what are the best mountain bike shoes

• The Giro Chamber II is a flexible clipless shoe that borrows design cues from popular flat-pedal shoes for skateparks and downhill and enduro riders. The shoes' Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole provides lots of traction and is compatible with larger platforms and clipless pedals. The shoe's midsole is rigid underneath but flexible at the toes, making walking and hike-a-bike segments more bearable.

• The shoe also has a nearly seamless upper and works well with a variety of foot shapes thanks to its laces and hook-and-loop top closure. As a result, the shoe is perfect for riders who want to utilize them on more difficult trails and even on the downhill ground for those who insist on riding with clipless pedals.

• At least four roundup reviews have praised The Chamber II for its great value. For example, The Adventure Junkies and Switchback Travel both named it the top destination for enduro and downhill bikers. The Adventure Junkies stated it best: "This sneaker is so remarkable because of how deceptive its appearances are. Although it has the cleat setback setting of what could appear to be a casual, flat pedal shoe, it actually has the power of a clipless connection.

• Although the Chamber II is lighter than the previous version, there is no doubt that this is still a heavy shoe. Its durable construction, which was created to withstand miles of rough trail abuse, does little to reduce weight. Although the Chamber II is known to cycle fairly well, we wouldn't recommend it for long efforts or XC rides. Additionally, Velcro straps and ratchets are preferred due to their quick micro adjustments and all-around user-friendliness, even if laces might be fantastic for attaining that ideal fit. But for serious riders, the Chamber II will be well worth its weight due to its outstanding toughness and protection as well as its rigid sole, which provides exceptional power transfer.

BEST CLIPLESS COMFORT SHOE: 

6- PEARL IZUMI X-ALP ELEVATE Mountain Bike Shoe

• We didn't have any issues on hike-a-bike sections or even when we sat down for a few apres drinks despite the hard nylon sole. These shoes are comfortable enough for us to wear while on multi-day bike packing and touring adventures. Two strategically positioned BOA closures, one at the forefoot and the other slightly over the top of the foot, are to thank for the comfort.

• It is referred to as the "Most Comfortable Shoe, Period" by Bicycling Magazine. Pearl Izumi has been perfecting their X-Alp mountain bike shoes for more than ten years (all of its mountain bike shoes are given the X-Alp classification), and this is the greatest one yet. The Elevate is one of the most comfortable bikes designed for daily use on either flat or rough trails.

• The shoes are very lightweight as well, weighing only 1 pound, 8 ounces per pair in a Men's size 11 (the US), a few ounces more than the more expensive Empire VR 90. If you prefer to get outside while riding comfortably for lengthy stretches of time, the Pearl Izumi Alp Elevate is a good option.

Best Budget MTB Shoe

7- GIRO BERM Mountain Bike Shoe

• It's difficult to find a good pair of clipless shoes for less than $100, but Giro has done it with their Berm model. A surprisingly good setup for everyday trail riding can be had for a very modest $75. It has a durable top material that combines breathability and protection, an adjustable fit, and a rubber outsole with large lugs for increased traction in mud and muck. Additionally, those just learning the ropes can clip in more easily thanks to the shoe's spacious cleat pocket. Although it is undoubtedly not a high-performance design like the Shimano ME5 above, and dedicated riders should stay away, we believe the Berm delivers a tonne of value.

• The Giro Berm's straightforward design could be to blame. It is a shoe that is simpler to wear and approach thanks to its two huge hook-and-loop fasteners. This sort of makes senses considering that this shoe is targeted more at casual or beginning riders than at serious mountain bikers. It may have a textured cover over the generously broad cleat recess, making it simpler to use the shoe with flat pedals. The bigger cleat pocket makes it simpler to properly position the cleat on the pedal when used with clipless pedals.

• The synthetic upper material has a lot of mesh in it, and the hook-and-loop fastener secures the shoe okay but not terrific. This shoe last isn't as stiff as our other clipless shoe winners', but it is stiffer than flat-pedal shoes because it sort of straddles the line between the two. Even so, it's a comfortable shoe that works well as a beginner's shoe for mountain biking and offers possibilities that a dedicated flat pedal or clipless shoe won't provide.

1. Pedal/Clip Compatibility: Clipless
2. Category: Trail
3. Best Uses: Bikepacking, budget, routes with known hike-a-bike
4. Enclosure: Dial lace and strap
5. Price: 150 $
6. Weight: 1 lb 7 oz
7. Models available: men’s and women’s
8. What We Liked: comfort, adjustability, hike-a-bike is still comfortable
9. Cons: may be too comfortable for precise control

• The clipless X-Alp Summit is one of the firm's greatest offers, and it helps the company stand out in the adventure and backpacking categories. It has the proper components and is designed for intermediate riders, trail use, and off-bike exploration: a controllable composite shank in the midsole, tough upper material, and respectable toe protection that wraps partially around the edges of the foot. Additionally, you receive a Vibram outsole that is aggressive and sticky—a popular option for trail running and hiking gear. The X-Alp Summit, which retails for $150, is a good deal for a shoe that can withstand everything from all-mountain ripping to overnight hikes with protracted hike-a-bikes.

• As a result of Pearl Izumi's emphasis on trekking comfort, the pedals have less stiffness and more raw power (XC cyclists should steer clear). Additionally, riders in flatter areas without significant elevation gains—the Midwest of the United States comes to mind—won't be able to take advantage of the adventure-ready feature set of the X-Alp.

Best Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes

9-  Shimano SH-ME5 Mountain Bike Shoe

• The ME5 from Shimano is a versatile clipless mountain bike shoe. It can put the power down on sharp climbs because of its light and breathable construction and relatively sturdy base, but it's also protective, lightly padded, and rather comfortable inside. With a tried-and-true Boa system and a single Velcro closure across the toes, the fit is simple to modify (after setting it the first time, you can just leave the toe adjustment alone). Shimano also improved the on-and-off process with a recent modification to the design; previously, the opening was on the tiny side and took some dexterity to get your foot through. The ME5 has distinguished itself as our preferred one-quiver clipless shoe while standing

• Although the ME5 is the greatest all-arounder now available, Shimano also offers the well-liked ME7. With its taller neoprene cuff, sticky Michelin rubber (the ME5's is an in-house version that's a little less gripping on rock), and additional lace protection, this shoe is intended for enduro racing and downhill tracks. The larger cuff can be awkward at first (it felt more constrictive on pedal-heavy days), and you pay a modest weight penalty of around an ounce for each shoe, but the ME7 offers a nice improvement in protection and all-weather performance. It will be worth the extra $50 for some riders.

10- Specialized 2FO DH Clip Mountain Bike Shoe

• The DH Clip shoe is part of Specialized's 2FO series and falls somewhere in the middle. Despite the beefed-up construction that is durable and downhill-ready, we want to start by addressing the "DH" in the name because we believe that it undersells these shoes. The shoes are more than capable on mellower terrain and lengthy trail rides thanks to a composite nylon plate underfoot, a sensible weight of 1 pound, 11.9 ounces, and a trim build that dries pretty rapidly. The added protection around the toes and heel cap, as well as the slightly increased cushioning around the inside of the ankle, are wonderful additions for the enduro and downhill aficionados among us.

• Although the 2FO DH is $30 less expensive than the brand's top-end 2FO Cliplite, it lacks the latter's two Boa closures in many ways. The DH's laces are fine and can be tucked inside an elastic band to prevent them from dangling, but they can't compare to the Boa system's micro-adjustability and all-around simplicity. Additionally, we discovered that the shoe felt a bit flat and board-like underfoot, which caused some painful arches on days when we pedalled a lot (we assume that this won't be a problem for everyone, though).