10 Best Mountain Bike Shoes in 2022

Why wear mountain bike shoes?

A lot of mountain cyclists mistakenly think that wearing grippy skate shoes is enough for riding the rugged trails of the mountain. However, this could cause serious injuries in the long run, among other things.

In instances like light trail cycling or BMX riding, skate shoes can be enough. But if you aim to improve on your skills or simply to have more efficient, safe, more fun on the bike, mountain bike shoes are best.

How do MTB shoes work?

Mountain bike shoes are designed from top to bottom to withstand rigorous cycling outdoors. Most of them display a rugged exterior to match the trails.

• The upper is especially designed to prevent injuries by using impact-resistant and long-lasting materials. 
• Perforation details also help keep the foot feeling cool during warmer weather.
• Flat and quite pliable soles provide hike-a-bike comfort and prevent foot ailments
• Excellent traction keeps you upright in slippery areas.
• A rigid sole and cleats on XC shoes ensure efficient transmission of power to the pedal, and prevent foot slip

Choosing your ideal mountain cycling shoes (5 steps)

Following the 5 steps below can make your search easier and quicker.

• Consider your cycling activity
• Choose the pedal type
• Select a suitable closure system
• Figure out the appropriate stiffness level
• Test for the most ideal fit

1. Type of mountain cycling you plan on doing

Your activity and purpose are the first crucial point you need to figure out as there are plenty of MTB shoes for different mountain biking. Below are the primary MTB activities.

2. Pedal choice

Cyclists can choose between clipless and flat MTB shoes. Both types have advantages and disadvantages and deciding which one is better lies solely on your personal preferences.

Here’s the difference between the two.

3. Closure System

Mountain cycling involves rough trails, mud, and unpredictable bumps, chafing, and impacts. These scenarios should be considered in choosing which lockdown mechanism to go for.

Sometimes brands also use 2-3 closure systems in one model to provide the most ideal fit and variety.

4. Outsole material and rigidity

While upper materials are also crucial in mountain cycling (level of protection and breathability), this guide will focus more on the outsole design. 

The two factors that led me to choose outsole instead are the difficulty to quantify and that, essentially, the upper's protection depends upon the shoe's purpose (which is seen above). Also, MTB shoes are already generally protective in nature.

Now that’s out of the way, back to the outsole material. One key factor to look out for in the sole material is its stiffness level.

Note that these units are measured generally, meaning not all shoes with a specific material have the exact rigidity level stated above.

5. Find the right fit

Getting the correct fit can make or break your cycling experience. Here is the tried-and tested advice you can follow to get the most ideal fitting MTB shoes:

• When you’re going to try out a pair, schedule it in the afternoon. Human feet are known to swell as the day passes. This practice will accommodate that swelling.
• Wear the usual socks you regularly use. This way, the fit will really be accurate.
• Walk around with the shoes on and sit on a bench and mimick the motion of pedaling. Pay close attention to your feet while doing these. Make sure there are no pressure points, rubbing, or digging.
• If you do a lot of hike-a-biking, be mindful of the sole stiffness while walking.
• Pay close attention to how your heel fits in the shoe, especially when choosing XC shoes. The heel should fit in nicely and the shoe should hold it firmly.

Top MTB shoe brands

The brands included in this section are the ones with the best-rated mountain bike shoe models. Learn more about each company’s unique offering and strength in the table below:

Can mountain bike shoes be used for spinning?

Simple answer: Yes, but not all.

Most indoor cycling or Spin studios employ indoor bikes with SPD (2-hole) cleat pedals. And since MTB shoes also come with the same cleat design, indoor cyclists can choose to wear an MTB shoe for their studio time.

However, one thing to check is if the MTB shoe is too rigid. Spinning doesn’t require much stiffness. In fact, the more flexible ones are recommended to keep walking around the studio comfortable.

You can check out this in-depth indoor cycling shoe guide to learn more about how to choose your ideal Spin shoes.