Review - Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex Shoes
For many riders, Five Ten is the brand that tends to springs to mind when you think of flat pedals and, in my experience, it's a rare thing for them to have serious competition, let alone being outdone.
However, I would say that until a few years ago there it felt like there was something missing from their range. A lot of their shoes were very gravity-focused. On one hand that's to be expected considering that's where their roots in the sport are, but on the other, as a flat pedal rider who enjoys pedaling, I often wished there would be more of an emphasis on 'tech' products. I wanted to see slightly less armored shoes that carry over the best features. I wanted a flat pedal shoe built for trail biking, and I also didn't want it to look like something Avril Lavigne would wear.
However, I would say that until a few years ago there it felt like there was something missing from their range. A lot of their shoes were very gravity-focused. On one hand that's to be expected considering that's where their roots in the sport are, but on the other, as a flat pedal rider who enjoys pedaling, I often wished there would be more of an emphasis on 'tech' products. I wanted to see slightly less armored shoes that carry over the best features. I wanted a flat pedal shoe built for trail biking, and I also didn't want it to look like something Avril Lavigne would wear.
Trailcross Gore-Tex Details• Weatherproof Gore-Tex upper
• Velco strap on neoprene collar
• Laces for the lower half of the shoe
• Dual compound stealth rubber
• Colors: Black
• Weight: 414g (pair of size 42.5)
• MSRP: $200 USD
• www.adidas.com
• Velco strap on neoprene collar
• Laces for the lower half of the shoe
• Dual compound stealth rubber
• Colors: Black
• Weight: 414g (pair of size 42.5)
• MSRP: $200 USD
• www.adidas.com
That really began to change with the Freerider Pro, and then the Trailcross range. We now had shoes that not only featured the legendary grip of their Stealth Rubber, but were also light and breathable, and offered something genuinely different to the race-ready Impacts. As hard to please as I am, I had one final wish, one final product that I wanted Five Ten to make - the waterproof flat pedal shoe for slogging it out in winter. So how do these shoes stack up?
Gone are the days when flat pedal shoes were inspired by Fred Durst.
Details
You can take a wild guess what the upper of the Trailcross Gore-Tex is made of. Of course, the Gore-Tex membrane is well known throughout the industry for its waterproofing properties, while also aiming to let hot air and moisture vent out through the membrane. Above the textile upper is a velcro-fastened neoprene collar. There is toe-box protection, although maybe not as much as one might hope for if you're intending to ride loose rocky downhill runs. For trail riding though, it's very adequate. Below the neoprene is a lace closure. I've had issues with Five Ten laces snapping in recent years, but these seem to be less vulnerable to that annoyance.
The shoes feel to have more of a focus on waterproofing than insulation - they're more of a wet-weather shoe rather than something for heading out on Arctic adventures. The tongue does have a small loop for laces but it isn't as large or as elasticated as some of the other shoes in the brand's range. This means that you can't actually secure your laces in it which leaves them loose. Sometimes, the laces tap the shoe as you pedal which is only small but it is a slight irritation.
Laces combine with a velcro fastener on the gaiter.
Fit
The fit is quite generous on the Trailcross Gore-Tex. In terms of length it fits very well, and is similar to other Five Ten flat pedal shoes. However, in breadth and volume I would say it's quite large for its size. Compared to the standard Trailcross, it did make getting a secure and comfortable fit a little more difficult. I put this down to the ankle gaiter. While I liked it, I also found that it had issues.
Firstly, I found some irritation on rides around an hour or longer. This could be something particular to me - another editor is currently using these shoes and doesn't have an issue. That said, it was still disappointing, and experimenting or altering the fit didn't help. My second gripe was that while the velcro held my ankle very securely, it didn't help pull my ankle back into the heel of the shoe. I found that my heel was able to lift very easily and this could give a disjointed, unconnected feeling to the pedals. The standard Trailcross, with its lace that runs high, doesn't suffer from this problem for me. I eventually ran a half-size sole in the shoe to let the laces get my purchase on my foot and hold it down more securely. Again, this could be a "me issue," since I have a reasonably high instep and relatively narrow feet.
The problem of heel-security is compounded by a relatively stiff sole. It's not a big deal and some may be happy for the stiffness, but the flex combined with the somewhat loose fit meant that when driving and pumping the bike it did being to feel a little disconnected.
Performance
The performance of Five Ten's soles is as can be expected - very grippy while on the pedals. This shoe features a slightly different tread pattern that aims to improve walking traction. Honestly, I can't say I really notice it. I personally never found my go-to Freerider Pros to struggle in this regard.
When I got my heal secure within the shoe with the help of the half-size insole, they ride much as you would hope and they're fantastic for puddle bombing. Having dry and warm feet can really give you a lift in terms of morale on wet and grim winter rides. You can submerge these shoes and be confident that you're going to stay pretty dry.
As with a lot of waterproof shoes though, they're not invulnerable to water running down your leg, into your sock, and then getting trapped within the waterproof boot. The gaiter is great at keeping the crud out, though. It's a great feeling taking your trousers and shoes off after a ride and being clean underneath, even if it's as bad as it can get outside. As ever though, to get the most out of a waterproof shoe it needs to be run with waterproof trousers, otherwise they're not that good for much in heavy downpours. That isn't a Five Ten problem, but rather a limitation of the concept of waterproof mountain biking shoes that don't have a skin-tight gaiter.
The famed Stealth Rubber is as good as ever.
Pros
+ Excellent Stealth Rubber sole for maximum grip
+ A good balance of weight and protection for most riding
+ Waterproof and comfortable
Cons
- Heel could be held more securely
- Slight discomfort for me personally around ankle fastener
Pinkbike's Take
 | It's always been an irk for me that road and cross-country cyclists have a host of different choices when mountain bikers, you know, the ones who actually get muddy, have to make do with skate-inspired shoes for flat pedal riding. Apart from one or two issues with fit, I really enjoyed the Trailcross Gore-Tex shoes, and I would say they lived up to their billing. |
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@peterman1234 I have a few pairs of Sealskinz, they are excellent. You can literally put your hand in one and submerge in a sink full of water and it doesn't leak. I highly recommend you get the longest pair though and use with trousers, that way it stops the water running down the leg into the top issue.
Unless you can stop that GTX ones will still fill with water - then it cant even get out! Not fun in winter.
Rocky trails near me become streams in wet weather and it throws up so much water Ive considered using hiking gaiters underneath waterproofs to create a decent seal over top of the shoe.
Only really matters in winter as warm wet feet arent a problem
Right to repair is a hot topic in the tech world, and should be for sporting equipment too. We wouldn't buy a bike that junks the frame every time the BB needs replacing, so why do we put up with it in footwear. Climbing shoes can be resolved, why not riding shoes?
Secondly, it matters a lot to me in all weather as I don't enjoy wet feet at any time of year, though obviously I won't be wearing them in the summer.
It changed when adidas bought them and sticked his logo everywhere. There is problem even with size. Right now i cant find good for me
Some half decent waterproofing on a shoe with sticky rubber is big step in the right direction, but all we're really asking for from the manufacturers is a lace protector on flat shoes.
Obviously a musical genius, highly underrated
If I'm gonna wear galoshes, I suppose the Five Tens would work, but for the majority of my riding I just need something that'll keep my feet dry from light precip.
I just ordered my second pair of the Launch Mid, great shoes, still going strong after three season, longest lasting and best overall shoe I have ridden.
soles don't grip very well unless
smooth flow is all one rides
2: I don't understand your statement.
3: At what point in your life did you encounter 10 dentists who you asked what skate shoes Rodney Mullen is on?
the only fashion related item I associate with him is athletic tape on his fingers.
I actually try not to think about him at all, his current vibe makes me uncomfortable.
Also I think the sole is a bit thicker than normal, too, because I end up thinking about raising my saddle only when wearing these. I suspect these two conditions are related...?
Do you descend completely mid-foot on the pedal or somewhat ball of the foot to mid-foot? Looking at the sole these seem less wide mid-foot and I wonder about that and the support and grip if one descend mid-foot.
I've thought of getting a pair of these for more adventure type rides and the non gore-tex can be picked up cheaply but have a hard time pulling the trigger at the moment.
Oh and love the Avril Lavigne/Fred Durst comments. Now if only the rest of the gear didn’t look like it was from the blink182 era I would be happy
As for me, I had zero issue with the heels or the ankle fastener. But I found them to be very narrow, I had to upsize (For each foot its own shoe I guess !).
And as far as look goes, function over form I guess...
Before I used to ride with waterproof, which kept my feet dry, but the soaked frozen shoes still made my feet feel freezing cold. That doesn't happen anymore with these shoes.
Perhaps my expectations are too high because of the marketing and premium price paid for Gortex.
To be fair my Gortex jackets are holding up after many years .
I would safely say that the sole on the Gore Tex shoe is a distant relation of what is on the other Five Tens shoes I own.
I do not find it anywhere near as sticky as previous variants. I also don't think it is as hard wearing as the other variants mentioned.
I only have them a few months and they look older then the 2016 Sam Hill's.. the soles are lacking soul..
However I do like them and they are very comfortable.
Would I buy another pair? possibly. JR
For 160£ they should Damn work first time!!
I had the original non-waterproof version of these, they kind of suck. Sole is too flexible (way softer than freerider mids), absolutely zero toe protection. Rode them a few months before they got too soft and started falling apart.
now we need them to make skate shoe stlyed waterproof shoes, like the rest of the range
ive got through 3 winters with my shimanos and sealskinz to date..
If you want the 5:10 approach on a budget then buy waterproof socks. Far cheaper and make you look less like Forest Gump.