Cleats or not

[rideswithmoobs]

Whats the shoe/pedal of choice on the trails and whats the pro's and cons of them ?
I have MTB shoes and shimano SPD's but seen a few in the Five ten trainer shoes.
Interested in opinions and choices.
After much delibaration and viewings of all types of bikes I have decided to go MTB and for the Whyte 901 hardtail. I live 20 mins from lake district and with winter coming I just want to explore the beautiful lake district and ride off road. I have my Single speed for roads when I choose so hopefully in next few weeks I will have bought the Whyte and be on the trails

 

[raleighnut]

I like the combination pedals, cleat on one side and 'bearcage' flats on the other for 'off road/trail/touring' riding. It depends on whether your shoes have recessed cleats' I know some people don't like then (@vickster ) but I get on well with them but there is a trick/technique for getting them the way up you want due to the way they are weighted. I just like the way that you can be clipped in and still have a decent flat pedal for slow 'nadgery' bits of trail.

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[MarquisMatsugae]

A hiking trainer for me.
I don't like the restricted movement feeling of Spuds on a muddy trail.

 

[Motozulu]

Flats for me too - sold all my clipless mtb gear.

I had Teva links before, but as they sadly no longer make them, I looked around. Initially was going for the 5/10 Sam Hill edition flats as my mates all have 5/10's and swear by them - then I noticed Adidas have entered the MTB shoe game, they also use the same Stealth rubber as the 5/10.
So Sam Hill 5/10's at 100 quid plus - looked into the Adidas Terex trail cross and with the intial first time discount off adidas of 15% and also going through quidco for another 10% - they were coming in at 70 quid something.
Ordered, arrived and got to say they are the dogs - really comfy, really well made and the grip so good I have to lift my foot off the pedals to reposition - excellent!
Pedals they have been used on - Mooves and DMR Vaults - equally as good on both. Honestly can't overstate how good these shoes are - they even come up like brand new after a muddy ride with a wipe of a damp cloth and also dry quickly (something my mates whine about as a major PITA with the 5/10's).

 

[Hugh Manatee]

I can't envisage ever using flats. I don't feel safe not clipped in. Something to do with using them since 1991 I suppose. That and rigid bike would probably shake me loose without me being attached.

 

[Motozulu]

Horses for courses mate. I actually learnt clipped in myself and first few rides on flats were a bit, err, exciting to say the least - not to mention bloody with my shins looking like two slabs of corned beef off the pedal pins

Once used to em though I soon realised I'd never go back. I ride a lot of Cannock off piste which tends to be steep, rooty, technical, tight between trees and at times muddy, being able to do an emergency foot dab is crucial to my riding.

 

[Motozulu]

Also Hugh don't understimate how good modern flat shoes are with decent flat pedals - I can't move my feet on the pedals with the stealth rubber soles - I have to lift my foot entirely off the pedal if I want to reposition - it's as near to clipless as you can get but with the ability to get a foot down fast if needed (with my cack technique - that's quite often!)

 

[Crackle]

Flats with grippy shoes and pedals. I like to be able to get my foot down fast and just as importantly, get it on and pushing as I'm re-starting. I've ridden clips and toeclips as well but I prefer flats. I can't bunny hop with flats though but then again I suppose I'm not really properly bunny hopping in clips, just kind of fudging it by brute force and poor technique.

 

[Jody]

Horses for courses mate.

This pretty much sums it up for me. There is no right and wrong answer and it sometimes depends on what you are doing. I have been riding MTB clipped in for over 20 years and have never had a problem. Don't mind what terrain and you can dab a foot as easy. The only downside to me is the ability to bail off the bike quickly if sh#t hits the fan (like jumping off the bike mid crash). I prefer them to flats, but have flats and will switch depending on what we are doing. Sometimes you just like the freedom of flats.

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

This pretty much sums it up for me. There is no right and wrong answer and it sometimes depends on what you are doing. I have been riding MTB clipped in for over 20 years and have never had a problem. Don't mind what terrain and you can dab a foot as easy. The only downside to me is the ability to bail off the bike quickly if sh#t hits the fan (like jumping off the bike mid crash). I prefer them to flats, but have flats and will switch depending on what we are doing. Sometimes you just like the freedom of flats.

I concur.

 

[screenman]

I like being clipped in as for me it allows more control, being able to lift the back wheel and generally chucking things about add to the fun.

 

[e-rider]

for riding slow technical muddy routes I prefer flats, but for faster easier paths SPDs are much more efficient