The Freerider is a model that has been around for years but recently underwent an extensive revision. The newest version features updated soles and reinforced toe boxes to make it more lightweight than before. In this Five Ten Freerider review, we test this mountain bike shoe according to its grip, comfort, rigidity, power transfer, breathability, value and durability.
Table of Contents
Our Verdict
This shoe has been on the market for many years and is a popular choice for mountain bike riders. The most versatile all-mountain flat shoe is the newest and lightest member of the Five Ten family. In most situations, the Freerider is a competent skier. While it doesn’t have the highest stiffness of our top-rated picks, we think it’s a fantastic all-around ski for someone who wants their ski to work well. The basic, informal design looks good off the bike, on the pump track, or during motorcycle riding.
Technical Details of Five Ten Freerider
| Rubber Type | Stealth® S1™ rubber outsole |
|---|---|
| Upper Material | Suede & mesh upper |
| Rubber Pattern | Classy dotted tread |
| Weight | 931 grams (Size 12 US) |
| Price | $100 |
Pros and Cons of Five Ten Freerider
| Pros | Cons |
| Well ventilated | No rigid sole |
| Strong pedal grip | Less durable than five-ten free-rider pro |
Are You in Hurry? Here is a Quick Review of Five Ten Freerider
The Freerider is a classic flat pedal shoe that has been a part of the Five Ten shoe line for many years. They nearly cross the line between a daily and performance shoe with their skate design. The Five Ten Free Rider is a good everyday ride with excellent traction and grip on the soles, but it lacks power transmission. Nevertheless, we feel they are an excellent value for the rider who doesn’t want the stiffest soles or the most powerful performance.
Read More: Best Hiking Shoes Under $100
Detailed Review of Five Ten Freerider
Grip
During our testing, the Five Ten shoe earned high scores for traction, continuing the trend of super-grippy shoes in our lineup. In addition to its famous Stealth S1 outsole, the Freerider employs the tried-and-true Stealth S1 rubber that launched Five Ten’s bike shoes into prominence. The tread is very similar to that of a skate shoe, and tiny divots are helpful to grab onto the pins of your pedals. The S1 rubber compound feels somewhat firmer and less sticky than the Mi6, but it still has a secure connection with the pedal. Despite this shoe’s low overall ranking, it is still a great performer.
Stealth rubber provides a secure connection to the pedals
We put these shoes through their paces on various trails that the shoe isn’t intended to be great at, and they performed well. With the reliable Stealth S1 grip, the Freeriders are capable climbers with excellent downhill performance that grip the pedals firmly. We were able to experience a wide range of weather and trail conditions while testing both on and off the bike, which was beautiful. In addition, the soles of the Freerider offer excellent traction off the bike in most conditions, whether on dirt, rock, or even pavement, thanks to tried and true Stealth S1 rubber.
Comfort
The Freeriders were ridden more than intended since our test rides put our test shoes through the wringer. They kept our feet happy while carrying them in their designated realm, short to medium trips on the chairlift and just kicking around town. However, the comfort lost increased proportionally with greater distances travelled and significantly extended XC excursions mixed in technical sections. Our feet began to feel the strain after 2-3 hours of riding, in part due to less cushioning and less supportive soles.
The lack of an easy method to keep additional shoelace length in check isn’t always a sign of discomfort. You can tuck the Freerider laces to the side where the top of the tongue and ankle padding join, but they wouldn’t stay put. The Freerider has a medium volume fit and should suit most riders. The toe box is wide enough, yet it is lower in volume than other models. The shoe’s BMX-inspired design makes this winner a desirable option outside of the bike.
Rigidity and Power Transfer
The midsole of this pair is somewhat thinner than the more aggressive shoes in our test group. The softer options we tested have less material in the midsole and no shank, so stiffness is far lower than the sturdier selections. The stiffness is just suitable for casual riding and mixed-use, but for extended days in the saddle, lack of support becomes apparent as power transmission is less efficient and feet get tired.
The Five Ten Freerider offers all-around performance.
Weight
The Freerider is a casual riding shoe that doesn’t sacrifice comfort or performance for weight. It weighs 14 oz per male size 9, which means the difference in shoes won’t factor into your decision when purchasing these types of footwear. However, some might say they prefer this type because there’s no worry about hurting themselves on rough terrain as other models may cause due to its cushioned sole design.
Breathability
Freerider’s open synthetic mesh uppers make it well-suited for hot weather, with the breathability ranking among some of the best. In contrast to leather or canvas shoes that can’t always keep up with your sweat on a warmer day, these sneakers will stay cool even when things get steamy. The lightweight materials also help you glide effortlessly over any terrain if there is snow involved, without feeling too heavy because their construction allows good airflow. But it still blocks out water and dust nicely while cleaning efficiently at home after use as needed.
Durability
The Freerider’s sole is made for durability, with fewer parts to delaminate and separate potentially. The specially reinforced toe section will keep your feet safe no matter what terrain they’re on- even if you happen upon some sharp objects along the way. Suede uppers protect against abrasion and potential snagging caused by mesh areas near their surface. Don’t worry, though, because we didn’t notice any issues like this during our testing period.
The durable outsole can withstand heavy use without sacrificing comfort or support elsewhere in the shoe.
What We Like About Five Ten Freerider
- Design with a casual style·
- Provides a firm grip that is handy.
- Eco-friendly
What We Don’t Like About Five Ten Freerider
- The confidence of the Grip is not always there.
- There is no venting.
- Cushioning in the sole would be beneficial.
Compare to Similar Products
| Name | Shimano GR9 | Five Ten Freerider Pro | Shimano GR7 | Five Ten Freerider Contact | Five Ten Freerider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber Type | Michelin | Stealth S1 | Michelin | Stealth Mi6 | Stealth S1 |
| Rubber Pattern | Complete Tread | Full Dot | Whole Tread | Half Dot | Full Dot |
| Weight | 365g | 396.89g | 396.9g | 389.8g | 418.15g |
| Upper Material | Synthetic Leather | Synthetic Leather | Perforated Synthetic with Mesh | Textile/Synthetic Leather | Suede/Mesh |
| Pros | Good grip, comfortable fit | Excellent grip, easy to wear | Great ventilation, comfortable fit | Easy to adjust feat, well ventilation | Durable grip, easy to adjust |
| Cons | It difficult to adjust on the pedal | Little hard sole | It difficult to adjust on the pedal | Less durability | Minimum power transfer |
| Price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Final Thoughts
For riders looking for a stable shoe with sticky soles and a good pedal connection, the Freerider Mountain Bike Shoe might be the perfect fit. With 12 colour combinations available and some extra Velcro straps on water-resistant models or with additional weather protection features, this flat mountain bike shoe will suit most any rider’s needs.
Five Ten Freerider Price Comparison
| Seller | Price |
| Backcountry | $74.96 to $79.96 |
| REI Co-op | $79.93 to $100.00 |
| Amazon | $78.88 |