BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MTB SHOES
“DO I NEED TO BUY BIKE SHOES?”
MADE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIVETEN
June 20, 2025
We are well aware of how expensive and confusing it can be to get into a new hobby or sport. Mountain biking is no different, and in some ways, might even be one of the more complicated sports to pick up. Without even diving into niches of mountain bikes sometimes separated by no more than 10mm of suspension travel or 1.5-degrees of attitude adjustment at a head tube angle, we see a ton of comments and research from newer riders who want to just get out and ride, but want to do so safely and without risking injury or ridicule from the lesser-accepting riders that can sadly be found in our peer group. Today we’re going to be focusing on mountain bike shoes, specifically shoes for flat pedals (shoes that don’t clip-in), while touching on why it can be so confusing for riders to make a decision.
This feature was made with the help and support of Adidas / Five Ten because we believed their robust line of shoes would be the perfect example of just how dizzying this small aspect the sport can be. Case in point, Five Ten offer roughly half a dozen flat pedal mountain bike shoes! For someone who walks into a shop, or goes online with the goal of finding a mountain bike shoe, we can only imagine the confusion when they say, “I just want some shoes to mountain bike in!” Well, hopefully today, you’ll feel a bit more informed and understand just what makes some of these shoes so different.
DO YOU NEED MTB SHOES?
Well, if we’re being honest, no you don’t. Just like you don’t need running shoes to run, or hiking boots to hike a trail, you are more than able to ride a mountain bike with any sturdy pair of shoes that have a closed toe and laces to snug up. So while you may not “need” specialized equipment to engage in an activity, you can probably understand that as you progress, want to do it more, there are going to be some advantages in moving to products designed specifically for that activity.
WHY OR WHEN SHOULD I BUY MTB SHOES?
If you find yourself wanting to progress as a rider, are looking for a bit more protection, or struggling with keeping your feet secure on the pedals, these are all indicators that you may be ready to invest in some bike-specific shoes. Similarly, if you’re feet are getting sore, or going numb, having a properly designed MTB shoe could help improve your experience as well.
Of course, the best shoes in the world aren’t going to save you if you’re riding horrible pedals, but we’ll save that for another day. Just in case you can’t wait, here are a couple of our favorite, affordable flat pedals: Trek Line Elite | Race Face Chester | PNW Range Composite
We wouldn’t recommend riding in Crox like Drew has on here. Although he did really like the airflow and was quite surprised by the grip of the soft rubber.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES?
Depending on what type of MTB shoe you’re looking at, there’s a wide number of things that can change. Again, we’re not going to even touch on shoes that are designed to clip into pedals, those are called Clipless shoes. So, when looking at flat pedals, you’re essentially going to focus on a few key aspects of the shoe: upper construction and style, overall stiffness of the shoe, grippiness of the outsole and tread pattern.
One example of this would be Five Ten’s Stealth rubber compound. While many of their shoes utilize Stealth rubber outsoles, there is a big difference between their Marathon, S1 and Phantom levels of rubber. As you could imagine, the Marathon rubber is going to be a much longer lasting compound, which allows more movement on the pedal for easier adjustment while riding, but could also mean less mechanical grip. On the flip side, the super tacky Phanton compound, will wear quicker, and could leave your foot feeling stuck to the pedal, for better or worse.
When it comes to styling and construction, you’ll want to evaluate what your goals are and what matters most to you. As you’ll see below, some shoes like the Five Ten Sleuth are much more casual styled shoe. Relative to other models, they may lack some of the “high tech” features, but they are in fact designed to offer a very different feel and aesthetic.
The Sleuth blends casual style with a nod to bike performance. It also has a softer midsole, which makes them more comfortable for walking in, and also means they’ll flex around a bike pedal more. Some riders prefer more pedal feel, usually dirt jumpers and that style of rider, whereas other prefer a stiffer shoe to alleviate foot cramping, fatigue and offer better protection.
Similarly, a shoe like the Sleuth, which has it’s merits, will not offer the breathability, or technical features of a shoe like the Trailcross. If you’re riding in very hot areas, or crossing creeks, get stuck in rainstorms, having a more technical material that will dry quickly or is ventilated, will be something to consider.
With some of the key aspects of shoe technology out of the way, here are some models that we’ve put hands on, and feet in, that we feel are worth considering.
What we’d consider the entry-level for a true mountain bike shoe, the Freerider is a blend of purpose-built MTB shoe and the casual Sleuth. This shoe would be a great option for many riders who want to experience the benefits of a true mountain bike shoe with a grippier and pedal-specific tread pattern while also having a 50% recycled upper with a more casual Suede upper.
- Lace closure
- Suede upper with seamless overlays
- Molded cup sole
- Stealth S1 Dotty rubber outsole
- Upper contains a minimum of 50% recycled content
The Freerider Pro is likely the shoe we’d recommend for riders who don’t know what they want, but want something “more.” It has a understated style, skate-shoe inspired but still features nice tech and breathability. It also offers some safety and impact protection with a bit stiffer under-foot feel than the Sleuth. It also will grip better on pedals and offer a significant upgrade compared to sneakers or running shoes.
- Lace closure
- Synthetic upper
- Textile lining
- Impact-resistant toe box
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Stealth S1 Dotty rubber outsole
- Upper contains a minimum of 50% recycled content
The Sleuth is what we’d call Five Ten’s lifestyle shoe. It is more casual than performance but can still offer some good performance for certain customers. Pump track riders, commuters, dirt jumpers or parents looking for a casual shoe to ride with their kids before heading to the park or dinner will enjoy this model.
- Regular fit
- Lace closure
- Textile upper
- Textile lining
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Stealth Marathon rubber outsole
- Upper contains a minimum of 20% recycled content
Moving into a more technical shoe, the Five Ten Trailcross LT by Adidas packs a bit more features and performance. If you’re looking to have a dual-purpose shoe that will perform on the bike, while hiking or doing other outdoor activities, this shoe could be worth a look. It uses the tackier Stealth Phantom rubber, blends stiffness under foot with a flexible forefoot for hiking up steeper hills. It’s also made of quick-drying material.
- Regular fit
- Lace closure
- Mesh upper with molded toe cap
- adidas Drainage System
- EVA midsole
- Forefoot flex grooves
- Weight: 355.5 g (size UK 8.5)
- Midsole drop: 10 mm (heel: 29 mm / forefoot: 19 mm)
- Stealth Phantom rubber outsole
- Contains at least 20% recycled content
Designed for a bit more adventurous riders or those looking for some ankle protection, the Trailcross Mid Pro is a comfortable and performance-oriented shoe. The Pro gets reinforced toe box and abrasion resistant treatments for added peace of mind. They also feature a cushioned midsole to help reduce fatigue on long rides or during big impacts.
- Regular fit
- Lace closure
- Abrasion-resistant mesh upper with reflective details
- D3O® impact protection in ankle
- Impact-resistant toe box
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Stealth Phantom rubber outsole
Another shoe in the Trailcross family is the XT model. Five Ten claims this should can do it all, whether you’re riding, tail running or hiking, these shoes are built for exploring. Grip comes from Stealth Phantom rubber while the 50% recycled upper offers an eco-conscious shoe that breaths well while you’re on the trail.
- Lace closure
- Open mesh upper with synthetic overlays
- EVA midsole
- Molded toe cap
- Stealth Phantom rubber outsole with forefoot flex grooves
- Upper contains a minimum of 50% recycled content
To see the rest of the Five Ten line by Adidas, visit: https://www.adidas.com/us