Bicycle trials shoes

Not Designated Bike Trials Catalog. Jitsie Varial Kids 18" Bike. Inspired Flow 20" Bike. Inspired Flow 24" Bike. Inspired Flow 22" Bike. This service can be added to your cart at the time of purchase. Ozonys Skill 20" Bike. Jitsie Varial 20" Bike. Jitsie Varial 26" Bike. Please Note: This bike's half bashring can be set up for left or right foot forward riders. Please leave us a note in the comments during checkout which foot forward you ride with so we can set up the bashring correctly for you.

Jitsie Varial Hybrid 24" Bike. Inspired Flow Plus 24" Bike. Downhill The final category is the most demanding: downhill. From tackling the Whistler bike park to rocky, rooty, and steep descents, these shoes are burly and well cushioned. The downside is weight—these are the heaviest options on average by a good margin and much less efficient for pedaling.

Clipless Shoes One of the first steps in narrowing down your mountain bike shoe search is determining pedal compatibility. This makes clipless a popular choice for longer rides and XC use. It also can be comforting to not have to worry about foot slippage while hitting jumps or riding through semi-technical terrain.

That said, it takes some time to get comfortable with being clipped in and build up the muscle memory to kick the heel out to disconnect. But all common mountain bike clipless pedals share a two-bolt cleat design the cleats are typically included in the pedal purchase , which will work with all of the clipless shoes listed above. Similarly, there are no compatibility concerns with flat pedals and flat-bottomed shoes.

But the level of stiffness varies quite a bit by model. For example, a dedicated cross-country racing shoe like the Specialized S-Works Recon is incredibly rigid and awkward to walk in, while a budget-friendly trail model like the Giro Jacket II is flexible enough to wear every day. Racers, particularly those in events that require a decent amount of pedaling, will want the stiffest shoes around.

Taking a closer look at construction, manufacturers incorporate stiffness in a few ways. This provides decent strength for pedaling and makes it more comfortable to stand for extended periods, while retaining enough flexibility to walk around. Race-ready designs incorporate strong materials like carbon fiber into the entire length of the sole. This maximizes stiffness for putting power down but compromises in walkability and comfort.

The most flexible designs are the cheapest and rely simply on a thick midsole and rubber outsole for shock absorption and rigidity. The Stealth S1 compound and dotty pattern on the Freerider line—found on both the standard and Pro models on our list above—is legendary in the mountain biking world.

Giro and Shimano incorporate rubber specialists Vibram and Michelin respectively, and their top models offer performance that is good but not great. And off the bike, traction can be a major factor. A well-designed clipless outsole maximizes grip with a recessed slot for the cleat, which allows you to walk naturally.

Further, a sticky outsole is a big helper for walking on rocks, and decent lugs—not all that dissimilar from a hiking shoe —are important for sloppy trails. More than just about any other footwear category, mountain bike shoes are made with a wide range of closure types. As with pedal type, most of the decision comes down to personal preference, but laces are mostly commonly associated with flat pedal shoes.

For quick and easy micro adjustments while wearing gloves, a Boa dial system or ratchet design is a great option. These lightweight systems are common on clipless XC and Enduro models. And finally, Velcro often is used as a secondary closure to compliment a dial and ratchet system.

A lightweight mountain bike shoe comes with numerous benefits. Cutting away weight reduces the amount of effort required to put the power down, which also helps with fatigue on long rides. Part of the reason is that many bikers stick to shorter rides, but the main factor is that most shoes only vary by a few ounces for the pair.

Outliers include the crazy-light Specialized S-Works Recon 1 pound 3 ounces , which is streamlined to maximize efficiency for cross-country racing. On the other end of the spectrum is the downhill-oriented Five Ten Hellcat Pro 2 pounds 6 ounces , which adds heft with its heavy cushioning and protection. Mountain biking is a rough sport, and moving quickly over technical trails demands a lot from your footwear.

Nearly all shoes include a toe cap to take the sting out of a rock strike, but there are notable differences between shoe categories XC, trail, and downhill. An additional consideration is protection underfoot. Shoes with thin mid and outsoles may not provide enough in the way shock absorption, which can become painful over lengthy sections of rocky and rooty trail. Again, trail and downhill shoes provide the highest levels of comfort in these cases. A design like the Five Ten Hellcat Pro does an impressive job keeping your feet isolated and safe.

Depending on where you ride, wet and muddy trails can be a fact of life. The good news is that most XC, trail, and downhill shoes do a decent job at resisting moisture with solid synthetic or leather uppers and a DWR coating.

The strongest performers, such as the Giro Terraduro Mid and Five Ten Impact High, even have a taller ankle height or extended cuff for extra protection. What about fully waterproof shoes? There are a few options out there, including the Shimano MW not included on our list above. An alternative is to wear a neoprene cover or bootie overtop of your standard shoes for a boost in warmth and water resistance but keep in mind, these are vulnerable to tearing when subjected to trail abuse.

Telltale signs of a good ventilating design are large swaths of mesh or a thin upper material. On the other hand, shoes with a solid upper and thick cushioning—often found in the downhill category—are the most prone to running hot.

At the same time, a water-resistant synthetic upper holds up well to abrasions and poor weather. Additional problems include the tread of a super sticky flat pedal shoe compound wearing down from extended hiking. We touched on this in the stiffness and outsole sections above, but walkability is a very important feature for some riders. Ambitious backcountry trips or bikepacking adventures can often involve lengthy climbs, which means you need your bike shoes to play two roles—one as a capable and efficient biker, and the other as a grippy and decently comfortable hiker.

The best hiking shoe often is not that great for biking—moderate flexibility is good for walking but bad for power transfer—so we look for hybrid designs that are adept at both.

Feet and toes are ruthlessly exposed to the elements while riding and very liable to numb out in the colder months, but this is where a winter-specific shoe can be a big help. Look for shoes with an insulated and waterproof liner to keep your feet dry and warm, a sealed cleat bed to keep water out while splashing through puddles, and a glove-friendly closure system for on-the-fly adjustments.

While such a shoe is not recommended for year-round use, it can be a solid investment for dedicated cyclists. And take note: if your winter months are especially brutal, it can be a good idea to size up a half to full size to make room for thick socks.

The vast majority of mountain bike shoes come in a low-top style. But for bad weather conditions or if you prioritize maximum protection, there are a few mid-height designs. Shoes like the Five Ten Impact Mid protect the inside and outside of the ankle from friendly fire from the crank arm or when falling.

But there is a reason most XC, trail, and even downhill riders stick to a low-top shoe. The taller build runs warmer in the heat, can feel cumbersome while pedaling, and is quite a bit heavier. Serious riders that get out all year round might want a mid-height shoe in their quiver, but most should stick to the standard low top. Many people start out with a pair of cross trainers, skate shoes, or running footwear, and those will do the trick for a while.

But as you progress, the benefits of one of the options above become clear. Mountain bike shoes offer far better power transfer, foot protection an essential feature in rocky terrain , and—most importantly for flat pedal use—grip. From lightweight XC models to burly options for downhill and enduro riding, we break down the top shoes for mountain biking. Photo Credit.

See the Crankbrothers Stamp Boa See the Bontrager Foray See the Giro Jacket II See the Specialized S-Works Recon Flat Clipless Shoes One of the first steps in narrowing down your mountain bike shoe search is determining pedal compatibility. Closure Systems: Laces, Velcro, Ratchet, and Boa More than just about any other footwear category, mountain bike shoes are made with a wide range of closure types.

But the sole is where the magic happens. In an ever-evolving lineup rooted in rock climbing, Five Ten now Adidas has a broad range of rubber compounds that they apply to different products for specific activities, such as cycling and approach pre-climbing. Some of these compounds are more grippy and less durable, and others are harder and more long-lasting, but less grippy.

Unlike some other shoes, Five Ten relies on the stickiness and softness of its rubber compound instead of tight tread channels designed to hold the pedal pins. The rather loose pattern does a good job at keeping the pedal pins engaged while still allowing you to make micro-adjustments while riding. Like many others in this list, they lose grip on loose or wet surfaces due to the lack of deeper lugs.

However, similar to the Ion and the GR7, the Freerider Pro has a pretty stiff sole, which allows you to dig in with the side of the shoe while hiking up steep and chunky bits if needed.

There have been a few that fit true to size and others that have been way off. Fortunately, the I would consider it mid-range in the comfort department. There are a couple in this roundup that are a little cushier. But I think that five Ten did a good job balancing simplicity and comfort. I appreciate the no-nonsense design of the Freerider Pro and the feel it has on the pedals.

There is just enough cushion there to keep it comfortable on long rides, but not too much to make it feel overbuilt or bulky. It breathes fairly well, too, regardless of the only perforated vents being on the top of the forefoot area.

It also does a good job keeping the feet dry on creek crossings and puddles. Overall, the Five Ten Freerider Pro is clearly a trail-centered riding shoe. And more recently, the expedition-focused TrailCross line, which Cass reviewed here. Liv offers their own version of the Shuttle Flat for women. The Shuttle Flat has the most casual street style of any of the shoes included in this roundup.

The quarter panel is single-layered with laser perforations on each side. An additional layer of synthetic leather is stitched on over the vamp top of the forefoot , the bottom two-thirds of the tongue, and the bottom half of the heel.

The collar of the shoe and top portion of the tongue are made from a padded mesh material, and there is a single-layered stretchy mesh pocket to stow any excess length of lace, which is a nice touch. The toe has an injection-molded TPU guard sewn into place.

The alternating small triangle pattern leaves recessed channels for pin engagement. And while it seems like pedal grip would be solid on this shoe, these were perhaps the least grippy of the bunch. It supplies any of the support the shoe offers but is only semi-rigid through the middle and heel end. The collar of these shoes also has the least padding of any of the shoes reviewed. Like the other shoes we tested, the Shuttle Flat has a molded toe guard. And the heel seems higher than most other shoes—about the same height as the Ride Concepts, which are more like high-tops.

The TPU coating provides weather protection, but the vent holes on each quarter panel are unobstructed, so they do take in water.

That said, they do seem to dry pretty quickly. Overall, these are the least expensive shoes in the lineup, and they are easy on the eyes. But, they certainly lack stiffness, long-ride comfort, and pedal grip. It also comes in a mid-top iteration with a velcro lace strap. The Riddance is slightly bulkier than the street-styled Giant and FiveTens, but still has a more everyday, toned-down look than some of the other options.

Aside from those accents, the upper is constructed from a microfiber fabric with lasered perforations covering the vamp and quarter panels. The padded tongue is sewn from the same looser microfiber knit that makes up the liner and includes an elasticized lace keeper. Only the top two eyelets on either side of the lace stay are reinforced with metal.

The rubber compound is also supposed to dampen vibrations. The tread pattern is made up of small hexagonal lugs that are consistently spaced over the entire surface. The only variation is at the toe and heel, where the negative space is slightly more recessed, so the lugs stand out just slightly further than they do over the rest of the outsole. Still, with the small hexagons, there are ample places for pin engagement, so pedal grip is quite good. They are similar to Five Tens in the hiking department; with a lack of large lugs, they get a little slippy on wet or loose surfaces.

They still have decent power transfer, as well as solid all-day ride comfort. That said, I have narrow feet, so these might be a good option for wide-footed folks. The Riddance has plenty of vent holes, but no mesh panels, and all of the perforations are on multi-layered portions of the shoe, like most of the others.

Overall, the Giro Riddance are in the lower end of the price range in this roundup, but they also lack some of the more technical features, like mesh and welded fabrics. Still, with a nice sturdy feel, decent power, and the next best pedal grip to the Five Tens, they seem like a pretty good value.

Perhaps one of the lesser-known brands represented here, Ion is based in Austria and makes mountain bike apparel and protective gear, among other things.

The upper on the Select features double-stitched, four-piece leather construction with a rubber protective toe cap and perforated area on the forefoot and outer side.