Hi everyone, I am a beginner with MTB. I just recently got a polygon T6 and have been loving it. I’m doing research about all the new aspects with MTB and quickly finding out how pricey this hobby can be. My boss recommended that I get specific shoes made for MTB. I did a quick search to find that they are really expensive. My question is: are these necessary? Or can I find a good pair of skate shoes for a cheaper price? I don’t do hardcore riding yet and only go a few hours a week.
EDIT: thanks everyone for the responses. I will keep shoes on my to buy list, but I will wait a little until I find a good deal.
Get some FiveTen Freeriders if you get any mtb shoes. They’re about $80.
The main advantage to having mtb specific shoes is they grip the pedals better. You don’t want your foot to slide off the pedal when you go over a bump. If you can’t get mtb shoes then try to find a pair of shoes that has a flat but rubbery sole.
Personally I’ve found that even between mtb shoe brands the rubber matters and FiveTen has the best that I’ve tried.
Thank you for the input. I checked REI and the cheapest one of that brand is $110. I’ll keep looking around or wait for a sale. That’s a bit pricey for for me right now.
Probably be on sale during amazons upcoming thing. I prefer the freerider pro over the base version, it’s lighter and stiffer.
Two main reasons for bike shoes - better grip, and a hard toebox. If you mountain bike, very very worth it.
Thanks for the input!
Specialized 2FO are very similar to Freerider Pros but last longer and cost less.
Skate and running shoes are fine but mountain bike shoes may be cheaper in the long run as they will likely last much longer.
When I last bought Freerider Pros directly from Adidas in October 2023, they had a list price of $88 but were on sale for $62. Now Adidas is asking $160 for them, which sounds like a combination of inflation and tariffs. They’re great shoes, but not $160 great, and I don’t expect you’ll find a good enough sale any time soon. I think you’d get more bang for your buck by ensuring you have great pedals with great pins. My favorite is the Stamp 1 Gen 2 by Crankbrothers. I love them whether I’m wearing FiveTens or hiking boots, because of the really meaty pins and large platform.
Ya everything is ridiculously expensive right now. I do need better pedals so I think I’ll get those first.
I rode some singletrack today in an old pair of Vans. I often wear running shoes. You don’t need dedicated mtb shoes.
However, if you can justify the cost of dedicated footwear, then I’ll echo the other comments: look at FiveTen for use on flat pedals or Sidi for use on clipless pedals. They have been solid choices for years.
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I wear combat boots on my rides during the summer and rubber boots in the winter. Skate shoes are perfectly fine. I don’t own any MTB specific gear. I think that even my helmet is intended for skating rather than MTB.
