When riding a mountain bike on recreational trails, your regular athletic shoes will work just fine. As you move into more difficult genres of mountain biking, you can boost your performance with a pair of specialized shoes. Shoes for downhill mountain biking have been designed to provide increased pedal grip. Cross-country mountain biking shoes will increase your pedaling efficiency.
Downhill Shoes
To boost your performance on downhill courses, wear a special pair of mountain biking shoes. Downhill mountain bike shoes feature a thick rubber outer sole that grips your pedals during hairpin turns and fast-paced maneuvers. To increase your pedaling ability, top-rated models feature a molded heel cup that prevents your feet from sliding around within the shoe. To protect against heal bruises during big jumps, downhill mountain bike shoes feature a cushioned gel insert for added support.
Cross-Country Shoes
When participating in cross-country mountain bike treks, you may struggle to keep your feet in the proper pedaling position. The cross-country mountain bike shoes that perform the best feature a series of cleats. The cleats snap into your pedals and help to decrease the amount of energy you exert in the pedaling process. According to "Bicycling" magazine, top-rated models of the cross-country shoe feature a lightweight midsole made from carbon fiber.
Special Features
Mountain bike shoes with the best performance capabilities have been equipped with a few special features. To offer increased grip while dismounting your mountain bike, some of the best shoes have detachable toe spikes. To prevent your feet from getting wet on the trail, top-rated shoes feature a waterproof inner lining. According to REI, top-of-the-line mountain bike shoes feature a series of ratcheted straps for a custom fit and increased ankle support.
Top-Rated Shoes
Mountain bike publications rate the performance of the shoe based on a series of trail tests. Mountain bike shoes with the best performance can adapt to multiple types of off-road terrains. "Bike Magazine" recommends the 2011 lineup of Teva mountain biking shoes. The Teva shoes have been designed for flat-pedaled mountain bikes and feature a shock-absorbent insole. Vital MTB recommends the Five Ten Impact Low 2 shoes due to the quality leather construction and durable rubber outer sole.
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