Late last year I switched to flat pedals, and have been trying to find appropriate shoes. I've been wearing a pair of old trail runners, which stick to the pedals pretty well, but they have a wide base and I couldn't really put my feet where I wanted to on my pedals. (DMR V8s, which I intend to replace, but that's another issue.) The various 5.10 offerings do not fit me at all; they are too wide and my feet slosh around in them.
First shoes I tried were the Scarpa Gecko Guide Ws. They had a tread pattern similar to the 5.10s: https://a1.zassets.com/images/z/1/3/6/1367826-p-DETAILED.jpg It's a Vibram sole, though, not the sticky 5.10 rubber. It's pretty hard and kind of slick. I threw them back.
Next stop: the Vans store. Where they had no actual womens' skate shoes, only "lifestyle" shoes. As in, not going to hold up to the rigors of mtb. Especially on my crashy feet. So, for S&G, I tried on a few pairs of mens' shoes.
I picked up with a pair of Dockets. They are last year's model, and were on sale for $40 or so.
Since the Vans site doesn't show the tread, here's a photo (pardon the dust, was riding in Bend all weekend) (yeah, I know, sucks to be me):
Despite this being a "men's" shoe, it fits me pretty well. I'm not saying I want to run a marathon in them or anything, but they're certainly suitable for riding. I've worn them for a grand total of 8 or 9 hours (2 rides) so far.
Pros:
- price
- fit
- stick like mad to the pedals (keep in mind I'm only doing small jumps and then only if I'm forced) (though I did clear my first little itty-bitty double over the weekend)
- good padding around the ankles
Cons:
- lacing is weird, it's too high-friction or something & it's hard to get the shoes snug
- these are going to be h-o-t in August
- stuff (pine needles, etc) gets down the collar and into my socks
- your friends yell "off the WALL!" every time you successfully ride a stunt or trail feature
HTH those of you looking for alternatives to the 5.10s.
gabrielle
First shoes I tried were the Scarpa Gecko Guide Ws. They had a tread pattern similar to the 5.10s: https://a1.zassets.com/images/z/1/3/6/1367826-p-DETAILED.jpg It's a Vibram sole, though, not the sticky 5.10 rubber. It's pretty hard and kind of slick. I threw them back.
Next stop: the Vans store. Where they had no actual womens' skate shoes, only "lifestyle" shoes. As in, not going to hold up to the rigors of mtb. Especially on my crashy feet. So, for S&G, I tried on a few pairs of mens' shoes.
I picked up with a pair of Dockets. They are last year's model, and were on sale for $40 or so.
Since the Vans site doesn't show the tread, here's a photo (pardon the dust, was riding in Bend all weekend) (yeah, I know, sucks to be me):
Despite this being a "men's" shoe, it fits me pretty well. I'm not saying I want to run a marathon in them or anything, but they're certainly suitable for riding. I've worn them for a grand total of 8 or 9 hours (2 rides) so far.
Pros:
- price
- fit
- stick like mad to the pedals (keep in mind I'm only doing small jumps and then only if I'm forced) (though I did clear my first little itty-bitty double over the weekend)
- good padding around the ankles
Cons:
- lacing is weird, it's too high-friction or something & it's hard to get the shoes snug
- these are going to be h-o-t in August
- stuff (pine needles, etc) gets down the collar and into my socks
- your friends yell "off the WALL!" every time you successfully ride a stunt or trail feature
HTH those of you looking for alternatives to the 5.10s.
gabrielle