Looking for good flat pedal shoes

Hanzzzie

Active member
Sep 4, 2021
230
107
Belgium
anyone got good recommendations for good flat pedal shoes anno 2021?
I stumbled upon the FiveTen Trailcross / Vaude AM Moab / Specialized Rise Flat but just can't make up my mind :)

i just do regular mountainbiking, no heavy trails, i'm used to clips but want to move on to flats to spare my knees a bit
 

VWsurfbum

🤴King of Bling🌠
Jan 11, 2021
1,522
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England
5:10's are the go-to. (except the Sleuths)
I've had all sorts of them but the grippiest has to be the trail cross or the free riders for me.
The new Goretex Trail-Cross ones are ideal if you ride in the winter conditions.
 

Hanzzzie

Active member
Sep 4, 2021
230
107
Belgium
5:10's are the go-to. (except the Sleuths)
I've had all sorts of them but the grippiest has to be the trail cross or the free riders for me.
The new Goretex Trail-Cross ones are ideal if you ride in the winter conditions.
Thanks, how is the sole? i've read a few complaints about it wearing out rather quickly?
 

Mteam

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five 10 freerider or freerider pro - excellent grip, but they get very wet in wet weather, they are not at all weather proof.

if you want waterproof then the vaude am mid stx are very waterproof and quite grippy - but not as grippy as five 10's.They really need to be worn with long trousers covering the tops otherwise water eventually fills them up from splashing over the top.

I havent tried the trail cross gtx so cant comment on them.
 

Hanzzzie

Active member
Sep 4, 2021
230
107
Belgium
five 10 freerider or freerider pro - excellent grip, but they get very wet in wet weather, they are not at all weather proof.

if you want waterproof then the vaude am mid stx are very waterproof and quite grippy - but not as grippy as five 10's.They really need to be worn with long trousers covering the tops otherwise water eventually fills them up from splashing over the top.

I havent tried the trail cross gtx so cant comment on them.
how was the sizing on that pair for you?
was on my list too.

the Trailcross GTX's are out of stock in my size in EU ( UK9 , EU43 )
 

Mteam

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how was the sizing on that pair for you?
was on my list too.

the Trailcross GTX's are out of stock in my size in EU ( UK9 , EU43 )
you mean the sizing on the vaudes? If so, then they come up a little small, maybe go half a size bigger than your usual size - I didnt do that, I just got my usual size and they fit fine and are comfy, but theres not much room for thick socks. And if you use these boots in the winter which is when you're most likely to wear them you'll want thick socks.
 
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apac

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Aug 14, 2019
1,326
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S.Wales
I just purchased a pair of Vaude AM Moab boots. I ordered a U.K 9, I'm usually 8 or 8.5 in normal trainers/shoes. they moabs are a perfect fit. They are really comfy and warm compared to 5/10 shoes and they are a lot less stiff on the toe end than my five ten impact pro shoes. The Moabs could easily be worn as a normal shoe, the impact pros could not. Five ten are also slippery when not on the bike when walking or hiking with a bike, terrible in mud and wet.. The moabs are also lined in sympatex which is an organic version of goretex. I have only worn them for a couple of days to break them in a little and will hopefully tomorrow try them out on the trail. They have a stiff mid section on the sole where you need it. They offer good toe and heel protection. I personally always look for toe protection having once stubbed my toe on a root( not wearing good shoes) whilst pedalling and it fooking hurt!
 

Hanzzzie

Active member
Sep 4, 2021
230
107
Belgium
I just purchased a pair of Vaude AM Moab boots. I ordered a U.K 9, I'm usually 8 or 8.5 in normal trainers/shoes. they moabs are a perfect fit. They are really comfy and warm compared to 5/10 shoes and they are a lot less stiff on the toe end than my five ten impact pro shoes. The Moabs could easily be worn as a normal shoe, the impact pros could not. Five ten are also slippery when not on the bike when walking or hiking with a bike, terrible in mud and wet.. The moabs are also lined in sympatex which is an organic version of goretex. I have only worn them for a couple of days to break them in a little and will hopefully tomorrow try them out on the trail. They have a stiff mid section on the sole where you need it. They offer good toe and heel protection. I personally always look for toe protection having once stubbed my toe on a root( not wearing good shoes) whilst pedalling and it fooking hurt!
Nice! good to know.
the only thing i don't like about em is the blue at the back hehe. my bike is going to be grey/orange :D
 

Mteam

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Nice! good to know.
the only thing i don't like about em is the blue at the back hehe. my bike is going to be grey/orange :D
dont worry about that, it (the shoes and the bike) will soon be covered in mud, so you wont see it.

I've had my vaudes for over a year now and theyre holding up brilliantly, still fully waterproof, no sign of anything falling apart.

I replaced the traditional laces with elastic speed laces and this makes them a lot easier to get on and off.
 

James_C

Well-known member
Nov 25, 2019
533
271
Kent, UK
I just leave the laces on my vaudes loose, just do them up with the Velcro . Never spent so long getting a shoe on and off otherwise!
 

Mteam

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Aug 3, 2020
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I just leave the laces on my vaudes loose, just do them up with the Velcro . Never spent so long getting a shoe on and off otherwise!
Get some elastic speed laces, it makes them so much easier to get on and off.
 

Hanzzzie

Active member
Sep 4, 2021
230
107
Belgium
The vaude's seem to be more in stock as the trailcross gtx

Both have their benefits over eachother i guess :)
Thanks!
Not really alot of other competitors for these 2 for winter time
 

apac

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Aug 14, 2019
1,326
1,173
S.Wales
I replaced the traditional laces with elastic speed laces and this makes them a lot easier to get on and off.

I've never used these, are there any in particular you would recommend? Amazon has lots of different types🤷‍♂️
 

Mteam

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I've never used these, are there any in particular you would recommend? Amazon has lots of different types🤷‍♂️
I bought some cheap ones from amazon initially but they just rotted through in about 4 weeks, so then I bought some of these.


And they've been fine.
Edit : hmmm amazon link not working, the good ones were called lock laces from amazon
 

apac

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Aug 14, 2019
1,326
1,173
S.Wales
I bought some cheap ones from amazon initially but they just rotted through in about 4 weeks, so then I bought some of these.


And they've been fine.
Edit : hmmm amazon link not working, the good ones were called lock laces from amazon
Brilliant, I'm glad you recommended those as I just went and purchased the exact same ones👍
 

RustyIron

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Subscriber
Jun 5, 2021
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La Habra, California
even trailcrosses are good?

I've been rockin' the Trailcross LT's for about 300 miles. Although there are "scars" on the soles, there is no indication that they're wearing in any unusual way. I got mine half a U.S. size larger than I normally wear, and I wish I hadn't. They're true-to-size. They're VERY comfortable. The LT's are cut low, so once in a while I get a pebble in there.
 

Husky430

E*POWAH Elite
Jul 8, 2019
643
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If your looking for a cheaper option and have decent pins on your pedals you can't beat a pair of Vans with the honeycomb sole pattern. So grippy sometimes you have to leap up off the pedals to reposition your feet! I got some of the boot type which also give your ankle some extra protection

download.jpg
vn-0ts9bj4_vn-0ts9bj4_01_16390.jpg
 

apac

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Aug 14, 2019
1,326
1,173
S.Wales
If your looking for a cheaper option and have decent pins on your pedals you can't beat a pair of Vans with the honeycomb sole pattern. So grippy sometimes you have to leap up off the pedals to reposition your feet! I got some of the boot type which also give your ankle some extra protection

View attachment 77812 View attachment 77813

I love a good old skool pair of Vans, but maan, they offer little protection to your toes, heels and ankles.
 

Hanzzzie

Active member
Sep 4, 2021
230
107
Belgium
Ordered the vaude's. saw them on german Amazon for 129 in my size.
Trailcrosses nowhere to be found in stock :(

Can't do anything wrong with eighter of em i guess
 

apac

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Aug 14, 2019
1,326
1,173
S.Wales
Ordered the vaude's. saw them on german Amazon for 129 in my size.
Trailcrosses nowhere to be found in stock :(

Can't do anything wrong with eighter of em i guess
Ive just come back from a very cold and wet ride here in Wales, and a first trial of the Vaude Moab boots. Very comfortable, warm.... until splashed water got inside the top of them🙄. I had shorts on. The grip on the sole isn't as glued as five ten but for me that's a good thing, as I find I have to pick my foot up and off the pins with 5/10 to manoeuvre it which is not ideal when traversing a trail. I just now hope the Vaudes dry faster than five ten shoes!
 

Mteam

E*POWAH Elite
Aug 3, 2020
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Ive just come back from a very cold and wet ride here in Wales, and a first trial of the Vaude Moab boots. Very comfortable, warm.... until splashed water got inside the top of them🙄. I had shorts on. The grip on the sole isn't as glued as five ten but for me that's a good thing, as I find I have to pick my foot up and off the pins with 5/10 to manoeuvre it which is not ideal when traversing a trail. I just now hope the Vaudes dry faster than five ten shoes!
yeah, they need to be worn with long trousers over the top of them otherwise water just splashes in at the top.

get one of these to dry your boots with - they work well.

Renogy Boot Dryer Shoe Dryer, Glove Dryer & Boot Warmer with Heat Blower, Portable Adjustable Rack and Timer, Folding Design & Quick Drying for Shoes, Gloves, Hats, Socks, Ski Boot : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors
 

apac

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Aug 14, 2019
1,326
1,173
S.Wales

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
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the internet
If your looking for a cheaper option and have decent pins on your pedals you can't beat a pair of Vans with the honeycomb sole pattern. So grippy sometimes you have to leap up off the pedals to reposition your feet! I got some of the boot type which also give your ankle some extra protection

View attachment 77812 View attachment 77813
Vans waffle soles aren't particularly grippy at all in comparison to the likes of 5:10s.
I ride/commute in vans daily because of this.
Even pro model vans don't have a thick enough midsole for proper rough descending.. But the flexibility in the sole is awesome for feel messing about/jumping etc.

I'd recommend everyone learns to ride in LESS grippy soles. Your footwork on the bike will end up far more skilled
 

Hanzzzie

Active member
Sep 4, 2021
230
107
Belgium
Got the Vaudes today in my size 43 and they fit snug, not too tight with normal socks but it's a bitch to put em on as i read here too...
dno if it's part of the "wearing in"

Probably do need a size more. i measured it on their table and took that for my size... ah well

Edit: Toe is not touching, it's more the upper side, but with undoing the laces a bit more it's better :)
The Leather will probably 'set' itself as well.
 
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Singletrackmind

Active member
Sep 17, 2020
468
424
San Diego, CA
Have tried many different brands/models and have about 10 pairs that I rotate based upon the pedal thats on the bike I'm riding (have come to learn certain shoes match up better with certain pedals). 5-10's have a well earned reputation and other brands have matched and even surpassed them in some ways. Ride Concepts is making some killer shoes, Powerline with ankle protection and Hellcat are outstanding! Been REALLY impressed with grippieness of Specialized 2FO (at the risk of committing blasphemy, more tacky then the gold standard 5-10). I really like the power transfer and grip of the Northwave Clan but its heavy. Shimano also makes a nice high top the gives great protection but doesn't constrict you like some high-tops.
 

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