The Best Mountain Bike Shoes of 2024: Tested

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 tester, 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 here (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. Testers 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 here (women’s and men’s).

The Shimano XC7 thrilled those testers among us who rack up the miles and pedal more than they walk. Though it’s not the most versatile shoe we tested, our troupe liked them best for long gravel rides or cross-country trips. “These are pure speed race shoes,” says one tester, who now competes in his pair of Shimano XC7s. The carbon-fiber midsoles deliver impressive stiffness for minimal weight. “That stiffness provides excellent power transfer when pedaling,” notes our Colorado racer.

The two Boa® dials and laces provide a slipper-like fit along the entire foot. The shoe’s narrow cut proved best for low-volume feet; one average-footed tester found the toe box to be too confining even for him. (He used a hair dryer to successfully soften the synthetic leather and achieve a custom-molded fit, an intriguing hack that we’re not sure we can recommend to everyone.) Ventilation was adequate for high-temperature rides around Moab, Utah. And although the shoe's stiffness makes them awkward to walk in (“like soccer cleats,” says one tester), the lugged outsole features weight-shaving Shimano ULTREAD XC rubber that provides reassuring grip on rock and dirt.

The XC7 comes in men’s sizes only. Women and other riders might consider the XC5, which uses a fiberglass rather than a carbon midsole, but also fits narrow- to medium-volume feet. The XC5 also impressed testers with its lightweight power. Buy here (XC7 and XC5).

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 tester 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.

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 cyclists who prefer to ride flat pedals. (Read more about the difference between flat and clipless pedals.) Our testers 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 Pearl Izumi Canyon, which bested the Freerider for breathability in our test. Buy here (women’s and men’s).

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 testers who wanted a pair for riding and hiking. “I took these on multiple weeklong bike trips and found myself only wearing these and flip-flops,” reports one tester 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 testers 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 here (women’s and men’s).