Five Ten Trailcross XT Mountain Bike Shoe Review

The Five Ten Trailcross XT mountain bike shoes (available from Adidas and other online retailers) are lightweight, grippy, and flexible for all day adventures out on the trails on and off the bike.

The Five Ten Trailcross XT shoes are made with a Stealth Phantom rubber outsole in a Dotty pattern offering high-friction grip. The flexible midsole is designed for comfort and Adidas claims that 25% of the components used to make the upper are made with a minimum of 50% recycled content. They come in a Green Oxide / Core Black / Dove Grey colorway.

Five Ten Trailcross XT Fit

I wear a US Women’s size 7.5, and the Five Ten Trailcross XT feels true to size for me. Some have said to size up by 0.5, so try on a size before you buy if possible, and otherwise, the brand has an easy size exchange policy. The Adidas website has a traditional shoe sizing guide as well as a Fit Finder guide that gives a size recommendation based on the shoes you wear, in case you need it. 

The mid-top boot holds my ankles snug and keeps debris from going inside. The front and rear pull tabs also make entry and exit a breeze.

On the trail

I’ve tested this pair of Five Ten Trailcross XTs for the past few months on sunny California trails. These shoes have proven they’ve got sole! I’m happy that Five Ten is still using the same great recipe that goes into their rubbery soles. The proprietary Stealth Phantom rubber and Dotty sole keep my feet on the pedal with almost no slip down the trails. I’ve been riding my hardtail with flats and as you may know, things can get rowdy on a hardtail. The grippy soles help me stay composed throughout those nasty roots and ruts. Compared to other models such as the Freerider Pros, the Trailcross XT sole is a little softer. This is by no means a downside, as the Freerider Pros seem to be more aimed at those that have more aggressive and demanding terrain. The Trailcross XT shoes are excellent for XC, downcountry, or good ol’ trail riding. 

These shoes are very light coming in at 339 grams per shoe in a size women’s 7.5. You really can’t tell that you’re wearing mountain bike shoes, which is an excellent benefit on longer rides. You want your clothing and gear to improve your ride, not hinder it. The small features really help to make mountain biking more enjoyable. 

The mesh upper offers excellent ventilation. The Five Ten Trailcross XTs might be the most well-ventilated mountain biking shoes in my wardrobe. My usually sweaty feet were significantly less sweaty after my rides. 

The XT’s also have excellent midsole flex. Don’t be fooled by their running shoe style and look. They are stiff enough for pedaling efficiency, but also flexible and grippy during hike-a-bike situations. Also, have you noticed that you end up wearing your bike shoes well after your ride around the local cafe or brewery? The comfort doesn’t end at the trailhead, so these offer the best of both worlds with comfortably flexible midsoles that aid in walking and won’t hinder your bike ride.

These shoes were created to be outdoors and take on the elements. However, if you live where it rains a lot, you may be better off looking into a shoe with less mesh and more water repellant coverage to keep your feet dry. It would be nice if FiveTen made a women’s counterpart of the Goretex TrailCross for rainy riding. If you’re looking for a stiffer sole and toe box, you may consider the Freerider Pros.

Overall

The Five Ten Trailcross XT shoes are excellent all day, on and off the bike, with a midsole flex and fantastic grip. Lightweight ventilation and breathability give the rider plenty of comforts. The grippy FiveTen sole we’ve all grown to love isn’t going anywhere, as this new style mountain bike shoe continues that legacy. The rubberized toe box offers enough protection for XC or trail riding and allows for proper ventilation and flexibility. It would be nice to see a D30 inner ankle padding for added ankle protection in a future iteration. For now, the Neoprene cuffs provide a level of protection and seal out dirt and gravel. Whether you’re riding XC, downcountry, trail riding or relaxing with your trail buddies at a coffee shop or brewery, the Trailcross XT shoes will do the job.