Mountain bike shoes are specifically designed to help improve your grip on the pedals, and to offer a greater amount of protection from an onslaught of debris (and if you were to ever fall off, of course). The rough terrain and athletic, full-body movements of mountain bike riding demand the kind of shoes that will keep the rider firm on the pedals and absorb any unpredictable bumps along the way.
Like the development of their mountain bikes, brands apply the same amount of resources and attention towards developing the best mountain bike shoes. From performance brands such as Five Ten and Shimano to the casual styles of brands like Ride Concepts and Lake, there are mountain bike shoes for all types of riders.
Flat pedal shoes & clipless mountain bike shoes
The two most common types of mountain bike shoes are flat pedal shoes and clipless. Neither is necessarily better than the other, as both serve a specific function and depending on what kind of rider you are will inform which style of shoe you need to buy.
Flat pedal mountain bike shoes are exactly what the name suggests, positioning your feet flat on the pedals. These are the perfect shoes for beginner riders as the grip of the soles tends to be thicker and is more resistant to any mud or dirt you may pick up along the way. Flat pedal shoes also tend to be more affordable than their clipless counterparts and are styled more like a casual sneaker.
On the other hand, clipless mountain bike shoes use cleats to attach the shoes to the clipless pedals. They are the best option for pedal grip as they literally stick you to the pedal, ensuring a full power transfer to the bike. They should only be used for cross country riding or non-technical rides, and they should not be used on terrain that has verticality.
Understanding the Boa dial
A common feature that is always seen on the best mountain bike shoes, is the Boa dial. They usually appear along the bridge of the shoes, but can also be up near the tongue, and give you the freedom to adjust the fit. By twisting the dial, you either tighten or loosen the laces making for a personalised fit that allows you to go beyond the original construction of the shoes for extra comfort during your rides.
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Crank Brothers
1/15
Price: From $130
Sizes: 9 – 13
From humble beginnings starting out of a Laguna Beach garage in 1997, Crank Brothers have grown from lacing shoes for the locals to designing bike shoes for world-class athletes. Receiving their name by combining the first names of it’s founders Carl and Frank, the brand aims to deliver superior function to mountain bike shoes.
With a range that includes clip, clipless and flat pedal styles, you’ll experience a more natural feel that considers the foot and the pedal a unified system. The ‘Mallet Boa’ clip shoes provide high friction and low rebound, giving you a secure hold on the pedals and even surfaces where walking is involved.
Five Ten
2/15
Price: From $150
Sizes: 6 – 14
Originally founded in 1985 by Charles Cole, Five Ten are known for making shoes to be used during a rough climb on your mountain bike. In 2020, they were acquired by Adidas and officially became a sub-brand of the sportswear giant. Their shoes have been worn by some of the best mountain bike athletes such as Australian downhill champion Sam Hill.
Their range of mountain bike shoes come equipped with weather-repelling technologies and materials that will stick you to the bike even in the worst conditions. The Five Ten ‘Hellcat Pro’ shoes feature a synthetic upper that is water-repellent and the rubber treads will absorb any shocks and vibrations giving you great traction off the bike.
Giro
3/15
Price: From $113
Sizes: 8 – 12.5
Founded over 30 years ago by Jim Gentes, Giro designs their shoes based on his personal philosophy, serving the rider through personal expression and advanced performance. This has resulted in Giro producing some of the best mountain bike shoes to have ever found their way to the feet of riders, and ones that feature technologies incorporated in areas you might not expect, such as the vents and even in the seams.
This dedication to detail can be felt throughout their entire range of mountain bike shoes, with features such as the Boa dial for quick adjustments for a secure feel across the forefoot. The best comes with the ‘Empire Vr90’ shoes, featuring carbon fibre outsoles and high performing rubber treads that include technologies such as Megagrip and Idrogrip.
Shimano
4/15
Price: From $100
Sizes: 7 – 12.5
Adopting their name from founder Shozaburo Shimano, the brand was established in 1921 and is best known as a manufacturer of bike parts long before they developed cycling shoes. In fact, it wasn’t until 1990 that they introduced their first clipless bike shoes as part of their Shimano Pedalling Dynamics range.
Optimised for the fast-twitch movements when off-road, their range of mountain bike shoes strike the perfect balance between grip, durability and flexibility. The ‘XC7’ shoes represent Japanese engineering at it’s finest, with high-density leather to keep off any unwanted dirt or mud and an adjustable wire guide for a smooth power transfer between your foot and the pedal.
Ride Concepts
5/15
Price: From $100
Sizes: 7 – 15
With a headquarters located in Lake Tahoe on the border of California and Nevada, Ride concepts have one of the best backyards to test their mountain bike shoes. Founded only in 2016 by mountain bike enthusiast Brandon Dodd, who began the brand to fill a gap in the market, offering bike shoes for kids. They have since grown to incorporate shoes for all ages, sizes and ability levels.
Dedicated to creating the best mountain bike shoes, Ride Concepts’ range offers everything you need out of high-performing shoes, and all are finished with a casual look. The ‘Transition’ clipless bike shoes benefit from high-impact insole technology, reducing fatigue for a comfortable ride, all day long.
Pearl Izumi
6/15
Price: From $100
Sizes: 6 – 16.5
Founder Kinji Shimuzu spent the first nine years after starting Pearl Izumi, delivering his apparel to various villages until 1964, when he designed a cotton kit for the Japanese national team at the Asian Cycling Championships. Today, the brand has everything a rider could need and that includes some of the best mountain bike shoes.
The Pearl Izumi X ALP series are the best mountain bike shoes on offer, and come in a variety of styles, reinforced by materials and technologies that are designed for different types of rides. Whether you are going long-distance cross country or for a gravel-kicking downhill trek, they will feature synthetic uppers and a padded toe and heel.
Louis Garneau
7/15
Price: From $100
Sizes: 7 – 12.5
Out of his parent’s garage in Quebec in 1983, Louis Garneau launched his first namesake factory with one goal in mind; to make high quality cycling apparel and shoes. Today, the brand has grown out of the garage but remains committed to creating some of the best mountain bike shoes centred around athletes and enthusiasts.
At first glance, the range of shoes catch the eye with their sleek and sporty designs but it’s the technological features that will give you versatile performance on the trails. With the ‘Multi Air Flex II’ shoes you’ll find an EVA insole that induces ventilation and retention inside the cup to keep your heel in place, making them ideal for that weekend adventure.
Trek
8/15
Price: From $110
Sizes: 6 – 14.5
Founded in 1975 and based in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Trek didn’t pick that location as their headquarters for nothing. It is actually home to one of the earliest dirt tracks that the Waterloo Driving Park Association uses for races and has been since the turn of the 20th century. Both are pioneers of the mountain bike, and Trek have applied over 100 years of knowledge to creating some of the best mountain bike shoes.
The ‘Bontrager XXX’ shoes, for example, are easily some of the company’s best, and are designed for those demanding rides that require quick responsiveness. With a lightweight carbon sole for efficient power transfer and a dual Boa dial for zone-specific fit adjustments, you’ll feel like you’re wearing nothing at all.
Scott Sports
9/15
Price: From $130
Sizes: 5 – 13
Founded in 1958 by engineer Ed Scott, Scott Sports is a brand that has contributed innovations to a variety of sports, but it was in 1970, when they broke into the motocross market, that Scott Sports realised it had to enter the cycling market too. The protective gear and shoes worn for motorbikes would translate perfectly to the mountain bike, but are more refined and aerodynamic.
The range of their best mountain bike shoes aims to put your strength to good use with their stiff soles and flexible uppers that ensure a smooth power transfer. Along the ‘MTB Team BOA’ shoes upper, you’ll find a mix of pliable microfibre and airy mesh panelling that will adapt to the shape of your foot.
Lake
10/15
Price: From $180
Sizes: 6 – 13
Born out of Evanston, Illinois in 1982, Lake quickly became a local household name due to designing their shoes around the cold weather that is familiar to the state. The temperatures are among the coldest in North America and they have since set out to create mountain bike shoes that keep you comfortable during those extreme weather conditions.
This means some styles are much bulkier than the average pair, resembling a hiking boot but with all the functions that will help you perform on the trails. If you are after a more conventional mountain bike shoe, you’ll find the best in the ‘MXZ176’ shoes that include insulation for those cold days and a sole reinforced with anti-slip Ice Lock technology.
Sidi
11/15
Price: From $250
Sizes: 7 – 13
One of the first manufacturers of mountain bike shoes, Sidi was founded in 1960 by Dino Signori and grew from a small, artisan workshop to one of the best mountain bike shoes brands. Even from some of the earliest iterations, their shoes have included some of the most unique designs and have contributed innovations to the lock systems seen in most shoes today.
The range of mountain bike shoes is loaded with technologies that will give you a competitive edge such as closure systems that prevent your feet from going numb. The ‘SD15’ shoes are the best example, with a techno-closure hook and loop strap that provides a secure fit and a stable sole for a solid power transfer to the pedals.
Mavic
12/15
Price: From $138
Sizes: 6 – 13
While the brand didn’t launch their first range of bike shoes until 2008, Mavic has been involved in the cycling business since 1889. They have been there every step of the way, innovating old, existing designs and contributing their own with the first anodised rims. Today, they have shoes for all kinds of rides, including the cross country terrain of mountain biking.
The range of mountain bike shoes feature foot conforming fits that are ideal for those long days of riding. With the ‘Crossmax Elite’ shoes, you’ll be supported by an Orthalite sole, grip to the pedals with the Energy Grip technology and keep everything secure with the Ergo boa dial that provides micro-adjustable precision.
Northwave
13/15
Price: From $118
Sizes: 7 – 12.5
Northwave was founded by Gianni Piva, and upon its founding, was designing and making shoes for other companies. In 1991, Gianni decided to go it alone and produce shoes under his own brand name. At first, it was snowboarding that was given the Northwave treatment, but eventually, Gianni moved into making mountain bike shoes, and today his company is known as one of the top producers.
Whether it’s cross country or enduro, Northwave’s range of mountain bike shoes are some of the toughest and won’t crumble against all of the dirt, dust and mud. For those rough terrains, you’ll want to go with the ‘Enduro Mid’ shoes, with a rugged design built around those moments on the trails when you’ll need to shoulder your bike.
Fizik
14/15
Price: From $159
Sizes: 6 – 12.5
Stylised as “fi’zi:k”, which is the phonetic spelling of the word physique, Fizik was founded in 1996 by the bike seat manufacturer, Selle Royal. They specialise in creating mountain bike shoes that are designed to be more than just shoes on your feet but contribute and enhance your natural physique.
Their range of shoes includes designs from casual clip shoes to those that double as a hiking boot, and everything in between. If you are looking for a shoe that lives up to the brand’s name, then the ‘X1 Infinito’ shoes will give you a glove-like fit with the increased volume control on the dual Boa dial and a carbon sole for an efficient power transfer.
VeloKicks
15/15
Price: From $135
Sizes: 6 – 13
Beginning in 2015 and coming out of Melbourne, VeloKicks aim to impress with their range of bike shoes that includes a collection of mountain bike shoes for every type of terrain. Whether it’s the gravel of a dirt road or the unpredictable trails of a downhill slope, they’ve got you covered.
The ‘Lactic’ mountain bike shoes are the perfect fit for a cross country ride and will support you during those ‘hike a bike’ moments thanks to the mud-clinging studs. With carbon soles that sport a wider fit and allow for an optimal power transfer, these shoes have been rigorously tested and will perform on the trails.