Five Ten Freerider Mountain Bike Shoes Review
The Five Ten Freerider Mountain Bike Shoes are a testament to the brand's dedication to performance and durability in high-stakes outdoor sports. Known for their rich rock climbing heritage, Five Ten has crafted these shoes with a focus on versatility and grip, ensuring that you stay connected to your bike under challenging conditions.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Five Ten integrates advanced technology such as proprietary Stealth rubber soles into their designs, making them an ideal choice for mountain biking, whether you're tackling downhill trails or taking on technical climbs.
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Features
- Classic do-it-all flat pedal mountain bike shoes
- High-friction versatility: Stealth S1 rubber offers versatile high-friction grip on and off the bike
- DOTTY TREAD: Classic Dotty tread for superior pedal traction
- Recycled content: Made with recycled materials as part of the effort to reduce plastic waste
- Lace closure; Leather and textile upper
Pros
- Outstanding grip from the Stealth S1 rubber sole
- Excellent comfort for extended rides
- Durable construction suitable for rugged terrains
- Eco-friendly design with recycled content
Cons
- May feel too stiff for riders who prefer a more flexible shoe
- Limited color options compared to other brands
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Product | Grip | Comfort | Durability | Eco-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five Ten Freerider | Excellent | High | Very High | Yes |
| Specialized 2FO Cliplite | Good | Very High | High | No |
| Giro Riddance | Good | High | Medium | No |
Detailed Review
The Five Ten Freerider Mountain Bike Shoes stand out in the realm of cycling footwear, thanks primarily to their exceptional grip and comfort. The proprietary Stealth S1 rubber not only excels in providing traction but also ensures stability during intense rides. Whether navigating rocky terrain or enjoying a leisurely ride through scenic landscapes, you'll appreciate the reliable foothold these shoes offer.
From a comfort perspective, the Freeriders excel due to their thoughtful design that accommodates foot movement while preventing excessive fatigue. The lace closure allows for a customized fit, which is particularly advantageous on long rides where support is essential.
Durability is another key area where the Freerider shines. With a leather and rubber construction, these shoes are built to withstand the rigors of mountain biking without compromising performance. The inclusion of recycled materials further highlights Five Ten's commitment to sustainability.
However, it’s worth noting that some users may find the shoe's stiffness less comfortable if they prefer a more flexible option. Additionally, while the shoes are available in various sizes, their color selection might not cater to everyone's preferences.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Grip | 9/10 | Exceptional traction on both pedals and surfaces. |
| Comfort | 8/10 | Well-padded, though some may find them slightly rigid. |
| Durability | 9/10 | Built to last with high-quality materials. |
| Eco-Friendliness | 8/10 | Made with recycled content contributing to sustainability efforts. |
User Reviews
UPDATE: finishing up my first season in these and they were great. everything I said in the review still holds true. the sole doesn't even seem that worn and I am an aggressive rider (jumps, downhill park). sure they aren't the most breathable and my socks are wet on hot days, but I suppose that's normal for this activity and price range. a possible upgrade for me would be a mesh upper for breatheability and some kind of quick-lace system.//if you've never tried MTB shoes, these are a great and very affordable start. I was surprised at how supportive they were - like expanding the platform of your flat pedals. What I mean is that you can quickly place your foot at a position that is not dead center on the pedal but it still feels like it is - this gives you much more confidence when putting the power down or doing jumps.Before I was using soft, minimalist trail shoes because they breathed well and fit my wide feet. The tread gripped great (almost too great), but now I realize that their flexibility is a handicap (quick foot positioning, unless very centered, makes your foot tilt and you lose confidence). The flat and rigid platform of MTB shoes is a night and day difference.PROS:+support is outstanding for MTB. I'll never go back to non-MTB shoes.+comfortable and plush as skate shoes.+lacing works well so far.+fit is wide enough for mild orthotics (I usually wear extra wide shoes)+stiff protective toe cap just in case+affordable at $60.CONS:-can get a bit warm and socks are very sweaty after a ride. (don't breathe as well as running shoes.)
I'm not sure if they make one, but I didn't see any wide option for my size and the fit is a bit narrower than I'd like comfort-wise.Fit is good lengthwise, but comfort could be improved greatly with a wider sole (which wouldn't hurt for grip on my flat pedals either, more surface area = more grip, to an extent)Zero other complaints, these are an excellent MTB shoe, definitely helped vs. my normal shoes, esp. for climbing - enough stiffness to transfer energy efficiently, but not so stiff that they're inflexible, so also comfy when off-bike, I think they've struck a great balance.
It's always nerve wracking to buy shoes online, especially if your feet are unique in any way. So, after reading the reviews and Q&A section, I decided to go with a size 10 for my 9.5, wide feet. I was pleasantly surprised to find these 10s fit perfectly.The toe box is very wide, there is plenty of volume and I have no hot spots anywhere. They are remarkably comfortable. The insole is pretty thin and doesn't have a lot of arch support. If you need that, replacement insoles are locally available since the insoles slip in and out. It's really hard to find shoes to fit my wide feet and I typically have to size up one whole size to get the width I need. But that comes with additional length that I don't need. Didn't have to do that here. The 10s fit perfectly. (1/2 size up from my borderline 9.5 feet)The shoe is sturdy, very well built and very sticky on my OneUp pedals. There is nothing not to like. I highly recommend them. Just remember that the toe box is roomy.
On my second pair now; I rode my first Freeriders into the ground in just over 1.5yrs (daily 8-10 miles urban and race BMX), and they were great! Until they weren't.The fact that I'm buying another pair can be attributed to the following:Rubber grip - fantastic against my flats (Specialized Bennies), never slip unless I'm asking for it.Reinforced soles - stiffness can be relied on, especially out of the saddle.External durability - held up in year round weather, rain and mud included.Lightweight - so nice not having any extra rotating mass on my feet!Pricing - $70 isn't chump change, but it's less than many others in the same category.But the reason I'm ranking 4 out of 5 is this:The inner heel foam has collapsed and become a stiff ring around the back of my ankles. Granted, my soles were pretty chewed up after all that riding, but the heel foam seems like a place for improvement. I do realize you can ruin ANY shoe by smashing your heels into them blindly day after day (see kids shoes lol), but I put these shoes on my feet the same way I do my sneakers and hiking boots... without this result.Maybe it's to be expected when you ride hard and constant like I do? Guess I'll find out in a year if it was a fluke or not.
Shoes are perfect for riding MTB pedals. TONS of grip. I waited too long to get these. Really upped my game and gave me confidence to push my skills. Very sturdy shoes. The price was very good considering some of styles/brands. These were a fraction of the price of other models or bike shops. I will order another pair to have on hand to last me a long time or leave one pair in the truck and one at home.
Comfortable and fuctional. Good looking. Well constructed. Well priced. Recommended.
Good shoe for riding bikes. Not a good shoe for walking. Very loud and hard for walking. But for riding a bike as intended they are great.
This pair of shoes were a great fit for me. The firmness of the soles of the shoe are like no other. I’ve enjoy them so far and i hope to continue buying this type of shoes in the future