Five Ten Trail Cross Mid Pro Mountain Bike Shoes

Pedal Compatibility: Clipless Vs Flat

Clipless ShoesOne of the first steps in narrowing down your mountain bike shoe search is determining pedal compatibility. Starting with clipless designs, these shoes allow you to connect or clip directly into the pedal with a metal cleat . The big upside of being connected is its easier to put the power down and pedal efficiently. This makes clipless a popular choice for longer rides and XC use. It also can be comforting to not have to worry about foot slippage while hitting jumps or riding through semi-technical terrain. That said, it takes some time to get comfortable with being clipped in and build up the muscle memory to kick the heel out to disconnect. And even once its second nature, you still wont be able to get your foot off the pedal as quickly as with a flat pedal option. As such, clipless shoes arent as popular among beginner ridersunless theyre coming from a road riding backgroundand fewer folks use them at the bike park or on very rough downhill trails.

Freerider Pro Mid Vcs

The D30 pad is strategically placed on the inside of the ankle for extra protection.

On the bottom, a Stealth S1 Dotty rubber outsole is used to provide the legendary Five Ten grip on flat pedals. Above that, theres a compression-molded EVA midsole for comfort and shock absorption. The Freerider Pro Mid VCS is priced at $180 and is available now.

Five Ten Mtb Shoes Indoor Cycling Kit From Le Col A Peach Of A Jersey From Endura And Bling Components By Jrc

Our round-up of the weeks latest tech arrivals

Its Friday again dear readers. We hope youve had a good week despite everything and are staying at home, staying fit and, most importantly, staying healthy in these difficult times.

Its also time for another round-up of all the coolest stuff to grace our desks this week. Luckily for us, as Fifth Harmony so poetically put it, we can work from home, oh, oh, oh-oh, so although our office may be closed for the time being were still here at the coalface of content.

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Five Ten Trailcross Gtx Mountain Bike Shoes Bottom Line

Alex Evans / Immediate Media

The Trailcross GTX is a milestone product, bringing waterproofing to the famous Five Ten flat pedal grip. Its performance matched my expectations too, and my feet remained dry and warm in even the wettest of conditions, while grip was spot on.

Care needed to be taken to make sure the rest of my setup was worthy of the shoes waterproofing, however, and it was only as good as my ability to close the gap between trouser leg and shoe cuff. Maybe gaiters will be the next must-have product.

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Five Ten Trailcross Gtx Mountain Bike Shoes Performance

Alex Evans

Thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane, the Trailcross GTX can be comfortably submerged in water up to the membranes limit for prolonged periods without any ingress.

They are truly waterproof, then, especially given on-trail wettings will be splash-based or, at the worst, brief submersions in deeper puddles or water crossings much less demanding than a 20-minute bath.

Riding in atrociously wet conditions didnt highlight any shortcomings, and my feet remained dry for the entire duration of each ride. No water entered through the shoes body, and while my feet were dry, they also remained warm even in some of the harshest conditions I ventured out in.

However, when the water depth exceeded the height of the membranes cut-off, it soaked down the internal layers of the shoe, wetting the inside. This was only a significant problem in full-submersion scenarios such as bottom-bracket deep river crossings and puddles, where water levels exceeded the mid-ankle membrane limit. In these situations, even calf-height waterproof socks would be pushed to their limits.

Alex Evans

Their performance was also directly related to how dialled in the rest of my setup was.

To guarantee dry feet, I had to wear waterproof trousers with ankle openings that were tight to stop water splashing upwards onto my legs and socks, then wicking down them into the shoes and long enough to cover the part of the neoprene ankle cuff that doesnt have a Gore-Tex membrane.

Alex Evans / Immediate Media

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Five Ten Trail Cross Mid Pro Mtb Mens Cycling Shoes

High top shoes for adventure biking.To bike pack is to explore. When the ride is more about the adventure than the destination, these adidas Five Ten mountain biking shoes fits the bill. Pedal, push and hike in any terrain with the comfort, traction and support made for all-day adventure.Ankle supportThe mid-cut design provides coverage and support.Non-marking outsoleStealth® Phantom rubber offers high-friction grip and non-marking utility on and off the bike.Strategically placed paddingThe padded ankle provides coverage and protection.Versatile tread patternThe dotty rubber outsole offers unbeatable grip in wet or slippery conditions.Features:

• High top adventure biking shoes
• EVA midsole
• Non-marking Stealth® Phantom rubber outsole

Le Col X Wahoo Indoor Training Jersey And Bib Shorts

Rob Spedding / Immediate MediaRob Spedding / Immediate Media

Unless youve been living under a rock, youll almost certainly have noticed that indoor cycling, related indoor cycling apps and kit are really having a moment right now.

With that in mind, more and more brands are making indoor cycling specific clothing, and this latest offering is the result of a collaboration between premium kit manufacturer Le Col and Wahoo.

How exactly it differs from outdoor cycling kit is a bone of contention of course, but generally indoor cycling kit puts an increased focus on breathability, sweat management and pad comfort.

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Five Ten Trailcross Gtx Mountain Bike Shoes Details And Specifications

Alex Evans / Immediate Media

Headlining the shoes features and differentiating it from the rest of Five Tens range is the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane. The membrane provides total waterproofing across the shoes upper, tongue and neoprene section up to a stitching track that traces a horizontal line halfway up the neoprene upper.

In theory, this means the shoe is fully sealed from water ingress and can be totally submerged up to the stitching line on the neoprene collar. The neoprene upper has an adjustable hook and loop cuff thats designed to reduce mud ingress and provide a more stable ankle support.

The sole is made from Five Tens famous Stealth Phantom rubber thats been designed to provide flat pedal grip and on-foot hiking traction. The toe and sides have a protective rubber reinforcement to provide foot protection.

Alex Evans

Its midsole has flex points to improve comfort when walking, but is claimed to be stiff enough for flat pedal performance.

My pair of size UK 8 shoes weighed 850g.

Stiffness And Power Transfer

A stiff build underfoot is a defining feature of mountain bike shoesits what allows you to put the power down to the pedals. But the level of stiffness varies quite a bit by model. For example, a dedicated cross-country racing shoe like the Specialized S-Works Recon is incredibly rigid and awkward to walk in, while a budget-friendly trail model like the Giro Jacket II is flexible enough to wear every day. Unfortunately there isnt an established measurement for comparing stiffness , but in general, rigidity increases with price and level of seriousness. Racers, particularly those in events that require a decent amount of pedaling, will want the stiffest shoes around. For the rest of us, a well-balanced design like the Shimano SH-ME5 or Five Ten Freerider is a better match.

Taking a closer look at construction, manufacturers incorporate stiffness in a few ways. A standard option for a moderately rigid shoe like the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit is to insert a ¾-length shank into the midsole. This provides decent strength for pedaling and makes it more comfortable to stand for extended periods, while retaining enough flexibility to walk around. Race-ready designs incorporate strong materials like carbon fiber into the entire length of the sole. This maximizes stiffness for putting power down but compromises in walkability and comfort. The most flexible designs are the cheapest and rely simply on a thick midsole and rubber outsole for shock absorption and rigidity.

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Five Ten Trailcross Pro Clip

Back in the 1990s I used to have a pair of Adidas Trail Response trail running shoes, and I wore them everywhere. Back then, Leah had a pair too and we mustve looked like twins stepping out on campus together. Well, twins except for the fact that Im more than a foot taller.

The new Five Ten Trailcross Pro Clip-in shoes aka Trailcross CL sorta remind me of those sneakers, at least in terms of the styling. Its hard to believe that its been 11 years since Adidas bought Five Ten, and slowly over that time, weve seen more and more of the Adidas design language and branding cross over to their cycling shoes. The Trailcross has been a popular line and this year the Trailcross Clip-in adds the first clipless option.

Five Ten Trailcross Cl Shoe Fit

Adidas offers easy-to-follow online sizing instructions, though I dont think theyre all that accurate. I measured the length of my foot from heel to big toe and according to the chart, I should order a size 10.5 US. I tend to wear size 11.5 across most brands and shoe types, and the Hellcats Ive been wearing for years are size 12. This time around I decided to split the difference and go with size 11.5.

Lengthwise the shoes fit great with plenty of room for my toes. However, the toe box seems to be a bit narrow for my feet. Its really only a problem if Im walking down a hill which is a terrible idea anyway. Downhills are for riding! But in all seriousness, I found that tightening the top strap works to prevent my foot from sliding toward the narrower end of the toe box. Still, I would say the fit is on the narrow side, especially compared to other Five Ten shoes I own.

Chris found the fit on the womens shoe to be narrow as well. The selling point of this shoe for me is the narrow toe box. I have impossibly narrow feet and the width of the TrailCross CL is just right. For comparisons sake, I have never once said that about any of the shoes Ive reviewed. Im equally surprised and delighted they are so narrow based on other Five Ten shoes Ive worn in the past.

Five Ten calls the fit regular fit for what its worth, and generally, I think most riders should order their usual size. Chris says she ordered her usual athletic shoe size and found a perfect fit.

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Five Ten Kestrel Lace

Category: TrailWeight: 2 lbs. 1.2 oz.What we like: Burly and powerful for all-mountain riding.What we dont: Heavy and stiff build can impact comfort.

Five Tens MTB shoe line covers nearly the full spectrum of options, and the popular Kestrel here slots in as a powerful all-mountain design. Offered with standard laces or a Boa closure , the clipless Kestrel is built for serious riders with a stiff and armored construction. Power transfer is excellent thanks to its nylon/carbon shank, and we found the sturdy platform does a nice job minimizing foot fatigue even during extended descents . And as expected from the brand, everything has a high-end look and feel, from the lacing and strap fit system to the sticky rubber underfoot.

Weight: 1 lb. 11.6 oz.What we like: Comfortable with good protection.What we dont: Grip falls short of the Five Ten options on this list.

Shimano is a major player in the clipless worldunderstandably as they make the ubiquitous SPD clipless pedalsbut they also have a sneaky-good flat pedal lineup. Their $170 GR9 is a solid offering meant to balance the needs of trail and downhill riders. It features a similar neoprene cuff as the ME7 for keeping out small rocks and dirt, but this top-end model has standard laces . That said, weve tested a number of the GR models over the years and have been consistently impressed with the collections comfortable feel and high-quality, long-lasting build.

Trailcross Mid Pro Specifications

For tight fit, go one size down. For a loose fit, go one size up.

Fitting Advice

The sizing for Five Ten shoes has shifted over the past few years, historically the shoes were famous for being quite roomy so riders would often size down. However, the later models such as anything with Pro in the name feature a more athletic, a narrower, closer fit for performance.

89% of our customer returns between September ’21 and March ’22 for Five Ten shoes were because the customer found their selected size too small, in light of this we’d generally recommend you size up from your normal shoe size when purchasing.

Measuring Tips

Sizing information provided as approximate reference.

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Differences Between The Five Ten Trailcross Mid Pro Vs Trailcross Xt

The shoe I’d wanted to test all along was the Trailcross Mid Pro, seen here. Despite the name, it is actually closer to a high top, and thankfully the neoprene cuff on the Mid Pros is more snug than on the XTs. Unlike the Trailcross XT, the Mid Pros do a very effective job of keeping out all of the stuff your front tire kicks up at your feet and ankles, leaving your feet protected and comfortable.

The other notable difference between the Trailcross XT and the higher-cut Mid Pro is the d30-clad protection zone on the inside and outside of each ankle. This feature will be one that appeals more to some than others but is thankfully thin and not really noticeable, so even if you have no use for ankle protection whatsoever, you’ll never notice it. Unless you need it – then you’ll be thankful. Those with bulbous ankle protuberances no doubt have memories of very painful contact with cranks, the occasional chain stay, or something on the outboard side like a stump or rock if you’re really unlucky. No matter what it hits, your medial malleolus is especially sensitive and that shit hurts. I’ve hit it over the years, and a little extra protection in this case is a nice touch, especially because it doesn’t add bulk or weight that you feel.

The sole of the Mid Pros features Five Ten’s Stealth Phantom rubber, with the familiar dotty pattern throughout, and ridges at the heel and toe which provide great traction when hike-a-biking or bird-dogging that next steep line.

Walking And Hiking Comfort

We touched on this in the stiffness and outsole sections above, but walkability is a very important feature for some riders. Ambitious backcountry trips or bikepacking adventures can often involve lengthy climbs, which means you need your bike shoes to play two rolesone as a capable and efficient biker, and the other as a grippy and decently comfortable hiker. The best hiking shoe often is not that great for bikingmoderate flexibility is good for walking but bad for power transferso we look for hybrid designs that are adept at both. The Five Ten Freerider is a very comfortable shoe off the bike , and leading clipless designs include Shimano’s SH-ME5 and SH-ME7 and Pearl Izumi’s X-Alp Summit.

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Foot And Toe Protection

Mountain biking is a rough sport, and moving quickly over technical trails demands a lot from your footwear. Nearly all shoes include a toe cap to take the sting out of a rock strike, but there are notable differences between shoe categories . Cross-country riding prioritizes weight and power transfer over all-out protection, so theyre usually the thinnest along the sides and top of the foot. Trail shoes have more cushioning for taking falls, and downhill/freeride designs are the burliest.

An additional consideration is protection underfoot. Shoes with thin mid and outsoles may not provide enough in the way shock absorption, which can become painful over lengthy sections of rocky and rooty trail. Again, trail and downhill shoes provide the highest levels of comfort in these cases. A design like the Five Ten Hellcat Pro does an impressive job keeping your feet isolated and safe.

Best Mountain Bike Shoes Of 2022

A quality mountain bike shoe plays a number of important roles. Its solid platform delivers power to the pedals, strong construction keeps your feet protected, and secure fit increases comfort for long days on the trail. Our top picks for 2022 below fall into three general categories: lightweight cross-country designs for extended and non-technical rides, trail shoes that can handle moderately rough terrain, and downhill models for the harshest trails and biggest jumps and drops. Another important consideration is your pedal type, and weve included our favorite options for those who prefer flats or like to be clipped in . For more background information on mountain bike shoes, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks.

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In 2021 we intensified the process of verification and sent our portfolio to 350 brands. At least 9 out of 25 defined criteria have had to be fulfilled. About 100 companies and brands met the requirements and therefore qualified for our WIR DENKEN UM label. These brands profess responsibility along the entire supply chain, pursue responsible purchasing practices and ensure fair working conditions in their production facilities. These companies produce in environmentally and resource-friendly ways, have short transport routes and use resource-conserving packaging materials. Products that have earned our WIR DENKEN UM label make more sustainable alternatives when compared with conventional products.