Five Ten Freerider Pro - Best Flat Overall
The Freerider Pro is the standard. Stealth S1 rubber bites into pin pedals like nothing else, the upper is now waterproof enough for wet rides, and the toe box has room without being sloppy.
Check price on Amazon →I have ridden flat pedals and clipless on every kind of dirt for fifteen years, and I have killed a lot of mountain bike shoes in the process.
Mountain bike shoes are the second most important contact point after your saddle. The wrong shoe leaves your foot sliding off the pedal mid-rock-garden, or worse, locked into a clip when you needed to dab. I have ridden every category from cross-country race weights to full DH shuttle shoes, and I have a strong opinion on what works.
The market got dramatically better the last three years. Rubber compounds caught up to Five Ten’s old Stealth dominance, and the BOA dial systems trickled down into mid-range prices. The five shoes below are the ones I would actually pull on for a 30-mile trail day tomorrow.
How we picked
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Top picks compared
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Ten Freerider Pro - Best Flat Overall | Check price | ||
| Shimano ME7 Mountain Bike Shoes - Best Clipless Trail | Check price | ||
| Specialized 2FO Roost Flat - Best Value Flat | Check price | ||
| Giro Empire VR90 Lace - Best XC Race | Check price | ||
| Crankbrothers Mallet E BOA - Best for Enduro | Check price |
Our picks up close
Five Ten Freerider Pro - Best Flat Overall
The Freerider Pro is the standard. Stealth S1 rubber bites into pin pedals like nothing else, the upper is now waterproof enough for wet rides, and the toe box has room without being sloppy.
Shimano ME7 Mountain Bike Shoes - Best Clipless Trail
The ME7 hits the perfect balance for trail riding. Stiff enough to crank up a climb, soft enough at the toe to hike up to a feature, and the dual BOA dials are dialed.
Specialized 2FO Roost Flat - Best Value Flat
The 2FO Roost gives you 80 percent of the Freerider Pro for less. Slipnot rubber grips well, the upper drains fast after creek crossings, and durability has held up across two seasons.
Giro Empire VR90 Lace - Best XC Race
The Empire VR90 is what I wear on race day. Carbon sole, classic lace closure for perfect fit, and at 350 grams it disappears under my foot. Not a hike-a-bike shoe.
Crankbrothers Mallet E BOA - Best for Enduro
The Mallet E pairs perfectly with Mallet pedals. The matched cleat pocket gives you a wider contact patch than SPD setups, which I notice immediately on rocky descents.
Quick answers
Start flat to learn proper body position. Move to clipless once you find yourself wanting more pedaling efficiency on climbs. Both are valid forever.
XC and trail benefit from stiffer soles. Enduro and downhill prefer slightly softer for better pedal feel and walking grip on hike-a-bikes.
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