The Five Ten Trailcross XT mountain bike shoes (available from Adidas and other online retailers) are lightweight, grippy and flexible for all-day adventures on the trails on and off the bike.

The Five Ten Trailcross XT shoes are made with a Stealth Phantom rubber outsole in a Dotty pattern providing high friction grip. The flexible midsole is designed for comfort and Adidas claims that 25% of the components used to make the upper are made with a minimum of 50% recycled content. They come in a Green Oxide/Core Black/Dove Gray colorway.

Five Ten Trailcross XT Fit

I wear a US women’s size 7.5 and the Five Ten Trailcross XT feels true to size. Some said to take a size 0.5, so try on a size before you buy if possible, and if not, the brand has an easy size exchange policy. The Adidas website offers a traditional shoe size guide as well as a Fit Finder guide that gives a size recommendation based on the shoes you’re wearing, in case you need it.

The mid-top boot keeps my ankles snug and prevents debris from getting inside. Front and rear zippers also make it easy to get in and out.

On the track

I’ve been testing this pair of Five Ten Trailcross XTs for the past few months on sunny California trails. These shoes proved they had a sole! I’m glad Five Ten still uses the same great recipe that goes into their rubbery soles. The exclusive Stealth Phantom rubber and Dotty sole keeps my feet on the pedal with almost no slippage on the trails. I have ridden my hardtail with flats and as you may know things can get loud on a hardtail. The grippy soles help me stay calm throughout those nasty roots and ruts. Compared to other models such as the Freerider Pros, the Trailcross XT sole is a little softer. This is by no means a drawback, as the Freerider Pros seem geared more towards those with more aggressive and demanding terrain. The Trailcross XT shoes are excellent for XC, downcountry or good ol’ trail riding.

These shoes are very light at 339 grams per shoe in a women’s size 7.5. You really can’t tell you’re wearing mountain bike shoes, which is a great perk on long rides. You want your clothing and gear to enhance your ride, not hinder it. The little features really help make mountain biking more enjoyable.

The mesh upper provides excellent ventilation. The Five Ten Trailcross XT may be the most ventilated mountain bike shoes in my closet. My usually sweaty feet were noticeably less sweaty after my rides.

The XTs also have excellent midsole flex. Don’t be fooled by their running shoe style and look. They are stiff enough for pedaling efficiency, but also flexible and grippy in bike touring situations. Also, have you noticed that you end up wearing your bike shoes well after your ride to the local café or brasserie? Comfort doesn’t stop at the trailhead, so they offer the best of both worlds with comfortably flexible midsoles that make walking easy and don’t get in the way of your bike ride.

These shoes were created to be outdoors and face the elements. However, if you live where it rains a lot, you might be better off looking into a shoe with less mesh and more water-repellent coverage to keep your feet dry. It would be nice if FiveTen made a women’s counterpart to the Goretex TrailCross for rain riding. If you are looking for a stiffer sole and toe, you may want to consider the Freerider Pros.

Globally

The Five Ten Trailcross XT shoes are great all day, on and off the bike, with a flexible midsole and fantastic grip. Lightweight ventilation and breathability provide the rider with plenty of comfort. The grippy FiveTen sole we all love is going nowhere, as this new mountain bike shoe continues that legacy. The rubberized toe box provides ample protection for XC or trail riding and allows for adequate ventilation and flexibility. Would be nice to see D30 inner ankle padding for additional ankle protection in a future iteration. For now, the neoprene cuffs provide a level of protection and seal out dirt and gravel. Whether you’re XCing, downcountry, trail riding, or chilling out with your trail buddies at a coffee shop or beer hall, the Trailcross XT shoes will get the job done.