A few weeks ago, we released a video that dove into everything you needed to know about choosing the right flat pedals for your mountain bike. What this also meant was that we dove into everything you didn’t know you needed to know about matching those pedals with the right shoes.
Some people loved it, some people…. felt a little grumpy about it. But, hey… you don’t know what you don’t know you needed to know, right?
That being said, to simplify things over in the land of written words, we’ve split top shoes and top pedals into two posts. If you missed the last article that went all-in to pedals, you can read that over here.
A Note from Handles (Savannah): Being completely naive about mountain biking when I first got into the sport, I had such minimal understanding of anything that I couldn’t comprehend what type of gear matters and why. Where do you invest? Where do you make do with what you have?
Why would you need shoes specifically for biking? They looked like normal shoes to me. So, for at least a few rides, I wore my normal gym shoes… that is, until my toe collided very painfully with a root, and I somatically understood the importance of a sturdy, protective toebox. Mountain bike shoes, here I came! But, as per usual, my shoes are not included in this comparison review (Giro Riddance in a wonderful turquoise, because: color!). 😊
Did you miss the original video? You can enjoy that right here.
Editor’s Note:
These articles are adapted by Savannah (Handles) from Jeff Kendall-Weed’s YouTube videos for riders who prefer reading over watching. They’re written in Jeff’s first-person voice to stay true to the style and storytelling of the original content.
Flat Pedal Shoes: Put the Money Where It Matters
Good shoes matter more for flats than for clips – yes, they cost more. But the upside?
They’re comfortable off the bike, great for all-day riding, and surprisingly good grocery-store footwear. The only disservice I am doing you with this review is that, unfortunately, I have not included my infamous loafers in comparison.
But before we go any further, I have to share a quick winter hack: any flat shoe becomes a winter shoe with waterproof socks. You can find my favorite here (honestly – I will tell everyone who will listen, and even those who won’t!). As we are in the heart of winter, this feels like an important thing to highlight. Especially after a season of such heavy consumerism, none of us are probably wanting to spend unnecessary money. So? Make once piece of gear the extra mile, instead of having two.
The only time this advice may be remiss is when you are pedaling through two feet of snow. Our second ride in Iceland was smack in the middle of the snow storm of the century, so we kept our boots firmly on our feet.
New Technology: Is It Always An Upgrade?
The more “advanced” everything becomes, the more technology seems like less an upgrade, and more a downgrade.
BOA tech has arrived in flat shoes – for better or worse.
You may be familiar with the technology found in modern ski and snowboard boots. BOA was born in 2001, with Gary Hammerslag’s goal to elevate the comfort, convenience, and performance of snowboard boots. You can now find them in shoes, boots, helmet, and yes… mountain bike shoes!
BOAs generally stay tight but need re-tensioning as shoes get wet and stretch. Releasing them can be annoying, and when BOA breaks, you’re emailing customer service instead of grabbing laces at a 7-Eleven: planting your seat in front of a computer, instead of firmly on your bike seat.
3/5 of the shoes I’ve reviewed have the BOA technology… There is always a give and take, no matter where your preference lies. For Handles, who has notoriously cold fingers and toes, the BOA system is more convenient than trying to use numb fingers to tie shoes. To each their own!
Whatever your choice… You deserve good pedals. Just remember: great pedals don’t work without great shoes.
As always, a big thanks to Jenson USA for sponsoring this video! And, thank you for following along with my journey. Any purchase you make through the links sprinkled throughout this article support me (at no additional cost to you), and help me continue to create content and grow the JKW team! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Five Ten Freerider Pro Boa: Soft soles, soaked trails, zero drama. These have carried me through every wet ride without a single complaint from my feet. 
Five Ten Impact: Built for bike parks and gravity days, these are the old kings still holding the throne. Huge grip, real protection, and a footbed that pedals hard without turning numb. Shimano GF800 GTX: Warm, grippy, and surprisingly cozy — the winter shoe that made cold-season riding actually pleasant. Shimano’s softest rubber + Gore-Tex = happy feet. Ride Concepts Hellion BOA: Ride Concepts has leveled up, and these are their most comfortable low-tops yet. BOA dial, solid construction, and they actually dry out in a reasonable amount of time. Shimano GR903 might be the sleeper hit of the flat-pedal world — affordable, grippy, quick-drying, and way tougher than the price tag suggests. I’ve put two pairs through years of abuse, and they’re still kicking.
TLDR; A Quick Flat Pedal Shoe Comparison
| Shoe | Price | Closure | Grip | Sole Feel | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five Ten Freerider Pro BOA | $170 | BOA | Excellent (especially wet) | Soft / flexible | Wet trail riding, daily use, easy on/off |
| Five Ten Impact | $180 | Laces | Excellent | Medium-stiff | Bike park, DH, shuttle days, protection |
| Shimano GF800 GTX | $250 | BOA | Very high | Medium | Winter riding, cold & wet conditions |
| Ride Concepts Hellion BOA | $221 | BOA | Moderate | Very stiff | Riders wanting support & stiffness |
| Shimano GR903 | $170 (often less) | Laces | High | Medium | Value buy, all-around trail riding |
Without Further Ado… Flat Shoe Reviews
Five Ten Freerider Pro BOA – $170
Lately, the Freeride Pro BOAs paired with waterproof socks have been my rainy-day go-to. (Have I told you about waterproof socks???) They’re easy to get on and off – much easier than the higher-topped shoes below – and for winter riding they fit well with waterproof socks without feeling bulky. They also dry quicker than bigger shoes, which matters if you’re riding frequently in wet conditions.
One surprising benefit is the very flexible sole. That softness makes it easy to feel exactly where your foot is on the pedal, and when combined with the legendarily soft Five Ten rubber, it results in some of the best wet-weather grip imaginable. Yes, the soles have deformed significantly over time, but it’s not very noticeable once you’re actually riding. My BOA system likely needs a warranty after about a year of use, but for now, it still gets the job done.
And a bonus? The white looks quite snazzy in a dark forest, if I do say so myself. Even — especially?? — when splattered with a healthy dosage of mud.
Five Ten Impact – $180
The Five Ten Impacts are the gold standard for bike park, downhill, and freeride riders the world over. The grip is excellent, with a nice, stiff footbed that pedals well, but not so stiff that you lose pedal feel.
My favorite part is the protection: a legit toe box, plus ankle protection that has genuinely come in handy over the years.
That said, while these shoes absolutely have a place, they aren’t perfect. The laces are cheap, the crank guard has fallen off, and they take a long time to dry, making them less than ideal for wet-weather use. Still, for bike park or shuttle riders, these remain the benchmark – twenty years after their initial release.
Shimano GF800 GTX – $250
Last year, these were some of my favorite winter riding shoes ever. The rubber is Shimano’s softest to date – nearly Five Ten–level grippy – and the Gore-Tex keeps your feet happy in wet conditions. Are they waterproof? Mostly. Are they comfortable? Yes. I was genuinely stoked on these shoes and rode them a ton.
That said, after near-daily use, two issues showed up. First, the pull strap would rip off the shoe. Shimano warrantied that on newer models where the issue was addressed, but eventually the inner seam at the heel cup would also start to pull apart as your heel slides past.
Shimano was great to deal with on warranty, and I still love riding in these, but with daily use, be prepared for potential durability issues.
These days, I keep my one remaining pair in a special place, only coming out on truly extra-wet days. They’re that good – and I’m optimistic Shimano will eventually fix the inner heel cup for good.
Ride Concepts Hellion BOA – $221
Ride Concepts has improved a lot over the years. These are the most comfortable Ride Concepts shoes I’ve worn so far. The BOA system is fancy, and they dry out decently.
Unfortunately, the grip on the pedals wasn’t great – it feels like the rubber is too hard. The soles are very stiff, which might be a plus for some riders. For a low-top shoe like this, though, I’ve generally preferred the feel of a lighter, softer sole.
Shimano GR903 – $170 (Often on Mega Sale)
Simple, cheap Shimano GR903 (often on discount) are surprisingly good flat pedal shoes. The rubber grips the pedals really well, yet still allows you to reposition your foot easily. Once they get soaking wet, they dry quickly, which is a nice bonus for trail rides in variable weather.
Overall quality has been solid – I’ve had two pairs for a few years, and both are still in rotation. Seeing them on sale at 65% off recently, this is absolutely worth considering if you’re looking for a reliable, budget-friendly flat pedal shoe.
You can see these shoes in action in this YouTube short, which inspired the name “Pogo” from Handles.
Now, over to you.
I’m going to leave you with a riddle, and I’m curious what your answer is.
In the media world, the average consumer thinks that the camera body is the most important investment when it comes to equipment. BUT, that’s actually not true. The lens (or glass) is where you want to put your money.
Is the same comparison true when it comes to pedals and shoes? Yes? No?
If yes, which one is the camera, and which one is the lens? Let me know what you think below!
We’ve got a lot of commentary going on over at the YouTube video. The top shoes I didn’t include are:
… Specialized 2FO flat shoes, Crocs, Vans, North Shore Billet Daemon…
Would you add any others to the list? Should I do a follow-up video focused only on audience favorites? Let me know in the comments below, or over at YouTube!
p.s. Thanks again to Jenson USA for sponsoring this shoe (and pedal!) review, and thanks to LMNT for keeping me hydrated. Grab a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase! (The sample pack includes 2 samples of 4 of their top flavors, for a set of eight packets.)
And? If you’re new here and interested in learning new skills, you can sign up here for my Patreon. Each month, I create a tutorial exclusively for subscribers to help you build your bike skills.
Peace and Wheelies!
🚴 Jeff
