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 Mountain Bike shoe Guide


When you’re riding a mountain bike, a good pair of mountain bike shoes can mean the difference between crashing and having a great ride. That’s why we’ve put together this guide: to help you choose some shoes that will keep your feet happy when they hit the pavement (or dirt).

Mountain Bike Shoe Guide


what are mountain bike shoes?

  • Mountain bike shoes are specialized shoes designed specifically for mountain biking. Their main purpose is to provide you with traction and stability on rough terrain, as well as make pedaling easier through the use of clipless pedals. That's why they tend to be lightweight, with a stiff sole that provides extra power transfer from your legs into the pedals (unlike running shoes), and with tread patterns that grip well in mud or dirt (unlike most street shoes).


  • Most mountain bike riders choose to wear clipless pedals on their bikes, which means they have a cleat attached directly to their shoe (as opposed to being strapped into some kind of cage). This allows them to clip into the pedal when pushing down; releasing their foot will allow them to rotate out so it doesn't get stuck underneath them while riding down hills or over obstacles such as rocks that might catch on laces or straps if you don't have clipless ones instead!

  • When buying new shoes for your bike, keep in mind that many brands offer models with a softer sole or more tread patterns than others.


when to buy mountain bike shoes


  • If you are just starting out, I would recommend the shoes that come with your bike. These tend to be flat-soled and will not offer much protection from impact or abrasion. They also tend to be more comfortable than other options.
  • If you are a beginner, I would recommend avoiding clipless pedals until you have mastered pedaling on flats. There are also folding pedals available as an option if you're worried about your shoe size changing over time (like mine did).
  • As for intermediate riders and above: regardless of whether or not you choose to use clipless pedals, there is plenty of room for experimentation here! Look at both men's and women's mountain bike shoes if possible because everyone has different feet sizes and shapes.
  • If you're looking for something like this, it's important to take your time and try on different models before making any decisions. There are plenty of options on the market today that are great for beginners or those just starting out with clipless pedals, so don't be afraid to do some research!


laces or boa?

  1. The laces are more comfortable.
  2. Boa is more secure.
  3. Boa is more expensive.
  4. Boa is more durable.
  5. Boa is easier to adjust

mtb shoe sole stiffness explained


  • The stiffer the sole, the more power you can put down.
  • The softer the sole, the more comfort you get.
  • Stiffer soles are generally more efficient because they transfer energy from your foot to your pedal more efficiently than soft ones do. However, some people prefer a softer shoe for its cushioning effect on harsh trails or urban roads with lots of potholes and other obstacles that can jar sensitive feet on impact (otherwise known as "pedaling impacts").
  • Unlike road shoes, which tend to be uniform in their stiffness across brands and models, mountain bike shoes can vary quite a bit. Some models have very stiff soles while others have more modestly stiff ones.
features and tech explained

What are mountain bike shoes?

  • Mountain bike shoes are a type of shoe designed for use with mountain bikes. They're typically made from a stiffer material than road or touring shoes, and they have a sticky rubber sole that grips the pedals of your bike better than regular soles would.

When to buy mountain bike shoes:

  • If you're riding your bike off-road (think: singletrack trails), it's best to wear mountain bike shoes instead of other types of cycling footwear. This will help keep your feet planted firmly in place on the pedals so that you can ride smoothly without slipping or losing control of your bicycle. Mountain biking also requires some extra durability from your footwear because there's plenty of movement involved when pedaling uphill or down steep inclines—and those movements could cause more regular soles to wear out faster than usual!
  • Laces or Boa? Lacing systems are common on mountain bike shoes, but they may not work well for everyone. Some people don't like the way that laces wrap around their ankles, and other folks have difficulty tying them properly. The Boa system uses a dial to tighten the shoe instead of laces and is often considered easier to use (and more comfortable). Plus, it keeps you from having loose ends dangling down your legs when riding over rough terrain.
  • MTB shoe sole stiffness explained: The stiffer a pair of mountain bike shoes, the more power you can transfer to your pedals. But the stiffer they are, the less comfortable they'll feel. So it's all about finding your balance between comfort and performance. 
  • The best mountain bike shoes: These are your go-to kicks for any type of riding, from trail-blazing singletrack adventures to casual trips around town or commuting on the pavement.

the best mountain bike shoes

The best mountain bike shoes are the Pearl Izumi X-Project Pro MTB Shoes.

  •  They feature a durable, synthetic upper with a hook-and-loop closure system and a rubber toe cap. These shoes have an aggressive outsole that makes them ideal for off-road riding and can handle the rigors of technical trails. These trail runners provide great protection from rocks and roots on your rides through singletrack!

  • The Pearl Izumi X-Project Pro MTB Shoes are available on Amazon for  CLICK HERE(men) and   (women).

GET IT ON AMAZON FOR A GREAT PRICE CLICK HERE

The best mtb shoes are the Sidi Dominator 10 MTB Shoes

  •  They feature a durable synthetic upper with a hook-and-loop closure system and rubber toe cap, which allows for a more secure fit than laces or Velcro straps. These trail runners provide great protection from rocks and roots on your rides through singletrack! The Sidi Dominator 10 MTB Shoes are available at Amazon for (men) and (women).

Sidi Dominator 10 MTB Shoes

GET IT ON AMAZON FOR A GREAT PRICE CLICK HERE

The best mtb shoes for women:

These mountain bike shoes are the Pearl Izumi X-PRO MTB Shoes. 

  • They feature a durable synthetic upper with a hook-and-loop closure system and rubber toe cap, which allows for a more secure fit than laces or Velcro straps. These trail runners provide great protection from rocks and roots on your rides through singletrack! The Pearl Izumi X-PRO MTB Shoes are available on Amazon for $159 (men)
GET IT ON AMAZON FOR A GREAT PRICE CLICK HERE

The best mtb shoes for men:

These mountain bike shoes are the Pearl Izumi X-PRO MTB Shoes.

The best mtb shoes for beginners:

These mountain bike shoes are the Pearl Izumi X-PRO MTB Shoes. 

The best mtb shoes for the cross country:

These mountain bike shoes are the Pearl Izumi X-PRO MTB Shoes. 

the best mtb shoes

  • For many riders, this means wearing cycling shoes for their road rides and then swapping over to a different pair when it comes time to hit the trails. These types of hybrid models typically have an upper that can be adjusted (a feature called Boa dials), which makes them easy to slip on and off. Plus they look pretty cool—which is always a plus when you're trying not to get lost in the woods while chasing down a trail run or ride down some singletrack at breakneck speeds!


Conclusion


  • Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the basics of mountain bike shoes. We know that it can be a daunting task to choose which shoes are best for your riding style and needs, but if there’s one thing we want you to take away from this post, it’s that it doesn’t have to be hard! Mountain biking is about having fun out in nature with friends, so don’t let technical details get between you and enjoy time on your bike.