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Riding with flat pedals is preferred by many MTB riders for how versatile and adjustable they are while you ride, especially for those who like to hit technical trails and features. Being able to adjust your feet on the fly and quickly put your foot down when things get sketchy make flat pedal mountain bike shoes an important piece of equipment to consider.
There are lots of great options on the market that provide excellent grip, foot support, and durability. Our favorite flat pedal mountain bike shoe of the year is the Five Ten Freerider Pro.
What are the best flat pedal mountain bike shoes of 2022?
- Five Ten Freerider Pro
- Specialized 2FO Roost
- Bontrager Flatline
- Shimano GR9
- Five Ten Freerider
- Etnies Semenuk Pro
1. Five Ten Freerider Pro
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent grip on pedals
- Superb comfort
- Good protection
- Solid feel and energy transfer
- Built to last
Cons
- Premium price tag for a premium shoe
The Five Ten Freerider Pro continues to be the standard for flat pedal mountain bike shoes, and for good reason. The looks of the shoes scream quality, and they have the performance to match.
The Freerider Pros’ Stealth S1 rubber sole does a great job of keeping your feet feeling locked in to your pedals during all types of riding. This is confidence-inspiring for you as the rider, especially when things get fast and bumpy.
Your feet will love the Freerider Pros thanks to the excellent all-day comfort they provide. This is in part due to their stiff soles which do a great job of adding structure to the shoes and supporting your feet while riding.
The stiff soles have a balanced feel and allow you to be confident in knowing where your feet are on the pedals at all times while also providing an efficient energy transfer to the pedals.
As far as protection goes, the Five Ten Freerider Pro shoes do not skimp. They feature an impact resistant toe box for peace of mind and protection in case your feet strike rocks and other obstacles while riding.
These shoes are quite durable as well and look almost new even after months of wear and tear. They are built to last and to withstand just about anything you might throw at them.
The one downside? The Five Ten Freerider Pro shoes are a bit pricier than some other models, but their superior performance and comfort make them well worth the cost.
2. Specialized 2FO Roost
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Solid grip on pedals
- Balanced sole stiffness
- Stylish looks
- Good breathability
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some find the 2FO Roost to be loose fitting
The Specialized 2FO Roost are stylish MTB shoes well worth considering. They provide excellent pedal grip thanks to the SlipNot SuperTacky rubber compound in the soles, keeping you feeling locked in once your feet are in position on your pedals.
The sole stiffness in the Specialized 2FO Roost is well balanced and provides you with good pedal feel and power transfer, while still having enough flexibility to let you wear them casually outside of MTB.
The 2FO Roosts are comfortable to wear throughout the day or for long rides, and this is helped by the excellent breathability they give your feet, thanks in part to the XPEL Airmesh lining the shoes use.
Some riders find the 2FO Roosts to fit loosely compared to other brands and models, so it may be worth trying these ones on before making your purchase decision.
3. Bontrager Flatline
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Grippy on pedals
- Excellent durability
- Balanced sole stiffness
- Lightweight
- Good traction on ground
Cons
- Not as much protection as other models
The Bontrager Flatline is another solid addition to our list of best flat pedal MTB shoes. The Flatlines use a grippy rubber compound to help give you that locked in feel on your pedals, which will inspire confidence in any type of riding you do.
The quality materials and construction of the Bontrager Flatline shoes means that they hold up well to wear and tear and are a shoe you’ll be able to get lots of use out of.
The soles of the Bontrager Flatlines are stiff, but not too stiff. They strike a balance between providing a solid energy transfer while pedaling, while also being flexible enough to be comfortable to walk around in and wear outside of just mountain biking.
The Flatlines provide good grip on the pedals but are also made to give you good traction on the ground. This comes in handy when you need to put your foot down while riding, especially if on a steep or slippery surface, to help keep you stable and avoiding slips and falls. It’s also useful if just using the shoes for everyday wear outside of MTB.
One weak point we found on the Bontrager Flatline shoes is that they don’t offer quite as much protection of your foot as some other shoes, so you may feel it a bit more if your foot strikes an obstacle.
4. Shimano GR9
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very protective
- Excellent foot support and comfort
- Efficient energy transfer to pedals
- Sturdy, durable build
- Breathability
Cons
- Sole lacking in grip compared to other models
- On the heavier side
The Shimano GR9 flat pedal MTB shoe is another flat pedal shoe with a lot going for it. The heel cup and toe cap built into the shoe provides for solid foot protection providing peace of mind that your feet will be well protected in case they strike something.
The soles of the Shimano GR9 are quite stiff, providing for excellent foot support and all-day comfort, while also offering an efficient energy transfer from pedaling. Further adding to the comfort is the breathability of the GR9s, keeping your feet feeling fresh even on long rides.
The Shimano GR9 flat pedal shoes are built to last, offering very good durability. It shouldn’t be any problem for you to get multiple years of riding out of these shoes.
Unfortunately, the Shimano GR9 has one key area it is lacking in – the soles are not as grippy on the pedals as many other models. While the grip is good enough to keep your feet on the pedals fairly well, your feet will definitely be able to move around more on the pedals compared to some other shoes on our list.
Some prefer the slightly less grip offered by the GR9s as it makes it easier to adjust your foot position on your pedals, but this comes down to personal preference.
The Shimano GR9s are also on the heavier side compared to other shoes on our list, although this is not extremely noticeable, especially while riding.
5. Five Ten Freerider
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Solid grip on pedals
- Stylish looks
- Comfortable
- Very breathable
Cons
- Not as durable as some higher end models
- Sole not overly stiff
The Five Ten Freerider MTB shoes are the little cousin of the Five Ten Freerider Pro. While not quite as high end, they are a solid option that are worth considering if you’re looking for a flat pedal mountain bike shoe.
The Freeriders provide excellent pedal grip and give riders a good feel for where their feet are positioned on the pedals. The shoes are comfortable to wear, both for riding and for casual wear outside of MTB. They are also quite breathable, keeping your feet cool on those hot days and long rides.
The stylish looks of the Freerider shoes are another reason many people like them, and they are a great option just as an everyday casual shoe to wear when you’re out and about. The more flexible soles in these shoes make them well suited to casual wear.
Compared to the higher end Five Ten Freerider Pro, the Freerider shoes do have a couple of weak points. They are not as durable of a shoe, and while they still hold up decently well to wear and tear, you may need to replace these more frequently.
The sole is also less stiff, which, while good for casual wear, reduces power transfer to the pedals and can make your feet tire out more easily on longer rides. For a more in-depth look at the Five Ten Freerider, check out our full review here.
6. Etnies Semenuk Pro
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good pedal feel
- Quite durable
- Stylish looks
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not the grippiest flat pedal MTB shoes
- Sole stiffness less than other models
The Etnies Semenuk Pro shoes, designed by legendary mountain bike freerider Brandon Semenuk, are a quality flat pedal shoe that looks good to boot.
The Semenuk Pro shoes attempt to strike a balance between pedal feel versus power transfer with their sole stiffness. They certainly do provide excellent pedal feel allowing you to know precisely where your feet are on your pedals.
These shoes look good and will be something you won’t mind wearing out and about, and the more flexible soles make them very walkable for mountain bike shoes.
The more flexible soles do come with a downside, which is that they reduce the efficiency of energy transfer from your feet to the pedals.
Another weakness of these shoes compared to some other models discussed is that they are not quite as grippy on the pedals.
While some riders do prefer this to be able to adjust their foot position easier, these shoes, while grippy enough, won’t quite give you the locked in feel that some others will.
Frequently asked questions
Flat pedals are good for mountain biking because they offer more maneuverability than clipless pedals, giving you more control over your foot placement.
When riding on technical terrain, it’s important to have as much control over the bike as possible. This is why flat pedals are popular among mountain bikers, as they allow you to move your feet around more easily while still being able to grip the pedals well. Clipless pedals can be a bit more difficult to manage on technical trails, because if you get into a pinch, you could have difficulty freeing your feet to stop yourself from falling. If you’re just starting out mountain biking, or do a lot of technical riding, it’s recommended that you stick with flat pedals.
Flat pedals can be safer if you are not used to riding with clipless pedals, as they allow you to put your foot down in case of a potential fall. However, clipless pedals are safe if you know how to use them properly, as they keep your feet well connected to your pedals, and they do allow you unclip in the event of a fall if you know what you’re doing. Ultimately, it is up to each rider to decide which type of pedal is safest for them.
Flat pedal mountain bike shoes, of course! We’ve outlined our favorites from this year above. The best flat pedal MTB shoe of the year is the Five Ten Freerider Pro, but as we point out, there are lots of other great options as well!
How we review mountain bike shoes
When reviewing mountain bike shoes, we look at the following factors:
- Comfort and feel
- Pedal grip
- Energy transfer
- Durability
- Style
For a detailed breakdown of how we assess each of these factors, check out how we review mountain bike shoes here.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of awesome options when it comes to flat pedal mountain bike shoes. Which ones are best for you will come down to your own personal preference and riding style, and we’re sure you will find a pair you love on our list. Have any other favorite flat pedal MTB shoes we didn’t mention? Let us know!