The super grippy Stealth S1 outsole is in a class of its own, Five Ten renowned for constructing some of the best, flat soled MTB shoes on the market. The designers promise that the sole will give you the ultimate technical advantage when out on the trail – unparalleled grip that will keep your feet glued to the pedals – without the need for SPD cleats.

The upper is constructed from a blend of suede leather and super breathable mesh – making the shoe both durable and breathable. A laced closure system continues the simple design of the shoe, allowing a comfy fit for just about any foot type.

Style and performance needn’t be mutually exclusive, and with these Freerider MTB shoes, they certainly aren’t. As stylish on the bike as they are off, the Freeriders can be worn just about anywhere – making sure you’re always ready to hop on a bike and start pedaling away.

The entry-level model from Five Ten comes in at a fairly reasonable price point – an affordable shoe that boasts a whole lot of performance for its price. One happy online reviewer was more than pleased with their purchase, “I love these. Amazing grip, no impact on climbing or putting power to the pedal throughout my normal range of motion. But when you drop your saddle and put weight on these, they grip like. . .well, like stealth rubber on flat pedals with pins. Which is to say amazing!”

The leather has also been built to include hundreds of tiny pores, aiding airflow around the foot to eliminate moisture build-up and contribute to a much comfier ride. Away from the leather outer, Giro have also included their ergonomic, molded EVA footbed inner soles – providing some much-needed support to the arch of the foot. A reinforced toe box offers good protection and fully weatherproofs the front of the shoe – no more wet toes!

The big, stand-out feature of the Giro Jacket’s are the Vibram MegaGrip rubber outsoles, Giro teaming up with this company to engineer a stiff, but equally compliant sole perfect for fast-paced, downhill mountain biking. While Vibram may brand their outsoles as ‘MegaGrip’, BikeRadar have described the Giro jackets more as, “foot cosseting flat pedal shoes that focus on fit, not grip.” Stylish, weatherproof MTB shoes they may be – but the Giro Jackets may not be the best option for those of you who want a super grippy connection between shoe and pedal.

As with many other Giro products, the Jackets do come in at a pretty lofty price point – however, a Giro finish is certainly unique, a durable construction and traditional look that will never fall from fashion are more than reasonable reasons for this investment.

The main feature of these X-ALP Launch shoes is on the underside, the outersole constructed from a dual density, Vibram rubber compound that promises to deliver a perfect blend of exceptional grip, traction and durability. The smooth, siped rubber design with Vibram MegaGrip compound in the pedal zone offers instant pedal pin engagement – keeping the foot locked in place without the need for clunky SPDs.

The shoes are extremely lightweight, 340 grams per shoes – making the X-ALP Launch from Pearl Izumi some 150 grams lighter than a lot of other shoes in this flat soled, price category. Such performance-orientated features don’t come cheap however – these shoes entering the expensive, triple figure price bracket. But, with such style, form and function – not to mention leading the market in the lightweight department – the X-ALP Launch MTB shoes are certainly worth the investment.

The shoe features an asymmetrically raised, padded ankle collar to protect the instep of your foot from any flying debris, as well as clipping it on a whirring drivetrain. An armored lace shield adds to the level of protection and stops small stones from falling into the laced closure system. For added security, a single strap near to the toe ensures the foot remains snug in the shoe – eliminating slippage and wasted watts.

A Vibram outsole, constructed from super stiff rubber, provides superior bike control in all conditions but still allows for a little flex to keep you comfortable on the longer rides. The rubber is extremely durable and has no problems walking across solid ground, the material more than ready to deal with a wide variety of terrains and surfaces.

Mid-level in price, but one of the top downhill shoes on the market, the SHAM7s are a ‘must-have’ for those yearning for some high speeds on the downhill trails. One Mbr reviewer described the lace cover system as, “flawless” and explained how they’d, “had these shoes for years and they’ve held up nearly perfectly.”

A basic 3-strap closure system allows adjustment on the fly – but with no laces, or contouring fit system, the Giro Carbides are prone to pressure build-ups on the top of the foot. Where it falls down a little on top, it more than makes up for underneath the foot – a molded EVA footbed providing sturdy arch support, as well as unique Aegis anti-microbial treatment.

The outersole is made from a sturdy nylon composite, injected into a classic, ergonomic shape. Stiff yet still compliant, and complete with SPD compatibility, this shoe is ready to pedal away along the local MTB trails. To allow the shoe some use off the bike, Giro have added a high traction, lugged outsole to aid walking on flat ground.

These are some of Giro’s more entry-level shoes, the same reputable brand with simplified features and components. BikeRadar rate the shoes highly, especially for their price point, “at a budget price, the Carbides are packed full of performance. Just watch that hard tread on slick surfaces.”

The outersole is constructed from reinforced fiberglass, providing the shoes with optimal stiffness and maximum power transfer – allowing you to ride longer and faster, wasting a whole lot less energy than you would with flat, rubber soles.

A durable, synthetic leather upper hugs the foot nicely, allowing these shoes to be ridden all day, every way – ventilated mesh portions helping to keep the foot aerated and moisture free – all adding to comfort. Not only is the shoe supremely comfortable on the MTB trail, but it’s also adept for spinning, commuting and touring – the ultimate, all-round entry-level shoe.

Using a cleated system, the Tommaso Montagna 100s ensure a rigid fit with shoe and pedal – a three strap Velcro closing system strong enough to prevent any ‘free’ movement as the power is laid down. One reviewer described the shoes glowingly, “Good fit and build. Cleat placement is not infinitely adjustable, but most users should have no problem under the majority of circumstances.”

Tommaso certainly weren’t lying when they said that they’d slashed a lot of features from this shoe – a lot of basic, standard materials going into the build. However, at an extremely cheap, entry-level price, it would be hard to go wrong with these beginner shoes.

The outersole is constructed from a nylon composite material that champions stiffness – sending every last watt of power into the pedals. The nylon material also allows for a little flex, increasing comfort on those longer MTB rides. The outersole is also complete with high durometer rubber lugs – allowing for an effortless walk along solid ground.

Equipped with a trademark Sidi heel cup, the Dominator Fit MTB shoes keep the foot locked in place and reduced slippage, optimizing power transfer in the process. An adjustable soft instep closure system and padded tongue then combine with this heel cup to totally eliminate pressure points throughout the shoe.

Utilizing a standard 2-hole SPD cleat system, these Dominator Fit MTB shoes can securely lock in to the majority of MTB pedals – no need to go out and buy any specials ones for these shoes, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want to once you discovered their astronomical price point. Quality doesn’t come cheap, but the Sidi Dominator Fit MTB shoes do prove a worthwhile investment, a Singletrack’s review attesting for their quality, “after I put them on, I hardly noticed they were there – just what I want in a good shoe.”

The upper is made from durable, lightweight and synthetic material with a mesh lining on the inside to improve breathability and keep out unwanted moisture. Also on the inside is a TORBAL midsole, allowing the rider to engage in a natural “flow” motion while riding.

The outersole is constructed from reinforced fiberglass, stiff but allowing a little bit of comfortable flex on the longer rides. Dual-density, rubber lugs then complete the outersole and offer the shoe incredible traction both on, and off the bike, across any kind of terrain.

Best paired with Shimano’s unique, PD-M530, or PD-M520 cleat, the SH-ME3s are designed to securely clip into a wide range of MTB pedals – ensuring a secure, snug fit to deliver maximum power. The mid-level shoe from Shimano comes in at a fairly reasonable price, a slight step up from the beginner models. One happy customer had this to say about the SH-ME3s, “Great value! Using them for mountain biking and some indoor cycling. The fit is great, and I like the color. Would recommend highly.”

Partnering up with Vibram once again, the sole is another stiff, rubber construction with a grippy diamond tread. Compared to the stiffness of nylon and carbon, these shoes just cannot compete – but if free movement and the ability to walk on solid ground is more your thing – these are the shoes for you.

The simple laced closure system is an understated masterpiece of engineering – the ability to contour the shoe to the shape of the wearer’s foot an essential feature for a shoe that is going to be worn all day long. Such a snug fit also eliminates a lot of slippage inside the shoe, further maximizing power transfer from foot, to shoe, to pedal.

One of the cheaper models offered from Giro, the Rumble Vr MTB shoes pride versatility over anything else – performance playing second fiddle on these shoes. Nevertheless, the Rumbles are a worthwhile investment, especially if you want a shoe that can be used across cycling disciplines – from MTB, to gravel riding, to the morning commute – the Giro Rumbles can be used almost anywhere and to great effect. RoadCC recognized the shoe’s versatility, describing them as, “versatile shoes that are great for commuting on dry days, or use on light trails – but lack weather protection.”