Mountain Bike Shoes

Mountain Bike Shoes for Power and Comfort

Your feet are not only the extensions of the leg engines that drive your bikeforward, but also two of the most important points of contact you have with your mountain bike. When you stand up on the bike, which you’ll do frequently when riding off-road, the only things keeping you stable and centred are your hands and feet.With that in mind, it’s important to ensure that you have the right pair of bike shoes for your feet and riding style. Whether you’re looking for shoes for flat or clipless pedals, here at bikester.co.uk we’re sure to have exactly what you need.

Flat vs. Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes

One of the biggest choices you’ll need to make when setting up your mountain bike is whether you want flat pedals and shoes or clipless pedals and shoes.Flat pedal mountain bike shoes are ideal for beginner riders because they forceyou to focus on pedalling technique and make it easier to bail from the bike aheadof a crash. They feature sticky rubber soles that help grip the pedals and prevent your feet from slipping. Flat pedal shoes are also known as BMX or dirt biking shoes because they are almost always used by these riders. These shoes are also popular with mountain bikers who do more technical riding like enduro and downhill and don’t want to be attached to the pedals at all times. Clipless mountain bike shoes are designed to latch onto your pedals using a cleat mounted underneath the sole. These shoes typically have stiff soles with a shank made from nylon or lightweight carbon. This allows you to more efficiently transfer power from your legs to the pedals, but can also make it harder to walk in theshoes when you’re off the bike. Clipless shoes are much loved by cross-countryriders who need optimum power transfer from shoe to pedal and don’t need to remove their feet from the pedals often.If you do expect to find yourself walking some of the trails, look for cross-country and trail riding shoes that offer rubberised lugs on the bottom. The sole may still be stiff, but these traction pads will help you get over rocks and roots.

Closure Systems

Once you’ve decided on the type of mountain bike shoes that are right for you, you’ll want to look at the different ways the shoes fasten.Many flat pedal mountain bike shoes fasten with standard laces, which you’ll need to tuck down to ensure they don’t get caught in your drivetrain. Velcro closures can be just as adjustable without the same loose material hanging off the shoe. Clipless mountain bike shoes come with a wide range of closure designs. Most basic shoes feature Velcro straps, while higher-end shoes often incorporate a Boa closure system or ratcheting strap for more control over pressure points.

Ventilation

Ventilation is extremely important if you’re riding when the weather is hot. Cliplessmountain bike shoes are generally designed to promote airflow so your feet don’t sweat excessively inside the shoes. Flat pedal shoes have less ventilation and the rubber sole contributes to trapping heat.If you ride in the winter, it’s well worth considering a specialised pair of winter mountain bike shoes. These shoes forego ventilation in favour of thin insulating layers to keep your feet warm. Since you’ll wear them less frequently than yoursummer bike shoes, you can expect them to last many seasons.

Mountain Bike Shoes at bikester.co.uk

The best way to find the perfect mountain bike shoes for your upcoming rides is to shop our wide selection at bikester.co.uk. We carry hundreds of clipless mountain bike shoes, BMX and dirt shoes, and even winter bike shoes. Plus, we offer convenient, hassle-free shipping and a 100-day return policy for all mountain bikeshoes.