06
December
2013

Choosing the Right Type of Mountain Bike Shoe

Choosing the Right Type of Mountain Bike Shoe
Unless you ride your mountain bike barefoot I’m sure you have wondered if the shoes you are wearing to ride are doing the job or if there is something better out there to help you stay on your pedals. Many people just tend to use whatever shoes they have for riding because they don't know any better. If you are using your normal every day tennis shoes as riding shoes then you are most likely getting the grip and support you need to make the most out of your riding experience and if you think you are then you are wrong!

If you haven't used a mountain bike specific shoe then you don't know what you are missing because it will make a big difference when riding uphill and riding downhill. Regular shoes for the most part are not stiff enough to get proper pedaling power out of and also don't grip the pedals as good as they should. Shoes such as lightweight low cut hiking boots make decent mountain biking shoes because they tend to be on the stiff side and have decent grip but they still don't work as good as mountain bike specific shoes. Your Vans skateboard shoe is too flexible to be a good mountain bike shoe even though you see a lot of people using that type of shoe for riding.

Mountain Bike Shoes

Mountain bike shoes will have a stiffer sole which gives you more power when pedaling and doesn't let your foot bend over your pedal like other shoes will. They also can be made of a tougher material and have harder areas around the heel and toe to offer better protection from things such as rocks. The best feature about mountain bike specific shoes is that they provide better grip on the pedals giving you more confidence and control when riding. Some shoes that you can get provide so much grip that it feels as though you are clipped in and actually take a little getting used to. This is a great feature for more aggressive riding like downhill riding or riding over rocky terrain because you don't have to worry about your foot slipping off the pedal nearly as much, or even at all.

There are quite a few mountain bike shoe manufactures out there that offer several models of shoes to choose from each with different features. You can get boot or low cut styles in various colors and weights as well as other features such as lace covers that keep your shoe laces from getting untied and in the way. Some brands are stiffer than others and there are a variety of sole types to choose from. If you have really sharp pins in your pedals then you will want something that can stand up to the abuse of the pedals without getting torn up too quickly. Brands like Five Ten offer a super grippy sole that will glue your foot to the pedal and also a model that allows you more freedom to readjust your foot without taking it completely off the pedal.

Mountain Biking Shoe Soles

One thing to keep in mind is that these shoes are generally not cheap. Expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $150 for a pair so you may need to start a savings plan before your purchase! Sometimes you can even find a used pair if you want to save some money and still be able to try out a real pair of riding shoes. You definitely need to do your research and read reviews before making your choice because some shoes work out better than others for certain people.

Check out the post right here

Posted by

4.3/5 rating (3 votes)

Categories: General

Leave a comment

Please login to leave a comment.