[Closed] Flat shoes for UK riding

You'll be very unlikely to get breathable and waterproof. I really like my Freerider Pros, in fact I'm on my second pair. Can't see me buying any other flat pedal shoe. I just accept that they aren't the most breathable, they do a reasonable job of keeping my feet dry in a bit of rain. If they get soaked, I fill them with old newspaper, and they are pretty much dry by the following day - more chance of that with a change of paper at some point. Or I stick them on a radiator.

Plus one for freerider pros. Best flat pedal shoes I have had, will get another pair when they eventually die (which appears to be longer than most). Used in winter with seal skins and well happy.

I've got standard freeriders and GR7.

Freeriders - a lot less bulk and padding than the originals, they won't take as long to dry out if your comparison is to the original 5.10's of 10 years ago (I've no idea when Addidas changed them). Worst feature by far is the thin sole, you can feel the pins through it. It's kinda solved by putting a plastic orthopaedic insole in there, but out the box they're not the most comfy on the bike.

Grip in the wet, all biking shoes are rubbish, they're designed to grip pedals not mud. Freeriders especially.

GR7 - nice shoe, the scree guard really does work to keep gravel out of them. Isn't waterproof, but does drain and dry quicker. Marginally more grip off the bike due to the irregular sole pattern not packing full of mud the second you put your foot down.

Sizing on both is a little wierd, the 5.10 feels short and wide, and not very tall. The Shimano just feels big all round (but the size down was tiny all round). So both will depend if they fit or not.

The Shimano is probably the better "British" shoe for what you describe, but I still wear the 5.10's more often.

For wet rides I just wear Northwave SPD boots and gaiters though. Any perceived hindrance to technical riding is made up for with cojones and dry feet.

Trailcross offer better grip for ‘pushing up’ than Freerider Pros in wet conditions. Not as good at keeping out water though.

Yeah, Trailcross are light and let water in easy. They dry faster though.

Vaude moab all year round.

Love them.

I have an older set of canvas Freeerides, can't fault them bar the pushing grip which as mentioned is rubbish.

Freerider pros and just enjoy the pushing all the more

Yep Vaude Moabs for wet, amazing shoe really good. But the five tens have it for pedal grip for sure!

Freerider Pros. If they're on sale in your size buy two pairs.

Some good choices above but remember they all have a big hole where your foot goes in. I've used running gaiters during the worst bits of this winter and they worked well.
(Dont recall who it was on STW that recommended them but thanks anyway!)

One example...
Decathlon Kalenji Trail Gaitors

Trailcross are breathable. They aren’t remotely waterproof and let water in easily but drain very well. You’ll never feel like you’ve got boxes of water on your feet. They dry pretty quickly too. Add a waterproof sock and you’re golden.

Buy a size up.

Coming from non-riding shoes, any of the FiveTens soles will be a massive improvement. Almost too grippy on the pedals.

I’m a die hard 5Ten fan since they first released the Impact.

But have you considered the Specialized Rhyme?

I've just got a set of the new Specialized 2FO DH and they're pretty much perfect, if anything they are grippier than 5:10, much better construction quality on inspection (after years of 5:10 ownership), and synthetic leather uppers with not much by way of vents to leak splashes.

I have had Freeriders and Shimano am41's

The freeriders were awful, once wet they took days to dry out even when on the radiator, too much grip, it was hard to adjust your foot without having to completely remove it from the pedal, plus they are very expensive for something that is going to have a lot of abuse/mud/rocks thrown at it

The Shimano AM41's dried out in a few hours sat on the radiator, good amount of grip but easy to adjust your foot when riding

Best thing about the Shimano AM41 is it has a large flap that goes over the laces, this stops all the mud and crap getting into the laces, also the material the shoe is made of means it wipes off easily and is quick to dry, the large flap is quite well padded so helps with any stones/rocks hitting your foot

Unfortunately Shimano has now discontinued them but luckily i bought up 3 brand new pairs in my size before hand, it has been superseded by the Shimano GR9

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/biking/mountain-bike-flat-shoes/shimano-gr9

I only wear Fiveten freeriders as going out/walking shoes as i like the design just not for MTB use

I have some Freeriders and some Giro Jackets. The Giros are much stiffer and slightly more water resistant but aren't as grippy. I only ended up with two pairs because Five Tens won't dry overnight if you are away and doing rides every day. We do a February trip to Scotland and you definitely need two pairs.

I have the GR9 and they are grippier than the AM41 but not as weatherproof unfortunately. Probably better overall though it's hard to compare a box fresh pair with a very battered pair of AM41

Is there anything with a noticeably wider toebox?

Specialized 2fo for me as i really struggle due to very wide foot. 1 size up and pretty much perfect. Still using my AM41s after 8 years. Soles are a bit knackered now but still going for commuting duties.

I'm in the same position OP. I've just used whatever hand-me-downs are too knackered to wear for casual.. currently using a pair of Air Jordan something or others which aren't too bad but thinking I should treat myself to something decent.

Sorry for the slight thread hijack, does anyone know how 5/10s compare to Nike fitting? (I've a fat/wide foot and high instep.. if that makes a difference) Cheers

Is there anything with a noticeably wider toebox?

Specialized 2fo

Sorry, I should have also added that the 2FO have a good roomy toebox, which I need with wideish feet and high in steps.