Quantcast

Shoes???

mountain krank

mountain krank

Chimp
Jul 23, 2010
1
0
Michigan
Just curious what you guys like for shoes while riding? I mainly ride cross country trails here in Michigan, always just used some skate shoes, was wondering if there was any real benefits to mountain biking specific shoes and what brands you guys have had good experiences with?

Thanks,

KB
 
andres611

andres611

Chimp
Jun 28, 2007
99
0
If you are running skater shoes means you are using flat pedals. If you are staying with flats get some 5.10 shoes. There is no other way to go. The benefits from regular skater shoes is the rubber, super sticky. You will be glued to your pedals.

They also have really good padding that gives your foot really good support.

They are worth to get, once you ride on them you will never use another shoe, unless you go clipless.

https://fiveten.com/products/product-search/tag/footweartype/Freeride_m23/
 
DiRt DeViL

DiRt DeViL

Monkey
Feb 6, 2005
347
0
CNY
For flats +1 on the 5.10s but any skate shoe will do.

For clipless, Exustar and Specialized have entry level shoes that work really well and affordable.
 
S

sendjonathanmai

Chimp
Sep 6, 2009
1
0
I just picked up some Shimano clipless shoes here in Portugal (found a good deal at a LBS). I'll test them out when I get back home to the states. Price was right though and they're comfortable.
 
skatetokil

skatetokil

Turbo Monkey
Jan 2, 2005
2,383
-1
DC/Bluemont VA
I just picked up the 5.10 Freeriders after riding skate shoes for years. OhMyGod. The difference is huge. In short, I don't know how I lived without them.

I'm much more relaxed and planted on the bike, and I can pedal in sections where I was hanging on for dear life before.
 
Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,061
5,970
borcester rhymes
True, 5.10 impacts are gold for flats. For clipless, I enjoy my Shimano MT86 or whatever very much. I think I paid over retail for them (FU REI), but it was worth it to me to be able to try them on vs. mail order, and the bike shops in boston are mostly useless anyways.
 
GhostX

GhostX

Chimp
Sep 12, 2010
18
0
Oceanside, California
My experience with shoes has been pretty varied, as I have worn Shimano, Specialized, and Lake shoes. They all seem to have different fit and quality characteristics.

The other attributes are closure systems and soles.

I prefer laces over velcro (I do all mountain XC trail riding), as it provides me with a better fit and adjustment to the top of my foot. I also prefer a rubber sole to the plastic soles, as this provides better grip during hike a bike sections.

Plus the laced shoes look better (for me) over all afterwards at the coffee house or beer pub.
 
W

whoopwhoop

Chimp
Oct 1, 2010
3
0
I ride flats with 5.10 Sam Hills and I love them. I just ordered up a set of these http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH286B01-Shimano+Mp66w+Shoe.aspx to try clipless. The Shimano stuff seems to run a little small, I ordered a pair in size 45 (10.6 US size) where I usually wear a 11-11.5 in street shoes. I tried on a few pairs at my local LBS before I ordered these. Don't worry, I give my shop PLENTY of money so I don't feel bad using them for sizing.
 
Last edited:
HAB

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,006
Seattle
I've owned a bunch of pairs of Sidis now, and if they fit you, they're phenomenal. Not the greatest to walk in, but very, very comfy on the bike, and they last forever. Currently rocking Dragons for XC/AM duty and Dominators on the DH bike. I <3 them.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,839
24,423
media blackout
Clipless I am currently running Specialized and are happy with them. Whatever you get, make sure the fit is good.

For riding flats, 5.10 is definitely the way to go UNLESS you ride bmx. Dunno if I'd want that much grip for riding street/park/dj/etc.
 
TreeSaw

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,670
1,855
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
I love my Mavic shoes, but I only run their clipless ones (I have the Mantra and the Tempos). They fit my foot great, don't loosen up while I am riding and are comfortable. They are VERY well vented so this time of year is a bit of a challenge as my feet are always cold so I won't be rocking them during the winter months.
 
SDoldskool

SDoldskool

Chimp
Nov 23, 2010
4
0
North County Dago, CA
Maybe a newbie question, but I have always rode flat pedals with the strap clips and love them for cross country (I ride a hard tail so I don't do anything super gnarly downhill).

What is the new school setup? Clipless (for what), Platform (for what)?

Thanks
 
DhDork

DhDork

Monkey
Mar 30, 2007
352
0
Hell, AZ
SDoldskool said:
Maybe a newbie question, but I have always rode flat pedals with the strap clips and love them for cross country (I ride a hard tail so I don't do anything super gnarly downhill).

What is the new school setup? Clipless (for what), Platform (for what)?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Well, first off, DITCH THE STRAPS. They are really dangerous if you are on anything but a sidewalk.

Second, its all personal preference. I myself ran flats for just about everything outside of road riding, including XC rides. Until recently, I have flopped over to clipless pedals for everything except commuting and park riding. I will still hold onto my 5.10's for that and when it gets hairy on the Downhill bike.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom