Best Flat Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes Compared

Whether you’re just starting out on your mountain biking journey or are a seasoned gravity rider seeking the ultimate gear for your adventures, finding the best long lasting mountain bike shoe is essential for maximizing performance, grip, and comfort on the trail.

A good pair of flat pedal mountain bike shoes not only keeps your feet securely planted on the pedals but also enhances your overall riding experience by providing a strong, reliable connection to the bike.

Durability is key—especially when you’re tackling challenging terrains that demand gear that can withstand the test of time.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve tested a variety of shoes to help you determine which are truly the best long lasting mountain bike shoes for trail and gravity riding in 2024.

Our expert reviews focus on durability, grip, and all the features that make these shoes the most dependable choices for any rider.

How to Choose MTB Shoes

When it comes to riding, your shoes are one of the most important contact points between you and the bike. The best mountain biking flat shoes will provide a secure, stable connection, which is essential for riding efficiently and confidently.

Flat pedal shoes aren’t just for beginners—even seasoned riders and gravity pros prefer them over cleated shoes for better freedom of movement.

Below, we review the top-rated MTB flat pedal shoes for men, and if you’re seeking women-specific options, head over to our guide to the best women’s MTB shoes.

We’ve also included a detailed guide to help you decide what to look for in flat pedal shoes and linked guides for SPD-compatible options.

Best Flat Pedal MTB Shoes

We’ve rounded up the best long lasting mountain bike shoes that will help you stay comfortable and maintain optimal control on the trails.

1. Best Overall: Five Ten Freerider Pro

• Reasons to Buy: Excellent grip in all conditions, great pedal feel, durable
• Reasons to Avoid: Pricey

The Five Ten Freerider Pro remains a long-standing favorite, combining an outstanding grip, superior damping, and an optimal stiffness-to-pedal-feel ratio.

Despite years on the market, the Freerider Pro still delivers top-tier grip thanks to its Stealth S1 rubber sole, which features the brand’s distinctive dot pattern.

This design gives you a firm hold on the pedals, making you feel connected, secure, and ready to attack technical trails without fear of slipping.

The shoe’s damping properties absorb high-frequency trail buzz, making rough sections and long descents less fatiguing. Even after hours of technical riding, the Freerider Pro keeps cramps at bay, offering excellent protection and comfort throughout the day.

Unlike the regular Freerider, the Pro version features a shank in the midsole, adding extra support during pedaling and greater protection on more extended runs.

This extra rigidity doesn’t compromise pedal feel, making it an ideal all-rounder for both aggressive and casual trail riding.

The upper is synthetic and weather-resistant, meaning it can handle wet conditions and dries quickly afterward. Reinforced toe and heel sections provide extra durability and protection in case of unexpected impacts.

The snug heel fit ensures the shoe feels stable without being overly restrictive, and once broken in, it remains comfortable after months of hard use.

After extensive testing on various terrains, including UK trails and alpine descents, the shoes have shown minimal wear and tear.

2. Best All-Rounder: Fox Union Flat

• Reasons to Buy: Exceptional pedal grip, good protection, easy to clean
• Reasons to Avoid: Cheap laces

Fox’s re-entry into the flat shoe market comes in the form of the Union Flat, and they’ve certainly returned with style. The Union Flat shoes are versatile performers that offer both comfort and durability.

We tested them over several months, finding the pedal grip to be superb, thanks to the compound on the sole. The sturdy toe box and reinforced heel add significant foot protection, giving the shoes a robust and secure feel.

The manmade uppers are crafted as a one-piece design, effectively keeping trail debris and water splashes away while remaining easy to clean. The shoes have held up well during our tests, maintaining their structural integrity and comfort throughout.

On the pedals, the Union Flat strikes a balance between pedal feel and power transfer, making them ideal for trail riding or aggressive gravity runs. The fit is true to size, providing a comfortable feel without being overly tight or restrictive.

While the sole offers excellent grip, we found the laces lacking in length and quality, which is a relatively minor issue that can be remedied with a set of replacement laces. Overall, the Fox Union Flat shoes are an excellent all-rounder, available in several colors to match your style.

3. Best Budget Option: Pinnacle Cedar

• Reasons to Buy: Budget-friendly, lightweight, decent protection
• Reasons to Avoid: Less grip than higher-end options

If affordability is at the top of your list, then the Pinnacle Cedar flat pedal shoes are an ideal pick. These shoes come in at a fraction of the cost of premium models, yet they still offer great functionality for most riders.

The sole design resembles the classic Stealth rubber used by Five Ten, but the compound is slightly harder, which means the overall grip is not quite as tacky as the higher-end models.

The uppers are narrower, which can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on foot shape. While they lack the same level of protective reinforcement as other leading options, the Cedars still feature toe and heel protection to shield against trail obstacles.

The reduced protection contributes to the lighter weight of the shoe, making it easier to handle on less aggressive trails. Weighing in at just 680g per pair (for size 10 US, 9 UK, 43 EU), they are among the lightest shoes on our list.

If you’re planning to ride on less technically demanding trails or simply need a budget-friendly alternative to pricier MTB shoes, the Pinnacle Cedars are an excellent choice.

They’re significantly better than riding in regular sneakers, offering improved control and comfort. The range also includes women’s and junior versions, making them a versatile and budget-friendly family option.

4. Best for Winter: Shimano GF800 GTX

• Reasons to Buy: Gore-Tex liner, excellent grip, snug fit, Boa lacing system
• Reasons to Avoid: Heavy, challenging to put on

Introduced last year, Shimano’s GF800 GTX boots are the brand’s first winter-specific option for flat pedal riders. We put them to the test through a wet and cold winter, and they delivered outstanding comfort and warmth throughout.

The boots incorporate a Gore-Tex liner that does an excellent job of keeping moisture out, ensuring that feet remain dry and comfortable in harsh conditions. However, some water can still enter through the ankle, but pairing them with MTB pants solves most of this issue.

Shimano’s proprietary rubber compound is designed to maintain grip even in cold conditions, and our tests confirmed this claim. Rich Owen found the boots provided dependable traction across a variety of terrains and weather conditions.

The Boa lacing system is also a significant advantage for winter riding. Unlike traditional laces, it won’t get clogged with mud, and it is easy to adjust even while wearing gloves. The main drawback of the GF800 GTX boots is that they have a very snug fit, making them difficult to put on, especially after a long ride.

Overall, Rich summed it up well: “They come at a premium price, but they are the best flat pedal boots I’ve ever used for real winter riding.”

5. Best Grip: Specialized 2FO DH Flat

• Reasons to Buy: SlipNot ST rubber offers fantastic grip, lightweight for a DH shoe
• Reasons to Avoid: Limited tightening around the forefoot

The Specialized 2FO DH Flat is the third version of their popular downhill-focused shoe, now featuring the SlipNot ST rubber compound.

This new compound enhances the damping properties of the shoe, offering unparalleled grip when combined with the unique hexagonal tread design.

Specialized has toned down the visual styling in this iteration, opting for a more casual aesthetic that still packs the same punch in terms of performance.

The 2FO DH Flat features ample padding and Specialized’s Body Geometry construction, which provides support underfoot while keeping the fit secure.

The upper construction uses an Xpel hydrophobic mesh to reduce water absorption and promote quicker drying times, a welcome feature for those who frequently ride in wet conditions.

We found the 2FO’s grip to be superb, even during aggressive downhill runs.

While the lacing system is effective, we found that the laces don’t extend far enough down the foot, which limits the ability to achieve a tight fit around the toes.

Nevertheless, the Specialized 2FO DH Flat remains a top choice for riders looking for an extremely grippy and responsive downhill shoe.

6. Best for Protection: Ride Concepts Tallac

• Reasons to Buy: Sturdy, excellent grip, great protection
• Reasons to Avoid: Slightly bulky

If protection is a priority, the Ride Concepts Tallac flat pedal shoes should be high on your list. These shoes are designed to withstand tough terrain, with features like a reinforced toe cap, a supportive heel counter, and abrasion-resistant overlays that shield your feet from impacts and wear.

Ride Concepts uses their MAX GRIP rubber for the outsole, which provides a high level of traction both on and off the bike, and the EVA midsole is excellent for shock absorption on longer rides.

The Tallac’s closure system combines laces with a Velcro strap for added security, ensuring your foot stays in place regardless of how intense the trail gets.

The shoes are slightly heavier and bulkier compared to other models on the list, but this trade-off comes with a higher level of stability and safety, making them ideal for riders tackling rugged trails or downhill routes.

The added ankle padding also provides some additional support and safety, particularly useful for enduro riders who are prone to strikes against the crank or trail debris.

Though these shoes might not be the lightest, they’re certainly one of the most durable and protective options available.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best MTB Flat Shoes

When choosing mountain biking flat shoes, it’s important to consider the following factors to ensure the best fit for your riding style and conditions:

1. Grip

The sole’s grip is crucial for keeping your feet securely on the pedals. Look for rubber compounds like Stealth S1 or similar, known for their exceptional grip. The tread pattern also plays an important role in how well your feet stay connected to the pedals.

2. Fit and Comfort

Fit is subjective and highly personal. You want a shoe that feels snug but not too tight. Ensure that there’s ample support around the heel and arch while allowing enough room for toe movement. Trying shoes in person is always a good idea to guarantee comfort during long rides.

3. Protection

Mountain biking can be unpredictable, so choosing a shoe with reinforced toe and heel areas can provide added protection from impacts. For winter riding, a shoe with Gore-Tex or similar waterproofing is ideal to keep your feet warm and dry.

4. Pedal Feel

A good flat pedal shoe strikes a balance between stiffness and flexibility. The shoe should provide enough stiffness for power transfer without sacrificing the feel and connection to the pedal. This is important for control, especially in technical sections.

5. Weight

The weight of your shoes can affect your overall riding comfort and efficiency. Heavier shoes often come with added protection, while lighter shoes may provide less impact resistance. Consider the type of riding you do most often to decide what weight range is right for you.

6. Durability

Look for shoes with durable materials and construction. Synthetic uppers are generally more weather-resistant and easier to clean. Reinforced areas around high-wear zones, such as the heel and toe, will help prolong the life of the shoes.

7. Closure System

Flat pedal shoes use different closure systems, including laces, Velcro straps, and BOA dials. Laces offer classic adjustability, BOA provides a quick and secure fit, and Velcro is a good supplementary system for keeping laces in place.

Why Trust Our Reviews?

Our cycling experts have decades of experience testing and reviewing bikes and gear. We always provide unbiased opinions to help you make informed decisions.

Ready to ride? Explore these shoes to find your perfect fit, whether you’re hitting rugged trails or just looking for comfort and grip on smoother paths. Let me know if you have any other questions or need more details about any of the options!