Mountain Bike Shoes
Shimano AM5 $150 A
The AM5 is a clipless pedal shoe with a channel around the cleat that combines style, comfort and grip, and is ideally suited for gravity riders. Shimano starts with an abrasionresistant ventilated synthetic upper and mates it to a grippy and durable rubber outsole. The combination delivers warmweather riding comfort and good grip when you’re walking around, after the ride. ( bike.shimano.com)
Fiveten Freerider Pro $200 B The Freerider Pro is an update to the classic Freerider and, as such, offers improved toe protection, faster drying uppers and a very grippy Stealth S1 dot pattern outsole. The result is a shoe that excels in any flat-pedal riding situation. Thanks to the compression-moulded eva midsole and Ortholite moulded sock liner, the Freerider Pro shoes provide supreme comfort both on and off the bike. ( livetoplaysports.com)
Bontrager Foray Women’s $190 C The Foray women’s mountain bike shoe’s stiff nyloncomposite sole and durable synthetic uppers make it a solid choice for trail, ’cross or gravel riding. Bontrager uses its inform Race last to build the shoe. A Boa dial closure with a single hook-and-loop strap at the forefoot snugs things up. This combination delivers comfort, a locked-in fit and solid power transfer. The shoes also feature an aggressive outsole for exceptional traction when running over barriers or doing a hike-a-bike to get to a secret scenic lookout. ( trekbikes.com)
Shimano S-phyre SH-XC901 Conceived as a no-compromise cross country or cyclocross shoe, the S-phyre SH-XC901 is packed with performanceenhancing features to help you be the first across the finish line. Shimano starts with a low stack-height carboncomposite midsole that ensures efficient power transfer and stability without excessive weight. A proprietary Michelin outsole with aggressive lugs and optional 18-mm-long spikes provide exceptional traction if you ever need to dismount and run with your bike. For the uppers, Shimano uses a one-piece construction and combines it with a dual Boa closure system and sculpted heel cup for excellent comfort and a secure fit. ( bike.shimano.com)
Specialized S-works Recon Sporting Specialized’s S-works badge, the new Recon shoes are clearly Specialized’s highest performing option for offroad, gravel and ’cross riding. Specialized starts with an ultralight and ultra-stiff carbon outsole that delivers every watt to the pedals. The addition of grippy rubber heel and toe treads offer exceptional traction when running with the bike. On top of this platform, there is a heel-hugging heel cup and a non-stretch Dyneema upper that help with power transfer during hard efforts. The closure is similarly performanceoriented and consists of two durable alloy S3 Boa dial closures and a single hook-and-loop closure at the forefoot. This combination provides an almost custom-like fit and ensures no energy is wasted during sprints. Finally, Specialized has engineered the Recon to prevent any unwanted movement that could lead to a loss of power and knee pain. ( specialized.com)—gusalexandropoulos