Drift ARC review: A clipless and flat pedal MTB shoe in one, and it's waterproof too

Close-up of a black and orange biking shoe resting on a green bicycle pedal, with a blurred background of foliage. The shoe features a unique design with perforated detailing and is paired with patterned socks. The bike frame and pedal are visible, showing some dirt, indicating outdoor use.

The Drift ARC might look like a casual sneaker, but it’s actually a fully functional shoe for mountain biking. The PNW-rooted brand, previously known as DZR, is staking its relaunch on this waterproof, clipless/flat-pedal shoe that’s sure to turn heads. I’ve been testing a pair this spring and summer, and here’s what I’ve learned.

Drift ARC mountain bike shoe key specs

Lace closure system
Waterproof
Leather uppers and composite midsole shank
Clipless or flat — cleat receiver covers included
Weight: 575g per shoe, size men’s size 12
Price: $240
Buy from Drift

Close-up of a cyclist's foot wearing a black and brown biking shoe, placed on a pedal of a bright green mountain bike. The cyclist is also wearing a patterned sock, and the bike features elements of off-road design, showcasing a natural outdoor background.

A stiff sole for mountain biking

Sneakers are comfortable and look good, but there’s a reason most riders don’t wear them on the bike. A bike shoe needs a stiff sole to help transfer power from foot to pedal. The Drift ARC mountain bike shoes feature a composite shank for stiffness, resulting in a shoe I would describe as medium-stiff for a clipless pedal shoe and stiff-stiff for a flat pedal shoe. It’s not quite as stiff as the Crankbrothers Trail Speed Lace shoes I reviewed last month, but notably stiffer than flat-pedal shoes like the Lems Trail Thrasher and, certainly, the Five Ten Sleuth.

Close-up view of the sole of a black and gray sneaker with yellow laces, featuring a clip for attaching to a cycling pedal, resting on a bed of small gray stones.

Close-up view of the textured sole of a shoe, featuring a unique tread pattern with small dots and waves, along with two metallic cleats positioned in the center. The background is blurred, emphasizing the shoe's details.

The Drift ARC is the rare mountain bike shoe that you can run with flat or clipless pedals, thanks to a removable cleat-receiver cover. As a flat pedal shoe, I found the ARC offers excellent grip. I thought the recessed area around the cleat channel might feel unstable, but it does not.

I also tested the Drift ARC shoes with a set of Shimano clipless pedals. It’s easy to find the cleat when clipping in, and unclipping is smooth too. I hammered hard on several rides with the ARCs in clipless mode and found they do a great job delivering power to the pedals.

Off the bike, the patterned outsole delivers confidence-inspiring grip and stability on wet rocks and roots. The tightly spaced tread isn’t ideal for grip in muddy conditions, but short of shoes with toe spikes or hiking-boot-like tread, nothing is.

Heel-lock lacing for the win.

Comfortable fit and handy lace options

Drift ARC shoes are offered in US sizes from 5 to 12, and half sizes are not available. The Drift website notes, “DRIFT shoes are designed to fit snug for performance, so if you typically wear a size 10 in casual shoes, our size 10 will feel tighter at first.” The brand goes on to note that, “a close fit improves comfort, control, and efficiency on the bike,” which is absolutely true. However, for many of us, a close fit and a comfortable fit are mutually exclusive.

Since I generally wear 11.5 US, I sized up to 12 US. I found this offers a good fit with just enough room inside the toe box for my slightly wide forefoot.

Laces aren’t my first choice for bike shoes, but that’s not to say they don’t work. Unlike most laced MTB shoes I’ve tested, the Drift ARCs feature double eyelets at the top, which allows a heel-lock lacing pattern that’s crucial for a fit that won’t slip.

The other key to making laces work for biking is a lace keeper. This ensures the looped ends of the laces don’t get snagged on your drivetrain or a branch in the trail. The Drift ARCs come with a prominent leather tab that snaps over the bow to lock everything down.

Close-up view of the tongue and lacing area of a black sneaker with yellow laces. The sneaker features a mesh tongue and a gray fabric overlay, with metal eyelets and a snap button at the top. The background shows a textured, gravel surface.

Now, here’s the part I overlooked initially: there’s also a stretchy cord on the tongue to hold the bow so it’s pointed down toward the toe, rather than out toward the sides. The cord can be hard to see because the laces cover it up, but you can see it clearly in the photo above.

Close-up of a black sneaker with yellow laces, featuring a leather strap with a button closure. The shoe is partially dirty, set against a background of gray gravel and scattered leaves. — The shoe with everything locked into place.

Tying the shoe, then tucking the bow under the cord, and snapping the cover in place is a hassle. At the same time, it’s super secure and gives the shoe a clean look.

Close-up of a black sneaker with yellow laces, showing water droplets on the surface, resting on a bed of small gray stones.

They’re waterproof too

Waterproof mountain bike shoes aren’t as common as you might think, which makes this Drift ARC feature all the more welcome. Though the uppers are made with full-grain leather, a hidden, internal waterproof membrane keeps feet dry. Looking at the shoes, I was skeptical they were fully waterproof, but after several shallow creek crossings I can confirm they are.

On one particularly deep crossing, water poured over the top of the shoe, filling the inside. After pedaling for a bit, it was clear the water wasn’t going to work its way out, so I took the shoes off, emptied them, and kept riding.

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Though the ARCs don’t offer much ventilation by design, they don’t run as hot as other shoes I’ve tested like the Five Ten Freerider Canvas shoes.

The real leather material is a nice touch, and after a month and a half of sweaty riding, I can still smell the cowhide. Made in China, Drift notes that the shoes are handcrafted in small batches.

Close-up view of the back of a sneaker, featuring a combination of smooth black leather and tan suede, with a gray emblem in an oval shape and stitching details. The sole of the shoe is white with a textured finish. The background is blurred, emphasizing the shoe design.

Drift has five colorways of the ARC available, and all feature a reflective logo on the back of the heel to help you stay safe at night. Drift ARC shoes are designed for men and women.