They range from XC shoes, which are much like road shoes but with a little bit of tread on the soles, all the way to DH shoes that resemble their flat-pedal counterparts, save for cleat mounts. Some flat-pedal shoes have soles that are stiffer than others, but none are as stiff as a dedicated cross-country shoe.Ĭlipless-pedal shoes come in a wider variety of forms, catering to virtually every sort of rider. There’s no right or wrong answer, but it’s well worth considering what type of riding you’ll mostly be doing – XC (cross-country), trails or gravity-orientated riding – because this will influence your decision.įlat-pedal shoes tend to be orientated towards trail, enduro and downhill riders, where feel and grip on the pedals, as well as protection, are important. Shoes can have a large impact on your connection to your bike, so finding the best ones for your style of riding is key. The upper can bunch up when you pull the laces tight, but overall, these are lightweight, well-dialled shoes that breathe well thanks to plenty of air holes, although that makes them less suited to winter riding. Traction and damping aren’t class-leading but are sufficient even in wet and muddy conditions. We prefer the grip and feel here to that of the more expensive GR9s (see below). This means there’s a lot of feedback from the pedals, so you know exactly what’s going on with the bike.

Shimano’s own rubber blend is adequately grippy and is incorporated into a pretty flexible midsole. The sole has a honeycomb pattern in the pedal zone and grippy ridges at each end for hiking.

Shimano’s cheapest flat shoes have a skate-style synthetic upper that saves over 100g compared to previous versions, with a reinforced, rubberised bumper to protect your toes. Grippy sole that can be used for walking.These shoes from Shimano have a skateboarding look to them.

Cat heel shoe with runner sole