When it comes to women’s mountain bike shoes, there’s really no one ‘right’ answer. The best shoe for you depends on a number of factors like whether you ride flat or clipless, prefer stiff or soft, primarily ride DH or cross-country, etc, etc…
I personally have my favorite (Five Ten Contacts, which I think are being discontinued 😩), but that doesn’t mean they will be your favorite. Each shoe has its pros and cons and in this post, I try to match the best women’s mountain bike shoe with your ride style.
Ready to get ripping? Here are the best women’s mountain bike shoes for every type of lady shredder.
Best All-Around Mountain Bike Shoes for Women
For the female mountain biker who likes a bit of every type of riding, these women’s mountain shoes are perfect for cross-country pedaling as well as a bit of DH action.
Five Ten Freerider Pro
*Popular choice: The Five Ten Freerider Pro’s are one of the most popular flat pedal mountain bike shoes out there. The soles are made from Five Ten’s proprietary Stealth rubber to keep your feet stuck to your pedals like glue and the synthetic upper is quick-drying and sturdy. These shoes also come with reinforced toes for those sneaky hidden trailside rocks. They’re perfect for all-mountain and enduro riding if you prefer a platform (flat) pedal.
- Flats or clipless: Flats
- Upper material: Fast-drying synthetic
- Ideal for: All-mountain and enduro riding
- MSRP: $149.95
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist / Jenson / REI
Five Ten Freeriders
*Budget-friendly: The Five Ten Freeriders are similar to the Pros above, but they have a slightly less durable leather and mesh exterior and the soles are made with a different blend of rubber. These are still a great option for every day pedaling on a variety of terrain and the price point is a little more budget-friendly. I started out with these shoes and loved them!
- Flats or clipless: Flats
- Upper material: Suede
- Ideal for: Everything from bike park to trail
- MSRP: $99.95
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist / Jenson / REI
Ride Concepts Hellion
Traditionally Five Ten has had the market cornered for the best mountain bike shoes, especially flats, but in recent years, Ride Concepts has made a name for themselves. The Ride Concepts Hellion women’s flat pedal mountain bike shoe rivals the Freerider in stickiness and durability and it’s a great choice for all types of riding. I personally don’t love their look, but maybe you do!
- Flats or clipless: Flats
- Upper material: Two-panel synthetic
- Ideal for: All types of riding
- MSRP: $130
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist / REI
Five Ten Kestrel
For an all-around clipless women’s mountain bike shoe, the Five Ten Kestrel is the way to go. The sole is made with Five Ten’s famous Stealth rubber and the exterior is a perfect blend of breathable mesh and durable synthetic that will withstand daily use and abuse. I also appreciate that the cleat platform has a wide interface so that’s there’s plenty of room for quickly snapping in and out.
- Flats or clipless: Clipless
- Upper material: PU-coated synthetic
- Ideal for: All types of riding
- MSRP: $150
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist / REI / Jenson
Pearl Izumi X-ALP Summit
*Great for bikepacking: For overnight bikepacking trips or backcountry rides that may involve a little scrambling or hike-a-biking, the PEARL iZUMi X-ALP Summit shoe is a great choice. They are an all-around shoe that can handle anything. Even though they’re durable, they’re also super comfortable thanks to the EVA footbed. Last, but not least, a nylon composite shank helps transfer power to the pedals to help make climbs more efficient. If you want a shoe that does it all, this may just be the one.
- Flats or clipless: Clipless
- Upper material: Synthetic
- Ideal for: Enduro, trail, and bikepacking
- MSRP: $140.00
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist
Bontrager Adorn
The Bontrager Adorns are a great all-around clipless mountain biking shoe. They have grippy Tachyon rubber soles for hike-a-bike sections and they have reinforced protection on the heels and toes to ward off trailside brush. If you do a lot of big backcountry rides or your home terrain gets muddy and wet, these are a great choice.
- Flats or clipless: Clipless
- Upper material: Synthetic
- Ideal for: Cross-country or all-mountain riding
- MSRP: $109.99
Check price: Trek Bikes
Shimano GR5
The Shimano GR5 women’s mountain bike shoe is designed for gravity riders who prefer to ride on flats without clipping in. The synthetic leather is breathable and is reinforced around the toe and ankle for extra durability. The outsoles are made with Shimano’s proprietary rubber, which is grippy on the pedal and provides great traction on the ground. If you’re looking for an all-around great riding shoe, this might just be it!
- Flats or clipless: Flats
- Upper material: Synthetic leather
- Ideal for: All-mountain and enduro
- MSRP: $110.00
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist / REI
Best Cross-Country & Gravel Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
For the mountain bikers who love to lay down the miles, these women’s mountain bike shoes are great for big cross-country days in the saddle or multi-mile gravel grinders.
Giro Cylinder
*Best for comfort: The Giro Cylinder Cycling Shoe is for those looking for comfort and control on the trail. The dial closure ensures a snug fit while the front strap closure keeps everything in place. The Giro Cylinder also has a reinforced toe and heel to prevent extra wear and tear from trailside brush and the lugs on the underside give traction and support when off the bike.
- Flats or clipless: Clipless
- Upper material: Synthetic
- Ideal for: Cyclocross, gravel, road cycling, triathlons
- MSRP: $149.95
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist / Jenson
Pearl Izumi X-Project Elite
The PEARL iZUMi X-Project Elite women’s mountain bike shoe is kind of the ultimate trail shoe. It’s super lightweight thanks to its carbon fiber sole, yet durable enough for all-day sojourns on the trail. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but if you only want one shoe that can handle cross-country speed as well as longer backcountry days, this is it. If you’re looking for a similar shoe at a more budget price, the PEARL iZUMi X-Alp Divide is also a great choice.
- Flats or clipless: Clipless
- Upper material: 3-layer synthetic
- Ideal for: Cross-country racing and everyday cross-country riding
- MSRP: $275.00
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist
Bontrager Foray
The Bontrager Foray is a durable and versatile unisex shoe. The boa closure guarantees a secure and close fit while the nylon composite sole provides a stiff platform that is still easy to walk in. A Tachyon rubber outsole ensures grip on any surface and is durable enough for everyday use and abuse. If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, the Bontrager Evokes have all the same great features at a more affordable price.
- Flats or clipless: Clipless
- Upper material: 4-layer synthetic
- Ideal for: Trail riding, cyclocross, or gravel
- MSRP: $159.99
Check price: Trek Bikes / REI
Best Enduro & Bike Park Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
For those lady shredders who often find themselves at the bike park and off on big, rugged backcountry rides, these mountain bike shoes are the toughest of the tough and provide the most support and grip for gnarly terrain.
Five Ten Hellcat
*Interchangeable option: Compatible with both clipless and flat pedals, the Five Ten Hellcat women’s mountain bike shoe is as diverse as bike park terrain. Choose flat pedals when you’re working up toward bike park speed and then swap them out for a clipless set when you feel dialed and confident. These shoes also work to dampen vibration and transfer power to the pedals to help keep you smooth and stable as you rip down the slopes.
- Flats or clipless: Interchangeable (but ideally clipless)
- Upper material: Leather
- Ideal for: Downhill and enduro
- MSRP: $149.95
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist
Five Ten Hellcat Pro
Taking things up a notch from the versatile Hellcat above, the Five Ten Hellcat Pro is the ultimate aggressive downhill shoe. With 360° of protection and vibration dampening soles, it’s waterproof, grippy, and super stiff for the best support on big days of lift-served fun.
- Flats or clipless: Clipless
- Upper material: Synthetic
- Ideal for: Downhill mountain biking
- MSRP: $180.00
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist / Jenson
Giro Riddance
A great flat shoe for the bike park, the Giro Riddance is a stiff and grippy women’s mountain bike shoe that was designed for rough rock gardens and gnarly terrain. With grippy Vibram Megagrip rubber soles and a vibration-dampening EVA footbed, this shoe can handle all that the park throws at you.
- Flats or clipless: Flats
- Upper material: Water-resistant microfiber
- Ideal for: All types of riding, but great for bike park/downhill
- MSRP: $119.95
Check price: Backcountry / Competitive Cyclist / Jenson
I hope this guide helps you find the perfect shoe for your riding needs! Do you already have a women’s mountain bike shoe that you love? What is it? Let us know in the comments below!
Pin it for later!
Leave a Reply