Five Ten’s legendary grip was first introduced to the mountain bike scene back when Sam Hill and Nathan Rennie were tearing up the World Cup scene aboard their Madcatz/ Ironhorse team bikes. At that time they were a basic model with styling taken from the company’s range of climbing and outdoors models. For 2013 we can see just how far the development of Five Ten shoes has come, and also how committed to mountain biking the brand are.

For several years riders who wanted their unbeatable level of grip had to make do with clumsy club-foot styling and black or white only colour options. Five Ten have really sorted it out now though, with a large range of shoe models available and this Freerider VXI shoe highlights their devotion to progression with its smooth twist-pad section of the sole enabling easier re-positioning of the foot on the pedal if needed. It’s only a small advance but if you found your Five Tens too grippy, this little innovation could be just what you’re after.

PRICE: £95.00

Bigstone 01142 586 688
www.fiveten.com