Teva vs Five Tens

[Artista]

I wear Five Ten Chase model. These are the low cut, women's shoe. They don't stick to the pedals aggressively enough to require even close to the amount of forethought and energy that it takes to unclip. I think that they stay on the pedals far better than hiking boots but my feet still bounce around on occasion. They've never bounced OFF of the pedal, though. I personally wouldn't wear any shoe that is less sticky than Five Tens so that means that Teva would be out for me.

The other thing that I like about Five Tens is that they don't have a cut out for a cleat. The solid bottom surface provides more contact area with pedal which further helps keep my foot in place. (This applies to Tevas also.)

My feet do stick to the pedals enough to make it difficult to slide my foot to reposition it on the pedal. I have to physically lift my foot a little bit to move it.

I'll never go back to clipless on the mountain bike!

[Catrin]

Thanks to both of you. I've time to think about it - I need to get my front shifter fixed on my Jamis before anything else - thankfully it isn't an expensive fix It will be later in the season before I can get new shoes. Just thinking ahead.

Catrin--no advice. I've always ridden clipless. But I am interested in what you end up doing and how it works out for you.

I am planning on going back to flat pedals this summer for a trial period. I have serious issues with foot pain and numbness. I have tried all sorts of things: inserts, moving the cleats, different socks, different shoes, different SIZE shoes . . . and nothing helps.

I've been reading several articles lately about pro-flat pedals for mountain biking. Including this one.

I will let you know how it goes Limewave. My instructor this weekend was a retired pro downhill racer and she really likes using platforms and Five Tens. I have the idea she used them for training, don't know what she used for racing (she clipped in for the clinic)...Let me know what shoes you decide to go with.

I wear Five Ten Chase model. These are the low cut, women's shoe. They don't stick to the pedals aggressively enough to require even close to the amount of forethought and energy that it takes to unclip. I think that they stay on the pedals far better than hiking boots but my feet still bounce around on occasion. They've never bounced OFF of the pedal, though. I personally wouldn't wear any shoe that is less sticky than Five Tens so that means that Teva would be out for me.....

Thanks Artistia - I see the Chase are sold as a running/hiking shoe. Out of curiosity, have you tried any of their mtb specific models? It sounds like these work well for you though, which is very helpful. Which pedals do you use?

[Irulan]

http://forums.mtbr.com/womens-lounge...ls-790984.html

huge discussion on flats for women, what fits what foot and so on.

[Catrin]

http://forums.mtbr.com/womens-lounge...ls-790984.html

huge discussion on flats for women, what fits what foot and so on.

Ooo, I just saw this post, thanks! I will add this to my reading list! I need to get there more often.

The need for something different became apparent Saturday on our group ride. My pedals weren't even (bad Catrin), and one foot hit a rock while I was going downhill on an edge...and BOTH feet flew off the pedals while flying rather quickly downhill and going into a turn or two Somehow I handled it, didn't panic (the key), and got things back under control without riding off the edge. YES

I think different shoes would have prevented both feet from flying off though obviously something will happen on the side that strikes the rock.

[indysteel]

Hmmm; you also likely would have had been able to keep both feet on the pedals (and had level pedals) if you'd been out of the saddle in a ready/go position, which I'd suggest you arguably should have been if you were going down a rocky descent with a turn a turn or two. In the past, you've expressed some hesitation about riding out of the saddle. Did the clinic make you feel more secure with that?

[Artista]

I've heard women say that they think that the Five Tens run true to size but I had to size up a full size over what I normally wear for athletics. That equated to 1 1/2 sizes larger than I wear for everyday. My foot is a little wide but I can wear most everyday shoes in a B width. I think that you'll just have to try them on to see.

[Catrin]

Hmmm; you also likely would have had been able to keep both feet on the pedals (and had level pedals) if you'd been out of the saddle in a ready/go position, which I'd suggest you arguably should have been if you were going down a rocky descent with a turn a turn or two. In the past, you've expressed some hesitation about riding out of the saddle. Did the clinic make you feel more secure with that?

Oh I can do it, the problem is that on the trails I ride that I am quite comfortable staying in the saddle and thus forget to do it until I am down the descent...I DO shift my weight back however and and and and and...yes, I need to practice more at doing this. The instructor following me said I did a pretty good job at keeping my pedals level. She was coaching me as we rode but she was focusing on other things. I CAN, however, now ride Limekiln in the middle chain - I wasn't brave enough to do that last year

Oddly enough I seemed to be riding better this weekend after 8 months off the mtb than I was before my injury last year. Not that I am complaining but that was a surprise.

I've heard women say that they think that the Five Tens run true to size but I had to size up a full size over what I normally wear for athletics. That equated to 1 1/2 sizes larger than I wear for everyday. My foot is a little wide but I can wear most everyday shoes in a B width. I think that you'll just have to try them on to see.

This is good to know, when the time comes I will see if Zappos has the model I decide upon. I have a narrow foot but not extremely so.

[indysteel]

I know you can do it, I'd just encourage you to practice, practice, practice as it should ideally become instinctive, i.e., not something you "forget" to do. I'm certainly no expert, but from my own experience as a new mtber, it was the biggest thing I took from the clinic last year. Putting it into practice post-clinic was like having a huge light bulb go off in terms of bike handling and safety. Technical sections and descents became so much easier.

And I'm not saying that this solves your pedal/shoe problem. I'm frustrated myself with my platform pedal/hiking shoe combination and have been thinking about my next step. I'm not sure I'm ready for clipless, and I'm not even certain I want to go that route.

[Artista]

The Chase model is listed as a BMX shoe on the Five Ten website. The sole isn't as stiff as my Shimano MTB shoes but stiff enough to ride in. I appreciate the additional flexibility when I have to walk my bike.

I'm using these inexpensive pedals from REI. Here's a link http://www.rei.com/product/752205/we...-21-atb-pedals

[Catrin]

The Chase model is listed as a BMX shoe on the Five Ten website. The sole isn't as stiff as my Shimano MTB shoes but stiff enough to ride in. I appreciate the additional flexibility when I have to walk my bike.

I'm using these inexpensive pedals from REI. Here's a link http://www.rei.com/product/752205/we...-21-atb-pedals

It would be interesting to see how your Chase shoes perform with BMX pedals - my ZuZu pedals have 10 or 12 adjustable pins on each side. I had seen the Chase on another site where they were sold as running/hiking shoes. I bet they are just marketed in different ways. Anyway, thank you very much for your review of these and I will add them to the list I am considering.

Do you find Five Ten's shoe sizes run true? Did you have to go up/down in size?

[Anelia]

Even though I ride clipless and XC, I have a pair of Five Ten Karver shoes. I bought them for everyday use. They have nice grip but withot the effort to unclip. You don't need to go up or down in sizes, I think they are pretty correct (at least in the European sizes). They are comfortable for walking, too. Also they have half sizes.