Best mountain bike shoes reviewed and rated by experts - MBR

I've tested hundreds of shoes over the years, sometimes to destruction, to bring you the very best mountain bike shoes around. So whether you ride flat pedals or clip in, and whatever your budget, there's an option for you here.

Sounds simplistic, but sticking your foot onto the pedal is the most important job of the best mountain bike shoes. That interface is responsible for grip, control and comfort in mountain biking, and without it you’d never get round a corner or up a hill. The rest of the shoe has to get it right too, with good retention, padding, protection and weatherproofing, but friction with the pedal comes first.

I’ve chopped this test into two: The best mountain bike flat pedal shoes look like trainers or sneakers but have low-profile soles made from sticky rubber. Whereas the best mountain bike clipless pedal shoes are generally stiffer and have recessed bolt holes for attaching pedal cleats. And of course don’t forget to match them with the best flat pedals or clipless pedals.

The Five Ten Freerider Pro still sits on the flat pedal throne.

Weight: 780g | Sizes: 5-13.5 | Rating: 10/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Five Ten’s Freerider Pro is a classic design that still outperforms almost every competitor on the market. The secret to the Freerider Pro’s success is the brilliantly grippy sole, but the slim fit, decent shock absorption, and well-tuned stability ensures its no one-trick pony.

There are loads of different versions of the Freerider Pro, but we’d suggest sticking to the classic design for the best durability and all-season weather resistance. The price is competitive, and more often than not there’s a bargain to be found online, particularly if you’re not fussy about colour options or fall outside the most popular sizes.

Read our full test review of the Five Ten Freerider Pro

Fox’s Union Flat Shoe is s worthy alternative to the Five Ten Freerider Pro.

Weight: 779g | Sizes: 37-47 with half sizes between 41 and 46 | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Taking knowledge and experience from many years designing motocross boots, Fox’s new Union Flat shoe goes straight in to our recommended list. The brand’s own Ultrac rubber sole is a grippy compound with security tightened through the use of small hexagonal lugs that let the pedal pins tightly lock into place. Grip is on par with Five Ten’s Freerider Pro.

The moulded upper is lightweight and wipe-clean, and the interior gets a great fit thanks to a gusseted tongue and customisable arch wedge. The only aspects letting it down are the measly laces.

Read our full test review of the Fox Union Flat shoe

Specialized 2FO Roost Canvas Shoes are cheap but effective.

Weight: 828g | Sizes: 36-49 | Rating: 10/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

With this latest Roost version, Specialized has nailed the rubber blend, with a sole that stays fully planted in all-conditions. The new 2FO Roost shoes are also lightweight, brilliant value, and feel more like a regular trainer to walk around in than a Five Ten.

Yes, the upper is more flexible and has less support than Specialized’s DH version, but many casual riders will prefer the extra feel and comfort that comes with it. The only concern is durability – while the DH shoe lasts really well, the lighter, thinner, upper on the Roost is unlikely to be quite as durable.

Read our full test review of the Specialized 2FO Roost

Five Ten Trailcross XT flat shoe

Weight: 780g | Sizes: 5.5-14.5 | Rating: 10/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Looking for a shoe with excellent traction off the bike as well as on the pedals? Five Ten’s Trailcross XT is our pick of the bunch with an exceptionally grippy rubber sole and lightweight, flexible upper that’s a breeze to walk in. That sole traction comes from the latest Stealth Phantom rubber, boasting a squidgy 55a compound and dotty lug pattern.

It’s really comfortable to walk in, so it doubles up nicely as a dry weather trail hiking shoe, and the lightweight upper helps make pedalling nice and efficient. On the flipside, there’s not a lot of support in the shoe, or protection from impacts, so it’s not ideal for big mountain riding and long, steep descents. The sizing comes up a touch small – you may need to go up half a size – but Five Ten does offer them. Overall, a great multi-use shoe, if slightly compromised as pure biking footwear.

Read our full test review of the Five Ten Trail Cross XT

The Endura Humvee flat pedal shoes impressed with excellent comfort and great value

Weight: 938g | Sizes: EU38 – 47 | Colours: Black, Olive, Pebble, Navy | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Endura’s Hummvee shoe gets a tacky rubber sole compound called StickyFOOT and casual, skate-inspired styling. The rubber is effective, but not quite as impressive as Five Ten’s blend, so we did experience a few pedal slips in wet conditions during months of testing.

However, the simple, casual styling works well off the bike, so you can leave them on for the post-ride pub or drive home. The fit is faultless, helped by 13 different sizes to choose from. Considering the sub-£100 price, Endura has done a great job with the Hummvees.

Read the full review of the Endura Hummvee Flat Pedal Shoe

The upper on Ride Concepts’ Hellion Elite uses at least 30% recycled PET, which is a decent start… more to come, we hope

Weight: 793g | Sizes: 6-13 including half sizes | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

We tested the previous generation Ride Concepts Hellion Elite shoe back in 2021 and awarded it full marks. Here we have the latest model which now uses recycled materials in the upper, along with more ventilation holes – it does get a £10 price hike though. Alice Burwell has tested the Hellion Elite Women’s shoe, for MBR, also rating it 9/10.

Recent Ride Concepts flat pedal shoes have scored highly as the brand has nailed its own DST 4.0 Max Grip sole compound. Super-soft and grippy, this sole has excellent friction to really lock the shoe onto pedal pins, with sufficient damping to stop feet bouncing off in rough terrain. This Hellion Elite also uses harden-on-impact D30 zones in the footbed, to help absorb harsh landings.

This model is Ride Concept’s softer shoe and it’s close to the Five Ten Freerider in terms of feel and connection to the pedal. However, although the upper is not quite as stiff and supportive, and feels a touch roomy, it certainly beats the Freerider on long term durability. Our tester noted that this latest generation Hellion Elite, with its revised upper, does run a bit cooler and more airy on the hottest days.

The Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex shoe makes winter rides marginally less miserable

Weight: 968g | Sizes: 38-50 | Rating: 8/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Derived from the distinctively rugged Trailcross shoe, this Five Ten offering adds an extended ankle collar and Gore-Tex liner to make it our go-to flat pedal shoe for stinking winter rides. There’s absolutely rock-solid traction on the pedals (or slippery trails) in the wet thanks to the dotty rubber sole, while ridged sections help grip while climbing muddy banks.

The internal sock helps keep feet warm and (mostly) dry, although there’s no way of completely preventing water ingress. It’s good for a couple of hours, but not a full day bog-trotting through the wilderness. Way more expensive than a pair of waterproof socks, it’s debatable whether they are the best investment for the average climate, but if you regularly ride in wet conditions, they are definitely recommended.

Read our full test review of the Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex

The Specialized 2FO DH flat pedal shoe comes up around half a sizer bigger than it should, we’ve found, so downsize or appreciate the winter-sock room

Weight: 870g | Sizes: 39-48 | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reason to avoid:

The Specialized 2FO DH model tested here is no bog-standard skate shoe. This gravity-focused model sports a water-repelling, quick-drying upper, that’s more protective and supportive than the thinner, less chunky, 2FO Roost. It also has an increased height on the crank side ankle area, additional toe box reinforcement and is equipped with Specialized’s cycling-specific inner footbed to align the ankle for better pedalling efficiency.

Specialized’s latest generation of 2FO flat pedal shoes have the grippiest, stickiest rubber soles on the market, with a more locked-on feel against pedals than the benchmark Five Ten models. Whether or not you need so much foothold is up for debate, as the 2FO DH can be hard to reposition – you need to lift your foot up to move it; it’s impossible to shuffle it into place.

Comfy to wear all day, the midsole is thicker than most and excellent at absorbing shocks hammered into the feet by repeated bumps. Our tester did remark that some riders might not appreciate the foot sitting a bit higher on the pedal platform, thanks to that shock-absorbing EVA foam midsole – think Five Ten Impact rather than Freerider. Specialized’s orthotics and exceptional sole grip also mean there’s slightly less sensory connection with the pedal than some thinner, less grippy riding shoes.

The TNT is an awesome shoe if the winter turns out to be a cold one

Weight: 920g | Sizes: 38-46 | Rating: 8/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The robust Ride Concept TNT is listed in the brand’s ‘enduro and gravity’ category but we think it makes a perfect trail riding mid-top boot for winter use. It may not have the waterproof Gore-Tex membrane of the Five Ten Trailcross GTX but there’s no mesh used in the upper and it uses a robust strap to get a snug, secure fit. The TNT’s skate-style looks may have more appeal than the ‘approach shoe’ styling of the Trailcross too.

Ride Concepts uses three different rubber compounds throughout its shoe range and the TNT features the DST 4.0 MAX GRIP rubber, which is the softest the company offers. Our tester measured the durometer and found it to be on a par with Five Ten’s Stealth rubber – it’s the best Ride Concepts rubber he’s tested. This TNT model also gets a hard wearing, custom-moulded rubber toe cap, additional heel protection and a TPP medial midsole protector. To boost comfort, there is a D3O insole and heel reinforcement. Out on the trail, the extra ankle protection and heft of the TNT makes it feel really solid and stable on the pedals.

As it’s not a fully waterproof shoe, the TNT suits colder, drier weather and will need teaming up with a pair of the best waterproof socks for really wet days. This adds to the cost of a fairly expensive shoe and is worth factoring into your budget.

The Crankbrothers Mallet BOA shoes are our first choice for gravity riding

Weight: 944g (pair, with cleats) | Sizes: 37-48 | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Crankbrothers makes the best clip-in pedals for trail and gravity riding, and paired with the Mallet BOA shoes is a match made in heaven. The BOA closure bumps up the price tag, but helps reduce hot spots across the top of the foot when tightened down, and allows for micro tension adjustments while riding.

It’s an extremely comfortable shoe, with a deep heel pocket that reduces heel lift while pedalling, and there’s excellent foot stability while also giving plenty of contact with the pedal and feedback through the sole. Long cleat slots let you run a more rearward stance on the pedals too – great for gravity riding. The price is up there, but the addition of a free set of cleats improves the value if you’re a Crankbrothers pedal user.

Read our full test review of the Crankbrothers Mallet E BOA

The Bontrager Rally is an old design but still performs great for gravity riders

Weight: 886g | Sizes: 37-48 | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Before the Crankbrothers Mallet shoe came along, the Bontrager Rally was our top clip-in gravity shoe. It’s still a recommended product, but it can’t quite match the comfort of its Crankbrothers rival. There’s a synthetic leather upper, reinforced toe box and abrasion-resistant coating on the heel and toe cap, so it’s well protected from knocks and scrapes, and lasts well.

The Velcro strap and lace closure are not exactly cutting edge, but they work, and help keep the cost down. Flip the shoe over, and the sole is wrapped in a sticky rubber that actually feels really secure on a broad platform clipless pedal like the Crankbrothers Mallet DH. We’d recommend going up a size to create a bit more space in the front of the shoe – especially if you’re going to be using this in the winter with a thicker/waterproof sock.

Read our full test review of the Bontrager Rally

Ride Concepts Tallac Clip BOA Shoes are burly and properly planted

Weight: 1,022g | Sizes: 37-49.5 | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Like most shoes with a BOA closure, the Ride Concepts Tallac Clip is an expensive proposition. It’s also a distinctive design, that won’t suit all tastes. But the benefits of the BOA are obvious, with a rapid closure and adjustment, and a really even pressure across the top of the foot.

Big bumpers and a chunky sole mark this out as a gravity shoe, particularly as its bulk can cause issues with crank clearance and doesn’t lend itself to high cadence pedalling. But the stability on a set of platform clip-in pedals is impressive.

Read our full test review of the Ride Concepts Tallac Clip BOA

The Shimano MW7 boots are our winter winners

Weight: 830g | Sizes: 38-48 | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Of all the winter boots we’ve tested, the Shimano MW7 comes out on top because it’s the easiest to take on and off, without compromising on weather protection. Under the big flap is a BOA dial that allows the shoe to completely open up, making access a doddle.

The Gore-Tex membrane, fleecy liner, and gusseted tongue keep things lovely and cosy inside, and if you run a waterproof trouser over the ankle cuff, you’ll stay dry too. It’s a stiff old boot, with a hard rubber sole, so not suited to gravity riding, but for epic adventures in the great outdoors, the Shimano MW7 is top notch.

Read our full test review of the Shimano MW7

The Scott Sch-ralp offers one of the best connections to the pedals out there… maybe to firm for some though

Weight: 1,080g | Sizes: 40-48 | Rating: 9/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The Scott Shr-alp is one of the roomiest clipless shoes we’ve tried, and that makes it ideal if you have big, wide feet like mine. It’s also ideal if you want to run a winter or waterproof sock in there without it bunching. The retention is simple but effective, with laces and a velcro strap, and that helps keep the price reasonable.

Off the bike, the Shr-alp is a great hike-a-bike shoe thanks to tall grippy lugs. It’s still easy to clip in through thanks to a big cleat box and chamfered sides. And on the bike the shoe hugs the pedal giving you a lower centre of gravity than others out there. The only slight drawback here is the lack of damping, but plenty will love that extra connection to the trail.

Read our full test review of the Scott Shr-alp

The AM5 performs really well for an entry-level shoe, with good power transfer and support

Weight: 1,006g | Sizes: 40-48 | Rating: 8/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Shimano has always been a go-to brand for durable, clipless shoes below the £100 price point. And just like this brand’s clipless SPD pedals, most of its footwear is built to last. Shimano has categorised the AM5 as a more gravity-focused shoe but we feel it has broader appeal and is a great value option for the trail rider.

Hitting the scales at just over 1kg for the pair, the AM5 isn’t the lightest clipless shoe, but it has a rugged, well made construction. The synthetic upper is lined, giving plenty of comfort, with a slightly extended ankle section ‘boot’ to add protection and keep out trail debris. Although the AM5’s upper has perforated sections on the sides and upper to aid breathability, the shoe provides reasonable wet weather protection and a touch of warmth.

With Shimano producing clipless pedals as well as shoes, it’s no surprise that the cleat pocket is well placed – it’s offset from the sole’s centre line, with usefully long cleat cutaways and is shallower than some shoes. Engagement is quick and consistent every time.

The Tensor is expensive, but consider it an investment as it’s so well made you’ll be riding it for years

Weight: 854g | Sizes: 36-48 | Rating: 8/10

Reasons to buy:

Reason to avoid:

When we first reviewed the Fizik Gravita Tensor Clip back in 2021, we felt it was one of the most innovative shoes we’ve tested. It was also very expensive, which pegged it back a point. Fast forward a few years and there are now plenty of clip-in shoes pushing £200 or more, so this model doesn’t feel as spendy now, even though it’s gone up £10 since we last tested it.

The Gravita Tensor is not as bulky as it appears – the reinforced ankle protector is low-profile and the ripstop Nylon upper is fairly lightweight and easy to keep clean. The ¾ insert is formed into a neoprene sock that sits inside the body of the shoe, which really helps protect your ankle. A massive PU-laminated bumper on the front of the shoe, and extra material wrapped around the heel protect you from rock or stump strikes.

This model is loaded with neat design details. The offset laces are angled towards the outside of the shoe, which stops them from catching on the chainring, and the cleat box is also positioned closer to the crank arm to increase heel clearance and eliminate crank rub. The large cleat box on the X6 outsole has a good range of adjustment and it’s also quite flat, which we found makes cleat set-up easier. This shoe is still an investment, but it is really well made and offers a level of protection few can match, which is why we’re upped the score a point this time around.

Mountain Bike rider, Helmets, Shoes, Jackets,

Weight: 943g | Sizes: 37-48 | Rating: 8/10

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The Fox Union Clipless is not designed as a winter-specific shoe, but it works really well in wet and sloppy conditions because it’s so easy to clean. Like the brand’s excellent Union Flat shoe, this clip-in model gets a contemporary one-piece moulded upper that gives an exceptionally clean look. The co-moulded rubber reinforcements stretch around the toe and heel, with perforated pockets to aid ventilation. The overall result is an impressively seamless upper that is extremely easy to wipe clean. There are very few crevices for mud to hide, and the rubber dries quickly – ideal for mountain biking in typically wet UK conditions.

Securing the shoe, to ensure stability when cranking on the pedals, are traditional laces and a broad velcro strap. Our test notes highlighted the short laces – so they don’t require extra tidying – and the strap could be cinched up tight without creating a hotspot across the top of the foot. The strap doesn’t even out the pressure as well as the dual Boa version, and the lace/Velcro opening was more difficult to get your foot into, but this shoe is £60 cheaper than the Union Boa Clipless model.

Our tester found a good deal of stability through the entire shoe, both upper and sole, and it’s easy to clip-in and out of platform trail pedals, such as Crankbrothers Mallet DH and Mallet E. Comfort was rated reasonable, but not outstanding, but the tunable arch support (two options are included) is a genuinely useful feature.

Fabio Wibmer has his own signature line Crankbrothers shoes, which double as riding and casual wear

Flat pedal shoes

Ride Concepts has an extensive range of mountain bike footwear and MBR has tested 13 pairs since 2019, so we’ve singled out this brand’s best performers in the guide above. The lace-up Ride Concepts Tallac scored 8/10 and our tester rated it for ‘big mountain riding’, commenting that traction was excellent both on the pedals and when off and pushing. While the BOA dial-equipped Ride Concepts Accomplice BOA Flat was impressively comfortable, our test notes revealed that it ran hot, had too much sole flex, and lacked the pedal grip of the best flat shoes on the market.

Crankbrothers launched its shoe range in late 2020 with options to suit flat and clipless pedals. In our tests, this brand’s flat pedal shoe models haven’t been a match for the class-leaders from Five ten and Specialized, especially when it comes to sole grip. With the Crankbrothers Stamp Lace Flat shoe our review notes suggested that its sole needs a much softer rubber to win our seal of approval. Pedal grip was better on the Crankbrothers Stamp Street Fabio though, a casual shoe that works well for daily wear, commuting, dirt jumping, and the odd razz around the local woods.

Shimano’s GR9 shoe here has been discontinued, but the GF600 picks up where it left, with a solid sole and plenty of support

Shimano scored highly with its affordable clipless AM5 shoe but the flat pedal models we’ve recently tested from this brand have failed to score higher than 7/10. The Shimano GR9 shoe has a well-designed, durable upper that’s breathable and offers plenty of support. However, our tester felt the sole grip was lacking when compared to the class-leading shoes from other brands and its price is high too. It’s now a discontinued model, replaced with the GF600.

The Giro Deed was an all-new shoe when we tested it in the spring of 2023. Sporting old-school plimsoll styling when compared to its burlier brothers – the Giro Chamber II and Giro Latch models – but it does undercut both in terms of price and profile. Although good value, we felt the Deed doesn’t offer much protection or support and while it initially feels comfortable, it isn’t a shoe we’d pick for longer or harder rides.

Since the South African brand Leatt launched its footwear line up in 2020, we have tested four models, including two generations of the Leatt 2.0 Flat Pedal shoe. The price has increased from a bargain £79.99, to £109.99 for the current model, but the score of 7/10 remains the same. Our tester commented that this shoe is as comfy as a slipper, but doesn’t have the security of the best footwear when rattling down mountains.

Endura’s MT500 Burner clipless shoes were a let down, with limited cleat position and poor sizing

Endura is well known for its mountain bike clothing, and recently expanded its offering with a range of footwear. The Endura MT500 Burner Clipless shoe is one of the three mountain bike shoes the brand launched – and we’ve tested them all – along with the Hummvee Flat shoe that our tester rated at 9/10. The MT500 Burner Clipless didn’t impress us though, lacking comfort, sizing up on the small side and offering limited cleat adjustment. The combination of secure lacing and a retention strap gave a solid feel though.

Our test notes revealed that the Shimano AM9 is a super-comfortable shoe, that’s tough, offers ample protection and is stiff enough for most riding. It’s not the lightest or best ventilated and our test sample developed an issue with the sole (although that was covered by the warranty) but we rated it at 9/10. This is now a discontinued model though, superseded with the pricier Shimano GE7.

We tested the Crankbrothers Mallet E Lace clipless shoes in the tan colourway but would choose the black version for year-round riding here in the UK. Our test notes remarked on the wide range of size options, along with a high level of comfort. What stopped it from winning our group test is that it lacks enough stability, which is why we’d definitely front up £15 for the Mallet E Speedlace with the extra strap.

Get Fizik’s Terra Artica X5 GTX boots if you’re a regualar to truly horrible weather, as they’re sure to keep you dry

We gave the Fizik Terra Artica X5 GTX a 9/10 rating, ranking it a close second behind the Shimano MW7 in our best winter boot buyer’s guide. Tested in challenging Scottish weather, our reviewer praised the X5’s well-built construction, warmth and excellent off-bike traction. He noted that these boots were easy to get into and remove, but took ages to dry.

The Fizik Terra Artica X2 is one of the most expensive winter boot options we’ve tested. Our tester didn’t praise it as highly as the Fizik Terra Artica X5 GTX though, as he found it difficult to unclip with some pedals and noted that the BOA adjustment dial was temperamental at times, causing release issues. As with the X5 model, build quality is first class and off-bike traction is up there with the best.

The TrailCross Pro sits somewhere between summer and winter (autumn?!), with decent protection from the weather without being fully waterproof

When we tested the Five Ten TrailCross Pro in January 2023, it felt like a halfway house between a summer shoe and a full-on winter boot. Although it’s lightweight and does offer more warmth than a regular mountain bike shoe, it isn’t waterproof. If you run it with a waterproof sock the TrailCross Pro can be a good choice for milder conditions, because it doesn’t increase weight or bulk.

In testing, the Scott Heater winter boot proved waterproof and offered good off-bike traction. It’s lightweight and available in a wide range of sizes too. Compromises that our test highlighted were the zip, which got hard to move when muddy, making mid-ride adjustments difficult.

The Shimano GF8 is a great winter boot, but we had terrible trouble getting in and out without ripping the liner

If you ride flat pedals in the winter there are currently only a handful of weather-resistant shoes on the market, but one option is the Leatt 7.0 HydraDri winter boot. Our tester remarked on its excellent waterproofing and found it easy to get into and remove. Unfortunately, he felt the sole’s rubber compound was too hard and the pricing high when compared to its rivals.

We had high expectations from the Shimano GF8, another winter boot designed for flat pedals. Plus points were the sorted sole compound and tread pattern, a secure BOA dial and a relatively low weight. Major downsides were the difficult entry and exit, which resulted in the Gore-Tex lining ripping after a few rides. Also, our tester noted that this boot wasn’t fully waterproof in the worst conditions.

To ensure all things are equal, we coupled our shoes with the two test-winning pedals from the mbr group test in the June issue. We also ran these on the same bike so that we could measure crank and chainstay clearance for each shoe and gauge overall comfort and grip without being distracted by suspension and tyre choice.

With the clip-in shoes, we measured the size of the cleat box and clearance around the cleat and focused on ease of engagement/release. With the flat shoes, the main driver is grip, so we measured the rubber compound on every shoe with a durometer. We also did a simple flex test to check feel, and some off- the-bike hikes to gauge comfort and check for heel lift.

The Fox Union Flat Shoe has loads of flat pedal grip

There are two types of mountain bike pedal – clip-in and and flat – and to get the maximum performance from either, it’s necessary to use a dedicated shoe. Since both pedal systems are equally popular, this test includes each type. Increasingly we’re seeing a crossover with newly released shoes, as brands design both clip-in and flat versions of the latest models.

However, some companies still specialise in one particular type, such as Adidas Five Ten for example. Does that make them better at it? Not necessarily, but judging by past experience, it does seem to be easier to make a decent clip-in shoe than one designed for a flat pedal.

Flat pedal shoes work really well for lounging around in

Of course, there is nothing stopping you riding flats in a pair of trainers. However, the shock-absorbing sole will sap energy, the rubber outsole will be too hard and slide on the platform, and the upper will not have enough support. So in our view it’s just as crucial to use a specific mtb flat pedal shoe as it is a clip-in design. With more grip comes more control over the bike, and your feet are less likely to slip off, which is obviously a lot safer.

With clip-in pedals, any SPD-compatible shoe is going to work well because it’s actually the pedal/cleat interface that is responsible for grip and security. That said, a clip-in shoe is under more load when pedalling and during the disengagement phase, and often is supported by a smaller surface area of pedal, so it needs to feature a more stable construction and often a reinforcing strap to reduce flex.

The cleat box has markings to allow you to match your cleat position from left to right

This recess on the bottom of the sole needs to be deep enough that you don’t feel the cleat when you walk, but shallow enough that the cleat engages easily with the mechanism. It’s a fine balance with all the different pedal designs out there, but you can raise and lower the cleat using thin shims (spacers) often provided with the pedals.

BOA closure systems are easy to adjust while riding and can reduce hotspots on the foot.

A big strap across the top of the shoe adds stability, but also makes for a more positive release when twisting the shoe free of the binding. Integrated covers limit mud ingress and stop laces catching in the pedal axle.

Inner ankle protection pads can be useful for gravity riding

Look for an extended section of upper on the crank side of the shoe. This stops your ankle contacting the crank arm when you’re leaning into a corner, or those times when you have to unclip inwards.

Clip-in shoes are generally stiffer than flat shoes – this is primarily for pedalling efficiency, but having a solid sole also means you won’t feel the cleat when cranking hard.

Riding midsole on your shoes puts less stress on your calves and means you can drop your heels and feel like you are riding in the bike instead of on top of it

There are no hard and fast rules regarding the tread pattern on the sole. Some companies use a waffle, others just use chevrons or raised circles. It’s more important to have enough tread, especially at the toe and heel, to create purchase when scrambling up and down steep terrain.

Aka the insole. This should be supportive, stable and breathable. Any extras, like D3O impact zones or Body Geometry fit customisation features, are a bonus.

A thicker layer of anti-scuff rubber reinforcement on the toe and heel adds some long-term durability but also protects your feet against rock strikes and abrasion.

For some reason manufacturers are reluctant to use really tacky rubber on their flat shoes because they cite reduced durability, but with a flat shoe, grip generated by the rubber is everything. If it’s too hard your feet just won’t stay on the pedals, so it’s irrelevant how long the shoe lasts.