The 7 Best Mountain Bike Shoes of 2025: Staff Picks

The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit earned “best in test” for its outstanding versatility. It was a rise-above favorite for its stiff sole, reliable traction and toe-sparing fit. While technical singletrack is where this shoe shines brightest, it crosses over easily to paved bike paths, gravel roads and enduro-style downhill runs. That’s because it satisfies so many criteria that cyclists prioritize, including weight. It’s light but not racer-ultralight, due in part to the lugged Vibram outsole and a reinforced toe box that guards against blows from trail obstacles. The shoe’s stiffness, too, has that “just right” feel to make Goldilocks proud—neither too much nor too little. “In hike-a-bike conditions, the flex gave just enough so that my heel didn't pull or come out of the shoe,” observes one Colorado-based rider, who enjoyed efficient power transfer while pedaling.

The fit of the X-Alp Summit suits narrow- to medium-width feet without crushing riders’ toes. “There is a comfortable amount of room in the toe box. Not having enough room in the toe box is an issue I’ve had with other shoes,” one tester says. The Boa® lacing system also earned props for its speed and convenience. One tester wished that the system also loosened tension by degree (the dial tightens gradually but loosens fully). Even so, the same tester still ranked the Boa® system superior to laces and Velcro.

Perforated synthetic leather uppers dry quickly after stream crossings. Though the tongue can retain moisture, one tester noted, it redeemed itself by staying in place on rides, even as tongues in other shoes tend to wander to the side over time. Finally, the traction of the X-Alp Summit is tops: “I really appreciate the Vibram rubber sole as opposed to the more plasticky, slippery, loud, generic sole on my old shoes,” says one cyclist, adding that "the shoe gives nice grip when walking a steep section, crossing a river or hitting the brewery post-ride.” Buy the women's and men’s).

Affordable and serviceable, the Shimano XC1 delivers the stiffness and support that ambitious beginner-to-intermediate mountain bikers need, both on and off the bike. Underfoot, there’s sufficient rigidity for applying power to the pedals (the nylon sole is reinforced with fiberglass that braces the platform), but the flex is softer than a race shoe. That slight suppleness makes the XC1 comfortable while walking in parking lots and hike-a-bike sections of trail.  

The lightweight build (1 lb. 5 oz. per pair) lends itself to moderate-mileage riding. Wearers also liked that the tongue wraps the foot comfortably and doesn’t drift to the side while pedaling.

There are tradeoffs. Our riders reported that the perforated uppers felt steamy during hot-weather rides, yet the thin materials don’t shield against blows from rocks or other trail obstacles. (Enduro-style mountain bikers might prefer more armored shoes.) One tester found that the stiff fabric and top strap inhibited ankle flexion and felt uncomfortable during descents. And the fit can be inconsistent: Female testers reported a low-volume fit and narrow toe box, while riders who wore the men’s models described an “average” or “medium-volume” fit. Buy the women’s and the men’s.

What’s impressive about the Fox Union Boa Mountain Bike Shoe is how unwilling it seems to indulge in tradeoffs. The shoe is burly, yet it’s also lighter than other bike shoes made for enduro/downhill riding. It’s stiff, but it’s surprisingly comfortable to wear when off the bike. And the two Boa® dials and cables achieve a glove-like fit that feels both efficient and adaptable.

The Union comes with not just one but two well-made insoles: Riders can choose between them to achieve their desired level of arch support. “My feet felt secure—perfectly fixed to the bike and protected,” says one Washington tester. This shoe’s biggest achievement, though, may be its balance of walkability and stiffness. “It helped me pedal like a powerhouse,” says a Colorado-based rider who wore it while cranking up 1,400-foot approaches to technical descents. “Yet it’s surprisingly agile off the bike.” The grippy rubber Ultratac™ sole provides that solid traction, and the molded internal stiffening plates provide just enough flex to allow for surefooted scrambling.

Our riders did have one gripe: A few wearers experienced pressure beneath their ankle bones from the Boa® cable, which runs close to the tongue’s edge. For some testers, this created a hot spot. That said, one rider liked this shoe so much that she considered the flaw worth the trade-off. This shoe shielded her toes from a hard collision with an unseen stump, she reported, and felt likably light over half-day rides through technical terrain. Buy here.

Earning props for a comfortable, foot-wrapping upper that actually accommodates wide toes, the Shimano RX 6 Gravel Bike Shoes appeal not only to gravel riders but also road cyclists. The underfoot cleat mount mates with a wide range of pedal types and manufacturers. But with a lugged outsole that provides secure traction when walking on unpaved routes, the EX 6 is most at home on gravel.

Part of what makes this shoe so comfortable is the BOA® lacing system, which distributes the closure tension across the entire midfoot. A separate hook-and-loop strap adjusts the fit across the toes. And the grippy heel pocket secured cyclists’ feet through all parts of the pedal-stroke (the women’s version incorporates a women’s-specific last that’s even narrower in the heel).

Comfort is just part of the story: The carbon-reinforced sole offers enough rigidity for cyclists who care about finish times and PRs. Its performance cred satisfies riders who expect to feel an efficient transfer of power to the pedals. Buy in women's sizes or men's sizes.

This longtime favorite mountain bike shoe from Five Ten continues to win over cyclists with its sticky, pedal-gripping sole and comfortable balance between stiffness and flex. And it's our top choice for mountain bike riders who prefer to ride flat pedals. (Read more about the difference between flat and clipless pedals.) Our crew found that the support of the Freerider prevents foot fatigue over hours-long sessions at the bike park while also letting wearers walk without feeling like their feet are strapped to wooden planks. “It’s right in the middle of a medium-stiff to stiff sole,” reports one of our riders from Washington state.

The outsole of the Freerider features the brand's legendary Stealth S1 rubber, which clings to pedals with its famously sticky compound. (No surprise from a company that got its start making sticky climbing shoes before venturing into mountain bike shoes.) The outer sole is also “spotted” with little divots or grooves that pedal spikes can sink their teeth into. Ventilation is adequate, thanks to mesh canvas patches across the toes and instep that dissipate sweat. Those same canvas patches also make the Freerider susceptible to wet conditions. Cyclists in soggy locations might consider the water-shedding Five Ten Freerider Pro (women's, men's), which is built with more protection against rain and impact. Conversely, riders in hot, dry climates might like the crankbrothers Stamp Trail Speed Lace Flat Bike Shoes, which won raves for breathability. The Freeriders are also available in a kids' version, which one REI editor's kid found comfortable enough to hit the playground in after a trail ride. Buy the women’s and men’s.

Most mountain bike shoes designed for flat pedals don’t qualify as flyweight, in part because they prioritize protection against hits from roots and rocks. But the airy Stamp Trail Speed Lace Flat from crankbrothers weighs markedly less than most: At 1 pound, 4.5 ounces per pair, they feel light when pedaling and during hike-a-bike pushes, making them the natural choice for long-mileage riding.

The outsole is zoned to deliver varying levels of stiffness, from moderately rigid through the midfoot (for efficient pedal contact) to flexible at the toe for a natural walking stride. Its grippy rubber provides solid adhesion to pedals while also dampening vibrations to reduce foot fatigue. More shock-dampening is provided by the midsoles and insoles (both made of EVA). That construction makes these mountain bike shoes a good choice for longer adventures involving rough and rowdy terrain.

Tough (but thin) panels of TPU reinforce the toes and outer edge of the foot to guard against shocks. But in general, the Stamp Trail emphasizes ventilation over armoring: Perforations in the upper and in the mesh-lined tongue help to dissipate heat and sweat—much appreciated when the mercury rises. Note: Because this unisex shoe is offered in men’s sizing only, cyclists with smaller feet may not find options small enough. Buy here.

The Five Ten Trailcross LT Mountain Bike Shoe is the one you need for a weekend of biking, hiking, camping and just hanging out. It delivers solid cycling performance and easy-wear comfort for all weekend activities and won over our riders who wanted a pair for biking and hiking. “I took these on multiple weeklong bike trips and found myself only wearing these and flip-flops,” reports one member based in Washington state. Its versatility on and off the bike doesn’t mean it’s a compromise for biking, though. “I rode all over Whistler and Vancouver’s North Shore in these—everything from double-black lift-accessed terrain to long climbs and hike-a-bike sections—and I really liked them in all conditions.”

Admittedly, they’re slightly less stiff than the Five Ten Freerider and many other dedicated cycling shoes. But we found it to be sufficiently rigid, and the sole (armed with that grippy Stealth® Phantom rubber) offers outstanding security, both on the pedals and off. “Hiking on dry Rocky Mountain peaks and waterlogged trails in Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, I had all the traction I wanted,” says our Colorado-based tester. Men found the Trailcross LT to fit feet of medium to medium-narrow width best, while our women riders reported an extra-roomy forefoot fit. Buy the women’s and the men’s.