Why should you wear mountain-bike-specific shoes? What are the best women’s mountain bike shoes?
Mountain-bike specific-shoes are durable, can help you ride more confidently, and increase efficiency on the the bike. Here’s more on why you should invest in some and our thoughts on the best women’s mountain bike shoes.
Why You Need Mountain-Biking-Specific Shoes
Last week we talked about why we advocate riding on flat pedals, so this week we’re going to chat about why we encourage you to wear mountain-biking-specific shoes. While it’s technically possible for you to wear sneakers, skate shoes, or even Chacos, MTB shoes will boost your performance, safety, and confidence, and allow you to focus on having fun!
Mountain biking shoes are safer
A lot of new riders wear sneakers or skate shoes, especially on gently rolling cross-country trails. MTB shoes are different than regular sneakers because their soles are engineered specifically to stick to the pins on your pedals and prevent you from sliding off when you hit bumps, roots, and rocks. In addition, they help you grip your pedals when you jump, drop, bunny hop, and do rear-wheel lifts. The spikes are brutal on your everyday sneakers – save your soles! Finally, MTB shoes have a reinforced toe box that protects your toes when you hit branches and rocks.
Mountain biking shoes increase efficiency
MTB shoes are stiffer than regular athletic shoes, which allows more of your energy to be transferred directly to pedaling your bike rather than getting absorbed by your squishy shoes. Show your mitochondria that you appreciate their hard work by not wasting energy! In addition, stiffer shoes can help you pedal with better form since there will be less freedom for inappropriate foot flexion.
Mountain biking shoes can help you ride more comfortably
Sneakers that are too flexible can put too much pressure on the balls of your feet, which can lead to accelerated fatigue, cramping, and the potentially heartbreaking feeling of wanting to get off your bike. But before you dig out your wooden clogs, keep in mind that riding with shoes that are too stiff can lead to big-toe pain and numbness. Wearing a quality, MTB-specific shoe will help you find a Goldilocks shoe that is neither too flexible nor too stiff.
Mountain biking shoes can help you ride more confidently
Fear of slipping off your pedals can be a major impediment to trying new features or trail segments (most of us have experienced the soul-searing pain that results when your top tube meets your undercarriage). Wearing shoes that you know will stick to your pedals will help increase your confidence and stoke levels!
Finding amazing shoes is a great first step. Next, learn the correct foot and body positions for tackling features at one of our skills clinics in order to further increase your safety, confidence, and adventure level! Sign up for a Park City clinic here.
MTB Shoes We Wear and Love
We asked our Women in the Mountains community which shoes they love, and the results are in!
Five Ten Freerider Pro By a wide margin, most of our community wears and loves Five Ten MTB shoes. We love the Freerider Pros because they are durable, breathable, and water-resistant.
Five Ten Freerider Pro—Synthetic These shoes are the same as the Freerider Pros above, except with a synthetic material that is warmer and more weather resistant than the canvas options.The Freerider pro is what all of our coaches wear. This Freerider Canvas shoe is another fan favorite coming in at $99.
Ride Concept Hellion Shoes. We have not tested these, but we like the design and imagine the dual-layer water-resistant construction would come in handy for those who—unlike us—do not live in the desert. These will also be near lowest cost mtb shoe.
The Crankbrother Stamp Flat shoes come in really fun colors. They tend to run narrow, so may not fit everyone.
Pearl Izumi and Shimano have some options as well.