Mountain Bike Shoes For Flat Pedals
You need the right shoes if you ride a mountain bike with flat pedals.
There are several models on the market so that you can make a good choice based on your needs.
I recommend the Five Ten Freerider Pro or Shimano X-Alp Summit.
You may also want to consider the Northwave Clan or Ride Concepts Powerline. If you’re unsure which ones to choose, read this article for more information.
Five Ten Freerider Pro
The Five Ten Freerider Pro mountain bike shoe is a stable, cushioned riding shoe designed for high grip and a comfortable ride.
This shoe is also an excellent hiking shoe and is comfortable to wear while carrying your bike. The Five Ten Freerider looks just as great as it performs.
You won’t experience uncomfortable creases when walking or riding in these shoes.
The shoes’ midsole is a good balance of stiffness and flexibility. The uppers are made from 75% Primeblue fabric.
The Five Ten Freerider is a comfortable, protective shoe that doesn’t look cheap or bulky.
A shoe with a thick midsole and an extended cuff will protect your feet against the hard ground and mud.
A shoe with a thick midsole and outsole will reduce the amount of shock you feel underfoot, and this is a crucial feature for long-term comfort.
Most flat pedal shoes are stiff and have minimal cushioning. The Five Ten Freerider Pro mountain bike shoes are a good choice for most riders.
Five Ten’s freerider range is solid, with many models covering different needs. The Five Ten Freerider Pro is a high-end all-mountain shoe.
It has an internal shank and reinforcements on the toe and heel for added protection.
The sole is also sticky so you won’t feel your foot fatigue even after a long day of riding.
The Five Ten Freerider Pro mountain bike shoe is slightly more lightweight than the basic Freerider model. The Five Ten Freerider Pro also dries more quickly.
While they are not as stiff as the Five Ten Impact Pro, the Freerider Pro offers a more comfortable ride.
And for longer rides, this shoe is the right choice. It is lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
- Five Ten
- DOTTY TREAD: Classic Dotty tread for superior pedal traction
- Recycled content: This product is made with recycled content as part of our ambition to end plastic waste
- Classic do-it-all flat pedal mountain bike shoes
Last update on 2025-01-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Shimano X-Alp Summit
If you’re planning to ride on flat pedals, you may consider purchasing a pair of Shimano X-Alp Summit mountain bike shoes.
These shoes are designed to provide you with sure footing on a wide variety of terrain. The outsole features aggressive lugs and a thick and durable construction to help prevent slipping.
The X-Alp Summit is designed to prevent foot slippage by providing outstanding traction, preventing you from slipping, and avoiding injury.
These shoes are breathable, durable, and waterproof materials that will keep your feet dry and comfortable for a long time. They also feature a 1:1 Anatomical Buckle Closure System to reduce pressure on your instep.
The X-Alp Summit mountain bike shoes come with two straps for additional adjustment.
The Advanced 3-Layer Seamless Composite material provides exceptional breathability and durability.
- Perforated synthetic upper with mesh fabric for heat regulation
- The elastic mesh ankle joint provides additional protection from small stones
- Pedal channel for stable contact between shoe and foot pedal when pushing outwards
- Weight specification for size 42
- Pedal recommendation: Shimano PD-M820, PD-M8020
Last update on 2025-01-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The ME7 is a great choice for riders who need a shoe that can do it all. Its lightweight, breathable construction and moderately rigid platform make it an all-around mountain bike shoe.
The ME7’s cuff is taller, which can be restrictive, but it gives them added protection and all-weather performance.
These shoes are also compatible with flat pedals.
Most XC, downhill, and trail shoes are made with durable materials resistant to moisture.
The best performers have high ankle height and extended cuffs, while the easiest-to-clean shoes feature minimal seams, a sleek fabric, and covered laces.
They are made to fit on various pedals, from flat pedals to hybrids.
You should consider the style and color of the shoes that best fit your needs.
Northwave Clan
If you’re looking for a pair of shoes designed for flat pedals but aren’t sure which ones to choose, the Northwave Clan MTB shoes may be just what you’re looking for.
These shoes were developed with Michelin to give you an unmatched grip on dirt.
In addition to the Michelin-developed compound tread sole, these shoes also come with a specially designed Thermo welded TPU outsole.
The Clan’s sole features are the Northwave flat system, which gives you complete control.
Its co-developed MICHELIN-NW compound tread ensures unparalleled pedal grip, while its adaptive TPU shank is designed with openings and a calibrated stiffness to offer excellent support.
Its EVA midsole offers efficient shock absorption, and its abrasion-resistant welded upper features large breathable mesh inserts and welded TPU reinforcements for maximum protection and durability.
Additionally, the Clan’s welded tongue combines protection and breathability to give you a comfortable fit every time you pedal.
Last update on 2025-01-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In addition to the Michelin-NW outsole, the CLAN also features a special tread pattern developed in collaboration with Michelin.
This tread pattern allows the CLAN to grip flat pedals better, while the curved design gives it the ultimate pedal grip.
It’s easy to get off the pedals with these shoes, and the unique tread pattern provides excellent traction on all surfaces.
The Northwave Clan mountain bike shoes for flat pedals feature an integrated rubber arch support to help keep you stable on the pedals.
The TPU shank provides a high level of control, with several lengthwise openings that ensure a good connection to the pedals.
The Clans’ stiffness makes them stiff when walking, which is offset by the flexible sole. They’re also lightweight enough to keep you on your bike and not make you feel awkward.
They’re ideal for flat pedals and downhill competitions but can be heavy for long rides.
Nevertheless, they’re a great choice if you’re looking for a pair of mountain bike shoes for flat pedals.
Ride Concepts Powerline
We love the classic look of the Livewire, the most famous cycling shoe of all time.
When it came to flat pedal shoes, it was the best value for money.
We found this classic style to be a great option for a beginner. Its lightweight design, good grip, and comfort make it an excellent choice for flat pedals. Its price is a great value, too.
The Livewire is one of the market’s most comfortable flat pedal shoes.
The Ride Concepts Powerline is made with a high-quality, synthetic upper for comfort and performance. There are few stitched seams, and the upper is well-bonded to the sole.
The Powerline has a molded rubber toe cap and elastic lace holders. The shoe comes in three different colors and is available in sizes 7-13.
If you aren’t sure whether the Powerline is right for you, consider trying a pair before buying them.
- MAX GRIP Rubber outsole and custom-molded rubber toe cap and heel protection
- Recessed toe and heel outsole for traction while hiking and digging
- Medial high-rise EVA midsole provides support and shock absorption and asymmetrical medial collar with D3O impact protection
- D3O High Impact Zone Technology insole absorbs impact and reduces fatigue
- Specialized mesh lining controls odor
Last update on 2025-01-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The firm footbed helps restore your dexterity. However, you may find that the sole is too thick and will interfere with the pedal feel.
Those looking for a mountain bike shoe that will allow them to feel every pedal will not love this model. This style is suited for a softer riding style and lighter riders.
The Livewire is an excellent choice if you aren’t a fast rider.
This shoe was developed with the help of slopestyle and dirt jump riders. Its DST 6.0 HIGH GRIP rubber and inverse hexagon tread help you ride smoothly in rough terrain.
The D3O technology and a male-specific Tech fit help you stay on the bike while riding steep slopes.
The ride Concepts Powerline mountain bike shoes have an incredibly durable, shock-absorbing design.
Etnies Stamp
For those who ride bikes with flat pedals, the Etnies Stamp is an excellent choice.
These shoes feature a lace system and a flat pedal-friendly rubber compound. The outsole is flexible, and Crankbrothers designed the shoes to interface with their Mallet, Stamp, and E pedals.
Crankbrothers also consider the pedal body’s and toe ramp’s fit to determine the best shoe style for different pedals.
The Stamp mountain bike shoes are designed for use on the road and on the trail.
The outsole is optimized for use with the Stamp pedal body, but it can be used with any flat pedal. These shoes have a low-rebound rubber compound built to minimize vibration and abrasion.
They come in many colors to match your style to your riding needs.
However, the outsole is not as durable as some other flat pedal shoes, so check the size before buying.
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The rubber sole of the Etnies Stamp is comfortable and provides a good grip on pedal pins.
It gets an 8.5 out of 10 on the pedal grip-o-meter. The shoes are stiff enough for hiking but dry quickly in wet conditions.
The shoe also has a reinforced TPU toe box that protects the feet from impacts and rock strikes.
The heel also has silicone dots to provide excellent traction.
In addition to the Tallac, there are several other flat pedal mountain bike shoes.
These shoes have a nice snug wrap around the foot. They sacrifice airflow and are not a good choice if you plan to ride in hot weather.
These shoes also do not dry out quickly when in the sun.
You can use them as well to wear on short trips to the mountains.
These shoes are great for casual riding, but they are not designed for long rides.
