If you’re a woman who loves mountain biking you probably laugh at the limited options for us when it comes to clothing – and of course everything is draped in pink. What’s even more frustrating is going to your local bike shop to find most mountain bike shoes are unisex. For those riders with wider feet – this is great news (maybe if shoe companies outside of biking and skateboarding would take a hint). For those of us with narrow feet, we are pretty limited on options. So i’ve put together a list of the best women’s specific mountain biking shoes for 2024.
The Giro Riddance Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes stand out due to the advanced technology and thoughtful design tailored specifically for women and mountain biking. These shoes feature several key attributes that make them a top choice for serious riders.
One of the primary reasons I favor these shoes is their molded DH EVA footbed with arch support. This design is perfect for riders with narrow feet, providing the feeling of your shoes hugging your feet. The EVA soles are not only flexible and lightweight but also shock-absorbing, offering exceptional durability. They help to disperse pressure and absorb shock, enhancing comfort and stability over rough terrain. Additionally, the lightweight nature of EVA prevents it from “packing out,” ensuring a better connection to the pedals.
The shoes also boast Vibram Megagrip rubber outsoles, engineered specifically for gripping flat pedals. This compound is one of the stickiest that Vibram has ever launched, ensuring top-notch pedal-sticking power. Vibram, a world leader in high-performance rubber soles, offers technology advanced compounds like Idrogrip, the stickiest moldable compound in their arsenal, developed specifically for flat-pedal riding in both dry and wet conditions, and Megagrip, a high-performance sticky compound.
The Giro Riddance shoes are water-resistant yet breathable, featuring a microfiber upper that provides durability and comfort. They also have rubber toe and heel reinforcements, with Rock Print details enhancing their abrasion resistance and longevity.
Key Features
- Upper Construction: Water-resistant, breathable microfiber with rubber toe and heel reinforcements and Rock Print details for enhanced durability.
- Footbed: Molded DH EVA footbed with arch support.
- Outsole: Vibram® Megagrip rubber outsole, engineered for exceptional grip with flat pedals.
- Midsole: EVA midsole optimized for vibration damping.
- Product Weight: 400 grams (size 39).
- Cleat Compatibility: No cleat / Flat pedal only.
The combination of these technologies from top shoe manufacturers ensures that the Giro Riddance Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes offer exceptional performance and confidence on the trails. They are an excellent investment for any female mountain biker looking for reliable, high-performance footwear.
The Ride Concepts Hellion Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes are designed as the ultimate all-mountain flat pedal shoes, ready to perform in any trail condition. These shoes combine durability, comfort, and advanced technology to ensure excellent performance for singletrack, park, and shuttle rides. The best part? Ride Concepts (also referred to as RCs) has a introduced a low volume design that is made specifically for narrow feet (YAY!).
One of the standout features of the Hellion shoes is the MAX GRIP rubber outsole. This compound, developed in-house by Ride Concepts, is their softest and most grippy, providing exceptional pedal contact and feel while maintaining high durability. This makes the Hellion an ideal choice for riders seeking maximum grip on flat pedals.
The shoes also feature an EVA midsole that offers excellent support and shock absorption. This midsole is crafted using advanced techniques to ensure a lighter and more durable design. While EVA midsoles can lose cushioning over time, the dual-density EVA insole in the Hellion provides additional support and comfort, enhancing the overall riding experience.
The microfiber synthetic upper is both abrasion and weather-resistant, making the Hellion shoes robust and reliable in various conditions. The anti-bacterial mesh lining helps control odor, ensuring your shoes stay fresh even after long rides.
For added protection, the shoes have abrasion-resistant TPU toe and heel with internal toe protection. This design enhances durability and shields your feet from impacts.
Key Features
- Outsole: MAX GRIP rubber outsole for exceptional grip and durability.
- Midsole: EVA midsole for support and shock absorption, with dual-density EVA insole for additional cushion.
- Upper: Microfiber synthetic upper that is abrasion and weather-resistant.
- Lining: Anti-bacterial mesh lining to control odor.
- Protection: Abrasion-resistant TPU toe and heel with internal toe protection.
- Weight: 351 grams per shoe (size W8).
- Volume: Low volume design ideal for women with narrower feet.
The Ride Concepts Hellion Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes are designed to offer exceptional performance, comfort, and protection, making them a top choice for female mountain bikers seeking reliable and high-performing footwear.
Check out the Ride Concepts Hellion Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
Okay so these shoes come in a few different variations – so you’re pretty safe getting any of the women’s five ten trailcross shoes. Just make sure if you’re using flat pedals to ensure they are the ones for flats. These are hands down my favorite biking shoes for my narrow feet. My favorite part about them is that they are shaped like a runner and if you’re anything like me – that might come in handy when you’re having to hike your bike.
My feet don’t slip out of them when i’m pushing my bike up a steep section or as i’m pre-walking some nasty downhill terrain. Though they are narrow, they still grab my flat pedals quite nicely.
Did I mention they are virtually weightless and dry in seconds? They have the adidas drainage system which means if you end up in a puddle or gulley – your feet are dry in seconds. The reinforced toe box is pretty strong as i’ve had mine for over 3 years and taken a ton of toe hits with 0 issue.
The only downside is these shoes often sell out fast!
Key Features
- Design: They are designed to look like a runner while still providing a stiff rubber outer sole.
- Outsole: Stealth Phantom rubber outsole with Dotty tread for full pedal control and grip.
- Upper: Mesh upper with molded toe cap
- Midsole: EVA midsole for support and comfort.
- Closure: Lace closure for a secure fit.
- Sustainability: Upper made with recycled materials, contributing to environmental conservation.
- Product Color: Core Black / Grey One / Grey Six
Personally I wear these on and off the bike because they look like normal shoes and conform nicely to my foot.