals, we have ridden & rated the Best Shoes For Mountain Bike on the market.
To make things easier, we have split this list into various types of the best mtb shoes: In this article, we at FootwearCorner will give a complete guide on the important topic of Best Shoes For Mountain Bike. You will be grateful that you have read this article & choice the best idea for You! Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
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Things To Consider Before Buying Best Shoes For Mountain Bike Men & Women
Mountain bikers have Two options when it comes to shoes: the best mtb shoes for flat pedals or the best clipless mountain bike shoes. What shoes you pick is up to you and will count on your choice of the best mountain bike pedals. Both kinds have their benefits, but choosing the best type is vital because different styles work excellently in different situations.
Which Best Mtb Shoes For You?
There’s no correct or wrong answer but it’s well worth thinking about what type of driving you will mostly be doing, XC (Cross-Country), trails or Gravity-Orientated – because this will affect your decision.
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Best Flat Pedal Shoes
The best flat pedal shoes tend to be orientated towards Trail, Enduro & Downhill riders, where feel & grip on the pedals, as well as security, are important. Some best flat pedal shoes have soles that are more inflexible than others, but none are as stiff as a dedicated Cross-Country shoe.
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Best Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes
The best clipless mountain bike shoes come in a wider variety of forms, catering to nearly every sort of rider. They range from XC shoes, which are considerably like road shoes but with a small bit of tread on the soles, all the way to DH footwear that resembles their Flat-Pedal counterparts, save for cleat mounts.
So, what do you require to look out for?
1. Fit
No matter what type of shoe you choose, if they do not fit perfectly they will be uncomfortable & won’t function as well as they should. We suggest you try before you purchase because everyone’s feet are various & manufacturers use different lasts to make their shoes. Assure there’s enough Wiggle-Room for your toes & a decent hold on your heel for convenience & power transfer. You should also assemble sure there are no hot areas or parts that dig in because these will become sore on longer days in the saddle.
2. Retention System
The retention method is what keeps the shoes on your feet. Laces are the classic option, but there are alternatives. Laces provide you great control over a shoe’s feel & fit but cannot be adjusted on the fly & can get claggy with mud unless they are protected by a Lace-Flap. Boa methods use a ratchet dial & a wire that’s twisted through the shoe’s opening for quick, easy & Accurate-Closure & adjustment. They are found on pricier shoes & tend to be specced to support save weight.
Velcro-Straps & Ratchet-Buckles are more common & Pretty-Rugged but weigh a bit more. They tend to come on cheaper & Mid-Price shoes.
3. Sole
The sole is essential in defining how the shoe performs. XC riders will want a Stiff-Sole that moves every watt of energy to the pedals. A Stiff-Sole also supports when the shoe is straddled on a small Clipless-Pedal. Costlier shoes will help from light & stiff Carbon Sole, while cheaper ones use plastic, which is heavier & More-Flexible.
Trail & Enduro-Riders tend to go one of 2 ways: either an XC-design shoe with more protection & a more forceful tread or a Gravity-Orientated shoe with a more relaxed, comfortable sole & construction that performs better with Clipless-Pedals that have a platform.
Generally speaking, weight & sole stiffness are of No-Concern to Gravity-Orientated riders, so they tend to go for footwear that offers plenty of pedal feel & foot protection. The tread pattern is also vital. Some Best Shoes For Mountain Bike offer a lightweight minimal tread, which is excellent for racing but will come up fast if you require to run or walk anywhere while out on the track. Others offer more grip & security but weigh a small more as a result.
9 Best Mountain Cycling Shoes Men & Women
Here is the list of the top 09 Best Shoes For Mountain Bike:
- Five Ten Freerider Men’s Mountain Bike Shoes
- Giro Rincon Mens Mountain Cycling Shoes
- Tommaso Men’s Vibram Sole Mountain Bike Shoes
- Giro Gauge Mens Mountain Cycling Shoes
- Giro Riela Women’s Mountain Cycling Shoes
- Adidas Five Ten Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
- Five Ten Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
- Giro Unisex-Adult Mountain Cycling Shoes
- Giro Rumble Mens Mountain Cycling Shoes
Editor’s Note: We will update this list as more Best Shoes For Mountain Bike hit the market.
| Product | Manufacturer | Shop | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  | Five Ten |  |
 |  | Giro | |
 |  | Tommaso | |
 |  | Giro | |
 | Giro | |
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 | Five Ten | |
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 | Five Ten | |
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 | Giro | |
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 | Giro | |
No.1 Five Ten Freerider Men’s Mountain Bike Shoes
PROS
- Rubber sole
- Flat pedal mountain bike shoes with an Impact-Resistant Toe-Box
- Pedal-Gripping Rubber: Stealth S1 Dotty Rubber-Outsole is size-specific for maximum grip on & off the pedal.
- Impact-Resistant Toe-Box: Urethane reinforced Toe-Box adds Impact-Resistance.
- Quick-Drying Upper: Synthetic upper gives Quick-Drying convenience.
CONS
No.2 Giro Rincon Mens Mountain Cycling Shoes
PROS
- Comfortable & Supportive Fit: One-Piece Synchwire upper with Soft-Lace guides for Supple-Yet-Supportive fit & great breathability.
- Fast, Easy Adjustment: BOA L6 dial delivers Micro-Closure adjustment (1mm increments) with the instant release.
- Powerful Pedaling: Composite plate for optimal power transfer, with Dual-Injected Rubber-Outsole for traction when hiking.
- Arch Support & Lightweight:3D Molded footbed with medium Arch-Support. Just 340g (size 42/US 9 shoe)
- 2-Bolt Cleat Compatible: Works with all 2-Bolt Pedal/Cleat systems including Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Brothers, etc.
CONS
No.3 Tommaso Vertice Men’s 100, 200, All-Mountain Vibram Sole Mountain Bike Shoes
PROS
- Vibram sole
- Our Most Capable Mountain Shoe: With amazing elements like an Ultra-Rugged, Grippy Vibram sole, & a hardened & Reinforced-Toe box, the Vertice 100 is ready for whatever the trail pitches at you. No matter the situation or weather, you can count on the Vertice for amazing grip, stability, & quick-drying breathability.
- Quality And Precision Fit: Quick and Reliable Closure-System features three ergonomic Velcro-Straps for the ideal fit every time, adding comfort & security to all of your rides.
- Comfort And Performance: Top of the Line-Performance is great, but performance is nothing without comfort. We created the Vertice our most comfortable shoe ever by adding tons of Extra-Padding for a fit that hugs your foot like a glove while defending against rocks & other Trail-Hazards. We also added a Fully-Adjustable Top-Strap to allow for maximal customization to Fit-Perfectly with every rider’s individual needs.
- Ground-Breaking Versatility: The Vertice gives a level of comfort & performance that is hard to find in cycling shoes. Easily add power to every Pedal-Stroke with a hidden inner Shank-Plate, which enables optimum power transfer without sacrificing comfort. Whether you’re riding tough lines in the mountains or commuting on a rainy day, these shoes will provide you with the performance & grip you require to get it done.
CONS
No.4 Giro Gauge Mens Mountain Cycling Shoes
PROS
- The Foundation OF A Great Ride: An athletic-inspired off-road cycling shoe that’s comfy & capably provided for adventures on paths, roads or trails
- Comfortable & Supportive Fit: Supple, breathable mesh with Thermo-Bonded Armor is stable & lightweight, with added reinforcement at the toe & heel for Abrasion-Resistance & durability
- Ultimate Fit Adjustment: Laces offer unrivalled Fit Adjustment, hold a knot securely & are the lightest closure method available
- Powerful Pedaling: Injected Nylon-Plate for efficient power transfer, with Stainless-Steel hardware & a Full-Length moulded rubber High-Traction lugged outsole for grip & stability when you need it
- Comfortable Support & 2-Bolt Cleat Compatible: Includes Die-Cut EVA footbed with medium Arch-Support. Works with all 2-bolt pedal/cleat methods including Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Brothers, etc
CONS
No.5 Giro Riela R II Women’s Mountain Cycling Shoes
PROS
- Rubber sole
- The Foundation OF A Great Ride: A classic off-road cycling shoe for women, that’s comfy & capably provided for adventures on paths, roads or trails
- Comfortable & Supportive Fit: Breathable Micro-Fiber & mesh upper for Supple-Yet-Supportive fit & excellent breathability
- Easy Fit Adjustment: Classic 3-Strap closure offers fast, intuitive fitting with the ability to adjust on the fly and a wide range of adjustment
- Powerful Pedaling: Injected Nylon-Plate for efficient power transfer, with Stainless-Steel hardware & a Full-Length moulded rubber High-Traction lugged outsole for grip & stability when you need it
- Comfortable Support & 2-Bolt Cleat Compatible: Includes Die-Cut EVA footbed with medium Arch-Support. Works with all 2-bolt pedal/cleat methods including Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Brothers, etc
CONS
No.6 Adidas Five Ten Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
PROS
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Flat pedal mountain bike shoes with an impact-resistant Toe-Box
- Pedal-Gripping Rubber: Stealth S1 Dotty Rubber-Outsole is Size-Specific for maximum grip on & off the pedal.
- Impact-Resistant Toe Box: Urethane reinforced Toe-Box adds Impact-Resistance.
- Quick-Drying Upper: Synthetic upper gives Quick-Drying convenience.
CONS
No.7 Five Ten Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
PROS
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Classic Do-It-All flat pedal mountain bike shoes
- High-Friction Versatility: Stealth S1 rubber delivers versatile High-Friction grip on & off the bike.
- Dotty Tread: Classic Dotty tread for superior Pedal-Traction.
- Lace Closure; Leather & Textile-Upper
CONS
No.8 Giro Unisex-Adult Mountain Cycling Shoes
PROS
- Capable Performance With Convenience: A wonderful performance mountain bike shoe for women, with fast adjustability & a comfortable feel
- Comfortable & Supportive Fit: Breathable Micro-Fiber & mesh upper for Supple-Yet-Supportive fit & excellent breathability
- Easy Fit Adjustment: BOA L6 dial suggests Micro-Closure adjustment (1mm increments) with the instant release, while the forefoot strap offers Set-And-Forget convenience
- Powerful Pedaling: Injected Nylon-Plate for efficient power transfer, with Stainless-Steel hardware & a Full-Length moulded rubber High-Traction lugged outsole for grip & stability when you need it
- Comfortable Support & 2-Bolt Cleat Compatible: Includes Die-Cut EVA footbed with medium Arch-Support. Works with all 2-bolt pedal/cleat methods including Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Brothers, etc
CONS
No.9 Giro Rumble VR Mens Mountain Cycling Shoes
PROS
- The Foundation OF A Great Ride: An athletic-inspired off-road cycling shoe that’s comfy & capably provided for adventures on paths, roads or trails
- Comfortable & Supportive Fit: Supple, breathable mesh with Thermo-Bonded Armor is stable & lightweight, with added reinforcement at the toe & heel for Abrasion-Resistance & durability
- Ultimate Fit Adjustment: Laces offer unrivalled Fit Adjustment, hold a knot securely & are the lightest closure method available
- Powerful Pedaling: Injected Nylon-Plate for efficient power transfer, with Stainless-Steel hardware & a Full-Length moulded rubber High-Traction lugged outsole for grip & stability when you need it
- Comfortable Support & 2-Bolt Cleat Compatible: Includes Die-Cut EVA footbed with medium Arch-Support. Works with all 2-bolt pedal/cleat methods including Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Brothers, etc
CONS
How To Choose The Best Mountain Bike Shoes & Pedals For You?
Why Trust Us?
We fully know how tough it is to search for trustworthy shoe advice, & that’s one of the chief reasons we built FootwearCorner. We live for outdoor & indoor adventure, also we take these reviews and guides very sincerely. Here are some of the logic you can trust us:
- Our choices are fully independent & based on personal and market experience.
- We have logged over 10,000 trail miles & test outdoor equipment for a living.
- We own & field test every shoe product we suggest, which is dismally not the norm.
- We visit Industry-Trade shows to hear about future product innovations.
- We regularly update our reviews & guides when the latest products launch.
- We treat our certificates as if they were for our friends & family.
- We are Life-Long learners & we are always open to helpful criticism. If you consider we missed a product or got something incorrect, we would love to hear your feedback.
| Product | Manufacturer | Shop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Five Ten | |
| | Giro | |
| | Tommaso | |
| | Giro | |
| Giro | |
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| Five Ten | |
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| Five Ten | |
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| Giro | |
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| Giro | |
Disclaimer
“All brand names and images are Registered Trademarks of their respective companies. All manufacturers names, numbers, symbols and descriptions are used for reference purposes only, and it is not implied that any part listed is the product of these manufacturers or approved by any of these manufacturers.”
