Best MTB Shoes for flat pedals?
Best MTB Shoes for flat pedals?
Author
Discussion

dr_gn

Original Poster:

16,963 posts

213 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
quotequote all
I use DMR V8's and need to replace the 'light walking boots' I've been using. Any reccomendations for footwear for flat pedal use in Peak District biking? Obviously need something fairly rugged, but don't know whether to go for shoes or stick with boots...

Cheers.

cjs

11,664 posts

280 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
quotequote all
Five Tens, I have them and they're great. Not cheap though.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

fadeaway

1,463 posts

255 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
quotequote all
+ lots

If you've got flats, get 5-10's.

They grip the pedals like you wouldn't believe. They're almost too gripy - you actually have to lift your feet off the pedals to reposition them. There's no way you can wiggle or sldie your foot to a different position laugh

Originally I got a pair like the last poster, but swapped them for these as they've got a lace cover

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

Oh, and for heavens sake don't buy them from CRC at the mo - lots of comments on the forums about them leaking credit card details...

(which is a real shame, as them and their service used to be ace.)

squareflops

1,895 posts

212 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
quotequote all
Personally I don't see the point in buying specific bike shoes and the 4000% mark up 'they' seem to charge for the privilege.

I've been using these

http://www.sportsdirect.com/lonsdale-benn-mens-115...

for 2 years on DMR V8s and they've worked perfectly. Soles are still intact although I will confess the outer pins have torn the right upper slightly - but it's a mountain bike not a red carpet premier.

far far cheaper than other recommendations. The choice is yours

shalmaneser

6,446 posts

224 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
quotequote all
five-tens, no contest.

Excellent support, great grip, can't go wrong.

cjs

11,664 posts

280 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
fadeaway said:
+ lots



Oh, and for heavens sake don't buy them from CRC at the mo - lots of comments on the forums about them leaking credit card details...

(which is a real shame, as them and their service used to be ace.)
CRC have now fixed the security issue, so they say, see the other thread on here. I would still us Paypal though just in case.

YorkshirePudding

2,193 posts

214 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
shalmaneser said:
five-tens, no contest.

Excellent support, great grip, can't go wrong.
This.

dr_gn

Original Poster:

16,963 posts

213 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Thanks guys. Seems to be pretty obvious which to get!

P-Jay

11,405 posts

220 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Another for 5Tens - accept no subsitute.

They're not perfect, they're bulky and if soaked through take an absolute age to dry, but IMHO there are no comparible bike daps.

The only question is what ones? I've had The Impact Lows and have the Sam Hill's now, they're the same only more colourful.

dubbs

1,599 posts

313 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
5-10s.... Can't but recommend them... there's a reason everyone else is saying it... the only shoe I've had where the sole grips the DMR's so well it feels like you're clipped in.

Don't like the tongue design but that's the only neg I have.

Jimbo.

4,221 posts

218 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
5:10s are great until they get wet, at which point they weigh approximately one MILLION tonnes, take an eternity to dry out, and start to rot.

Switched to Shimano AM40s (complete with vile white/green colour scheme) and much prefer them: not as bulky, lace covering and better weather protection, infinitely better made and nigh-on as much grip. Cheaper too.

squareflops

1,895 posts

212 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Or like I said, just buy these


snotrag

15,636 posts

240 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
squareflops said:
Or like I said, just buy these
You've not worn 5:10's, have you?


They are far and away the best option for riding flats in. They are not just trainers - they are properly designed shoes for cycling in. The soles are stiff, and flat, to suit pedalling - they are a different shape to something like a walking boot. Normal trainers, even most skate type shoes, are far, far too flexy, and the soles too soft.

They are brilliant, well worth the money if your a keen rider on flats.

dr_gn

Original Poster:

16,963 posts

213 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
So these 5 tens...what are they like when pushing a bike up a steep muddy hill in winter?

snotrag

15,636 posts

240 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
dr_gn said:
So these 5 tens...what are they like when pushing a bike up a steep muddy hill in winter?
Not as good as race shoes with plastic soles or studs, but certainly no worse than trainers. The Stealth rubber works very well on rocks etc, jsut the 'flat' sole doesnt dig in to any sloppy mud too bad - thats the only thing I've ever struggled with, but not enough to put me off.

Omaruk

734 posts

188 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
5.10s here too, use them both for aggressive XC and our annual DH pilgrimage to Morzine.

dvance

605 posts

197 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Disclaimer: never tried the Five Ten range of products. They well could be the best ever -- but then again I doubt it as I don't think 500 quid forks are 5x better than my 100 quid one wink.

I've been MTBing for about 3 years now, and BMXing for about 3 before that. I've always worn bulky skate shoes -- mostly DVS. As long as you get something nice and bulky with loads of cushion you should be fine. Most (if not all) skate shoes have a plastic cup at the heel to save your foot on nasty falls, also the soles are flat as well. I've had plenty of offs, and my feet have never been hurt. DC Shoes have a really nice sole pattern that locks onto your pedals really well. I don't buy into the premise that you need soles that are as stiff as possible -- I do want to be able to feel my pedals, and the ground when I am on it -- try running out after you've lost a jump midair into some shoes that give you no feel of the ground under your foot -- I believe it will most likely result in a slip and tumble.

And of course the premium over other shoes is excessive.

zapbrannigan

260 posts

213 months

Tuesday 29th March 2011
quotequote all
Jimbo. said:
5:10s are great until they get wet, at which point they weigh approximately one MILLION tonnes, take an eternity to dry out, and start to rot.

Switched to Shimano AM40s (complete with vile white/green colour scheme) and much prefer them: not as bulky, lace covering and better weather protection, infinitely better made and nigh-on as much grip. Cheaper too.
Another vote for Shimano AM40s.

I've had mine for over a year; they're comfortable, super-grippy, look great and have a velcro-fastening lace cover (which is essential). Oh, and they don't weigh a tonne when they get wet! smokin

subsea99

464 posts

202 months

Tuesday 29th March 2011
quotequote all
I use these for and are great on my dmr v8's and 12's,used them for around a year now they have a good sticky sole,was up innerleithen yeasterday and no problems at all,no slip off on rock gardens what so ever,work well in wet as well
http://www.sportsdirect.com/airwalk-chrome-mens-24...



shalmaneser

6,446 posts

224 months

Tuesday 29th March 2011
quotequote all
Skate shoes are all very well but 5-tens are significantly better.

I've run DCs, Osiris, Etnies and none have as good a sole at the 5-tens.