8 of The Best MTB Flat Shoes

there are so many flat pedal mounted bike shoes out there right now we've picked some of our favorites and we're going to show you why you should consider them that's right [Music] these feel grippy and i haven't even put them on yet these are the crank brothers stamp let's take a look at the features we work in sync with crank brothers excellent flat pedals but also work flawlessly with other brands too we mostly rode them combined with new proof horizon flat pedals they use a high friction rubber compound in their sole for confidence inspiring grip and their tread pattern is designed to bite into your pedal pins with ease their cushioned eva midsole helps with shock absorption and comfort plus there are ventilation holes for breathability other neat features include grippy heel dots to prevent heel lift and round leases with a lace pocket to keep them out of harm's reach [Music] next up we've got these low profile shoes from physique let's take a look at their features they're the most minimalist pair of shoes i've ever ridden in and are ideal for the warmer spring or summer rides built around an x6 outsole the gravatar versas have a vibram mega grip tread an impact absorbing eva midsole in use that vibram tread was pretty impressive offering decent grip combined with a pair of new proof horizon pedals the upper of the shoe is made from rip stop fabric which is lightweight and flexible and the pu laminated toe cap offers a bit of extra protection against rock strikes and that kind of thing the versas were my least favorite pair of shoes in our roundup i wasn't a big fan of their minimalism i'm used to riding with shoes that offer more protection especially around the ankle helping shrug off impacts especially on rockear trails it's also worth noting that the fit of the versa is on the narrow side less roomy and more snug in the size 11 that i'm used to in the likes of shimano or enduro shoes [Music] no flat pedal shoe roundup would be complete without something from 510 and right here we've got the free rider canvas let's take a look at their features they're comfortable off a decent grip and look good enough that you can wear them off the bike too lots of people in our office can attest to that 510 stealth s1 dotty rubber outsole gives you grip on your pedals offering a confidence inspiring boost when you're flat out on the trail while their full canvas upper provides a casual look there's no ventilation built in so if you're riding in the heat they're noticeably warmer than other shoes the free riders eco credentials and notable two the upper is made from partly ocean plastic helping towards reducing ocean waste they get mixed reviews but i like the free rider canvas shoes mainly because of their skate shoe look and their on and off bike dual use yes they're not the most comfortable or feature packed shoe in our round up but i do have a soft spot for the old school look and the progressive use of partly ocean plastic shimano have been absolutely killing it in the shoe game for the last few years check these out these are the gr9s let's take a look at their features shimano's gr9 shoes are just the type of shoe i like feature packed with plenty of protection they just feel well thought out and super comfortable at the working end of the shoe they use shimano's own ultra outsole compound and tread pattern not quite as grippy as 510 stealth rubber the very few shoes are it's the upper where things get interesting with gr9s made from durable reinforced synthetic leather they've got mesh inserts for improved breathability and ventilation and are built for knocks and scrapes to reinforce toe and heel zones if the trailer gets wild there's an integrated cuff at the ankle to keep trail debris out and while i haven't ridden them in the worst of the winter rain they'll deal with puddle crossings and showers with no problem these are my favorite shoes in our roundup the combination of superb comfort protection features plus the grip is a winning mix for me first up on my list is the mt 500 burner shoes from endura as you can see these have been well worn by me and were just released earlier this year let's take a look at their features endura's mt500 shoes have been designed using input from an ergonomics expert as well as their sponsored riders making them a hugely comfortable grippy option for days in the saddle they have a lightweight durable upper with perforated panels for ventilation an egm footbed to maximize comfort and power transfer laces and velcro strap to dial in the fit and keep mud and debris out plus a shark skin fabric lined heel to help keep your feet in place on the bike the most noticeable thing about these shoes for me has to be the comfort i have never felt a mountain bike shoe like these so if you spend long days on the trails these shoes are a must have however if you are somewhere where it rains quite a lot like myself they don't offer a lot of waterproof protection and when riding with them on rainy days i ended up with a shoe full of water so maybe best to pair them with a waterproof sock for added weatherproofing [Music] next up we have the giro women's deed mountain biking shoes as you can tell it's a very casual look but let's have a look at their features engineered to have a close connection with the pedal with the use of a highly elastic tack rubber sole with an internal layer of mute foam that helps provide comfort and grip to increase durability the shoe's upper is made with side panels of extremely abrasion resistant material and a toe cover made of protective microfiber it may not have the same level protection as other shoes on the list but for the more summery dry days on the single track and all the bits in between it is an ideal shoe if you're going for a spin on the bike and then heading to the shops or pub with your friends the casual look of this shoe is a key selling point however having spent a bike packing trip wearing them they do not cope well in heavy rainfall and there isn't a lot of ankle or toe protection compared to others in the lineup now we have the ride concepts wildcat mtb shoes if you want to be noticed on the trails these look like the shoe for you but let's take a look at their features the ride concepts wildcat shoes are comfy and protective offering a good level of pedal feel they've got a mid-top design for added protection as well as toe and heel protection when things get rough other little touches include an elastic lace tuck a hook and loop strap plus a fully gusseted tongue stops dirt and debris from getting into your shoe although you do notice the high level protection that comes with the shoe they are noticeably bulky and i found that i really focused on that and just couldn't get comfortable wearing them on the trails i felt they were a bit less grippy than other shoes in a roundup but for more technical and rough trails they do offer a high level of toe and ankle protection [Music] lastly for me are the layout women's 3.0 flat pedal shoes probably the more type i would go for for the look i like but let's see their features a fairly new shoe in the layout range the women's 3.0 flat pedal shoe is designed for the enduro and downhill riders out there the shoe uses a waffle tread pattern that uses their ride grip sole given the medium stiff sole the 3.0 is the ideal shoe for a hiker bike situation as the lack of flex off the bike is noticeable with the shoe weighing in at approximately 770 grams it is one of the heavier shoes in this lineup but it's not something you will feel whilst on the trails too much the layout 3.0 is a slightly wider shoe and profile compared to the 510 free rider making them a little bit more comfortable for a person with a slightly wider fit but for style and design these are right up my street these shoes kept my feet bone dry on some rainy ride days the only area that they lack in is the level of grip although i rate the grip you can really notice a difference from other brands when it comes to these shoes and there we go that's us chances are if you're looking at flat pedal shoes you'll need flat pedals too to watch our guide for this year on those just click up there [Music] [Applause] [Music] you

Channel: Chain Reaction Cycles

Views: 41,600

Keywords: mountain biking, mtb

Id: bUPPA9pSPVI

Length: 7min 56sec (476 seconds)

Published: Thu Sep 08 2022