Discounts don't apply on Adidas' site right now, so AL's Sporting Goods is the next best place for mountain bike shoes. Make sure to apply VIP4U to get an additional discount.
So to add to what others have been saying, these are awesome if you use flat pedals (raceface chester or similar) because of the tacky/gummy rubber sole. Having said that, I would wager to say that the entire shoe is well suited for mountain biking - toe box/sole shank was mentioned and it's completely true and accurate. To me, the entire shoe looks like a skater shoe, but it is overall much more rigid through the entirety of the shoe for protection (whacking rocks, tree limbs/stumps, etc) while being comfortable and softer on the inside. It's hard to describe and the exterior isn't like a hard shell or anything, but it is much stiffer than an average shoe (especially a skateboarding shoe) to deal with the ruggedness on the trail that could hit a bikers feet. 100% would recommend these to anyone that mountain bikes (though I imagine most, if not all, mountain bikers are familiar with the brand already haha)
Any have experience with all three models? Pros and cons of each? Im rocking vans right now and wondering if I should upgrade and to which model. Al's is local to me
Any have experience with all three models? Pros and cons of each? Im rocking vans right now and wondering if I should upgrade and to which model. Al's is local to me
If you rock flats with those vans, I think you will feel a significant difference switching over. From what I have read (I don't have pros) the pros are basically just a bit more durable on the exterior and last longer. I would expect all of them to have the grippy bottom, stiff shank across the sole, and stiff exterior with soft padded interior.
I wouldn't say far from the norm. Maybe for just DH, but for XC clipless is the norm and for Enduro it's around 50/50. I ride clipless but keep a pair of flat pedals and Five Ten's in my truck for when I'm riding DH or if it's snowy/muddy conditions because it's a pain in the ass to clean out the cleat every time I put my foot down in mud/snow.
Agreed. I ride clipless on my XC and road bikes, and have been riding flats on my trail bike. Each has its merits.
I went to Time ATAC pedals years ago on my XC bike because they shed mud really well (unlike Shimano SPDs).
Five Tens are considered the best mountain biking shoes if riding with flat pedals due to their very sticky soles. Don't believe they even make shoes for clipless pedals.
Only negative (I've heard) is they aren't the best option if you ride in wet, muddy conditions.
They do make clipless shoes. I own a pair of five ten maltese. I like it because they look like regular shoes
The stealth rubber haven't been as good since Adidas bought them imo. And these days, having BOA lace system is just so much easier as well. Switched from clipless to flats over a decade ago and never looked back. Don't need clipless.
So, I never have luck finding size 15 FiveTens on sale (or even in stock, though are currently on Adidas.com). I have an old pair of stretched out Emerica skate shoes that work okay, with a set of Chesters. Are FiveTens more "rigid" than typical skateshoes (especially current ones)? I recently got a pair of Vans OldSkools that are insanely grippy, but haven't tried them on my bike, since they are my main casual shoe. Would the Vans work just as well as the FiveTens, since they are generally cheaper?
While waiting for a sale on dedicated MTB shoes, I got steel insoles from Amazon for like 20 bucks. I'm not sure they make them in size 15s, but I paired them with my old school vans, and it gripped great. The steel insoles make the shoe stiffer like cycling shoes.
So, I never have luck finding size 15 FiveTens on sale (or even in stock, though are currently on Adidas.com). I have an old pair of stretched out Emerica skate shoes that work okay, with a set of Chesters. Are FiveTens more "rigid" than typical skateshoes (especially current ones)? I recently got a pair of Vans OldSkools that are insanely grippy, but haven't tried them on my bike, since they are my main casual shoe. Would the Vans work just as well as the FiveTens, since they are generally cheaper?
I don't know anything about skate shoes... The five ten freeriders do have a stiff sole and the rubber is very grippy. They last me a long time... so are worth it - especially as I can find them on sale. The adidas branded ones they have linked on here are very likely not the same quality.
As an aside five ten do make shoes that you can put cleats on. That would tend to be more for XC riding than Enduro/all mountain/DH but there are a few riders out there who prefer cleats.
I don't know anything about skate shoes... The five ten freeriders do have a stiff sole and the rubber is very grippy. They last me a long time... so are worth it - especially as I can find them on sale. The adidas branded ones they have linked on here are very likely not the same quality.
As an aside five ten do make shoes that you can put cleats on. That would tend to be more for XC riding than Enduro/all mountain/DH but there are a few riders out there who prefer cleats.
I'm a flat pedal convert on the trail bike. Five ten shoes plus some chester knockoffs (the fookers).
I rode clipless for 20+ years, Onza mtb as a kid, and then time ATAC for cyclocross racing and road/commuter bikes. Bought an mtb last year and decided to give flats a try...loved it--had a blast and with the sticky rubber and pinned pedals, I never felt like I was missing out. Jumps, drops, no problem. Features like skinnies? even better because I can leap off the bike at any time.
I threw my ATACs on the MTB last weekend to see how I've evolved in the past year. Didn't like it...I didn't feel like I was gaining any sort of noticable efficiency or climbing ability, but I felt less comfortable on features, especially skinnies.
If I were racing XC, I'd still go clipless, but if I'm riding trails for fun and throwing the bike around? Flats.
I know. I've found the freeriders are of similar quality as when they were US owned. I bought a pair of slip on five tens and could tell adidas was just stealing the name and slapping it on sub-par shoes. That's why I'm pretty sure the ones here that are adidas branded [not-freerider] are sub par for biking. In the description it talks about being for on or off the bike - which is a red flag for me.
Any have experience with all three models? Pros and cons of each? Im rocking vans right now and wondering if I should upgrade and to which model. Al's is local to me
This would be a huge upgrade from Vans the soles of these shoes is grippy rubber
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They have plenty of models with clipless
I went to Time ATAC pedals years ago on my XC bike because they shed mud really well (unlike Shimano SPDs).
Only negative (I've heard) is they aren't the best option if you ride in wet, muddy conditions.
They do make clipless shoes. I own a pair of five ten maltese. I like it because they look like regular shoes
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I don't know anything about skate shoes... The five ten freeriders do have a stiff sole and the rubber is very grippy. They last me a long time... so are worth it - especially as I can find them on sale. The adidas branded ones they have linked on here are very likely not the same quality.
As an aside five ten do make shoes that you can put cleats on. That would tend to be more for XC riding than Enduro/all mountain/DH but there are a few riders out there who prefer cleats.
As an aside five ten do make shoes that you can put cleats on. That would tend to be more for XC riding than Enduro/all mountain/DH but there are a few riders out there who prefer cleats.
Don't be too worried; Adidas acquired Five Ten some years back: https://www.outsidebusi
I rode clipless for 20+ years, Onza mtb as a kid, and then time ATAC for cyclocross racing and road/commuter bikes. Bought an mtb last year and decided to give flats a try...loved it--had a blast and with the sticky rubber and pinned pedals, I never felt like I was missing out. Jumps, drops, no problem. Features like skinnies? even better because I can leap off the bike at any time.
I threw my ATACs on the MTB last weekend to see how I've evolved in the past year. Didn't like it...I didn't feel like I was gaining any sort of noticable efficiency or climbing ability, but I felt less comfortable on features, especially skinnies.
If I were racing XC, I'd still go clipless, but if I'm riding trails for fun and throwing the bike around? Flats.
Best of both. That's how I roll.
I know. I've found the freeriders are of similar quality as when they were US owned. I bought a pair of slip on five tens and could tell adidas was just stealing the name and slapping it on sub-par shoes. That's why I'm pretty sure the ones here that are adidas branded [not-freerider] are sub par for biking. In the description it talks about being for on or off the bike - which is a red flag for me.
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