Platform Pedal Rider

M

mani

New Member
I'm a newb and only have been out a few times. What kind of shoes do people use when riding platform pedals. Last time out, my foot slipped a bunch of times. I chalk some of it up to just being new, but I was wearing a pair of my merrel hiking shoes and was wondering if I'm wearing the wrong kind of shoes.

What does everyone else where?
 
mani said:
I'm a newb and only have been out a few times. What kind of shoes do people use when riding platform pedals. Last time out, my foot slipped a bunch of times. I chalk some of it up to just being new, but I was wearing a pair of my merrel hiking shoes and was wondering if I'm wearing the wrong kind of shoes.

What does everyone else where?
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I won't speak for everyone but it seems that the majority here wear clipless. That said, I keep hearing about 5-10 shoes for platforms. They are made for riding platforms. I think they have softer souls for grip.
 
Pedals also matter. Bmx style with metal pins seem to work best. The thinner they get the more expensive.
 
I switch back and forth between clipless and platforms a couple of times a year. Any shoe with a gummy sole should offer better grip than something with a stiff sole (like a true hiking boot). Soundz point about pedals is a good one also. I use specialized's Lo Pro 2's and have never slipped off.
 
If you dont want to drop the coin on the 5-10's, you really can't go wrong with the good ole' classic van's sole, however what it has in grippiness, it lacks in cushion and stiffness. Most skate style shoes have a sole that will work well with platforms. Look for something with a honeycomb looking sole (like the vans) and you should be good.
 
Well I originally posted this 4 months ago. I went with the Five Ten Freeriders not longer afterwards. I've got new platform pedals coming for Xmas.

Sometime next hopefully I'll be comfortable enough to switch to clipless.

Thanks for the advice!
 
I was using a pair of DCs before I went clipless. Ended up ruining the sole at the ball of the foot. Good thing i got them at marshells for 30 bucks
 
someone gave me a good set of pedals, I can't believe how much of a difference they make. Even with my crap shoes I was seriously stuck to thepedal. Worked out great for my more "all mountain" rides in Vegas and Phoenix this month.
 
I just picked up a set of platforms today at Halters. Clipless is great and all, but I think I made the jump a tad too early and my confidence level just isn't where I want it to be just yet. I find that when I was clipped in, I really wasn't focused on riding, more like "when should I unclip before I bust my ass?". 😀
 
I use platforms and 510 shoes. They are amazing shoes and worth every penny. there more than just sticky tread. They're also stiffer so you dont hurt the arches of your feet upon impact of rough terrain or jumps.
 
I was using Wellgo B67 pedals (if you get them put locktite right away, half of the pins were missing after 3 rides in Jungle Habitat) and FiveTen Freerider shoes- sticks well. My wife is using regular running shoes with the same Wellgo B67 and she tells she does not need any extra sticky sole. I guess, the main thing is the pedal then the shoes. I switched to clipless, but haven't tried it on trails yet, just 20min ride in my neighborhood - damn snow!
 
stb222 said:
If you dont want to drop the coin on the 5-10's, you really can't go wrong with the good ole' classic van's sole, however what it has in grippiness, it lacks in cushion and stiffness. Most skate style shoes have a sole that will work well with platforms. Look for something with a honeycomb looking sole (like the vans) and you should be good.
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agreed. I haven’t used the 5-10's, nor do I know anybody personally that did, but for the most part I usually use skating shoes and haven’t really had any problems. They're designed to grip the sandpaper-like grip tape of the flat skateboard, so with a decent set of pedals they grip pretty good, (way better than running shoes that I've ridden in the past).

If anyone were to go the cheaper route, I would suggest globes. Even back when I use to skate these shoes seemed to last the longest, and most of them usually have a good amount of padding and cushion for your foot on all sides. I'll probably get the 5-10's one day since I really like flat pedals, but for now skating shoes work fine.
 
grumner80 said:
I'll probably get the 5-10's one day since I really like flat pedals, but for now skating shoes work fine.
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5-10's are in another league compared to any skate shoe I've tried. Seriously, get a pair. They show up on Chainlove a lot at less then half price if you keep an eye out.

I don't know a single person who tried 5-10's, then went back to Van's or whatever.

There may be another serious contender coming this summer when Teva releases their freeride shoe. Supposedly they did their homework and developed the shoe with Jeff Lenosky. We'll see...
 
5.10's are stiffer than vans, therefore less energy is lost at that point. Mine seem indestructable, but I've read otherwise.
 
FFT said:
Mine seem indestructable, but I've read otherwise.
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i had some issues with my first pair. the rand around the sole came off after about a year of use. turns out it was a recall and 5.10 shipped me a new pair of shoes in exchange for my old ones. the only coin i had to drop was on shipping. i was pretty psyched about that.

the new version of the freerider sole is stiffer and is one full piece, so there's no rand to fall off anymore.
 
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