Model/Year: 2012

Pros: I have been riding clip less for about 4 years, with one year riding on the road and canal type trails, and the past 3 years on full mountain type trails on the rocky East Coast. I understand the concept of the supposed benefits of riding clip less, especially on the road. I can even say that I felt a better pedal efficiency while doing so. So when I started true mountain biking and researched what bike to buy, I also researched the benefits of clip less vs flat pedals. I was convinced that clip less was the way to go, even for mountain biking especially since I was more of a cross country style rider, and not into jumps, speed etc. I got pretty good at clipping in and out, could basically do it without even thinking about it. As I tried harder trails, I began to really notice my limitations with clip less pedals on mountain trails. Wreck after wreck, (usually from stalling on rocks) I would land on my hips, still attached to the bike, hurting my hip and sometimes twisting my knee depending on how the bike would land on me. THE TIME HAD COME: Around January of 2012 I started researching flat pedal shoes and flat pedals. All the other reviews I read, directed me towards buying the Five Ten brand shoe for those wanting to go flat. I read how grippy they were, and how secure they made you feel. I knew I would have to relearn some of my skills on the bike, but decided to take the plunge and purchased a pair of the Freerider shoes along with a pair of flat pedals (Spank brand to be exact, I have a review on them too!). First try at a simple bunny hop, and of course I did not land right and got a nice cut on my shin, which was not good for the confidence. The next day I make it out to our local trails, and within MINUTES, I was riding better than I ever did with clip less. Going up one hill in particular, which I always stalled on and crashed in the rock garden, I was able to make it the whole way with my new pedals and shoes! I will NEVER go back to CLIP LESS while on a mountain bike, as long as Five Ten makes shoes. Their grip is absolutely unbelievable. The style and color are very cool (I have worn them as casual shoes at times) and after almost a year of riding, they have been very durable with no noticeable wear and tear. These shoes have been ridden when it is wet outside, and they still wont slip off the pedals. These shoes (and my Spank Pedals) have positively changed how I feel about mountain biking.

Cons: These shoes can be a bit pricey, but as with most things, to get a quality product, you get what you pay for. With that being said, I have found these shoes to sometimes be up to 50 per cent off at some of the online bike sites depending on the time of the year.

Recommendation: Hands down, if contemplating switching from clip less to flat pedals like I did, going the way of the Five Ten brand will make the transition so much easier!

Model/Year: 2012

Pros: -Comfortable
-Grippy
-Secure Laces

Cons: -Heavy
-Bulky looking

Recommendation: My Freeriders are the most comfortable shoes I own. Although they're heavy, protective, and supportive, they always keep my feet cool. It's doubly reassuring knowing they won't slip, but you can always take them off the pedals when necessary. I've never had the laces loosen or snag during a ride. I'd wear them everywhere, if they were better looking (like the new 2013 models) and not always covered with dirt.

Model/Year: Freerider Black

Pros: - Hands down the best gripping sole
- Durable and Comfortable
- Water resistant
- Doesn't get too hot
- Can find grip on even the worst of pedals
- Grips so well that it feels like you are almost clipped in

Cons: - Grip is so good that its hard to readjust your shoe if you placed it in the wrong place
- Stealth (soft) rubber wears fast if you use them as an everyday walking shoe

Recommendation: Buy them. Don't even bother buying anything else as they do not even compare.

Five Ten offers the best gripping shoes on the market. They are very durable and have withstood many bails and hike-a-bikes. I have also used my Freeriders to do some light rock climbing and bouldering (since Five Ten was historically a climbing shoe company) and they have performed very well.

They are also very firm and provide a very stable platform for pedaling and for those times that you need to eject. The soft Stealth rubber bites into pedal pins and can find grip on even the worst of pedals. This sometimes causes a few issues because they grip so well that you can't readjust your foot very easily. To do so you have to physically lift your foot off of your pedal to readjust.

The Stealth rubber is a soft rubber so it will wear out fast if you are wearing your shoes anytime outside of biking. If you are using it as an everyday shoe and a riding shoe don't be surprised if it only lasts half a year. I have designated my last pair as BIKING ONLY and they have lasted me 3 riding seasons and are about to go on their 4th.

Considering that most skate shoes cost the same as a pair of five tens I don't know why anyone would even contemplate buying something else.

Model/Year: Freerider (white tiger)

Pros: -Stealth rubber = more grip than any other brand shoe on the market
-Sick looks. I love the white tiger and blue zebra patterns.

Cons: None

Recommendation: I recommend these to any flat pedal rider. There is no reason to buy any other brand of shoe if you ride flats. The Stealth rubber grip is superior to anything else on the market.

Model/Year: 2012

Pros: Comfortable. Nice sticky soles for good grip on my Kona Wah Wahs. Warm compared to my clipless bike shoes. They seem durable so far.

Cons: None so far

Recommendation: I bought these to give flats a try after having ridden clipless for years. Paired up with the Kona Wah Wahs I have been very pleased. They are very versatile, comfortable, warm, and do a good job sticking to the pedals.

Pros: Great flatpedal shoe with excellent grip. These shoes grip so much better than my previous shoes (hiking shoes) which I used for biking. Perfect shoe for a wide range of biking disciplines especially all mountain and freeride.

Cons: Durability is not great. Part of the sole is tearing away from the rest of the shoe but this can be fixed with some glue.

Recommendation: Overall, I would recommend this shoe to anyone who likes riding on platform pedals but still wants excellent grip.