The Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes for 2023!

There are so many shoes on the market, it becomes difficult to make a decision on which one to buy. We decided to put together a few of our favorite flats for 2023 in order to help you narrow that list down. Join Mark as he goes over a few of our favorite flat shoes of 2023!

The Five Ten Freerider Pro is quite possibly the most popular flat pedal mountain bike shoe on the market. With a ton of protection and tried and true Stealth rubber soles built specifically for handling the most technical of enduro and downhill trails or the most mellowest of flow trails, it is hard to look much further for a new pair of mountain bike shoes. I don’t think I could walk around our office and find a single person who hasn’t owned a pair of these shoes at one point in time, if not currently. The Freerider Pro is the go-to for many mountain bike riders for good reason!

Some of the main highlights of the Five Ten Freerider Pro include:

  • Stealth® S1 Dotty™ rubber outsole
  • OrthoLite® sockliner 
  • Molded EVA midsole 
  • Impact-resistant toe box

If you're looking for durable but stylish mountain biking shoes, but not sure where, look no further... the Fox Union shoes might fit the bill! Just 7 short months ago, Fox released their game-changing Union footwear line which has quickly become some of the most sought after mountain bike shoes on the market. They also have a canvas option which breath better and look more like a classic shoe, if that is what you’re after. We here at Jenson USA have spent a lot of time on the Union line and can attest to the comfort and durability that these shoes provide!

Some of the main highlights of the Fox Union line include:

  • Ultratac™ rubber outsole
  • Custom-tuned EVA mid-sole for unmatched comfort, protection, and feel 
  • Molded internal stiffening plate for power-transfer when pedaling, while also providing enough flexibility to comfortably walk around. 
  • Molded toe cap for ultimate protection against rocks

Our final shoe pick is the Ride Concepts Tallac. Ride Concepts shook up the flat pedal game and released the Tallac back in 2022, immediately making it a contender for one of the most rugged shoes on the market. This shoe is built to thrive in the most toughest of terrain, keeping the rider safe both on and off the bike. The fine folks from Ride Concepts came from the footwear industry before starting their own brand and their knowledge and experience with footwear shows in all of their designs. We’re extremely impressed by Ride Concepts products and wouldn’t think twice about recommending their shoes to anyone! In fact, I still have a couple of pairs Wildcat’s in rotation.

Some of the main highlights include:

  • MAX GRIP rubber outsole
  • Hexagon outsole featuring reverse hex traction pattern on toe and heel for hike-able climbs and descents 
  • D3O® High Impact Zone Technology insole absorbs impact and reduces fatigue 
  • Lightweight bonded upper featuring Cordura® mesh for durability and breathability 
  • TPU toe and heel protection with reinforced anti-abrasion film

Links to products:

Five Ten Freerider Pro

Five Ten Freerider Pro

Fox Union Flats

Fox Union Canvas

Ride Concepts Tallac

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