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The 10 Best Flat Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes of 2023

By: Colin Edwards: Bike Buyer | June 29, 2023
 

Every year more riders discover what some of us have always known: flat pedals aren’t just for beginners or freeriders who like doing tricks. Instead, the right combination of a grippy shoe and well designed flat pedal offers a great combination of traction and flexibility that can work for everyone short of XC racers. The best flat pedal mountain bike shoes are more than just glorified skate shoes. Instead, mountain bike shoes for flats will have a bike specific sole, more ankle padding and other features that make them perfect for mountain bikers.

This year’s crop of flat pedal shoes reflects renewed interest in the category. More brands than ever are making good flat pedal shoes, and they’re making more styles too. Gone are the clunky DH only shoes of the past. Now you can choose technical trail shoes, or more casual options. When you’re shopping for mountain bike shoes for flat pedals, it’s a good idea to take a serious look at your riding goals, and tailor your shoe selection to them. Going on big rides with lots of hike-a-bike? There are adventure oriented shoes with more traction for walking. Ripping shuttle laps? There are options with more protection for higher speeds and more technical trails. Whatever you’re looking for, there’s a flat pedal shoe on this list to fit your needs. For more info, please see our helpful how to buy bike shoes guide.


Fox Union Flat Shoes

Fox Union Flat

Fox Racing have been outfitting mountain bikers for decades, but there has always been one conspicuous gap in the lineup: footwear. That all ends with the Fox Union Flat Shoes, and they're not here to just make up the numbers: these things are carefully engineered and trail-tested to within an inch of their life. On top of durable materials and insanely grippy Ultratac™ rubber, they come with a removable insole insert to accomodate both high and low arches for the best possible comfort and response. Make no mistake, the Fox Union Flat Shoes will give your go-to mountain bike shoes a run for their money.

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
Ultratac™ Rubber CompoundMolded Internal Stiffening Plate Optimizes Power Transfer$149.95

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Five Ten Sleuth Shoes

Five Ten Sleuth

If your school to trail tranny is half as smooth as your gap to flat, you need to check out the Five Ten Sleuth Shoes. A classic leather and canvas upper combined with Five Ten's Stealth S1™ Rubber compound make the Sleuths a stylish and trail ready pair of kicks, ideal for zipping between work and play.

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
Stealth S1™ Rubber OutsoleFull Dotty Tread Pattern$90.00

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Five Ten Freerider Pro Shoes

Five Ten Freerider Pro

Rumor has it that some scientists have lost their credentials explaining how Five Ten Freerider Pro Shoes got so grippy. They say some claimed the Stealth S1 Rubber sole was actually magnetic, while others pronounced them Martian technology. We pour some out of our hydration packs to these lab-coated non-believers as we pedal away. Some things are unknowable.

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
Stealth S1™ Rubber OutsoleImpact-Resistant PORON® Toebox$160.00

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Ride Concepts Tallac Shoes

Ride Concepts Tallac

Tacky. And also very much not tacky at all. Huh? Ride Concepts Tallac Shoes are on the right side of both of the word's meanings, in friction and in fashion. They're fantastic mountain bike shoes, very well thought-out and made from rugged materials, made to fight dirt ingress and impacts all day long. And extremely grippy. But it's really that retro light hiker look that puts them at the top. Just look at the speckles on the midsole!

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
MAX GRIP Rubber OutsoleFully Gusseted Tongue Keeps Out Debris$160.00

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Etnies Camber Crank MTB Shoes

Etnies Camber Crank MTB

The Etnies Camber Crank MTB Shoes are built around an ultra-grippy Michelin rubber outsole designed specifically for reliable footing on flat mountain bike pedals. What's more, they boast a durable, abrasion-resistant PU nubuck upper and TPU molded Pedal Shank 2 midsole to ensure rigidity and longevity from season to season. Finished with thoughtful details like an integrated pocket on top of the tongue to tuck your laces, the Etnies Camber Crank MTB Shoes are no stranger to extreme sports performance.

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
STI Evolution® Foam MidsoleGrippy Michelin Tread Pattern$129.99

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Five Ten Freerider Shoes

Five Ten Freerider

The Five Ten Freerider Shoes are downright legendary, with the grippiest Stealth S1™ rubber outsole and easygoing good looks that you can wear anywhere. The leather and mesh upper is breathable and durable, so the only thing you'll be shredding is that sweet, sweet hero dirt.

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
Stealth S1™ Rubber OutsoleOne Piece Molded Cupsole$110.00

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Five Ten Trailcross LT Shoes

Five Ten Trailcross LT

The summertime shoes you've been looking for, Five TenTrailcross LT Shoes are lightweight and breathable, quick-drying and grippy. Kick it at the campground, pedal that dusty river trail, and keep your eyes out for overgrown trails to the swimming hole and scrambles to those overlooks: these smash all those wonderful tasks with flair. So good!

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
Stealth Phantom Rubber OutsoleRaised Ankle Collar for Protection$140.00

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Ride Concepts Flume Shoes - Women's

Ride Concepts Flume - Women's

Tacky. And also very much not tacky at all. Huh? Ride Concepts Flume Shoes are on the right side of both of the word's meanings, in friction and in fashion. They're fantastic mountain bike shoes, very well thought-out and made from rugged materials, made to fight dirt ingress and impacts all day long. And extremely grippy. But it's really that retro light hiker look that puts them at the top. Just look at the speckles on the midsole!

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
MAX GRIP Rubber OutsoleEVA Midsole Provides Support and Shock Absorption$160.00

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Five Ten Freerider Pro Canvas Shoes - Women's

Five Ten Freerider Pro Canvas - Women's

The Five Ten Freerider Pro Canvas Shoes are your one-and-done shoes, the shoes that will hold onto the pedals for dear life and then take you to that Whole Foods pizza bar without skipping a beat. The impact-resistant toe box levels up your confidence on rowdy lines and Stealth Phantom rubber will take your air time to new heights and stick the landing with finesse.

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
Stealth Phantom Rubber OutsoleImpact-Resistant Toe Box$160.00

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Five Ten Freerider Canvas Shoes - Women's

Five Ten Freerider Canvas - Women's

The Five Ten Freerider Canvas Shoes are old school perfection, with a casual and durable canvas upper that now features recycled content. Stealth S1™ rubber is the best of the best, whether you're on a cross country slog or speeding downhill and hucking gaps like a goggled-up, Red Bull-fueled Rampage fanatic.

Sole MaterialSpecial FeaturesOriginal Price
Stealth S1™ Rubber OutsoleMolded Cupsole$110.00

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Learn About our Favorite Bike Gear:

Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.

Colin Edwards

Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.

Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.

When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.

With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.