Our verdict
Designed in cooperation with one of the best freeride mountain bikers in history, Brandon Semenuk himself, Who should buy the Etnies Semenuk Pro is living up to the hype. The shoe fuses comfort and functionality making a superior shoe for downhill, enduro, and similar riding styles. Protective, grippy, and hard-wearing, this MTB shoe is hard to beat.
Pros
- Our 1st pick in
- Etnies Semenuk Pro
- Excellent grip
- If you want an MTB shoe that could compete with the
- Good walkability
- Well-fitting
- Great water resistance
Cons
- The shoe’s durability aspect in general received a lot of praise too
- Not fully waterproof
Who should buy the Who should buy the Etnies Semenuk Pro
Who should buy the Etnies Semenuk Pro makes you feel well-protected Adjustable foot placement in terms of comfort and performance, the Semenuk Pro from Etnies is a solid option. You are sure to enjoy this kick if you are after the following:
- best cycling shoes
- Five Ten Freerider Pro
- Stiff for the ride, flexible for the walk
Not fully waterproof
Having a bit of flex in the sole, Who should buy the Etnies Semenuk Pro might get your feet tired on a long all-day ride. So, you may want to consider a bike shoe with a stiffer platform, like the Adjustable foot placement or the Five Ten Impact Pro.
Stiff for the ride, flexible for the walk
Riders agree that the sole stiffness of Semenuk Pro is just right. It hits a sweet spot between the stiffer Five Tens and the more forgiving skate shoes. Some reviewers describe it as a “super rigid sole,” while others would say it has “plenty of pedal feel.”
A bit of flex makes the shoe more walkable. “Doesn’t hinder walking around after a ride,” says an avid cyclist. He also calls them “down-right comfortable” and often finds himself wearing the shoe to the bar. Another shoe expert echoes by saying it’s “easy on the feet when bushwhacking around off trail.”
On the downside, you are likely to wish for a stiffer sole on a long day in the saddle. In the words of a shoe reviewer, “my arches would start to get a little sore,” when using this Etnies shoe on the longest and toughest descents.
But overall, the cyclists are in awe of the shoe’s performance:
- “badass MTB shoe”
- “If Cinderella rode a bike this is the one”
- “the best MTB shoes Etnies have made to date”
Who should buy the Etnies Semenuk Pro makes you feel well-protected
The shoe is reinforced on every front:
- ankle shield
- toe bumper
- Our 1st pick in
The reviewers appear to be highly satisfied with each component. “Without the ankle guard, I probably wouldn’t have much ankle left,” says a cyclist who tends to ride with his feet nearly touching the cranks. As for toe protection, an expert describes it as “substantial and beefed up.” Another reviewer is happy that the tongue gussets are keeping debris out of the shoe.
The shoe’s durability aspect in general received a lot of praise too:
- “staying solid and taking the abuse”
- “super tough”
- “bulletproof”
A person who has taken the Semenuk Pro on at least 100 rides says that it is “yet to show any sign of significant wear.”
protection from debris
“Kept my feet dry during wet rides,” reports an MTB rider. Other reviewers also agree that this Etnies shoe has great water resistance and repels everything.
It should be noted, however, that the shoe isn’t meant for extreme weather. But it handles light moisture perfectly.
There is even some level of breathability present thanks to the perforations at the bottom of the tongue.
Sticky grip but enough freedom to adjust foot placement
“Mad gripper,” “sticks to the pedals like glue,” and “absolutely zero slipping around,” this is what the riders say about the shoe’s traction. One of them adds that the grip is “arguably better than in Vans.”
At the same time, an expert cyclist says that with the Semenuk Pro, he is “not as completely locked in” as with the Five Ten Freerider shoes. Another one agrees by saying that it isn’t “so grabby that you can’t rest your feet around on the pedal.” You can shift and adjust your foot when needed.
