The Ride Concepts Livewire ($122) was completely revamped in 2024. The latest version has a cupped sole, a synthetic canvas and microfiber upper, and a Max Grip rubber outsole. It’s one of the most affordable flat pedal shoes we’ve tested, and with solid pedal traction and comfort, it is a great entry point for any rider. They also come in a women’s version.

The Livewire shoes feature a synthetic canvas and microfiber upper, a traditional tongue, and a level of TPU toe/heel box protection similar to other all-around flat pedal shoes. We noticed that the upper felt a bit stiff out of the box, and we experienced some pinching on the first few rides, but everything smoothed out as the shoes broke in. While we don’t have enough time in them to comment on long-term durability, the stitching and attention to detail are tight and consistent, and our impressions are good. 

The synthetic canvas upper is comfortable once broken in, but it did not handle wet conditions as well as we hoped. For the occasional puddle splash on a sunny day, they were fine, but for truly rainy rides, we found they could soak through to the liner and our socks, and the synthetic canvas remained wet.

On warmer days, we were generally comfortable in the Livewires, but they didn’t breathe or manage heat as well as the Crankbrothers Stamp Trail or Five Ten Freerider Pro. If you live in a mild, dry climate, the Livewire is a fine option. For riding in humid, wet, and hot conditions, we’d look for a more versatile shoe to handle a wider range of environmental conditions.

On the trail, the MAX GRIP outsole provided very good traction. It’s not quite as tacky as Five Ten’s Stealth S1, Giro’s Tack, or Specialized’s SlipNot ST outsoles, but it is a reliable, grippy option that performs well across all terrains and riding styles. The hexagonal lugs are also a pattern we like for intuitive foot repositioning, and, like other Ride Concepts models, we never felt stuck or like we were trying to find the right spot when repositioning our feet. 

The Livewire’s sole stiffness is what we’d call medium. It’s strikingly similar to the Five Ten Freerider Pro and the Fox Union and slightly softer than the Giro Latch. This provides a good grip and a moderately supportive platform, though we’d recommend a stiffer sole if you are an endurance type of rider. That said, the stiffness is pretty well balanced and seems pretty ideal for most riders doing laps after work. 

While they weren’t our top choice in a wet, humid climate, the updated Ride Concepts Livewire represents a solid value in MTB flat pedal shoes. For newer riders or clipless riders looking to experiment, the Livewire is a solid option in terms of traction, support, and style that won’t break the bank.

The Five Ten Freerider Pro ($160) is undoubtedly one of the most popular flat-pedal mountain bike shoes on the market, and for good reason. Five Ten set the standard for grip years ago with their Stealth rubber compounds, and other brands have been slow to catch up (though some finally have). Even with stiff competition, the Freerider Pro remains a highly versatile model with excellent grip and a loyal following. The Freerider Pro comes in a range of colors, the Pro Canvas (with a canvas upper), as well as a women’s version.

Given the popularity of the Freerider Pro, the fit seems to work for lots of people. They are true to size, but after testing them alongside a selection of other shoes, they are a little higher volume in comparison to the Giro Latch or Fox Union, for example.

The toebox is roomy but not cavernous. They should work well for those with average to slightly above average-width feet, although riders with narrower feet may need to lace them a bit tighter to lock down the heel.

The Freerider Pro is a comfortable shoe and has a non-existent break-in period — the synthetic upper, midsole, outsole, and Ortholite liner are supple out of the box. The upper is perforated at the toebox and provides a reasonable amount of breathability.

The water resistance is average — it handles puddle splashes and light drizzles just fine — and the synthetic upper dries fairly quickly. It isn’t a heavily armored shoe, but the stiff and lightly padded heel cup and the reinforced toebox provide adequate protection for most riding.

On the pedals, the Freerider Pro has an outstanding feel, which is the primary reason people love them. The thin sole has a low stack height and is profiled to give the toes a slight lift, making being on the balls of your feet the neutral position, which interfaces well with most pedals. The Stealth S1 rubber outsole is the gold standard for friction-based traction, and it certainly doesn’t lack grip.

The grip is consistent at all temperatures and on all terrain — it’s a tacky rubber that sticks well to the pedal pins and other surfaces off the bike. The sole isn’t super stiff. Instead, it flexes a little around the pedal body and provides a tactile feel.

It is worth mentioning that the Stealth rubber does show wear marks from the pedal pins more quickly than other outsoles, though, in our experience, they continue to grip well and generally last for a season or two, depending on how much you ride.

While not overly flexible, the sole of the Freerider Pro is similar to the Ride Concepts Accomplice and slightly softer than the Giro Latch, Specialized 2FO DH, or Ride Concepts Tallac BOA. While those stiffer shoes will provide marginally more efficient pedaling, the Freerider Pro offers a little more tactility and a balanced flex that so many riders have come to know and love.

Off the bike, they are easy enough to walk around in and fine for quick hikes or sessioning features, but there are better options for adventure rides with big hike-a-bikes, like the Five Ten Trailcross XT, for example.

The Five Ten Freerider Pro has enjoyed a long reign of dominance as one of the best flat pedal shoes on the market and is still a great option. The Stealth rubber outsole provides excellent traction and balances the softer feel and roomy fit to be a versatile shoe that will serve most riders well. There are stiffer and more protective options, but the excellent pedal grip and balanced ride feel of the Freerider Pro make it a safe bet.

The Specialized 2FO DH Flat ($150, on sale for $40!) is an aggressive shoe purpose-built for downhill riding. Not only is the SlipNot ST one of the tackiest rubber compounds on the market, but the high level of foot protection, thick, damp midsole, and durable leather and textile upper make the 2FO DH a standout for DH and aggressive riding.

The 2FO DH Flat uses Specialized’s Body Geometry fit, which has three main components. The Varus Wedge, longitudinal molded arch support, and Metatarsal Button are intended to provide better alignment of the foot and lower leg to enhance comfort and power. While that is hard to quantify, we found the platform and fit of the 2FO DH Flat very comfortable for longer days in the saddle, and the feet felt fresher after long rides or when riding rougher terrain.

In terms of fit, the 2FO DH Flat feels like a shoe built for high performance on the bike. The heel pocket holds the heel securely, and the laces over the midfoot make it easy to get adequate tension. The forefoot is a little roomier, but it is worth noting that the toebox is tapered a bit more at the front than some other models, and if you have notably wide toes, you’ll want to try these on before you buy to ensure you get the right size.

As a DH shoe, the 2FO DH offers quite a bit of foot protection. The toebox is heavily reinforced, and the medial ankle cuff is raised to add some coverage from ankle strikes. The cushioned EVA midsole provides a good level of vibration dampening and is paired with an internal shank that adds stiffness and stability.

Pedaling efficiency is solid, given the stiffer sole, and they don’t fold over the pedal the way some softer models do. Conversely, they don’t provide the same level of tactility as softer flexing shoes, but there is still enough feedback and pedal feel while delivering smooth and consistent power transfer. And while they are marketed as DH shoes, they also work well for all-day pedaling missions.

The SlipNot ST (Super Tacky) rubber is extremely tacky and grippy. If grip is your highest priority, the 2FO DH Flat has you covered. These shoes have the “stickiest” feel on the pedals of any shoe in this round of testing, providing a truly locked-in feel. They are so grippy, in fact, that they require very deliberate movements to reposition the feet.

While this level of grip may not be ideal for those who like a bit of foot mobility, it is truly impressive and will definitely appeal to those who want to feel glued to the pedal pins. This is particularly great for their intended use, where you don’t want to worry about blowing off the pedals at high speeds in aggressive terrain.

During some particularly wet testing rides, the leather/textile upper proved to be surprisingly water-resistant and was easily one of the best at keeping the feet dry in sub-optimal riding conditions. Still, they remained relatively breathable despite the small and minimal ventilating perforations.

For a burly, extremely grippy, protective shoe that manages water resistance and breathability quite well, the Specialized 2FO DH Flat is an excellent choice. The high performance and impressive pedal traction make these an excellent option for outright grip and aggressive riding on rough terrain.

If your riding doesn’t stop just because it’s cold, wet, or both, the Shimano GF800 GTX ($250) is a flat pedal shoe you’ll want to check out. Featuring the same TORBAL 2.0 midsole, ULTREAD GF outsole, and raised medial ankle support found on the GF600, the GF800 GTX adds BOA L6 cable laces and a full GORE-TEX liner/ankle cuff to optimize them for cold and wet weather conditions. The craftsmanship is impeccable, and say what you will about the aesthetic, but we think they look great, too.

The overall fit of the GF800s is very similar to the GF600s, although they have some different features. The fit is mid-volume and relaxed, similar to the Five Ten Freerider Pro, and easy to fit thick socks into on cold days. The Gore-Tex-lined synthetic upper is perforated above the toes and outer mid-foot but not through the waterproof membrane, which keeps moisture from seeping in while allowing some breathability.

The BOA L6 cable is well executed, with no hot spots and even tension across the metacarpals, and it has a “bash guard” that should help protect it from damage. Additionally, the BOA is easy to use with cold, gloved hands, and it handles water and mud much better than absorbent laces. The lower lace (or BOA cable) cover also does a nice job keeping water out of the edges of the “tongue,” which is also backed up by the continuous GORE-TEX liner.

The medial ankle is raised for additional support and impact protection with a tall, supple, sock-style GORE-TEX ankle cuff that helps to keep water, mud, and debris from entering the top of the shoe. Slipping the foot into the sock-style liner takes some getting used to — pull tabs at the front and rear of the ankle help — and the liner is not constricting, sagging, or irritating while riding.

When worn with long enough pants, you can tuck the upper cuff of the shoe under the pants to keep water from running down your legs and into the shoes. Whether riding on super wet days or standing in puddles, the GF800s thoroughly impressed us with their weather resistance, and despite their cold-weather pedigree, we found them to be comfortable in temperatures up to around 70 degrees F.

Like with the GF600s, the sole is moderate in flex and conforms nicely to the pedals when weighted. The hexagonal tread lugs have deep channels that grab hold of pedal pins, and the ULTREAD GF rubber is grippier than previous Shimano soles. While they still aren’t the tackiest soles, they provide a consistent and predictable grip with a bit more of a mechanical connection.

The TORBAL 2.0 midsole is a standout feature of Shimano’s new GF line that allows the heel to twist torsionally while keeping the sole under the toebox flat, making corner initiation easy and intuitive and, in our opinion, enhancing the feeling of grip and control.

For winter and rainstorm warriors, the Shimano GF800 GTX is a great choice to ensure your feet stay cozy, dry, and warm. We were impressed with the TORBAL 2.0 midsole’s torsional flex with all of Shimano’s new models. If you are a Type II fun enthusiast, we recommend checking out the GF800 to keep you rolling through the toughest conditions.