Choosing your MTB shoes

 Choosing your MTB shoes

THE MTB SHOES
Having a good pair of shoes for mountain biking is obvious, but it is not always easy to find the perfect MTB shoes among all the models and brands that exist.

In fact, the various manufacturers (including MTB shoes Mavic, Northwave, Sidi, Five Ten, Giro etc.) offer a wide range of MTB shoes for all disciplines. There are some for the recreational cycling, the sporty hiker, the cross-country (XC) competitor, the freerider, the downhiller ... Each MTB shoe has its own characteristics, thus satisfying the precise expectations.

- Choosing your MTB shoes and products

The type of pedals you use on your Mountain Bike (MTB), clipless pedals, and flat pedals should also be considered.

MTB SHOES BY CATEGORIES

HIKING / ENDURO MTB SHOES

The type of pedals you use on your Mountain Bike (MTB), clipless pedals, and flat pedals should also be considered.

MTB Enduro shoes are often medium to high models in order to protect the malleolus. There is also a small rubber reinforcement on the forefoot in case of unexpected impact ...

The sole must be relatively soft to offer comfort. The soles also have studs for safe walking on wet terrain. There are mainly 2 types of soles: compatible with clipless pedals (SPD) or with flat pedals. The system for tightening MTB-hiking shoes is quite classic and is generally made by laces. In high-end models there is a velcro, which makes it possible to wedge the laces underneath.

DESCENDING / FREERIDE SHOES

Downhill mountain bike shoes are sturdy footwear. They are designed to withstand extreme disciplines such as freeride, slopestyle, dirt, street and even BMX. These are shoes with a good compromise between stiffness and flexibility in order to have a maximum feeling when pedaling.

Downhill and in mountain bike, freeride footwear, protection is essential. Therefore, most models are reinforced in the forefoot to protect against unexpected loads or stones.

The insoles of these MTB shoes offer a good stiffness / flexibility ratio. The soles are flat with studs for maximum grip. For these extreme disciplines you will find SPD compatible soles, but also classic flat soles that allow you to roll on flat pedals.

The fastening of this type of footwear is classic and comes close to the tightening of hiking shoes, laces and velcro, to leave a certain freedom to the foot.

CROSS-COUNTRY / XC SHOES

Mountain bike shoes are light and stiff shoes. This type of mountain bike shoe offers cyclists great efficiency because there is almost no loss of energy. XC MTB shoes for competition are much closer to road bike shoes.

These are low models and the shoe stops below the malleolus, allowing for a lightweight shoe. On winter models, a watertight membrane rises above the ankle to keep warm and tight.

The soles are very rigid, always in order to have a light weight and performance. The soles of these shoes have studs and in certain models, metallic points can be added, which facilitates the walk during the carrying sessions. All XC MTB shoes are SPD compliant.

The support in this type of shoe is effective so that the foot is well maintained and the heel does not move almost to maintain maximum power during pedaling. The high-end models are equipped with micrometric calipers to provide precision and optimal support for the feet.


TIPS FROM A MTB RIDER TO CHOOSE YOUR SHOES:

• Try to take a size above or half a size if the brand proposes it, because as in all sports, the foot swells slightly with effort and it is more pleasant to be comfortable in your MTB shoes.
• This does not apply directly to the shoe, but if you are using clipless pedals, check the condition of your MTB shoes regularly and get them tightened.
• To have a good evacuation of perspiration and for better perspiration of the skin, do not hesitate to wear MTB socks adapted to this discipline.
• If your shoes are wet after a wet outing or after a wash, slide the newspaper inside to absorb the moisture more quickly