Top 10 Best Mountain Bike Shoes Reviews and Buying Guide

For the newbies, the traditional pair of shoes can work just fine for riding mountain bikes. But as their skill level improves, they will need a more specialized product in the form of best mountain bike shoes.

Depending on the rider’s personal convenience, the type of terrain on which he is going to ride and finally the budget which he is willing to spend, one can purchase a handful of shoes from today’s market. But when it comes to purchasing mountain bikes shoes from the plethora of products, customers have to be pretty knowledgeable in this regard.

So if you want to make the most out of this purchase, the below-mentioned guide is of the great essence as far as the best mtb shoes are concerned.

Our Pick:

Giro Rumble VR MTB Shoes

Multipurpose Shoe. The Giro Rumble VR MTB Shoe is another high-quality product for such type of customers who want a versatile footwear.

Featuring Vibram rubber sole, such an outsole provides enhanced traction on the flat pedals. This shoe is compatible with the SPD-cleats so riders can also wear it on the clipless pedals. And when the sole is not so stiff, there shouldn’t be any hesitation in wearing this footwear on both soft as well as hard surfaces.

The Giro Rumble VR MTB Shoes have made use of microfiber leather in their upper and with a meshed construction, it allows the passage of air without any restriction. Inside these shoes is the EVA footbed which molds as per the dimensions of your feet. For users with wider feet, the toe box is a bit spacious and the heel is padded to impart further comfort ability to the feet of its owner.

Pros:

• Perfect footwear for a moderate, casual riding

• Water-resistant upper with a breathable mesh makes it an ideal footwear for outdoor riding

• Lightweight shoe can be worn for all day activities

Cons:

• ·Sole is not too stiff

Final Verdict:

For the admirers of a versatile pair of mountain bike shoes, the Giro Rumble VR MTB Shoes is a real deal.

Runners Up:

Venzo Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycling Shimano SPD Shoes

Value for Money. On ordering this product from Amazon, users will get a couple of cleats and two pedals after from the Venzo Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycling Shimano SPD Shoes. At a time when users are getting so much in one purchase, there is no compromise on quality as the manufacturer is offering a 1-year warranty.

Coming towards the specification of the Venzo Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycling Shimano SPD Shoes, this shoe is compatible with all the SPD Pedal Systems from Shimano. The upper is made of a high-quality synthetic material which – thanks to its meshed construction – is pretty breathable and it also dries up pretty quickly after getting wet.

The availability of three Velcro Straps allows users with different feet size to attain a snug fit. The Venzo is also pretty lightweight as the size 44 of this footwear weighs as low as just 22.5oz.

Pros:

• Complete Package has everything which a customer needs for bike riding

• Lightweight Shoe integrated with superior construction

• Can be used with or without cleats

Cons:

• Question marks about the quality of pedals included in this deal.

Final Verdict:

If you want to pursue your ambition of mountain bike riding without spending too much, have a look at the Venzo Mountain Bike Bicycle Cycling Shimano SPD Shoes.

Also Great:

Louis Garneau Women's Multi Air Flex Fitness/Mountain Cycling Shoe

Lightweight and Stylish. Coming from a famous manufacturer Louis Garneau, who was himself a road cyclist in his time, the Women's Multi Air Flex Fitness/Mountain Cycling Shoe is yet another valuable addition to this brand’s.

The Louis Garneau Women's Multi Air Flex Fitness/Mountain Cycling Shoe boasts a stylish look by the combination of synthetic leather with a meshed upper. Apart from the upper, further ventilation has been provided on the composite outsole.

When this shoe is flexible enough to be worn for spinning classes, it also has the right amount of stiffness to be used for mountain bike riding. There are 3 Velcro straps, all of whom can be adjusted separately to remove pressure points and this shoe is also compatible with the 2-cleat system. Lastly, and most importantly for the fashion-oriented customers, this Cycling Shoe can be purchased in 6 different colors.

Pros:

• Lightweight shoe, Women can wear it all day long

• 3 Velcro Straps provides a much more secure fit

• Water resistant upper with the EVA Midsole keeps a woman’s feet in the best of physical shapes

Cons:

• Runs too small for some customer’s likings

Final Verdict:

Stylish, Lightweight and high performing, the Louis Garneau Women's Multi Air Flex Fitness/Mountain Cycling Shoe is arguably one of the top quality mountain bikes shoes for women in today’s market.

Inexpensive Product. Featuring high-quality microfiber leather in their construction, the Gavin Mountain MTB Sneaker Style Cycling Shoe is one of the best mtb shoes in today’s market.

With a breathable mesh, this shoe can be worn in rising temperatures as the proper ventilation will keep your feet cool regardless of the outside temperature.

On their bottom, the Gavin Mountain MTB Sneaker Style Cycling Shoe has a spot for cleats as this shoe is compatible with SPD-R, SPD and SPD-SL Cleats. Another thing which is important in this shoe is that apart from using it for bike riding, users can wear it at home and even during the spinning classes thanks to its versatile design.

Lastly, the lacing mechanism provides a snug fit and there is a heel tab to assist users while wearing these shoes.

Pros:

• Versatile, Comfortable pair of shoes

• Breathable Mesh protects your feet from unwanted perspiration

• Attuned with a wide variety of cleats

Cons:

• · Runs Narrow in Design

Final Verdict:

If you want a shoe to perform equally well with and without cleats, go for the Gavin Mountain MTB Sneaker Style Cycling Shoes.

Comfortable Footwear. Featuring synthetic leather which is stretch resistant, the Shimano Men's Entry Mountain/Sport Cycling Shoes incorporates meshed upper which makes it a handy product to deal with harsher climates.

The Shimano Men's Entry Mountain/Sport Cycling shoe incorporates a polyamide midsole which is reinforced with fiberglass in terms of increasing the stiffness of this shoe. Such a construction makes it easy for the rider to transfer his/her power efficiently onto the pedal bikes and a couple of tightening straps comes handy when a customer is looking to get in/out of these shoes in a swift manner.

Pros:

• Simple yet effective design for mountain bike riding

• Rubber tread grips well on a variety of surfaces

• Roomy toe box to protect riders from suffering feet pain

Cons:

• Runs Larger in Size

Final Verdict:

The Shimano Men's Entry Mountain/Sport Cycling Shoes are ideal for all such customers who want a nice quality shoe at a pretty affordable price.

High Performing Shoe. The Gavin Off Road Mountain Cycling Shoes MTB have made use of a simple yet effective design to impart power and comfort ability to the feet of its owner.

Just like other such shoes from this particular manufacturer, the Off Road shoes combine microfiber leather with a meshed edifice in the construction of their upper. While the former improves the durability of this shoe, the latter increases ventilation.

With 3 strap closures, the Gavin Off Road Mountain Cycling Shoes MTB can be easily tightened or loosened for that matter. These straps can be adjusted to multiple levels, thus providing a snug fit for users with different feet sizes.

Another thing which is impressive in these mountain bikes shoes is the presence of a stiff sole made of Nylon Fiberglass. Lastly, this shoe is compatible with three different cleat mechanisms namely SPD, SPD-R, and SPD-SL.

Pros:

• Stylish Design to gain praise from the onlookers

• No issue with cleat installation

• Stiff sole to facilitate power transfer while riding the vehicle

Cons:

• Customers have to order the clips separately

Final Verdict:

One for the budget oriented riders, the Gavin Off Road Mountain Cycling Shoes MTB will save you a decent amount of money without compromising on the quality one bit.

Final Verdict:

One for the real riders, the Shimano SH-MT44 MTB Shoes provides a perfect fusion of performance and adaptability.

Robust Shoe. The Shimano SHM089LE Trail Enduro Shoe belongs to such a class of the best mountain bike shoes which feature a stiff sole – for riding purposes – and holds a decent traction to make walking a bit easy for its valuable customers. So if you’re one of those customers who’re still in two minds of whether to purchase the flat pedal shoes – for easy walking – or to go with the clipless shoes for unmatched performance, the Shimano SHM089LE is worth a shot.

These shoes are designed for aggressive trails as the presence of a tough upper – made of synthetic leather – provides users with utmost impact protection. The midsole is reinforced with fiberglass which, apart from providing the required rigidity, keeps your feet from aching even after a ride of several hours. The lacing mechanism is carefully crafted to avoid the formation of pressure points while the outsole features a decent rubber tread for a bit of walking comfort.

Furthermore, there is the Torbal midsole which is Shimano’s way of fusing comfort and flexibility for the rider’s feet is a great. When other shoes believe that the mountain shoes are all about rigidity, Shimano is the view that it is better to provide a bit of flex for better performance in tougher terrains. While keeping the forefoot aligned, this particular midsole allows the sole to rotate. Such a movement allows the rider to have a flawless control, especially in the downhill terrains where it becomes difficult to control the pedals.

Pros:

• Cross X-Straps provides snug fit with even pressure across the top of the feet

• Tough Exterior makes it a viable footwear for aggressive terrains

• High performing TORBAL midsole for Enduro Trails

Cons:

• Sole could be a bit stiffer

Final Verdict:

For the fans of aggressive trails, the SHM089LE (Wide) Trail Enduro Shoe Men's Mountain Bike is a real deal.

Comfortable Shoe. The Scott Sports 2016 Men's Elite Boa is exclusively designed for the fans of Mountain Cycling. At a time when this manufacturer is best known for its bikes, Scott Sports have definitely impressed a series of customers with this cycling footwear.

The upper of this shoe is made of microfiber with the 3D Nylon Mesh providing the required ventilation in case of rising temperature. Featuring a BOA Closure system, it is much more convenient and comfortable than the traditional Velcro Straps. With its help, riders can have a uniform fit around their feet as they just have to twist the dial to attain a snug fit.

The sole is reinforced with Fiberglass which is actually becoming a norm in the modern day mountain bikes shoes. But the difference lies in the use of Sticki rubber which grips well on rocks and any other uneven terrains. Lastly, this shoe is compatible with the 2-bolt system so customers can easily purchase the compatible cleats without any hindrance.

Pros:

• BOA Closure provides snug fit for full day riding

• ERGOLOGIC Insole provides a blend of comfort and support

• Keeps your feet dry with a breathable upper

Cons:

• Some customers complain about lack of proper stiffness in the sole

Final Verdict:

Stylish yet high performing, the Scott Sports 2016 Men's Elite Boa Mountain Cycling Shoe ticks all the right boxes as far as the best mountain bike shoes are concerned.

Inexpensive Purchase. The Tommaso Montagna 200 Mountain Bike Shoe is more of an all-around footwear that can be used for commuting, spinning or even by the fans of mountain biking.

Featuring synthetic leather in the upper’s construction, this shoe provides unparalleled comfort for all day riding. The ventilation is enhanced by the presence of meshed portions and the toe box is specially strengthened to protect your toes from getting numb. The polyamide sole – as is the case with most of the best mountain bike shoes – is armored with Fiberglass to keep the pedals rolling with maximum efficiency.

For micro-adjustments, as that of keeping your foot in place during the toughest rides, the Tommaso Montagna 200 Mountain Bike Shoe with Buckle have made use of a buckle system while the Velcro straps are there to attain a much more uniform fit.

There is no issue with the cleats-compatibility as this footwear is attuned with 2-bolt cleats of all the major brands in today’s market.

Pros:

• Comfortable Upper is a big plus for users interested in all day riding

• Just the right amount of stiffness in the fiberglass reinforced sole

• No issue with Cleat compatibility

Cons:

• Weight is an issue

Final Verdict:

If you believe in multi-tasking, the Tommaso Montagna 200 Mountain Bike Shoe with Buckle is a versatile footwear.

Buying Guide – Things to look for in the Best Mountain Bike Shoes

Types of Shoes

For the riders who are still new to this sport, the idea of flat vs Clip-less Pedals can get a little bit confusing when it comes to the mountain bike shoes. With both sets of pedals have their own advantages and disadvantages, a customer must think carefully before installing either one of them in his or her bicycle. Because on the basis of this selection, riders have to purchase their best mountain bikes shoes accordingly.

Flat Pedal Shoes

Aluminum is normally the chief material of construction on the flat pedals. Incorporating a rather large platform, they don’t require any special kind of shoes to ride upon them. One can simply wear almost any kind of footwear and start pedaling on this vehicle. However, if you’re looking to improve your riding efficiency, the best mtb shoes will surely perform better as compared to the tennis shoes.

The sole of flat pedal shoes is normally made of rubber, which tends to stick with the underneath pedal. They will be stiffer than your everyday shoes and there should be some sort of padding. Another thing which is quite important in the flat pedal shoes is the way they allow the user to get on/off the vehicle without any hindrance. So if things took a wrong turn while riding, one can instantly come off his/her vehicle. However, unlike their clipless counterparts, the flat pedal shoes have a tendency to slip off in the uneven terrains.

Moreover, there are all sorts of a closure mechanism in the flat pedal shoes. Most of them have traditional laces, with some manufacturers opting for Velcro or even the Boa dials.

Clip-less Pedal Shoes

Having a clip attached to the bottom of the shoes, the clip-less shoes can be attached to the pedal in a robust manner. Once the shoe gets clipped on the pedal, your feet won’t slip regardless of the terrain. As a result, the rider can efficiently transfer his/her energy onto the pedals. The Clipless shoes are generally stiffer than the flat shoes and their sole will have an opening for the cleat. For the entry level users, a Nylon Shank is normally used for providing the required amount of stiffness. Shoes having soles made of Nylon can also be used for off-road activities which make them a perfect fit for newbies. However, in comparison to the regular walking shoes, their performance is quite limited.

As per the professionals, users who have to ride through difficult terrains on a continuous basis, they should go for the Carbon fibered-sole in the most mountain bike shoes. Even when such kind of shoes cannot be used for regular walking, but as far as the bike riding is concerned, their performance is second to none.

The retention mechanism in the clipless pedal shoes is generally similar to that of the Flat pedal Shoes. Starting with the lacing mechanism for the beginners, there are Velcro Straps and Boa dials for the high-end users.

Stiffness

There is a general rule regarding the mountain bikes shoes, the stiffer the better. If your main idea of purchasing a shoe is just to use it for riding a mountain bike, go for the footwear having a proper amount of stiffness. It will eventually help you to pedal the bicycle in a much more efficient manner.

Durability

There is no use of purchasing the best mtb shoes if they fall apart after just a season of riding. When customers spend a decent amount of money upfront, they also want the footwear to sustain regular wear and tear. So if you want to save yourself from any such unwanted scenario, purchase mountain bike shoes which are manufactured by major brands.

Conclusion:

If you are real passionate about mountain cycling, it is imperative to make a purchase that coincides with your passion. In place of the regular, traditional shoes, the best mountain bike shoes are stiffer, high performing and lightweight to be used for a greater duration. Once you wear the best mountain bikes shoes for mountain cycling, you’ll feel the difference in terms of the efficiency with which you can transfer your power onto the bike pedals.