what MTB flat shoes?!

[Steamer]

I'm having a footwear dilemma..

I only wear flats, dont like the idea of the SPD screw in section, I've had those before and they either fall out or leak.

For the last few years I've been wearing these: The Shimano AM41

They have been awesome!! (despite looking like I've skinned a pair of penguins)

The flap is great - protects the laces (lots of brambles round my way in the summer) and also amazingly water proof as the flap acts as a splash guard. Also looking at the damage on the flap - they have certainly taken a fair bit of impact.



However - they are now as rare as hen's teeth in unicorn poo - unless you have hobbit feet.

These are the current Shimano offering - but they just don't do it for me. They look terrible in grey and the water proofing now looks rather lacking.. too many vents and cutouts.



I've never tried 5/10s - are they really 'that' good... also - I don't like exposed laces on MTB shoes.

Having exhausted the usual places I just can't seem to find anything suitable, any other ideas?

[Mr Ted]

There are five tens with boa things if you don't want laces, I have never found a really waterproof shoe so I use waterproof socks, the five tens I have are Freeriders, they are really comfy for all day wear and the stealth rubber soles are really sticky especially when wet. I tuck the lace ends under the front lace loop to keep them from getting caught on anything.

I use them for all my riding even when I am not on the MTB, I don't do 5 second sprint efforts so there's no point using cleats, with Nukeproof pedals the five tens stick so well I can pull a pedal up when I am stationary to get ready to go and I never have to faff around clipping in.

[Steamer]

Thanks Mr Ted - I thought this was one post that might have fallen under the radar!

Waterproof socks is probably a far better solution than trying to find a pair of those old Shimanos, shame though they served me well previously.

[river_rat]

Five Tens are great, the grip is awesome with the right flat pedal.

I have normal Freeriders for summer and the winter boot version for winter/wet conditions - the boot does a reasonable job of keeping water out (unless the trails are basically all puddles).

I've had no issues at all with the laces getting caught in cranks or similar - they are the 'right' length and you can tie slightly to the opposite side of the shoe compared to the crank so they don't go near it.

The only real drawback I've found is when they get wet, they get really wet and heavy and take ages to dry.

[deadtom]

I too can vouch for 5 ten freeriders + waterproof socks combo, but can also confirm that if they get properly soaked they do take an age to dry and become quite heavy.

Other brands are available and probably cheaper, but 5ten are the standard choice for a reason. I've been using the same pair of freeriders for 5 or 6 years now in all conditions and they steadfastly refuse to fall apart.

[Court_S]

Five Tens grip like poo to a wool blanket but they’re sids yo dry when they get wet.

I use Freerider Mids in the winter. They’re leather ranger than suede and don’t have ventilation holes to let water in. My only other issue with the Freeriders is that I don’t find the sole all that stiff for pedalling in; great for grip and feel when mucking about or doing uplift days, less good for pedalling in.

The Shimano shows offer good grip and a much better sole for pedalling in. I have the AM ones without the flap but they’re terrible in the winter; cold and let lots of water in....they do at least dry out fast.