5-10 shoes for flat pedals

[Awsmile]

I am riding flat pedals and was advised by my bike fitter to get 5-10s for their midsole and arch support. However, the 5-10s for biking (Impact or Freerider) don't come in any women's fit. None of the biking shoes do. Is anyone wearing these? Any other suggestions? Thanks!

[Bones8]

Do you specifically need a "woman's fit" shoe? It looks like these shoes are marketed as unisex and you should just go by the size chart. I don't BMX so I can't be much help beyond that.

[Irulan]

I am riding flat pedals and was advised by my bike fitter to get 5-10s for their midsole and arch support. However, the 5-10s for biking (Impact or Freerider) don't come in any women's fit. None of the biking shoes do. Is anyone wearing these? Any other suggestions? Thanks!

disclaimer: I have been shoe testing for 5-10

Check out the regular style Freeriders, not VXi or Danny McKasskill. There are several different kinds of Freeriders: it is a very broad product group. The regular Freerider is more narrow and more likely to fit a women's foot than any of the other offerings. I have a very low volume narrow foot and I wear the men's 6.0. (normally a women's 7) That being said, they are coming out with a women's freerider for this season. If your local dealer doesn't carry them, check the 5-10 website.

[Irulan]

Do you specifically need a "woman's fit" shoe? It looks like these shoes are marketed as unisex and you should just go by the size chart. I don't BMX so I can't be much help beyond that.

Some of the 5-10s run very wide. Unisex is relative if they don't fit. BTW, not just for BMXers, regular mountain bikers wear them also.

[polly4711]

Very new to mountain biking here and still riding with flats... do you guys find that a specific shoe really helps? I've had some calf pain, possibly from riding in a running shoe? What are other brands to look into?

[Irulan]

Very new to mountain biking here and still riding with flats... do you guys find that a specific shoe really helps? I've had some calf pain, possibly from riding in a running shoe? What are other brands to look into?

Five Ten is pretty much the only game in town. And yes, a biking specific flat shoe really helps. The sole is designed to work with the pins in the pedals for secure foot placement. If you are wearing tennies and using the came-with-the-bike beartrap pedals, yes, that may be why you have calf pain. Your foot is not secure on the pedal with a running shoe, and the support needs are different. Your foot placement may be off, too. For flat pedals you want the spindle of the pedal at the arch of your foot, not under the ball of your foot.

p.s. You don't need to ever justify riding with flats. I've been biking for over twenty years and switched to flats several years ago and will never go back to clipless for mountain biking.

[thekarens]

I use Tevas. They don't have a huge selection, but they do have a few.

[Jolt]

How is the sole thickness on the 5-10 shoes? I have a pair of Keen Commuters that fit well but the sole is so thick that it requires me to raise my saddle which throws off my whole position noticeably. Would the 5-10s be any better in that area?

[Irulan]

I use Tevas. They don't have a huge selection, but they do have a few.

Are they still sold? I didn't think they were available (not sold) anymore.

Jolt, as for sole thickness, can't say. They are the only shoes I wear with my mtbs so I do not have saddle height issues.

[thekarens]

Are they still sold? I didn't think they were available (not sold) anymore.

Jolt, as for sole thickness, can't say. They are the only shoes I wear with my mtbs so I do not have saddle height issues.

I haven't checked. They may not be making them anymore, but I did find Teva Links for sale on Amazon and the freewheels for sale on Tevas website.

[Irulan]

Either would be suitable. I tested both. They are exactly the same- one is a synthetic canvas, one is not.

[polly4711]

Thank you so much! I just put some awesome platform pedals (recommended by trusty bike shop)! I do try to make sure that my ball of my foot is over center of pedal (like when I'm clipped in on road bike or my around towner). I will have to look into these!

Also, Tevas are still made! They are sold in my local outdoors store!

[polly4711]

My new pedals are the Oddesy twiscted PC pedals. Are these like the one that you use?

[Irulan]

Thanks, Irulan! I meant would free ride be good, or downhill, dirt, etc. ( I suppose NOT downhill!)

I just don't understand the difference between shoes. Maybe it doesn't matter? I probably won't get womens as I wear a size 43.5 in cycling shoes.

Oh , I see. The Karver and Impact are much more burley; designed for downhill inc. They are much stiffer than the Freerider.

[Irulan]

Thank you so much! I just put some awesome platform pedals (recommended by trusty bike shop)! I do try to make sure that my ball of my foot is over center of pedal (like when I'm clipped in on road bike or my around towner). I will have to look into these!

Also, Tevas are still made! They are sold in my local outdoors store!

When riding platform pedals, the foot position is NOT the same as when you ride clipless. The pedal spindle (axle) should be under the arch of your foot, or at least behind the ball of the foot towards the center of the arch. Pressuring the foot for contact with the flat pedal is an important part of technique, and you can't pressure it correctly if you are positioned like you do on clipless. There are several technique reasons why you position your foot as described above. I'm pretty sure we've discussed this at length on the MTB board?