Is there an alternative to FiveTen Freerider Pro?

northvanguy

Likes Dirt
So..... I've got a brand new pair of 5.10 Freerider Pros ready to replace my current freerider pros that now have the expected red wear holes of my pedal in the sole.

I keep wanting to consider something else, but I'm too cheap/poor to risk $200 and get something inferior. That said, I'm a bit sick of the 5.10s lasting 7-8 months... they're not cheap!

Few shoes that I've shortlisted to try - but havent been able to bring myself to try yet are

  • Unparallel Dust Up (I had Teva Links and was a big big fan of their durability - lasted me like 3-4 years)
  • Northwave Clan (Good reviews - I think)
  • Ride Concepts Hellion (although it's only their 6.0 rubber, I should look at the Powerline but dont want a shoe that big/bulky)
  • Crank Brothers Stamp Lace (I have no opinion)

Those are my leaders, also have read up on Leatt DBX 3.0, Giro Riddance, & Shimano (good value?)

What's people's thoughts.

There was a number of threads about a specific shoe.... this is more open ended.
 

Jpez

Down on the left!
So..... I've got a brand new pair of 5.10 Freerider Pros ready to replace my current freerider pros that now have the expected red wear holes of my pedal in the sole.

I keep wanting to consider something else, but I'm too cheap/poor to risk $200 and get something inferior. That said, I'm a bit sick of the 5.10s lasting 7-8 months... they're not cheap!

Few shoes that I've shortlisted to try - but havent been able to bring myself to try yet are

  • Unparallel Dust Up (I had Teva Links and was a big big fan of their durability - lasted me like 3-4 years)
  • Northwave Clan (Good reviews - I think)
  • Ride Concepts Hellion (although it's only their 6.0 rubber, I should look at the Powerline but dont want a shoe that big/bulky)
  • Crank Brothers Stamp Lace (I have no opinion)
Those are my leaders, also have read up on Leatt DBX 3.0, Giro Riddance, & Shimano (good value?)

What's people's thoughts.

There was a number of threads about a specific shoe.... this is more open ended.
I’m a big fan of my NW Clans. I came from from freerider pros as well and I think the NW are just a stronger, better built all round better fitting and supporting shoe.
Small downside is the soles aren’t quite as sticky as the 5/10 soles but you get used to that pretty quick.
I won’t be going back to 5/10’s anytime soon.
I would also say size up 1 size. They seem to run a bit small.
 

sebbyreddan

Likes Dirt
I have 2 'just holding together' pairs of 5.10s and tried the Leatt Aaron Chase DBX3's hoping they would be a suitable replacement.
The Rubber on the Leatt's seems to have good wear resistance at the expense of grip so far. The pins seem to bite a bit but then slip over the knobs in the tread unlike 5.10 that bite and dont let go.

The new Specialised 2FO flat shoes (3rd Gen) are supposed to be good though. Anyone compared these to 5.10s as they are getting harder to find in OZ in my size.
 
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northvanguy

Likes Dirt
I have 2 'just holding together' pairs of 5.10s and tried the Leatt Aaron Chase DBX3's hoping they would be a suitable replacement.
The Rubber on the Leatt's seems to have good wear resistance at the expense of grip so far. The pins seem to bite a bit but then slip over the knobs in the tread unlike 5.10 that bite and dont let go.

The new Specialised 2FO flat shoes (3rd Gen) are supposed to be good though. Anyone compared to 5.10s as they are getting harder to find in OZ in my size.
Ah yep - good point. Forgot about Specialized...... and maybe Bontrager?
 

HamboCairns

Thanks for all the bananas
The new Specialised 2FO flat shoes (3rd Gen) are supposed to be good though. Anyone compared these to 5.10s as they are getting harder to find in OZ in my size.
I have these and while I can't speak to their long term durability, they're really comfortable, stiff, grippy but at the same time allow you to adjust your foot position and keep it there.

My only criticism is the lack of laces flap but it's not that big a deal, oh and that in size 48 they only come in black and not the lovely green in small sizes..
 

sebbyreddan

Likes Dirt
Could be just marketing BS but Pinkbike reviews and AMB reviews have them claiming they have 'cracked the code' and got rubber as good as 5.10 Stealth.
 

sebbyreddan

Likes Dirt
I have these and while I can't speak to their long term durability, they're really comfortable, stiff, grippy but at the same time allow you to adjust your foot position and keep it there.

My only criticism is the lack of laces flap but it's not that big a deal, oh and that in size 48 they only come in black and not the lovely green in small sizes..
You got the SlipNot rubber ones? https://www.ambmag.com.au/news/specialized-release-the-2fo-roost-555745
Laces Flap in pic?

Good they aren't covered in Specialized logos too.
 

Flow-Rider

Burner
So..... I've got a brand new pair of 5.10 Freerider Pros ready to replace my current freerider pros that now have the expected red wear holes of my pedal in the sole.
That's why I don't run tall pins and rely more on the rubber gripping, I get about 2~3 years out of them and haven't had a foot slip accident in the last 10 years contributed by the shoes, I would love to get away from the $200 range of shoes but I've been looking at a lot of reviews and the cheaper shoes don't seem to perform as well. I've been using Sika Flex to patch the holes up every couple of months, just to get a bit more life out of them.
 
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Daniel Hale

She fid, he fid, I fidn't
i like the grip on my ion raid , can be had reasonable prices- i found the spec 2fo shoes too stiff [in the top part of the shoe]
 

moorey

call me Mia
i like the grip on my ion raid , can be had reasonable prices- i found the spec 2fo shoes too stiff [in the top part of the shoe]
There we have it, Ion have no grip and 2fo have a soft upper.

I've tried many, none compare to the perfect grip/weight/comfort of the Freerider Pro.....but I let Felix have them and can't afford another.
I've got some 661's and Giro's that I can't quite love, and can't work out why...they just sit in the spare spare pile.
My Teva's are hard to beat for comfort and grip, though I'm not big on the aesthetics.
My Impacts are only good for really rugged DH tracks...solid and grippy, but just too heavy for general use.
Have worn out Five10 Danny's i loved until the sole became soft as butter. They were't worn out, but can feel the pins through the sole.
Five10 spitfires have been great, but 1/2 size too small means I only use for occasional short use days.
My go-to is a dark horse, that many don't seem to like.....Aften Keegans. grippy, light enough, comfy and stiff enough to ride in, but comfy to walk around in.
The ones I'm keen to try next are Unparalleled Dustup and Etnies Camber.
 

cokeonspecialtwodollars

Fartes of Portingale
I'm on my second set of Bontrager Flatlines, just as comfortable as the old Five Tens but many more durabilities, they probably aren't as grippy but that's a worthy trade off for not having to replace shoes every six to nine months.

Edit: These are the soles of my approximately year and a half of Flatlines where as Freerider Pros used to wear through in around six months.

372228
 
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northvanguy

Likes Dirt
I'm on my second set of Bontrager Flatlines, just as comfortable as the old Five Tens but many more durabilities, they probably aren't as grippy but that's a worthy trade off for not having to replace shoes every six to nine months.

Edit: These are the soles of my approximately year and a half of Flatlines where as Freerider Pros used to wear through in around six months.

View attachment 372228
What pedals are you running?

I'm on DMR Vaults and they just seem to tear through the Freerider Pros.

As i mentioned when I started the thread.... I've got a brand new set of Freeriders sitting there, I'm tempted to sell them and try something else, but they just seem to be the best despite the pitfalls.....

Wish i could be a shoe tester!!!
 

leitch

Feelin' a bit rrranty
@northvanguy i haven’t run flats for years but if I was I’d be tempted by the Shimano GR7. Depends on your fit but I’ve always found Shimano shoes extremely comfortable (been running a pair of ME7 for the last two years) and great value. Also, the neoprene gaiter on the heel cup is great.
 

Daniel Hale

She fid, he fid, I fidn't
Etnies Camber.
my etnies are too soft, and the honeycomb looking base doesn’t grip nearly as well as the ion: as you mostly have your foot in your mouth the softer sole should suit you better - btw shouldn’t you be chasing a blue unicorn
 

cokeonspecialtwodollars

Fartes of Portingale
What pedals are you running?

I'm on DMR Vaults and they just seem to tear through the Freerider Pros.

As i mentioned when I started the thread.... I've got a brand new set of Freeriders sitting there, I'm tempted to sell them and try something else, but they just seem to be the best despite the pitfalls.....

Wish i could be a shoe tester!!!
I run these on all my bikes.
The pins are slightly domed rather than straight grub screws which also helps my soles, although they have become harder to come by of late.
 

EsPeGe

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I'm on DMR Vaults and they just seem to tear through the Freerider Pros.
Weird cos thats what I've been running for years, Vaults and Freeriders and I think its the perfect combo. My freeriders are 3 years old and going strong and I move my foot around plenty when riding.
 

moorey

call me Mia
Weird cos thats what I've been running for years, Vaults and Freeriders and I think its the perfect combo. My freeriders are 3 years old and going strong and I move my foot around plenty when riding.
Same with Felix. Vault with angry dog point grubs and Burgtec. His soles are fine. I guess everyone’s technique is different.
 
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