The Best Mountain Bike Shoes of 2025

Best Flat Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes

Five Ten Freerider Pro Shoes

Why it’s Great

For the best mountain bike shoes for flat pedals, look no further than the Five Ten Freerider Pro. After an entire season of use on the trail and comparing it against a number of competitors, this long-time favorite remains our top flat pedal pick for the year.

The main talking point of the Freerider Pro–a benchmark against which all other flat pedal mountain bike shoes are judged–is its exceptionally sticky rubber outsole. The dot-patterned lugs and Stealth rubber provide outstanding grip on flat pedals, ensuring that feet stay planted during rough descents. Additionally, the sole strikes a really nice balance, offering plenty of support while pedaling and during hard compressions, yet it has just enough flex to give a nice feel on the pedals.

In terms of foot protection, the Five Ten Freerider Pro offers a nice middle ground between weight and padding. The shoes do a great job of protecting feet from roots and rocks, yet they don’t feel overly bulky or cumbersome on the trail. And while the old-school laces could be a negative to some, they do an excellent job of holding feet in place and allow for infinite adjustability. Whether you’re heading out for a casual trail ride or gearing up for a local enduro race, the Freerider Pro is the best flat pedal shoe for the job.

How it Compares

With its sticky rubber outsole, comfortable fit, and casual good looks, it’s easy to see why Five Ten’s Freerider Pro is the best flat pedal mountain bike shoe. Along those same lines, we have the more budget-oriented Ride Concepts Livewire.

Compared to the Freerider Pro, the Livewire (listed below) has more of a skater-shoe look and offers more padding throughout, particularly in the heel. Fit is neutral for both models–we didn’t experience issues with either–and each offers a nice feel on the pedals. In terms of grip, the Five Ten edges out the Ride Concepts. However, the Livewire employs a gusseted tongue that nicely wraps around the foot to provide a locked-in feel, a feature that the Freerider Pro omits. For most mountain bikers, the Freerider Pro and its grippier sole make it the easy choice. But for more casual riders or those on a budget, the still excellent Livewire is a solid second option.

Shop the Five Ten Freerider Pro at:

Best Budget Flat Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes

Ride Concepts Livewire Shoes

Why it’s Great

If you’re in the market for the best budget flat pedal mountain bike shoe, then the Ride Concepts Livewire deserves your attention. Priced at just over $100, the relatively small Nevada-based company manages to produce a stellar option.

Recently updated, the wallet-friendly Livewire gets a boost in traction thanks to the company’s slightly softer and grippier “MAX GRIP” outsole (previous generations used their harder “HIGH GRIP” rubber compound). The new model also drops the D30 impact-absorbing insole, which is likely a cost-cutting measure. And while some may be saddened by this news, we’ll happily take better grip over a more protective insole. Other notable features include a gusseted tongue, which helps to provide a lock-in feel, and the elastic lace keepers do a great job of keeping things tidy. All things considered, the Ride Concepts Livewire is a heck of a flat pedal mountain bike shoe.

How it Compares

With its reasonable price tag and great performance, the Livewire is the best budget flat pedal mountain bike shoe we’ve tested. However, it would be impossible to talk about wallet-friendly options and not compare against the venerable Five Ten Freerider (not to be confused with the “Pro” model listed above).

Compared to the Livewire, the regular Freerider has a slight edge in terms of all-out traction, but that’s where the advantage ends. The Livewire is more comfortable, looks better, and offers more protection throughout. Moreover, we’ve had quality-control issues with past Freerider models, something that hasn’t cropped up with the Livewire as of yet. Finally, the slightly stiffer sole of the Livewire offers more support on the pedals and is a better match for today’s aggressive riders. While the Freerider is decent flat pedal mountain bike shoe option, the Livewire is the clear winner for the reasons mentioned above.

Shop the Ride Concepts Livewire at:

Best Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch SPD Shoes

Why it’s Great

Choosing the best clipless mountain bike shoe can be a challenging task. It needs to be comfortable, durable, reasonably priced, and widely available. And it has to work well across a wide range of mountain biking disciplines. Enter the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch SPD mountain bike shoe, which checks all the boxes and more.

Noteworthy features include a BOA dial for quick and easy adjustments, a lightweight and breathable upper that is cool and dries quickly, and a Vibram outsole that shows little signs of wear even after enduring over a thousand miles of abuse. From local XC loops to downhill trails and all-day backcountry missions, we’ve put them through two full seasons of thrashing and have come away thoroughly impressed. For these reasons, the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch SPD is the best all around clipless mountain bike shoe at the moment.

How it Compares

In a sea of worthy options, the X-Alp Launch SPD stands above the rest for its overall versatility, comfort, and good looks. Another great all-rounder is the new Shimano GE500.

Recently released, the GE500 is quite similar to the the X-Alp Launch SPD. Both models feature grippy rubber outsoles that work well off the bike, and transfer power efficiently to the pedals. Their all around builds work well for a wide variety of riding and both are priced right around $150. At the moment, we prefer the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Pro over the Shimano GE500 for its extreme durability and BOA dial. In the end, both models work exceptionally well as an everyday mountain bike shoe across a wide range of riding styles.

Shop the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch SPD at:

Wanna know more?
Read our In-Depth Review of the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch SPD.

Best Budget Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes

Giro Ranger Shoes

Why it’s Great

Comfortable, lightweight, and reasonably priced, the Giro Ranger checks all the boxes when it comes to a budget-oriented clipless mountain bike shoe. Aimed squarely at recreational riders who prefer a cross-country (XC) styled shoe, the Ranger features a stiff sole for efficient power transfer, grippy rubber lugs for easy walking, and streamline looks that blend in well.

Besides its low price, one standout feature that really impresses us is how cool the shoes kept our feet while out on the trail. While you won’t find fancy BOA dials or a speed lace system on the Ranger, the three Velcro hook-and-loop closures are easy to adjust and do an excellent job of keeping feet comfortable on long rides. Giro did a great job putting together a well-rounded package with the Ranger, which makes it an easy pick for our best budget clipless mountain bike shoe.

How it Compares

With nearly 40 years of experience under their belt, California-based Giro has a rich history of producing quality mountain bike gear, as is evident with their Ranger shoe. That said, there is strong competition in the wallet-friendly segment, and in our opinion, Shimano’s XC1 is a close competitor.

The XC1 undercuts the Ranger by $10 and also weighs about 1 ounce less per shoe. However, The Ranger is easier to get on and off (working with the XC1’s tongue design is a bit more challenging), has much better ventilation, and is more comfortable overall. The upper material of the Ranger feels much nicer and the shoe is also available in four different color options (the XC1 only offers one). While none of these differences are a deal breaker on their own, it’s the sum of them that sways our opinion in favor of the Giro shoes.

Shop the Giro Ranger at:

Best Enduro and Downhill Mountain Bike Shoes

Crankbrothers Mallet BOA Shoes

Why it’s Great

The Crankbrothers Mallet BOA Clip-Ins are the best enduro and downhill mountain bike shoes, offering the perfect blend of comfort, pedaling efficiency, protection, and durability. These standout qualities make them a popular choice for professional riders and our top pick for the year.

Slipping on the Mallet BOA’s, we were welcomed by an extremely comfortable fit right out of the box–a sentiment which holds true after a full season of use. We also love the combination of Velcro strap and BOA closure, which do an excellent job of keeping our feet in place and allow for easy adjustments on the trail. Other notable features include a gusseted tongue for a secure fit and little grippers on the inside of the heel of the shoe, which only added to the locked-in feel. Finally, the soles strike a really nice balance of stiffness for efficient power transfer, yet they’re soft enough to offer a nice feel and connection with the pedals.

How it Compares

For the best enduro and downhill, it’s hard to beat the Mallet BOA. However, for something a little less DH and a bit more trail, the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch SPD shoes are worth a look. The Pearl Izumi’s (listed above) are more breathable and weigh about 3 ounces less, making them the better choice for warm rides and long pedals. That said, the Mallet BOA’s offer additional protection around the toe and heel areas and provide a more locked-in feel, which helps them excel on gnarlier downhills.

Another popular option for enduro and downhill mountain biking is the recently released Fox Union BOA, which is Fox’s first go at the mountain bike shoe market. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Fox (more details below), but the Crankbrothers offer a more locked-in feel, have more padding and protection throughout, and are about $50 less than the Union BOA. The dual BOA Li2 dials that turn in either direction are sure handy for quick adjustments while riding, but overall, the Crankbrothers Mallet BOA are the better choice for downhill and enduro riding.

Shop the Crankbrothers Mallet BOA at:

Wanna know more?
Read our In-Depth Review of the Crankbrothers Mallet BOA.

Best XC (cross-country) Mountain Bike Shoes

Shimano XC7 Shoes

Why it’s Great

Shimano may be better known for its pedals and drivetrain components, but the Japanese-based company has had an impressive lineup of mountain bike shoes dating back to the early 90s. Near the top of their off-road offerings, the recently updated XC7 wins out as the best XC (cross-country) mountain bike shoe.

Internally rated as a 9 out of 12, the XC7 is one of the stiffest models available and displays minimal deflection when laying down the power, which really makes the bike lurch ahead. The dual BOA system is easy, quick, and intuitive to use on the fly, and in typical Shimano fashion, the fit and finish of the shoe is excellent. There’s certainly a premium feel to the Shimano XC7. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced and no-nonsense XC mountain bike shoe, then it’s hard to go wrong with the Shimano XC7.

How it Compares

If the XC7’s $230 price tag is just out of reach, but you still need a dedicated cross-country mountain bike shoe, then we recommend looking at their $175 XC5 model. For about $50 less, you can get a quality shoe with a similar fit and feel. That being said, the XC5 uses a nylon sole, instead of the carbon fiber one found on the XC7, so power transfer suffers. Additionally, the XC5 features a single BOA dial and Velcro strap, which don’t offer the same level of custom fit as the XC7. Overall, the XC5 is a nice alternative, but for racing and true XC riding, the XC7 is the superior choice.

Shop the Shimano XC7 at:

Best Bikepacking Shoes

Five Ten Trailcross LT Shoes

Why it’s Great

We don’t know about you, but most of our bikepacking trips include a lot of time slogging our gear-laden bikes up steep hills and hanging out around camp. For this reason, we think a comfy flat pedal shoe that hikes as well as it bikes makes the most sense. We look for models that remain comfortable after long days in the saddle, pedal well, and they must be highly breathable and quick to dry. We also find traditional laces to be the most reliable and they’re easy to repair on the trail. And unlike clipless models, flat pedal bikepacking shoes allow you to adjust your foot position throughout the day, which in our experience, helps reduce overuse injuries, niggling knee pain, and saddle sores.

It’s for all these reasons that we think the Five Ten Trailcross LT is the best bikepacking shoe. The sticky rubber outsoles grip pedals and dirt equally well, the relatively soft flex remains comfortable while walking around camp or gas station pit stops, and their breathable upper dries quickly after mandatory creek crossings. We also love that Five Ten offers a number of different Trailcross models, from the LT described here all the way up to the waterproof Trailcross GORE-TEX (listed below), there’s likely something for you.

How it Compares

We’re pretty smitten with the Five Ten Trailcross LT, however, pretty much any flat pedal shoe is a viable choice for bikepacking adventures–albeit not as good. If you’re mainly a singletrack shredder who is being lured by thoughts of endless adventures and overnight gear (aka bikepacking), then the Five Ten Freerider Pro might be a good choice. First and foremost, the Freerider Pro excels at mountain biking, but the shoe shares a lot in common with the Trailcross LT. It’s relatively light at 1 lb. 8 oz. for the pair, breathes well, and has a really grippy outsole. That said, the stiffer sole doesn’t walk nearly as well and it’s overbuilt for multiday adventures, which makes the Trailcross LT the better bikepacking shoe.

Shop the Five Ten Trailcross LT at:

Best Winter Mountain Bike Shoes

Five Ten Trailcross GORE-TEX Shoes

Why it’s Great

If you’re in search of the best pair of winter mountain bike shoes for riding wet and sloppy trails, then it’s impossible to beat the popular Five Ten Trailcross GORE-TEX. After a wild and wet winter of heavy use, we remain thoroughly impressed with the shoe’s performance both on and off the bike.

Key features of the Five Ten include a waterproof yet breathable GORE-TEX membrane that keeps feet warm and dry, complemented by a tall adjustable neoprene cuff that prevents water, dirt and mud from entering from the top. Rounding out the package is Five Ten’s Phantom rubber, which provides plenty of grip on the pedals, and the slightly roomy fit easily accommodates thick wool socks. Overall, the Five Ten Trailcross GORE-TEX is the best winter mountain bike shoe we’ve tested to date.

How it Compares

The Five Ten Trailcross GORE-TEX is waterproof, breathable, quick to dry between rides, and provides outstanding grip on flat pedals. Along those same lines, you have the recently released Shimano GF800 GTX. Both shoes are aimed at wet-weather riders, featuring tall cuffs and utilizing waterproof breathable GORE-TEX membranes. However, despite these similarities, there are a few key differences between that set these winter mountain bike shoes apart.

In typical Five Ten fashion, the Trailcross GORE-TEX offer phenomenal grip on flat pedals, a feature the Shimano shoes simply can’t match. Additionally, the slightly roomier fit of the Five Tens pair better with thick wool socks. The Trailcross GORE-TEX also dry quite a bit faster in between rides compared to the Shimanos. While we do prefer the BOA dial closure system found on the Shimano over the laces on the Five Tens, that’s not enough to outweigh the advantages. Ultimately, the Five Ten Trailcross GORE-TEX stands out as the best mountain bike shoes for winter conditions.

Shop the Five Ten Trailcross GORE-TEX at:

Fox Union BOA Shoes

Why it’s Great

Fox has been producing quality mountain bike apparel for over 30 years, but the Union BOA mountain bike shoes are the company’s first foray into footwear, and boy, did they deliver. Positioned at the top of their shoe lineup, the flagship Union BOA is aimed squarely at aggressive enduro and downhill riders.

Standout features of the Fox Union BOA include dual BOA Li2 dials, which both tighten and loosen in small increments (other BOA versions only tighten), and a heavily padded sole which does a phenomenal job of reducing trail impacts and chatter felt through the pedals. We also really appreciate the inclusion of two different insoles with high and low arch support for dialing in the perfect fit, and the casual good looks have received more than a few compliments out on the trail. Developed in collaboration with the Santa Cruz Syndicate downhill race team, it’s no surprise that Fox nailed the execution of the Union BOA mountain bike shoes.

How it Compares

The Fox Union BOA is an excellent mountain bike shoe with downhill and enduro intentions, and has the chops to back it up. In that same realm, you have the Crankbrothers Mallet BOA (listed above).

Compared to the Unions, the Mallet BOA’s are more heavily cushioned throughout, particularly in the heel, tongue, and ankle regions, giving them the edge in terms of foot protection. We also find the Mallet BOAs to have a slightly softer sole, making them easier to walk in and providing a better feel on the pedals. Finally, the Velcro strap found on the Mallet BOA offers a more locked in feel compared to the Union BOA. Ultimately, these small differences give the Crankbrothers Mallet BOA a small advantage, making them the best mountain bike shoes for downhill and enduro riding. It also doesn’t hurt that the Crankbrothers Mallet BOA are about $50 less than the Fox Union.

Shop the Fox Union BOA at:

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit Shoes

Why it’s Great

Pearl Izumi’s X-Alp Summit is one of the most comfortable and versatile mountain bike shoes we’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing. This makes it an ideal partner for adventure rides, bikepacking trips, and plain old mountain bike riding.

From the moment we slipped our feet into the X-Alp Summit, we knew it was a winner. The combination of a lightly padded tongue and cushioned heel envelops your foot and remains comfortable on long rides. And the BOA dial and Velcro closures securely lock down your foot and are easy to adjust on the fly. The slightly soft nylon shank isn’t the best at transferring power to the pedals, but the tradeoff is excellent walkability both on the trail and around camp. Although the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit was designed with bikepacking in mind, we would happily use it for more general trail riding.

How it Compares

For bikepackers and adventure riders seeking a versatile clipless mountain bike shoe, it’s hard to beat the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice some pedaling efficiency for improved comfort off the bike, then the flat pedal Five Ten Trailcross LT (listed above) is the better option. It’s not that we think the X-Alp Summit is a poor choice–it did make our list for a good reason–it’s just that flat pedal shoes are the better option for bikepacking adventures. We have no hesitation recommending either model, it simply comes down to the age-old flats vs. clipless pedal debate.

Shop the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit at:

Giro Berm Shoes

Why it’s Great

For a true budget clipless mountain bike shoe option, look no further than the Giro Berm. You won’t find a stiff carbon sole, fancy BOA dials, or expensive and flashy materials. However, you do get a capable mountain bike shoe that doesn’t break the bank.

For a very reasonable $80, the Giro Berm includes two oversized hook-and-loop Velcro closures that provide a secure fit, lots of ventilation to keep your feet cool in the summer months, and a grippy rubber outsole that’s easy to walk in. Finally, Giro has been pumping out quality bike shoes for nearly 25 years, so you know that a wealth of expertise has gone into the design and development of the Berm. Whether you’re a brand new rider just entering the sport or trying to save a buck or two, the Giro Berm is a great option for the budget-conscious shopper.

How it Compares

Most similar to the Berm is the Giro Ranger (listed above). So why choose the Ranger over the Berm? We’re glad you asked. With its stiffer sole, third Velcro closure (the Berm has two), and more streamlined fit, the Ranger prioritizes on-bike performance over the Berm. Furthermore, the Giro Ranger weighs in at 1 lb. 6 oz. and is significantly lighter than the Berm (1 lb. 13 oz.), which makes a big difference when you’re pushing the pace or spending long days in the saddle. That said, many new riders could probably care less about these performance benefits, and for you, we recommend the well-appointed Berm.

Shop the Giro Berm at: