La revolución más allá del running | 6 Over-Knee Boots LASOCKI 70600-04 Black in 2023

Getting the best MTB shoe for you is vital for a good time out on the trail. But we know that searching for a suitable pair can be baffling.
To help you find the best option for your rides, we have reviewed over 40 models of MTB shoes. We tested them on road and trail biking. We became even more critical when we took them into our lab. Flat or clipless, cheap or premium, we’ve selected our top picks in different categories.
If you need more guidance on the types of MTB shoes, and the various cleat and closure systems, we created a guide for your hassle-free learning.
Best mountain cycling shoes overall

La revolución más allá del running | What makes it the best?
Pros
- Comfortable for long rides
- roundup of waterproof winter boots
- Supportive fit
- Easy-to-regulate dual BOA
- Efficient pedaling
- Sandals KARL LAGERFELD KL30610 White Lthr
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Reflective details
- Attractive
Cons
- Your Favorite Sneakers Go 2D in This HYPEBAE Exclusive "Rubber Soul" Editorial
- BOA doesn't micro release
- r13 black cowboy boots
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Best mountain cycling shoes for downhill/enduro

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Offers all-day comfort
- High quality materials
- Excellent traction
- Adequate stiff sole
- Excellent
- Great casual style
- Alexander McQueen KIDS SHOES 25-39 TRAINERS
Cons
- Heavy
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Best moutain cycling shoes for cross-country

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Stiff sole
- Exceptionally comfortable
- Very grippy
- Lightweight
- Aesthetically appealing
- Easy-to-clean
- The lacing prevents hotspots
- Durable construction
- Premium quality materials
Cons
- Expensive
- Lack of protection
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Best mountain cycling shoes for hike-a-bike

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Comfortable for biking and hiking
- Reliable grip
- Durable
- Secure fit
- Sandals COMFORTABEL 710060-05 Navy
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- Heavy
- Short cleats
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La revolución más allá del running | Best flat pedal mountain cycling shoes












What makes it the best?
Pros
- Superb pedal grip
- Reliable hill performance
- Sneakers EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI X8X027 XK219 N372 Navy White Silver
- Adidas Yeezy Boost 380 Alien Newest Running Shoes To Buy FV3260
- Rigid soles
- Stylish
- True to size
- Appreciated lace keeper
- Repels moisture
- Spacious toe box
- Cushioned
Cons
- Dolce & Gabbana Galileo ankle boots
- Baby Monsoon Embroidered Sandal
- Nike Soccers orange Mercurial shoes
- Not breathable
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Best waterproof mountain cycling shoes

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Excellent feel
- Great support
- Stiff
- Snow Boots TOMMY HILFIGER Snow Boot T3A6-32034-1241 Blue Red White Y019
- Stylish
- Durable
- Protection from elements
- Grippy
- Impact protection
Cons
- Difficult to wear
- Pricey
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Comparison of the 6 best mountain bike shoes
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Why wear mountain bike shoes?
Sneakers SPRANDI CP40-51-1 Black 1 grippy skate shoes is enough for riding the rugged trails of the mountain. However, this could cause serious injuries in the long run, among other things.
In instances like light trail cycling or BMX riding, skate shoes can be enough. But if you aim to improve on your skills or simply to have more efficient, safe, more fun on the bike, mountain bike shoes are best.
How do MTB shoes work?
Mountain bike shoes are designed from top to bottom to withstand rigorous cycling outdoors. Most of them display a rugged exterior to match the trails.
- The upper is especially designed to prevent injuries by using impact-resistant and long-lasting materials.
- Perforation details also help keep the foot feeling cool during warmer weather.
- Flat and quite pliable soles provide hike-a-bike comfort and prevent foot ailments
- Excellent traction keeps you upright in slippery areas.
- A rigid sole and cleats on XC shoes ensure efficient transmission of power to the pedal, and prevent foot slip
Choosing your ideal mountain cycling shoes (5 steps)
Following the 5 steps below can make your search easier and quicker.
- Consider your cycling activity
- Choose the pedal type
- Select a suitable closure system
- Figure out the appropriate stiffness level
- Test for the most ideal fit
1. Type of mountain cycling you plan on doing
Your activity and purpose are the first crucial point you need to figure out as there are plenty of MTB shoes for different mountain biking. Below are the primary MTB activities.
Purpose |
Description |
Cross-country Cross-country |
Cross-country (or XC) shoes stray away from beefy design. They are characterized by the following:
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All-Mountain/Trail All-Mountain/Trail (model: Specialized 2FO ClipLite) |
With All-Mountain riding’s long hours in the trail and a lot of hike-a-biking and descents, these shoes have:
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Enduro Enduro (model: Five Ten Kestrel Pro BOA) |
Enduro cycling entails pedaling uphill but focuses more on the descents. With this, shoes tend to be:
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Gravity/Downhill Gravity/Downhill (model: Five Ten Hellcat Pro) |
This activity focuses mainly on cycling down the mountains as fast as possible. Shoes for this endeavor have:
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Casual/Commute Casual/Commute (model: Five Ten Sleuth) |
With the rise of casual cycling or commuting via bike, specialized footwear are also on the rise. Casual cycling shoes:
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2. Pedal choice
Cyclists can choose between clipless and flat MTB shoes. Both types have advantages and disadvantages and deciding which one is better lies solely on your personal preferences.
Here’s the difference between the two.
Flat |
SPD Clipless (2-holes) |
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Pros |
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Cons |
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3. Closure System
Mountain cycling involves rough trails, mud, and unpredictable bumps, chafing, and impacts. These scenarios should be considered in choosing which lockdown mechanism to go for.
Laces |
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BOA |
Pros |
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Cons |
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Sometimes brands also use 2-3 closure systems in one model to provide the most ideal fit and variety.
4. Outsole material and rigidity
While upper materials are also crucial in mountain cycling (level of protection and breathability), this guide will focus more on the outsole design.
The two factors that led me to choose outsole instead are the difficulty to quantify and that, essentially, the upper's protection depends upon the shoe's purpose (which is seen above). Also, MTB shoes are already generally protective in nature.
Now that’s out of the way, back to the outsole material. One key factor to look out for in the sole material is its stiffness level.
Note that these units are measured generally, meaning not all shoes with a specific material have the exact rigidity level stated above.
5. Find the right fit
Getting the correct fit can make or break your cycling experience. Here is the tried-and tested advice you can follow to get the most ideal fitting MTB shoes:
- When you’re going to try out a pair, schedule it in the afternoon. Human feet are known to swell as the day passes. This practice will accommodate that swelling.
- Wear the usual socks you regularly use. This way, the fit will really be accurate.
- Walk around with the shoes on and sit on a bench and mimick the motion of pedaling. Pay close attention to your feet while doing these. Make sure there are no pressure points, rubbing, or digging.
- Nike x Undercover React Presto sneakers.
- Pay close attention to how your heel fits in the shoe, especially when choosing XC shoes. The heel should fit in nicely and the shoe should hold it firmly.
Top MTB shoe brands
The brands included in this section are the ones with the best-rated mountain bike shoe models. Learn more about each company’s unique offering and strength in the table below:
Brand |
Description |
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Five Ten or 5 10 MTB shoes are very popular for their grippy outsoles. Mountain bikers who are into flat pedal MTB shoes are the company’s main market. Their footwear displays a sneaker/skate shoe aesthetic that most cyclists love. Check out their best-selling classic Five Ten Freerider. |
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Giro’s MTB shoe category houses both sneaker-looking and road shoe-looking options. What stays the same is their signature sleek and minimally designed uppers. Michael Michael Kors Rina leather sandals. |
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Shimano’s MTB shoes include all types of mountain cycling. From cross-country ro enduro and all-mountain, they have it. Chelsea boots GANT Breonna 21553959 Warm Khaki G771. |
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Sidi’s mainly known for their superbly crafted bike shoes - Sidi MTB shoes are no different. Apart from the excellent quality, some of the brand’s well-loved footwear features are the Sidi heel cup for excellent foothold and serviceable parts for practicality and longevity. |
Can mountain bike shoes be used for spinning?
Ancient Greek Sandals String flip-flop sandals.
Most indoor cycling or Spin studios employ indoor bikes with SPD (2-hole) cleat pedals. And since MTB shoes also come with the same cleat design, indoor cyclists can choose to wear an MTB shoe for their studio time.
However, one thing to check is if the MTB shoe is too rigid. Spinning doesn’t require much stiffness. In fact, the more flexible ones are recommended to keep walking around the studio comfortable.
Casadei embossed ankle boots in-depth indoor cycling shoe guide Sandals EDEO 3824-1100 Rudy.
How we test mountain bike shoes
Unlike most top 10 lists that feature products based on popularity, here at EdiconnectShops, we take pride in going the extra mile to make sure we include items on account of their performance.
Here’s what we do:
- Teamed with Xmas swing dress and boots.
- We are a team dedicated to immersing our waking days in the nuts and bolts of mountain bike shoes. We subject them to wear tests that encompass all cycling brands, riding styles, and areas, from cross-country to downhill and everything in between. We spend an average of 7 hours per shoe to truly figure out and identify a model’s benefits and disadvantages.
- We then measure every aspect of the shoe via multiple parameters, including breathability, cushion, strength, and more. On top of that, we crack the shoes open for easier access to their elements.