Most breathable flat pedal shoes

I need the most breathable footwear possible due to a condition that leaves me incapacitated for days if I let my feet overheat too much

I’ve been using the old style freeriders which are ok but need some new shoes and wondered if there were any better options out there

Every shoe manufacturer seems to slip the word “breathable” in their marketing for every shoe so would like some opinions from actual experience!

All joking aside, you can ride in sandals, right? I’ve even seen clip-in sandals somewhere or other.

Have you tried the 5:10 trail cross?
They’re pretty breathable.

Haha yes you can, and I do! But need something closed for proper mtb rides. In winter I can get away with pretty much anything but if it’s warm it’s a problem

I was bikepacking last weekend and met a German guy who had ridden to Purbeck with no shoes, he had flat plastic platform pedals. I’m walking barefoot a lot so might try that in the future as well

I’d seen the trailcross but thought the material was a gore tex type thing, is it more of an open mesh then?

Trailcross XT have mesh-ish sections on the top. Probably the best-vented flat pedal shoes I’ve had.

I have the trail cross and would say they’re pretty good.

I have the clip version of the trailcross which sole aside seem to be the same as my gf’s flat version. They’re the best vented shoe I’ve used (though admitedly the sample size isn’t THAT big.)

Think the trailcross XT is on sale at evans atm?

I have some ION scrub amp after seeing them recommended on here in a summer flat shoes thread. They stay fairly cool (a lot cooler than my other trailcross goretex), and they also look pretty nice.

Won’t go far wrong with these

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/shoes/pgr/specialized-2fo-roost-flat-canvas-mtb-shoes-taupeoasis__372686?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=61622-5142&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_Na1BhAlEiwAM-dm7ALmv89ifr60qF0FWuXqSRj0XPYl6qzecwgfcHPDMKqUivoJvh45ShoC2VQQAvD_BwE

The Trailcross GTX is the goretex version for winter, which is also brilliant.

+1 Trailcross. Way, WAY cooler than any other flat shoe I’ve tried.

How grippy do they need to be? For general trail rides I use a pair of Topo barefoot (5mm drop) style trail running shoes , they’re super breathable and dry quickly if they get wet. They have a plastic plate in the midsole so they give good support and the tread isn’t so deep that they squirm around on the pedals. I’m not doing super techy riding though!

Specialized Rime is very breathable with mesh at the front.

the trailcross doesn’t use S1 rubber on the sole, it uses the less grippy phantom rubber. As a result it’s not as grippy as the Rime.

i think the rime is the better option.

1, buy cheap 5/10’s
2, cut holes in them

^^^ Someone on here did do that I’m sure, using a drill. Not sure who it was, but can’t help thinking it might be the type of person who fits forks upside down???

+1 the not goretex Trailcross, but I’d also suggest Crank Bros Stamp which are good, and they have a new Stamp Trail also, which I havent tried, but is even lighter.

I have some ION scrub amp after seeing them recommended on here in a summer flat shoes thread. They stay fairly cool (a lot cooler than my other trailcross goretex), and they also look pretty nice.

The front is quite a thin fabric, but the rear half is quite heavily padded.

you can ride in sandals

Shimano make the only ones i know of

https://www.tweekscycles.com/shimano-sd5-spd-sandals-2013237/?sku=MADBSD501L43&istCompanyId=56f52ebf-49f3-492a-9cbb-cb6ab0fc1bf0&istFeedId=33b89177-5114-4491-9c2a-09a3a7cb23b2&istItemId=ilqiitlrl&istBid=t&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrZa81MrphwMVDJtQBh1FJh-DEAQYByABEgJd_vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#gad_source=1

There is certainly something to be said for that, especially on a roasting hot day as you get the slight breeze from the motion across the toes.Very refreshing.

Of course this depends on where you’re riding, and not bashing your toes into the ground.

Echo the Trailcross comments

Keen Newport sandals with a substantial toe box for protection ?

Canvas fox union

I use the keen sandals for flats with socks when needed

they did do spd sandals a few years ago but mine fell apart

There’s a tall Rastafarian dude around Stroud somewhere who rides a bicycle bare foot and with old skool platform pedals that ain’t exactly flat. I’d love to feel the bottom of his feet!

I rode across Nepal in a pair of Teva’s, more “gravel” than MTB though, dead comfy.

I cut the tongue out of my lace up specialized shoes and I’ve not had hot feet since.
When it cools down I just refit the tongues with some Velcro that I added.
The cool air going over the top of your feet when pedalling is blissful

Thanks all! Sounds like Trailcross are a good option to try but I really like the idea of cutting tongues out and putting Velcro in as well, I bet you get a tonne of gravel and dirt on there but I could live with that for the airflow

Another  plus for Keen Newport sandals.

I’ve perforated shoes galore but cutting the tongue out makes the biggest difference.
Your big veins are on the top of your feet, no tongue means your blood is getting cooled.

Won’t go far wrong with these

Cheers tracey, i was looking for a pair of flats for pump track usage and these look perfect.

They are good. I have both and they are cooler in the summer than my trailcross. I also think they grip better

I’m a big fan of my Spesh Roosts too, but I wouldn’t have said they were any more breathable than your average shoe. Just my two cents.