Review: 5.10 Freerider Flat Pedal Mountain Bike Shoes

About 2 years ago I switched to riding flat pedals on my mountain bike. I had been riding flats on my fat bike since 2012 and loving it, so I though “why not try it on the regular bike”? For me, there is no turning back. Although I do understand some people like to clip in…chocolate and vanilla.  I have been using Race Face Chester pedals and 5.10 Freerider Pro shoes this whole time. The Freerider pro is a great shoe;  stiff sole, super grippy and lasts a fairly long time.  Laura and I both have been riding them since we switched over.

But I wanted to try something different, so I got the 5.10 Freerider, not pro. It is slightly less stiff and has a bit more venting. Otherwise it seems very similar for ~60% of the cost.

The question isn’t what flat pedal shoe are you going to get, but rather what 5.10 shoe are you going to get, so let us compare the Freerider Pro and Freerider.

The the sole of the shoe has the trademark sticky rubber sole with dot tread pattern. They stick to the pedals like glue. I can’t say I perceive any difference between the pro and non pro there. Both are amazing confidence inspiring shoes.

The next big difference between the two is the material the shoes are made of. The Freerider is a suede shoe with plenty of venting. The Freerider Pro is a solid synthetic upper that blocks out wind and cold. Frankly during the fall, early winter and spring I don’t need to wear my winter shoes with these. In the summer I can’t say I noticed they were hot. Since I have only had the Freerider in the fall of Moab I can feel a little bit extra venting with the mesh that makes me think they may be less warm in the winter, but also probably cooler when the summer comes around.

Like the stiffer sole on the Freerider Pro, the cuff(is that what you call the part around your ankle?) is stiffer and thinker than on the Freerider. As far as riding goes, this feels the same.

So I have had these for a bit now and I can’t tell while riding that they are a different shoe, if I really think about it I can tell the sole is not as stiff. But not while riding, only while trying to tell if I can feel the difference. I would try both on in the store and get whatever one fits you better. They are both great shoes and saving $50 on Freerider seems worth it.

5.10 says: https://www.adidasoutdoor.com/five-ten-freerider-men%27s-mountain-bike-shoe/BTM01.html