Mountain Bike Shoes
Mountain bike shoes are matched to the pedal first — two-bolt clipless or flat rubber — then to how far you expect to walk in them.
The buying advice on this page is retained from the original article. Its 2018 product picks have been removed — the links were dead and the models discontinued. Current model tables live on the brand pages.
Finding the best winter mountain bike shoes doesn’t have to be a major hassle if you know what to look for when buying a pair. The following mini-reviews will highlight the best winter mountain bike shoes for this year and showcase their features, benefits, and drawbacks. Each review also includes specifications that give you a feel for how well they work for your winter sporting needs. Don’t hesitate to try a pair out to experience more comfortable biking during the winter.
What decides the choice
| Specification | What it changes | Options in use |
|---|---|---|
| Sole type | Has to match the pedal | Clipless (2-bolt SPD) · flat |
| Rubber | Softer sticks to flat pedals and wears faster | Firm · sticky compound |
| Stiffness | Stiffer transfers more power, walks worse | Index 3–8 typical off-road |
| Closure | Speed and precision of adjustment | Laces · hook-and-loop · ratchet · BOA dial |
| Protection | What guards the foot off-road | Toe cap · ankle collar |
| Weather | What makes a shoe a winter shoe | Membrane · insulation · overshoe compatibility |