As rider-to-bike contact points go, the secure connection provided by the best mountain biking flat shoes is definitely one of the most important.
If you're starting out, riding with flat pedals is a great way to hone your riding skills using the correct techniques. While clip-in shoes and pedals are great for pedaling efficiency, they're less useful when it comes to learning how to properly control your bike.
Flat shoes and pedals are not just for novices though; many gravity-orientated pros prefer them to cleated shoes for their greater freedom, and they can still be very secure – especially when paired with the best MTB flat pedals. Dropping a foot through a sweeping turn is a pretty good feeling too.
We're big fans of riding with flat pedals and know exactly what to look for in a riding shoe to keep your feet glued to the pedals while maximizing feel and comfort on the trail.
In the following guide, we run through our pick of the best mountain biking flat shoes for men, so if you're looking for female-specific shoes, head to our guide to the best women's mountain bike shoes. And while we're on the subject of feet, you might also want to check out our guide to the best cycling socks.
At the bottom of this article, we've also included a detailed guide on exactly what to look out for when choosing the right pair of mountain biking flat shoes for you. If you'd also like to check out shoes for SPD-type clipless pedals, check out our guide to the best mountain bike shoes.
The quick list
A long-standing classic that's still the best
With its winning combination of great grip, feel, style and durability, the Freerider Pro is the best flat trail shoe around.
Excellent grip and protection
A top class all-rounder offering superb grip, protection, support and comfort. Ideal for trail and gravity use.
Top value trail shoe
At far less than half the price of many of the other shoes here, the Cedars are a really good budget option for lighter trail riding.
A full winter model for flat pedals
Grippy and protective, the GF800 GTXs keep your feet comfortable in wet, wintery weather.
Well damped yet communicative
The 2FO's SlipNot ST rubber sole offers impressive dampening and is superbly grippy, keeping your feet glued to the pedals.
Super-tough with top-class grip
A sturdy shoe with excellent grip on and off the bike, the Tallac is a great option for those looking for maximum protection.
See the next 5 shoes ↓
Flat shoes with BOA security
If you ride flats but want a shoe with a secure feel of clipless and fantastic pedal grip, these Fox shoes are the ones
Excellent grip and feedback
With a super-sticky sole for maximum grip, and flexible enough for confident connection to your pedals.
Low weight and maximum feel
Gravity-focused kick with an ultra-thin sole for superb pedal feel, plus decent grip, lace flap and speed lacing system.
Competitively priced and feature packed
With toe, heel and ankle protection, and featuring Leatt's RideGrip grippy sole and weather resistant uppers and tongue.
Best for summer
All the features you need in a trail shoe, but in a lighter weight shoe that's ideal for warm weather riding.
The best mountain biking flat shoes
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1. Best best mountain biking flat shoes overall
Despite having been around for years, the Five Ten Freerider Pro still has the highest grip, the best damping properties and the best stiffness-to-pedal-feel balance out of any shoe we've ever ridden. While it has lots of worthy rivals these days, we still rate it as the best flat pedal mountain bike shoe available.
At the heart of the Freerider Pro is Five Ten’s proven Stealth S1 rubber sole with its signature dot pattern. It creates a maximum-hold feel on the pedals resulting in the confidence to constantly attack, without the thought of your foot ever bouncing off or losing grip unexpectedly, regardless of the trail.
The vibe-damping characteristics mean it does a great job of soaking up impacts and high-frequency buzz too, and we found even on long alpine descents they offer protection against foot cramps or discomfort.
Unlike the standard Freerider, the Pro version uses a shank in the midsole for more support for pedaling and greater protection on longer runs – but it doesn't compromise on pedal feel.
The simple synthetic upper is weather-resistant, quick-drying and get hardened toe and heel boxes for protection. We found the fit snug, secure around the heels, but not restrictive.
The uppers can take a few rides to bed in, but after months of hammer both in the UK and abroad, our review pair is still only showing slight signs of wear.
Check out our Five Ten Freerider Pro review or our Five Ten Freerider Pro vs Fox Union Flat head-to-head for more.
2. Best mountain biking flat shoes all-round
Fox have returned to the flat shoe market with a bang as the Union Flat shoes are really excellent all-rounders. Bike Perfect editor, Rich, has spent a few months testing them so far and reports that pedal grip is superb and there's plenty of foot protection with a sturdy toe box and reinforced heel. The one-piece manmade uppers do an excellent job of keeping trail debris and water splashes at bay and they're holding well durability-wise over the course of testing so far.
On the pedals, the shoes give a good balance between feel and power transfer. Sizing seems bang on too. His only gripe is at the laces are too short and they're not the best quality either, but that is easily remedied with replacements when needed.
The shoes come in a range of colors and are widely available. For more info, see the full Fox Union Flat review.
3. Best budget mountain biking flat shoes
If you're looking for a flat pedal shoe that won't break the bank, Pinnacle's Cedar shoes should definitely be on your radar. Not only is their RRP extremely competitive, but they offer a range of top features too.
While the soles bear a definite resemblance to the Stealth rubber soles found on Five Ten shoes, we found the compound to be slightly harder and so not quite as grippy during testing. The uppers are narrower than Five Ten Freeriders and while the Cedars sport toe and heel reinforcement, there's less protection than most of the leading shoes.
The advantage of less protection means lower weight, and at 680g per pair (size 10 US, 9 UK, 43 EU), they're definitely some of the lightest shoes around.
We'd recommend the Cedars as a good budget option for hitting less threatening trails and they're vastly superior to riding in regular trainers/sneakers. But if you want maximum foot protection, they're not the best choice. In addition to the men's version, women's and junior models are available too.
4. Best mountain biking flat shoe for winter
Launched last year, Shimano's GF800 GTXs are the brand's first winter boots designed for flat pedal riders. We tested them over a very wet and cold winter and they did a fantastic job of keeping our tester's feet comfortable. An in-built Gore-Tex sock lines the boots to keep the elements at bay. Water can still seep in down the ankles, but the mid-top uppers combine well with MTB pants to keep water out of the boots.
Shimano says the rubber compound is designed to stay grippy in the cold – our tester, Rich Owen, had no argument with that as the shoes gave excellent all-condition, all-weather grip. The Boa fastening system is a great option for foul weather – it doesn't get clogged up with mud as laces can, and you can operate the dial with gloved hands. The only issue with the GF800 GTXs is that a snug fit means it can be a battle to get them on.
Rich summed up the GF800 GTX boots: "They come with a pretty hefty price tag, but they're the best flat pedal boots I've ever used for proper winter riding."
For more, see our full Shimano's GF800 GTX review.
5. Best mountain biking flat shoes for grip
The Specialized 2FO DH Flat is the third iteration of Specialized's downhill-specific shoe, with the most notable change being the new SlipNot ST rubber. It gives a really well-damped quality and offers barrel loads of grip in conjunction with the hexagon-shaped tread.
Visually, the third generation has been toned down for a more casual aesthetic, although the performance is still right up there with the best. The 2FO DH offers loads of protection and an Xpeltm hydrophobic mesh construction to help reduce heat build-up and stop them from becoming sponges in wet weather. Drying time is also improved, which is usually a huge weak point of overbuilt DH shoes.
The 2FO sports Specialized’s Body Geometry for a snug and supportive fit around and under your foot. On the bike, we found this is genuinely noticeable and high-power stamps on the pedals feel more effective when compared to any other shoe on test. The only negative is that the laces don't extend very far down the foot, which limits tensioning around your toes.
Read more about the Specialized 2FO DH Flat in our review.
6. Best mountain biking flat shoes for protection
Ride Concepts Tallac comes in the flat variety here, a clipless version and a female-specific model called Flume.
The shoes use a dual layer sole with a Ride Concepts' Max Grip rubber outsole that partially wraps around the sides of the Tallacs. A thick EVA midsole adds comfort and shock absorption.
The Max Grip sole is excellent and it gave us a properly locked in pedal feel that's as good as anything else on the market. Big lugs at the toe and heel give really good walking traction too.
Sturdy toe and heel boxes give plenty of foot protection and you've got plenty of protective rubber under your feet. The flipside of all this sturdiness is limited pedal feel and extra weight as the Tallac is significantly heavier than its rivals. Having said that, we did not notice the extra grams while riding.
For more info, head over to our full Ride Concepts Tallac review.
7. Best BOA equipped mountain biking flat shoes
The lace-up versions of Fox's Union Flat shoes have already made an appearance in this guide, but this BOA-equipped model also deserves its place too. Despite being similar in many aspects, it differs significantly.
Swapping out the laces for twin BOA dials to control the fit makes a huge difference to how the shoes wrap around your feet. In testing we found that the wired fit was much more secure which stiffened up the overall feel of the shoes. Tighter-fitting uppers make the soles stiffer too which improves pedaling performance, though slightly reduces pedal feel.
Both shoes share the same grippy Ultrac sole which gives excellent pedal traction and isn't bad on terra firma either. Without laces the central opening of the Union BOA Flats is narrower which we found improved the shoe's performance when it came to deflecting splashes and spray.
The only real issue with the BOA shoes is that they cost a third more than the laced versions, but overall they deliver higher performance than their in-house sibling.
Having tested both versions, Rich Owen, summed up the BOA shoes: "In terms of performance, the Fox Union BOA Flats are right up there with the top-rated flat pedal shoes around. Grip is excellent, they provide a good pedaling platform without overly dulling feel, and they keep the elements at bay better than most regular shoes."
For more detail, see our full Fox Union BOA Flat review.
8. Best mountain biking flat shoes for feedback
Bontrager's Flatline shoes use a super sticky rubber sole that's on a par with Five Ten's Stealth S1 rubber – you won't be lacking any grip. The whole thing is flexible enough you feel in control without lacking any support.
In addition to great grip, we found these shoes are durable, comfortable, and reasonably weather-resistant.
While previous Bontrager shoes were frequently on the tighter side, the sizing on these runs large, so try a pair on before you buy. Note the long laces can get a bit annoying too, but it's good to know that Bontrager offers a 30-day return guarantee.
For more details on the Bontrager Flatline shoes, read our in-depth review.
9. Best mountain biking flat shoes with lace protection
The GR9 is Shimano’s top-of-the-range, DH-focused, flat-pedal kick, and with sole from Michelin, there’s a big leap forward in pedal traction over the older Shimano models.
The first thing you notice is how the ultra-thin sole exaggerates that ‘in-the-bike’ feeling. Being on the floppy side of the spectrum, it concaves nicely over the pedal, allowing for great feedback from the pedals.
This isn’t all positive though, as on longer descents fatigue is more apparent. Surprisingly, midsole stiffness feels good when pedaling though, and it doesn't feel floppy under power the way its predecessors could. The GR9 is light too, which is noticeable from the first pedal stroke where you’re greeted with a sporty, easy to rotate feeling.
While switching from the older Vibram sole to the newer Michelin (with a more aggressive tread pattern) has really improved grip, it’s still not as sticky or as well damped as some.
The upper retains Shimano’s signature lace cover, which helps keep puddle splashes out as well as protecting the really convenient quick-lace system. This toggle-style design offers good overall tension and makes getting them on and off a cinch.
Unlike older Shimano shoes, which had a tendency to soak up water like sponges, the GR9 sucks up next to no water when things get soggy – another great improvement for Shimano.
10. Best casual mountain biking flat shoe
If you're looking for a casual looking MTB shoe that's more like a lower cut BMX model, Leatt's MTB 2.0 Flat Shoe is well worth a look.
The upper is made from synthetic suede, but it has a glossy finish and so does a decent job of repelling water and giving good breathability. The soles use Leatt's stickiest rubber compound – RideGrip Pro, and while it offers pretty good grip, in our testing we found it's not as locked in to the pedals as the likes of Five Ten's Stealth S1 or Specialized's SlipNot ST.
Toe and heel boxes provide foot protection, while a reinforced band in the upper heel is designed to help prevent heel lift while pedaling or walking. While it does its job of keeping the shoe securely on the foot, it can cause some irritation if pushing up steep trails.
The shoes come in male and female specific models, for more info check out our Leatt Women’s MTB 2.0 Flat Shoe review.
11. Best mountain biking flat shoes for summer
If you're looking for flat pedal shoes that work really well over the summer months, look no further. Crankbrothers Stamp Trail Lace are an excellent option for warmer days on the bike. They're the lightest flat shoes we've ever tested too, so they're also a top option if you prioritize weight.
In our testing, pedal grip proved a match for our benchmark shoe, the Five Ten Freerider Pro. While the Stamp Trail Laces provide plenty of foot protection for the majority of trails out there, if you mostly ride enduro or downhill, you may well want one of the sturdier shoes on this list though, like Ride Concepts Tallac.
Our tester, Rich Owen, summed up the shoes: "The Crankbrothers Stamp Trail Lace shoes have become my go-to choice for warmer conditions on everyday trails. They run cooler than most flat pedal shoes and they're lighter too. Grip is as good as it gets and there's enough foot protection for all but the most challenging trails."
For more, see our full Crankbrothers Stamp Trail Lace review.
Best mountain biking flat shoes: How to choose
We've highlighted the best flat shoes for MTB in this article and we're certain that you can't go wrong with any of them, however, there are still a few things worth bearing in mind before clicking 'buy' on any of them.
- Pedal grip: Arguably the most important aspect of a flat pedal shoe. If shoes don't grip the pedals well, they are no good to you. A few years back, a lot of shoes offered questionable grip levels, but happily, things have changed. While there are still a few rogue models out there, most shoes give reliable pedal grip these days. Of all the shoes we've tested though, Five Ten, Specialized and Fox shoes use the grippiest rubber compounds in their soles.
- Pedal feel vs support: Stiffer soles will give you a more efficient pedaling platform, while more compliant soles give a better pedal feel and feedback. As for which is best for you, that will depend on what you prioritize for the kind of riding you mostly do. Softer soles can be useful in gravity MTB situations as they enable you to actually grip the pedal with your feet in the most extreme situations. If you're still unsure, most Fox and Specialized shoes offer a decent balance of feel vs support.
- Laces vs Boa: Most flat pedal shoes are secured by laces, but a few feature Boa ratched wire closure systems. Laces look more casual and in most cases work well, but they can absorb water and go hard when caked in dry mud. Boa systems are easier to operate and adjust on the fly, they also make a shoe feel stiffer than laced versions. Should a Boa break though, you've got a problem, and obviously a snapped lace is an easy fix.
Best mountain biking flat shoes: Everything you need to know
How much money should I spend on flat pedal shoes?
While the answer is usually to buy the best shoe you can afford, the good news is that if you're on a limited budget, there are lots of worthy options too.
For example, while the standard Five Ten Freerider is more basic than the Pro version, it's still an excellent model in its own right. At the time of writing, you can pick them for around $60 / £60, which is well below the RRP.
If you're looking for some bargain pedals to go with your flat shoes, our guide to the best cheap MTB pedals may well be of interest.
Do flat pedals require dedicated riding shoes?
In theory you don't need special cycling shoes to ride flat pedals. That said, investing in the best MTB flat pedal shoes will bring a number of significant performance gains over regular trainers.
For a start, shoes designed for flat pedals have very soft rubber and a special tread pattern to maximize grip. The sole will often be a lot stiffer to provide a better pedaling platform, improve stability and reduce foot fatigue.
Most flat-pedal users tend to be more gravity-focused, so speeds are high and impacts are frequent – and potentially harsh. Hardened toe boxes and heel cups are essential for protection against rock strikes and trail detritus. The sole also needs to be able to absorb the feedback and hard impacts associated with ripping down the toughest trails.
How long do flat pedal MTB shoes last?
Well, that mostly depends on how often you ride and how harsh the conditions are. That said, we'd expect flat shoes to last around a year. The sharp, narrow pins found on flat pedals means that the soles are usually the first part of a shoe to go. Shoes from Five Ten can be resoled at independent shoe repairers though. So if you have a pair of worn out Freeriders, search for repairers in your area who can resole them at a fraction of the cost of a new pair – you'll also be helping to reduce waste too.
How should the best MTB flat pedal shoes fit?
As with most things mountain bike-related, fit is very important. For flat-pedal riders, 'feel' is vital and allows you to maximize the advantages of not riding clipped in. A tight fit might be secure, but if it's too tight it can cut off the circulation to your feet and cause numbness – leaving you with little idea as to where your feet are positioned on the pedal.
On the flipside, if the shoe is too loose then correct foot placement can seem impossible, especially on rough terrain. While we have done our best to decipher how each shoe fits, we still recommend physically trying them on, as ultimately everyone’s feet are different, and size/cut differs from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Is MTB shoe weight important?
The lighter the shoes, the less energy it takes to spin them up to speed. But while lighter shoes are more efficient, there comes a point where protection, stiffness and support are compromised; where that point is varies with different styles of riding though. Trail riders who spend a chunk of their time climbing will value a lighter shoe than a more gravity-focused shredder who prioritizes damping and protection.
Which are best, laces or Boa systems?
Unlike clipless pedals which commonly use Boa dials and ratchets, every shoe here (besides the Shimano GR9) uses a traditional lace-up design. While more complex fasteners may seem smart, it’s hard to beat the simplicity, adjustability and reliability of a solid set of laces. Note some shoes will use additional Velcro straps to add a little extra support and security, too.
What is damping and why does it matter to shoes?
With regards to shoes, it's the ability of the soles to smooth out vibrations and dull heavy impacts. These obviously cause discomfort, and over time will cause fatigue, too – your feet will start to ache and lose power.
Too much squish here can reduce the feeling and feedback you get through the pedals, though, so it's not just a case of piling in the padding – the damping characteristics of the best shoes are finely tuned for both feel and comfort.
How we test mountain biking flat shoes
Every MTB shoe tested here has been subjected to as much riding abuse as possible on every kind of trail imaginable. We know that flat pedal shoes need to offer dependable grip, so we ensure that they are exposed to the filthiest conditions possible, as that's when pedal grip is seriously tested. We even ride with rival shoes on opposite feet to help us discern which one has the edge over the other, so if you bump into us on the trail in odd shoes, now you'll know we haven't lost our marbles (or shoes).
Meet the testers
Rich has ridden mountain bikes since the early nineties and has been testing bikes and kit for well over a decade. His pedal of choice is definitely of the flat variety and he's tested a huge number of flat MTB shoes over the years.
Jim Bland is a product tester and World Cup downhill mechanic based in North Yorkshire, England, but working Worldwide. Like Rich, Jim's preferred shoe is of the flat variety.
