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I've been riding 5.10 Freerider EPS for a couple of years but the soles have worn thin and it's time to replace. For all the talk of them being a winter shoe with Primaloft insulation, I assume the Priomaloft has now compressed into nothing as they're not particularly warm.
I've looked at the reviews for the various designs but i'm not sure Outdoor Gear Lab understand the rigorous of riding all year round in the west coast of Scotland...
Things I want:
All the grip / Sole stiffness - I enjoy a 5.10 EPS sole, super grippy, more grip the better. I also prefer the stiffer EPS sole to the standard Freerider. Seems to take the sting out of rough stuff.
Robustness / Protection - I smash my feet off things and it hurts.
Water resistance - I ride all year round and often that involves riding in river like trails. I'm aware there is a big hole in the top where you foot goes in but I hate nothing more than "ventilation" all over a shoe. The water just goes straight through the vents as you ride through the first puddle in the car park! Happy to put up with hot feet in the summer for some water resistance. The Endura overshoes might help with the big hole at the top.
Quick Drying - See above - they'll be flung on a radiator after most rides.
Not super heavy - Used for all round trail / enduro riding, maybe with some uplfts too.
What should I be looking at?
PS. I dont like waterproof socks.
I like my Ride Industries - after many years of 5:10 fanboi-ism.
Not sure about the water resistance though ....
Learn to like waterproof socks?
Buy a larger size to fit them?
Buy nicer ones?
I wouldn't even bother trying to keep MTB shoes dry - just focus on the least water retention, so Teva Shimano or maybe spec.
5-10 Trailcross Goretex? Currently available with 30% off.
Vaude.....
And Vaude
PS. I dont like waterproof socks.
There's your problem. They make any shoe a millions times nicer to wear in crap weather.
Or wear thicker Merino socks if you don't care if your feet are wet as long as they are not too cold.
There are new FiveTen Trail cross with a goretex liner but they are £150... size accordingly for a mid thickness merino sock and you'll be fine!
Must admit I will miss my SPD winterboots due to my knee mandated switch to flats...
I have the same issues as the OP, heard good things about the Vaude Moab but can't seem to find anywhere in the UK that actually has a set for sale. Anyone know of anywhere with some stock?
I struggled to get my last set.
I go through a pair every 18 to 24mths so cant complain really.
Socks! I tend to wear thin cotton ones in the summer and thick wool ones in winter. I’ve tried a couple different types of waterproof socks in the past but always ended up with cold feet.
5-10 Trailcross Goretex? Currently available with 30% off.
This new shoe/boot has been a bit of a game changer for me.
You're never going to stay completely dry, but the combination of Shimano MW shoes and thick merino socks has always worked pretty well for me, but they are SPD rather than flat. I have a pair of the above-mentioned Trailcross Goretex waiting to be tested which will hopefully perform similarly (neoprene cuff etc.).
See, also, those foot warmer thingies..
I am in kind of the same boat. I've used sealskinz and helps to keep the feet nice and dry BUT.....
Once the shoes are wet, my feet get cold really quickly and just wont warm up again. The sealskinz don't help with that!
Really fancy trying the Trailcross but at that price its a fair gamble!!!!
Hadn't realised I could get 30% off the Trailcross GTX so I've just ordered a set, £105 and free postage so not much worse than a lot of similar mtb shoes and hopefully more waterproof.
shimano gr9s have a decent flap over the laces. recommended. this years gets rid of it for some crazy reason
I think you can find the voucher code at https://www.vouchercodes.co.uk/adidas.co.uk .
You, sir, are a legend!
TBF the Freerider EPS is just a pretty bad shoe, with its weird mix of insulation that only really works when it's dry, and rubbish waterproofing that gets you wet feet after a few puddles. And then they stay wet. It's like they're made for cold dry conditions only, which OK is maybe a thing elsewhere but even on the most frozen of UK days you'll still usually find a stream or something and that's all it takes to knacker them.
I got a set of Columbia Fairbanks which are a walking boot, and they work way better as bike shoes than the EPS does. (ironically they're pretty bad walking boots, very little mud grip). Enormously better waterproofing, far warmer- kept me snug right through the winter snows of last year and also into the thaws. They also dry fast. The grip isn't five-ten levels, but it's good (the rubber is less sticky but the textured sole works well on pins)
The Freerider Element/DLX (same shoe, 2 names) is pretty similar to the EPS but has actually somewhat effective water protection, stays warmer, and dries faster. A really good everyday shoe but out of its depth in winter.
I just got a set of Trailcross GTXs but they're purely a winter shoe imo, I'll try them again in a couple of months. I've got pretty high hopes for these though they're clumpier than I'd like.
I’m going to go for a pair of Trailcross GTX. How’s the sizing on them?
I’m normally a 45/10 in normal shoes and mountaineering boots.
I am waiting to go to a shop to check these out in person. They look on like they have potential
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-warm-and-waterproof-hiking-boots-sh100-x-warm/_/R-p-307054
PS. I dont like waterproof socks.
I wear thin-ish DexShell all year around - waterproof and thick enough to provide an element of cushioning. Last two winters (Scotland too) I've worn a pair of 5:10 Freerides, which replaced the previous use of 5:10 Impacts (quite a few).
I've also bought a pair of the 30% goretex 5:10's - these will be worn with the DexShells.
Vaude…..
And Vaude
I spoke to someone at Vaude uk in January this year and he said that the uk mail order retail parter Action Outdoors LTD but service had been suspended due to brexit and customs changes required for imports from the EU.
They was hoping for stock to be aavilable in late august / sept so i shall drop them an email agian.
Keep you posted!
feel free to laugh, but you will not get anything as warm and as waterproof as these.
and they are also as grippy as 5/10.
been using a pair for the last 4 winters.
https://www.columbiasportswear.co.uk/p/mens-fairbanks-omni-heat-boots-1746011.html
Endura MT500 Plus overshoes with waterproof trousers and waterproof socks. In colder winter weather add a merino sock liner too. The shoes you wear then become largely irrelevant. I wear five tens and they don't even get damp 99% of the time.
This combination was a game changer for me. Feet stay warm and dry unless you walk through a river or stream etc where any shoe would let water in. Waterproof trousers are essential if you want to keep your feet warm and dry as they cover the top of the over shoe hence water does not get in.
The only issue with the MT 500 plus overshoes is that they are a tw*t to get on, but once on don't budge and they are highly effective. I see that they have brought out extra larger sizes so you should get some to fit.
This is the only real solution to dry and warm feet. You can buy the best waterproof shoes out there but if water can get in over the top, and it will, what's the point.
Morale of the story; invest in waterproof trousers and overshoes. Problem solved.
I'd recommend going a whole size up on the FiveTen Trailcross Goretex if that helps, I had to.
I am waiting to go to a shop to check these out in person. They look on like they have potential
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-warm-and-waterproof-hiking-boots-sh100-x-warm/_/R-p-307054/a >
I'd be interested to see how you get on with those from a stiffness point of view. If they're stiff enough for riding they look like they might be a good bet. Waterproof, warm, probably grippy enough, and not too bulky. Not sure I'm buying their claim though that "They combine comfort, grip and style."
On the waterproof sock front, I've always just gone a size up with sealskinz and then worn some thicker socks underneath - 'cos yes, 5.10s in the winter are rubbish, and there's no point in dry feet if they're in a cold pair of socks. Putting a thick-ish sock between provides a layer of insulation.
I've got a pair of the MT500 overshoes, unused, if anyone's keen? And size 40??-43?
Couldn't get them to fit around my size 44 shoes without a fight.
shimano gr9s have a decent flap over the laces
I can't see past shoes with flaps over the laces. Cack encrusted laces are no fun for anyone and Shimano flat shoes always fit me well.
Vaude update!!!
So Action Outdoors can get some in now, however they only ship one a month and thee next shipment is in 2-3 weeks time.
If you wish to order some and get them on this shipment PM and i will give you the details of the chap i have been speaking too at ActionOutdoors.
I’ve recently ordered the FiveTen goretex with the discount code. Due to be delivered on sat.
I measured my feet as per the sizing guide which came out as a 10 (I’m usually 9.5-10 depending on brand). Based on bits I’d read I then sized up to 10.5. Fingers crossed they’re ok!
ton
Free Memberfeel free to laugh, but you will not get anything as warm and as waterproof as these.
and they are also as grippy as 5/10.been using a pair for the last 4 winters.
https://www.columbiasportswear.co.uk/p/mens-fairbanks-omni-heat-boots-1746011.html/blockquote >
Same ones as me! They're definitely not as grippy as 5 10s though. But they're grippy enough for it not to make much difference for me.
I'm usually an 11 and my Freerider EPS are 12s and a bit tight. I measured my foot length, which puts me in an 11. I've tried 11.5 (a bit long and a bit tight) and 12 (very long and still a bit, possibly the same, tight) so I'm waiting for a pair of 11s to turn up. If they are the right length and not too tight I may keep them, subject to the availability and price of the Fairbanks.
I have some 5 10’s (can’t remember the model) and everything other than the tongue is waterproof. Can’t decide if the person that came up with them is staggeringly stupid or a fantastic prankster.
I measured my feet as per the sizing guide which came out as a 10 (I’m usually 9.5-10 depending on brand). Based on bits I’d read I then sized up to 10.5. Fingers crossed they’re ok!
Just collected them and reckon they’re spot on. I think I could even have got away with a 10 as per their sizing guide if using normal socks, but the half size up allows space for thick sealskins or winter socks.
On top of 30% discount adidas.co.uk free and easy returns so order 2 or 3 sizes and send back what doesn’t fit.
I was a 9.5 in UK Five-Tens BA (Before Adidas) - tried 10 and 10.5 for the Gortex TrailCross. 10.5 would have needed a thick sock all the time. Like the look of those Decathlon socks, as I really don't like thick waterproof socks at all.
I've also gone trousers for this winter. We were talking about this on a ride yesterday. The consensus ones cold, wet feet are pretty much the most unpleasant thing about winter riding. So hoping the TrailCross/Sock/Trousers combo is going to work this year.
Keeping your legs warm will help keep your feet warm.
I am waiting to go to a shop to check these out in person. They look on like they have potential
So I went and checked them out instore. The sole felt about right for stiffness for me. Stiffer than a skate shoe with support in mid sole but not mega stiff so as to loose feel. Didn't buy as they didn't have a pair in my size in stock. Felt quite nice and warm from the touch test. Grip on pedal can't comment obviously but will depend on pedals. Keen to try when they have UK stock and I can try fit.
As reviewed by singletrack track themselves I'm surprised there is not more recommends for vaude moab mid stx, I've had mine for 18months now and they are hands down the perfect MTB boot for UK riding IMO.
As reviewed by singletrack track themselves I’m surprised there is not more recommends for vaude moab mid stx, I’ve had mine for 18months now and they are hands down the perfect MTB boot for UK riding IMO.
Would love to try a pair of the new 5:10s but can't justify it as after 2 winter seasons my Vaude Moabs look box new (after a good clean) and have proved to be the perfect waterproof winter flat pedal shoe\boot.
Does anyone have real world experience with the new goretex adidas boots?
Weighing it up between Vaude moab and the adidas. Adidas are quite a bit cheaper with the discount
I received my pair last week, have only done a short ride with them but they feel really nice. A bit tricky to get on with the neoprene cuff but very snug once they are on and it will be nice not to get pebbles/mud/thorns down inside my shoes.
Can't comment on the waterproofness but I watched some video reviews where the reviewer hosed them down and put them in a bucket and they stayed dry inside.
I can update this thread when I've done some miles in them.
Thanks. Sounds pretty good tbf.
Ended up ordering a pair of adidas.
Hopefully they will be good fit and function.
If not easy return
For anyone still considering, Groupon have an offer on whereby if you buy a £35 Adidas gift card you get a free £15 promotional card too. So, you could buy a couple of these and stack with the 30% code which, by my reckoning, brings them down to £75!
Apologies, how do I get the 30% Adidas vulture?
PS, Groupon sold out.
@thegeneralist - generate a code here.
Shame the Groupon has gone.. saves me buying yet another pair of shoes though!
Does anyone have real world experience with the new goretex adidas boots?
Wore mine for the first time yesterday. It was dry but I went though some wet long grass. So not the stiffest test - but they kept my feet dry, were very grippy, and were comfy. Only slight thing was because of the high cuff, that bit dug in slightly whilst walking in them. No issue on the bike of course which is the main thing and they will probably break in a bit before long. Overall really happy with them.
Thought I would give a quick one ride review of the Trailcross mid boot that I got this week. First impression are good, lighter than my Freeriders, same grippy sole, narrower, and looks that will divide opinion.
I rode Llandegla and there had been a lot of rain before I got there. Thankfully the skies cleared so I was just left to dodge some big puddles. Didn't take long before I got my boots drenched and whilst my feet got wet, they seemed to dry quickly. I was wearing some merino Endura socks. They felt quite loose. I bought an 11, my Freeridersn were also an 11. Quite a few reviews said to go up a size, very glad I didn't. Before my second loop I tightened the main laces and they felt much better. I have quite narrow and very flat feet. I don't fill shoes very well. Couple of other observations; the laces are long and it's hard to keep them from being outside the boot. There is a gap between the inner 'sock' and the outer ankle cuff, a place where water and dirt will collect. Being a narrower shoe, it didn't foul my crank arm like my Freeriders. Oh, and I got mine with the voucher code for 30% off.
7/10 so far.
UK friendly flat shoe would be lovely, but I'd settle for one that fits. Why is everything so narrow? I'd quite like somewhere for my toes to go in the shoe.
Shimano had a new GR9 flat pedal shoe at the eurobike show with a new grippier sole called ultread and a little bootie around the opening to stop trail crap getting in the shoe, might be worth waiting for those to come out.
As reviewed by singletrack track themselves I’m surprised there is not more recommends for vaude moab mid stx, I’ve had mine for 18months now and they are hands down the perfect MTB boot for UK riding IMO.
I'd love to try these, but there I can NEVER find anywhere that stocks them to try on.
Finding UK stock of UK8s was pretty sketchy when I seriously looked last year so I went with the (non waterproof) Adidas Terrex. As I know what size I am in them and that they fit me - I'm more likely to take a punt on the GTX ones than the unknown of the Vaude ones.
Maybe that's why fewer people are using them, combined with the cost?
I think the waterproof (sealskinz merino) sock / cold feet issue is significantly aided by sock liners.
And perhaps most importantly shoes with space for toe wiggling
I have some old climbing liners. Skiers use them too. They seem to work well when there’s snow on the ground -I use with my Sam Hill Impact (looks like old chunky impact but doesn’t hold water like those - and dries better.)
I am looking at some overshoes as well this winter.
My old Lake winter boots finally died in February this year, my Shimino M089's are just mesh. I would like another set of boots - but am struggling to find the money for some good ones.
+1 on warm legs keeping warm feet. My new Endura bibs arrive today - nice windproof panels on front and bum, roubaix throughout. I hope they work, I seem to be really feeling the cold these days in a way I never did use to.
FIVE TEN TRAILCROSS GORE-TEX® MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES ...
Except for stcolin, and their narrow feet... did everyone else size up?
Wore my Adidas trailcross goretex today for the first time riding.
Not massively wet but quite a few puddles about, tried to hit as many as possible.
Feet were bone dry after.
Grip on the peddles is super.
I usually wear 11, sized upto 11 and 1/2. Fits perfectly at that and I have reasonably wide feet.
Very comfortable for me anyway, I love them so far. 10/10
FIVE TEN TRAILCROSS GORE-TEX® MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES …
Except for stcolin, and their narrow feet… did everyone else size up?
Yep by 1/2 or even 1 full size.
Ordering … ta.
Hi all.
The trailcross gtx are back in stock on adidas site if anyone else was waiting for them.
Strictly speaking they're back in stock regardless of whether anyone else was waiting, but you know what I mean.
£105
I keep forgetting I've got the colombia fairbanks, need to roll them out again!
i had my columbia's on yesterday. toasty and grippy.
Vaude Moab again. Coupled with trousers (pants). Dry warm feet no need for sealskins.
I ride in 'approach shoes'- the walking shoe/climbing shoe hybrids that mountaineer types use to walk to their climbing spot, and then do the actual climbing in too. They have stiff, flat soles that grip well and a decent amount of waterproofing. Also really comfy and robust with a toe rand to repel rock strikes
My Trailcross GTX arrived earlier and went for a quick ride. I'm a size 10 in Nike/Adidas and they were true-to-size for me, so I wouldn't recommend sizing up.
Very comfortable to wear/walk in and incredibly grippy sole too (used with a TAG pedal).
Seems to be a mix of people saying size up, don't size up on the trailcross. So I've gone for half a size up 🤔🤞 looks like free returns/exchange so no worries if they're not quite right.
I’ve worn my GTX trail cross a few more times now. Very happy with them still.
On the sizing I think they’re true to size if using the size guide on the adidas site. I went half a size up which gives a bit of space for thick socks but they don’t feel too sloppy with normal socks. I wouldn’t have wanted them any bigger so not sure about going a whole size up.
Half a size up for me, to 8.5. Got the 8s at first, they were ok, and even after ordering the 8.5s it was a hard choice. Eventually settled by wearing both for an hour in the house. The cuff is a bit bigger too so it's less of a battle to get them on and should last a bit longer.
looks like free returns/exchange so no worries if they’re not quite right.
Adidas are brilliant for returns and swapping sizes, don’t worry.
I went for half a size up as well…
🤞🏼
I think it depends on how wide your feet are. I eventually settled on size 47 (I normally wear 46) but they aren’t as wide as I’d like. I just hope they are as waterproof as folk are saying because I won’t get them on if I’m wearing Sealskinz.
Are they noticeably narrower than say Freerider Pro and Impact Pro?
I currently have a silly number of flat pedal shoes in the hall trying to decide which to keep. They all rub the side of the big toe and bend it inwards. The RC Hellion, the Northwave Clan anFreerider Pro and Impact Pro as well as a Freerider DLX. Of those, I think the Impact Pro might have the straightest line from heel, the ball to big toe.
None of them seem to get noticeably wider by going up half and a whole size. The RC Hellion Elite also has a weirded raised bit under the foot opposite the arch support which is a real shame as it's a nice shoe otherwise.
Apologies for any typos. Half my screen is keyboard and half is adverts overlayed so I can't actually see the text box!
I have a pair of the Trailcross GoreTex, and i'm basically a size 10 in everything (including 510's) so went for that. They fit as expected.
Worn them once, but haven't ventured out in the truely minging weather yet. They arn't as substantial as a Freerider Pro, I would assume similar to the normal new Trailcross, which I haven't tried.
Thankfully they have put the grippier sole on these, rather than the massive fail on the new Freerider Pro Primeblue's, which they have put the shyte one on.
None as grippy as the new Spesh Rime Flat though.
As an update to this thread - I picked up some of the Endura MT500 Plus Overshoe II for flat pedals. Rode them in anger for the first time at the weekend and they were very good. I think it says it all when I didn't have to think about them once on a very wet and sloppy ride.
Undid them at the end to reveal dry and clean shoes underneath! We rode at Ardgartan on Sunday morning and it was extremely wet / muddy - roads flooded on the way there sort of thing.
I was expecting the pedal feel to be not as good but, honestly, absolutely fine.
They're a bit of a challenge to get on so best not done in a dark, wet carpark. Took me about 3 minutes to fit them to my 5.10 Freerider EPS.
Longevity TBC but they looked completely unmarked from the pedals so far...
Has anyone tried the Vans MTE range of shoes for general wear or riding. I know they aren't marketed as a riding shoe but thought they could potentially be an interesting option.
I have a pair of well worn low top vans MTE ultrarange and the soles are on the harder wearing end of the scale and the sole isn't the typical waffle sole, it's lugged.
You could try using them but I don't think the grip would be great.
Ah, fair enough. Thought they might have the waffle sole.
Half size up on the trailcross gtx was the correct decision. Bit of wiggle room with a thick winter sock and snug with thick sealskinz. They feel light and comfortable. Looking forward to trying them out properly.
Another option has emerged - Five Ten Freerider Pro MID VCS. Looks are a bit...well, just look at them. But the lack of laces does make sense for a winter shoe, I guess.
Anyone tried these?
They managed to put a lace flap on the Freerider ELC and they’ve put Velcro straps on that ^ so please dear god tell me why when they have at last come out with a waterproof flat pedal shoe does it have exposed laces to flap around and fill with crap? WHY?