We tested 9 of the best women's mountain bike shoes to help you find the right pair to suit your needs, riding style, pedals, and budget.
Click to email a link to a friend Our shoes serve as the important connection between our feet and the pedals and they are critical when it comes to our comfort, control, and efficiency on the bike.
Our favorite flat pedal and clipless women’s mountain bike shoes are listed below. To see the models we tested at a glance, check out ourprovides answers to common questions. And, if you’d like to see more options, we’ve tested the best unisex and men’sFive Ten Freerider Pro Women’sPearl Izumi X-Alp Summit Women’sGiro has been making cycling shoes for many years but until recently, their flat pedals shoes were pretty lackluster compared to the competition.
The uppers are constructed of synthetic panels on the sides with “abrasion-resistant mesh” that allows for pretty good breathability on hot days but offers very little in the way of weather resistance. These shoes will get wet on rainy days, stream crossings, and hiking through snow patches. Simple laces effectively snug up the shoes as needed with an elastic lace tuck to keep them in line.
On the bike, the soles provide great support for the feet with a sole stiffness that lends itself well to long trail rides or days at the bike park alike. They don’t provide the most pedal feedback, but once the feet are planted on the pedals, they tend to stay put. One of the primary reasons for this is Five Ten’s Stealth S1 Rubber outsole with the classic raised dot tread design which is sticky and grabs hold of the pedal pins for a tenacious grip.
The Hellion Clip has a low-volume fit that, not surprisingly, works well for low to medium-volume feet. The fit is quite snug and secure and the lace closure allows you to get a custom fit around the mid and upper foot. The Velcro strap at the top of the tongue adds a bit of additional security to lock the heel down into the heel pocket for pulling up on the pedals while climbing or sprinting and to keep the feet feeling secure over rough terrain on the descents.
As expected with a less expensive shoe, the flex is on the softer side but they have a very distinct pedal feel and provide enough midsole support even on long descents. Given the softer flex and thinner midsole, you can feel the pedal pins and there is a high level of feedback.
If you ride flat pedals you’ll want to be sure to get some flat pedal shoes to work with them. and they typically feature flat soles covered edge to edge with a grippy rubber compound and a shallow tread design intended to interface well with the platforms and traction pins of modern flat pedals.
Aggressive riders or those more focused on the descents may prefer flat pedal shoes or more protective clipless all-mountain shoes. Shoe manufacturers use a variety of different systems for tightening shoes on your feet with Boa dials and laces being the most popular. Modern mountain bike shoes go about tightening the shoes around your feet in different ways. Traditional laces and Boa dials are among the most popular, and they are often used in conjunction with a velcro/hook and loop strap.
Outsole designs on clipless shoes vary more dramatically as the sole isn’t as critical for keeping the foot in place on the pedal. XC-style shoes typically have a lugged sole with more defined rubber tread blocks under the heels and on the sides of the cleat box. These designs tend to walk reasonably well off the bike and bite into loose soils but the comparatively stiffer soles aren’t the best for extended periods of walking or hiking.
Lastly, colors. Many women’s shoes are offered in several color options that include both muted tones and more feminine options like shades of pink or purple that are generally not found in men’s models.Absolutely. Assuming they fit you well, of course. Not too long ago, the bike industry made a major push towards women’s specific products with many brands making women’s models of bikes, helmets, shoes, and other accessories.