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We've put 11 pairs of the newest and top-rated women's mountain bike shoes through our rigorous testing to find the best of the best. From discipline-specific models to more general-use shoes, we put each pair through at least 25 hours of testing. We evaluate each shoe's strengths and weaknesses and ride them on trails ranging from fast and flowy to rocky and technical. Throughout our testing, we take copious notes on each shoe's performance and later score them in our five test metrics. We do all the work to help you find your next favorite women's mountain bike shoe for your riding style and budget.
Editors Note: Our women's mountain bike shoe review was updated on November 29, 2023, to remove some discontinued models, include more photos of our award winners, and add comparisons to other shoes we recommend alongside our award winners.
Comfortable, excellent protection, excellent power transfer, easy to clip in and out of, great for hike-a-bike
Comfortable for walking, large cleat opening
Cons
Lacks breathability, expensive
Not the best lateral stability
Not very breathable, moderately heavy
Heavy, not waterproof
Hot, average midsole absorption
Bottom Line
This comfortable shoe impressed our testers with its fit, trail absorption, and power transfer and is a great match for short trail rides and all-day epics alike
This unassuming shoe combines on and off the bike performance with good power transfer and walking comfort at a relatively reasonable price tag
A supportive and durable shoe made to withstand the rigors of technical trail, all-mountain, and bike park riding
A high-performing shoe that offers comfort paired with excellent stability, protection, and walkability
Designed for gravity riding, these relatively lightweight shoes lack midsole absorption for technical terrain and offer average performance
The Crankbrothers Mallet Boa is designed as a downhill and enduro shoe, but our testers found this well-designed and comfortable shoe a great match for trail riding. The large Match Box cleat opening makes finding your preferred cleat location easy, and a ramped outsole makes clipping in and out a breeze even with SPD cleats. This shoe is incredibly comfortable right out of the box, and the Boa and velcro closure allows you to dial in the fit to your foot. The mid-volume fit reduces lateral foot movement and aids in big power transfer moves, especially on rocky step-ups.
The Mallet Boa performed well across the board, but it is not perfect. The uppers lack breathability despite the perforated toe, tongue, and mesh windows at the midfoot, which is especially noticeable on hot and humid days. That said, we can't overlook the overall performance, comfort, and power transfer that make this shoe stand out from the competition. If you typically bike in hotter climates, we recommend checking out the breathable and lightweight Specialized 2FO Roost Clip.
The Specialized 2FO Roost Clip may look like a casual street shoe, but this lightweight lace-up shoe provides excellent power transfer at a relatively wallet-friendly price. Designed as a versatile mountain bike shoe, the Roost Clip is light enough for cross-country rides yet comfortable for all-day trail riding epics, except lift-accessed downhill riding. The SlipNot FG sole provides great traction and the right amount of flex on hike-a-bikes. When it comes to pedaling position, over 1 ¼" of fore/aft positioning makes it easy to find your preferred cleat position, and a generously sized cleat opening makes clipping in and out a breeze.
The Roost Clip has a relaxed fit, which we noticed affects the shoe's power transfer. We did not experience any heel lift with the shoe on steep climbs or technical step-ups but did notice some lateral slip through the midfoot. Despite this detail, the Roost Clip has very good power transfer, especially for a lace-up shoe. Overall, this mountain bike shoe performs very well and even outperformed more expensive models in many of our metrics. If you're looking for an all-purpose mountain bike shoe, the Roost Clip is a great choice at a fair price. For riders who want better lateral stability, the Ride Concepts Hellion Clip is an excellent option at a comparable price.
The Ride Concepts Hellion Clip shines on technical singletrack and especially on technical descents. Our testers were impressed at how supportive and comfortable this shoe is on long rides. The Hellion Clip has great lateral stiffness and trail absorption. When powering up technical climbs, our feet stay securely in place, and the stiff EVA midsole and PowerDrive nylon shank do not flex underfoot, resulting in good power transfer. While descending baby-head-strewn trails, we never feel a loss of stability, and the EVA midsole dampens trail vibrations. The synthetic Microfiber uppers are stiff with reinforced zones at the toe and heel, and a generously padded tongue and ankle collar provide support and protection. The sole features Ride Concepts Clip Grip rubber and have an extended cleat box with a "runway" that makes clipping in a breeze.
There is a lot to like about the Hellion Clip, but it lacks breathability. We noticed it is a particularly warm shoe, especially as the mercury rises. If you're searching for a stable and supportive shoe for technical trail riding, the Hellion Clip is worthy of consideration. For those who prefer a breathable and lightweight model, direct your attention towards the Specialized 2FO Roost Clip.
Because technical terrain places different demands on a rider's shoe, factors like impact absorption, support, and protection become even more important. The Ride Concepts Traverse is a stable, protective, supportive shoe for technical terrain and downhill riding. From technical descents to rocky desert hike-a-bikes and cold weather alpine rides, this well-designed shoe handled it all and never left us wanting. Unlike other shoes that left our feet sore after riding technical sections of the trail, the Traverse soaked up trail chatter and vibrations, leaving our testers impressed by their stiffness and ability to absorb trail impacts. The Traverse also has the most protection of the shoes we tested, thanks to its asymmetrical medial collar, and also earns high marks for exceptional comfort on and off the bike.
The biggest drawback to the Traverse is its weight. It is the heaviest shoe we tested weighing in at 450 grams for a women's EU 40). Much of the extra weight is due to its additional ankle support and protection. For the rider searching for high-performing, protective, and comfortable shoes that can handle the rigors of rock-strewn technical descents, high-speed landings, and impacts from drops and jumps, the Traverse checks all the boxes.
We were impressed at how well the D30 High Impact Insole shed mud.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
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We've put 13 of the top-rated and most popular women's mountain bike shoes through our extensive testing.
Credit: Byron Adams
Why You Should Trust Us
We at GearLab have been testing women's mountain bike shoes since 2018. Over the years, we have tested 27 different women's mountain bike shoes to determine the best for your riding style and budget. We begin each review by reviewing the latest products on the market and looking for updates to perennial favorites and award winners. We then purchase the shoes and begin our extensive testing process. We begin by first checking the shoe's fit, as there can be great discrepancies in fit between brands. While most of the shoes in our review are women's specific, a few gender-neutral models are also included as more companies move away from gender-specific models. Next, our team of testers begins the testing process, which includes riding the same trails back to back with different shoes and riding trails with a different shoe on each foot. This allows us to compare, in real-time, differences in a shoe's comfort and breathability, walkability, and stability and control. Much of our testing occurs in the dry desert surrounding Sedona, Arizona, with other testing occurring in the northern forests of Minnesota. We spend at least 25 hours testing each pair of shoes, and when possible, we try to ride in varying temperatures and conditions to see how environmental factors such as heat and cold or wet weather affect a shoe's performance.
Our test metrics consider factors that can influence a shoe's overall trail performance and comfort and include:
others feel more confident on their bike and improving their skills and understands the importance of well-performing gear.
Sometimes we needed to wear two different shoes at once to be able to determine subtle differences in performance and fit. The design of the each shoes velcro is different and affects the shoes comfort.
Hiking up the infamous Horsethief Bench in Fruita, Colorado. The rubber sole on the Traverse clung to the rocks as we hiked up and over the slabs giving us excellent traction.
This quickly became our go-to shoe for technical trail riding.
Analysis and Test Results
Wearing different clipless mountain bike shoes on a variety of terrain and in various conditions helps us to provide you with in-depth product testing. For this review, we put 11 pairs of women's mountain bike shoes through our extensive hands-on testing. We've included updates to popular models in addition to new products on the market. Each shoe is rated in our test metrics which reflects the factors that influence a shoe's performance and comfort.
As you read through our review think about what features are important to you and your riding. Our ratings are comparative and lower-scoring models may be contenders for your consideration based on your riding style, needs, and budget.
We frequently test with a different shoe on each foot. This helps give us real-time comparisons on things like comfort, breathability and power transfer.
Credit: Byron Adams
Value
Cost and performance are important factors to consider when purchasing a pair of mountain bike shoes. While value is not one of our metrics, we do recognize that just because a shoe is the most expensive does not mean it's the best choice available. In our testing, we have found lower-priced models that employ trickle-down technologies and perform really well. With shoes and shoes becoming more discipline-specific, the choices can seem overwhelming. Now more options are available at multiple price points and for each riding style.
Many of the shoes in our testing are made to excel in a specific discipline. For example, the Specialized 2FO Roost Clip excels at trail riding, the Ride Concepts Hellion Clip shines on technical trails, and the Ride Concepts Traverse bests its rivals for downhill and enduro riding.
This shoe is a great value and outperforms many more expensive shoes in our test.
This quickly became our go-to shoe for technical trail riding.
We are impressed with the Roost Clip's lightweight design and excellent power transfer at a relatively wallet-friendly price. The Roost Clip is one of the lighter shoes we tested and can comfortably be worn on cross-country laps and trail riding alike, but doesn't quite feature enough protection for the rigors of lift-accessed downhill riding.
Comfort
Ideally, you should not notice your shoes while riding. Fit is highly personal since our feet come in so many different sizes, shapes, lengths, widths, and volumes. Because of this, some manufacturers have moved away from men's and women's shoes and are making "unisex" shoes and we have included both women's specific and unisex models in our testing. For this comfort metric, we considered the shoe's length, width, and volume for our foot and the ability to adjust the shoe's fit for a foot that was wider, narrower, or for a different volume. We also monitor for pressure points or hot spots when wearing the shoe. Next, we contemplate if it's a shoe we want to wear all day. A sleek race shoe might be uncomfortable after two hours, so we focus on comfort for rides ranging from short hour-long rides to all-day epics. Shoes that caused pressure points, hot spots, or were generally uncomfortable scored lowest in this metric, while those that remained comfortable, even on long rides, scored the highest. Comfort accounts for 25% of a shoe's total score.
Of the 11 pairs of shoes we tested, the Crankbrothers Mallet Boa and the Specialized 2FO Roost Clip are the most comfortable for our feet. The 2FO Roost Clip has a mid-volume, relaxed fit, which is not overly wide and allows some space for your toes to wiggle and move during long rides. The 2FO Roost Clip is a very comfortable choice for all-day use.
The 2FO Roost Flat features a relaxed fit and has a nicely padded tongue and ankle that help make them comfortable.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
The Crankbrothers Mallet Boa also has a mid-volume fit that minimizes lateral foot movement. During our testing, they proved supportive and comfortable on short and long rides and are another great pick for all-day use.
The fit and comfort of the shoes we tested vary greatly, as does sizing. We highly recommend reading reviews about a shoe's sizing and referring to sizing charts to help find the best size for your foot.
Walkability
Inevitably, there will come a time when you need to hike in your mountain bike shoes, be it a feature you're not quite ready for, a too-steep climb, or deep, unrideable sand. To test each shoe's comfort, traction, and flex for walking, we scrambled up rock slabs, hiked through sand, loose slopes, packed dirt, and even a little snow to see how each shoe performed. We critique the flex of each shoe's sole, its comfort while walking, how much dirt the sole trapped, how much dirt and water enter the shoe or how well the shoe repels these things, and how much traction we had on a variety of trail surfaces. While this may not be part of everyone's riding, we consider it an important part of an all-around shoe giving it 25% of the weight in this metric. The six top-performing shoes in this category performed well while hiking on rocks. Most are slippery in wet conditions due to the lack of lugs, but some shed mud better than others.
Many shoes in our metric perform very well in this metric, thanks to grippy outsoles and good flex in the midfoot. The Ride Concepts Hellion Clip uses Clip Grip rubber in a uniform hexagonal pattern on the sole. This rubber compound is harder than the compounds found on their flat pedal shoes, but still has an exceptional grip for hiking and great flex at the midfoot for a comfortable gait. Crankbrothers uses their Match Compound rubber on the soles of their Mallet Boa Clip shoes with directional lugs for maximum traction off the bike.
Mountain bike shoes feature all kinds of soles. In our testing, flatter sole shoes did better while walking than those with raised edges, like the shoe on the left, which tended to slip more on rocks.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Specialized uses SlipNot™ FG rubber on the sole of the Specialized Roost Clip that is designed for traction. Lastly, Ride Concepts uses their DST 8.0 MID GRIP Rubber on their soles, which is similar to the Stealth C4 Rubber. All of these compounds are designed to provide maximal traction and grip, especially on rocks and roots.
The Five Ten Hellcat Pro scores well in this metric because of its flex behind the toes, grippy Stealth Rubber sole, and recessed cleat placement that does not interfere with walking.
Soles and cleat openings vary widely on clipless mountain bike shoes, it's important to examine the sole and it's flex to ensure you're finding the best shoe for your riding style.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Stability and Control
A shoe's stability and control are important factors in determining how well a shoe performs, accounting for 20% of each shoe's total score. Being able to stand, push, and pull on the pedals is important when it comes to controlling your bike because it allows you to move the bike under you. While testing stability, we consider the lateral flex, support, and stiffness of the shank, midsole, and sole and note how much lateral support a shoe has while cornering and descending. Some shoes provide excellent lateral stability, while others allow the foot to slide in the shoe, creating instability that can be especially pronounced when cornering. We ride various terrain and use multiple techniques for cornering, climbing, and descending to put torque on the shoe to test its power transfer and control over the pedals. This is especially pronounced on technical climbs when we are out of the saddle for leverage over the pedals to get up and over rocks and ledges, and we take into account how much we can pull up on the pedals in these instances.
The Ride Concepts Hellion Clip and Crankbrothers Mallet Boa have the greatest stability on the bike thanks to their stiff soles and lateral stability and score highest in this metric. The Hellion Clip has a Power Drive nylon shank that is supportive and stiff, and in combination with the synthetic Microfiber uppers, provides excellent lateral stability.
The Power Drive nylon shank helps increase the Hellion Clip's stability making it a great shoe for technical terrain.
Credit: Byron Adams
For this metric, we also consider how much the shoe absorbs the trail at high speeds and when landing jumps and drops. A soft sole may bend, and you can feel the pedal through the footbed. Alternatively, a soft midsole can transfer impacts and shocks from the trail into your feet, causing pain and discomfort. In this metric, differences in a shoe's sole, midsole, and footbed and the ability to absorb the trail become very apparent during testing. The Ride Concepts Traverse features a thick D30 High Impact Insole, which absorbs all trail chatter and impact before reaching your feet, making it a great choice for technical descending.
The Specialized 2FO Roost Clip scores well in this metric and has a Still Lollipop Nylon Composite Plate in the sole, providing a stiff and efficient pedaling platform. The Stiff Lollipop plate combined with the Body Geometry footbed and SlipNot™ FG sole absorbs impacts from moderately rocky trails but begin to send more feedback into the foot on more advanced rocky trails.
We measure the cleat opening and the cleat adjustment of each pair of shoes. Larger cleat boxes can make clipping in and out easier, and more fore/aft adjustment allows you to dial in cleat placement.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Protection
Your shoes should provide some level of protection to your feet from trail impacts, rocks, and other forces in the event of a crash. For this metric, we look at the amount of protection provided by each shoe's sole, midsole, footbed, and upper. Some shoes have reinforcement at high-impact areas, such as the toe box, while others favor weight over protection. We also looked at how well the shoe keeps dirt and debris out of the shoe and if laces could be secured to prevent them from ending up in the chain or chainring. We also considered water resistance and if moisture can easily seep into the shoe. For this metric, a shoe receives 15% of its rating.
Our top-scoring shoe for protection is the Ride Concepts Traverse. In addition to D30 reinforced zones and burly toe protection, its asymmetrical medial collar stands out from the rest. The asymmetrical medial collar protects the inside ankle on each foot from your bike's chainstays, crank arms, and random trail debris.
The inside ankle is higher for additional protection and support and welded D30 protection wraps around the mesh areas of the uppers for additional impact protection.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
The Crankbrothers Mallet Boa and Ride Concepts Hellion Clip also score highly for protection. These shoes each have reinforced areas at the toebox and EVA foam in the midsole or outsole to help absorb trail impacts. The Mallet has a highly padded ankle for protection.
The Ride Concepts Hellion Clip provides additional protection from the elements thanks to a gusseted tongue and weather-resistant uppers to help keep moisture and dirt out of the shoe and does a great job. We wore the Hellion Clip in moondust conditions, and the shoe was covered in grey powder with the consistency of baby powder, yet our socks were amazingly clean.
Reinforced zones like the neoprene collars keep debris out of the shoe and additional rubber at the toebox protects the forefoot.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Weight
This metric was the easiest to score. We place the shoes on a small scale without cleats and record the weight of each pair in addition to the size of each pair. Weight was given 15% of a shoe's score, as it affects its stability, control, and protection.
The Giro Sector takes top honors in this metric, with our EU 40 test shoe tipping the scales at 311-grams. This sleek shoe is lightweight but lacks the trail absorption properties and protection in other models.
Also scoring well in this metric is the Specialized 2FO Roost Clip at 322 grams for an EU 39.5. The 2FO Roost Clip is lightweight for a trail shoe with a full-coverage rubber sole. The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit also scores high, weighing 337 grams for an EU 40. This shoe is designed for all-day wear and uses EVA foam for impact protection, and has light reinforcement at the toebox.
One of the lightest shoes in our review at 311 grams per shoe.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Conclusion
Many factors influence your decision on what pair of clipless mountain bike shoes to purchase, and we've just tested twelve of the best pairs available. We encourage you to read through our reviews and consider the type of riding you do, your foot shape, and your budget when making a decision. Also, don't be afraid to use a shoe outside of its intended category. Cross-country shoes can be worn for all-mountain just as all-mountain shoes can be worn for cross-country. We hope we've helped you narrow your purchase decision by putting the top-rated shoes to the test.
