Five Ten Freerider EPS High

Cold Weather Kicks

Words by Drew Rohde // Photos by Dennis Yuroshek

Easily the most popular gravity mountain bike shoe in the world. Although recent reviews have criticized durability post-Adidas buyout, the brand produces the only flat pedal shoes I care to ride in. After spending the last rideable months in Bend, OR digging and testing a new trail between snow flurries and freezing rain, I’ve got a new respect for cold weather gear that works. And these shoes work!

The Freerider Highs have been my favorite riding shoes for the last couple seasons and I was thrilled when I found out about their new EPS winter version. PrimaLoft insulation fills the shoe from the instep forward, including the padded tongue, which is also fully gusseted to prevent water and mud intake. Five Ten also uses additional foam to further insulate the sock liner and an insulated, heat-reflective footboard keeps heat in while keeping the cold out. A Stealth S1 rubber outsole keeps the shoes performing like your favorite summer shoes.

The Wolf’s Last Word

I was already partial to the high-top Freeriders as they offered ankle support and protection not found on low tops, so choosing the EPS Highs was a no brainer. Five Ten offers the EPS shoes in a low top, but selecting a cold weather shoe to protect you from winter elements in a low top is kinda like ordering a perforated umbrella, silly. From my first ride in the Freerider EPS shoes I could tell they were built for business. The thick material was still flexible and allowed me to move freely but a sense of durability and toughness was noted. I spent several months digging, hiking and riding in these shoes in everything from 60-degree fall rides to snowy dig days in freezing temps. I rode through puddles of melted snow and mud without so much as a fleeting thought of my toes. Above the ankle my socks were caked in mud, ice crystals and sweet heavenly soil, but below the cuff of my shoe was a warm and friendly ecosystem. For general riding and adventuring in cold winter conditions, I’ve yet to find a better shoe for being on the bike.

Price: $150
Contact: fiveten.com

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