Confession: I’ve been a Five Ten fan girl for quite some time now, so when the Freerider Contact was release this season in split pink, I had to scoop up a new set. I regularly switch back and forth between clip-less and flat pedals depending on the day’s ride; thanks to my day job and Bermstyle, I have the opportunity to test out a lot of different shoes. That said, when it comes to platform pedals, Five Ten is the go-to pick.
Five Ten shoes are renown for being comfortable, supportive and most importantly, their sticky rubber tread that grips better than a koala. I still own my first pair, the womens Karvers (no longer in production) and they are totally running strong.
The last few seasons have seen the design of the shoes refined, and the lines are less blocky, and considerably more visually appealing. Compared to the mens models, the women’s specific versions feature a lower total volume with a tighter fit. As someone with very narrow feet, this was a huge improvement in fit for me.
They’re also lighter than previous generation models, an improvement for trail riding with platforms.
The Five Ten Freerider Contact shoes list for $150. Shop the latest Five Ten shoes at JensonUSA.com