Our Five Ten Freerider Contact Review: Ride with Confidence
From hiking to biking, there are many ways you can explore the outdoors. And if you want to do so on a bike, you’ll need some special shoes. So, consider our Five Ten Freerider Contact review before you hit the trails.
Hiking shoes and mountain bikes don’t mix. That’s because hiking shoes are too flexible to offer control of your pedals. On the other hand, biking shoes don’t offer enough give for flexing your feet on a hike.
If you want to do both, you’ll need the shoes for both.
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FIVE TEN FREERIDER CONTACT REVIEW: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Whether you’re looking for your first pair of bike shoes or your current pair is wearing out, you should invest in a high-
quality pair. The right pair of shoes will protect your feet, while the wrong pair will be uncomfortable or even painful.
When it comes to bike shoes, the right pair is super important. You need shoes that are easy to move in and aren’t too bulky. They should also have some grip so your feet don’t slip off the pedals. And, like any pair of shoes, they shouldn’t be too small or too large.
Let’s breakdown some of the important features in our Five Ten Freerider Contact review.
How they fit
The Freerider Contact shoes from Five Ten are 100 percent textile and synthetic women’s bike shoes. These shoes have a rubber sole, and you can remove the insole.
Five Ten Women’s Freerider Contact Wms Approach Shoes, Shock…
- Removable insole
They have a lower total volume than some other shoes, and the heel fits tightly to your foot. The shoes have a non-marking stealth phantom outsole that gives you the grip you need when riding a bike.
They’re pretty similar to the original Freeriders, but they’re for women instead of men. Unfortunately, these shoes don’t have a ton of room in the toe box, which can make your toes feel numb after some time.
However, these shoes come in women’s sizes from 5 to 11, including half sizes. If numbness is a concern, you can size up and see if that gives you the room you need.
How well they last
We all know that buying a new pair of shoes means we have to break them in. So, for our Five Ten Freerider Contact review, we wanted to know how the shoes perform as you wear them.
While the shoes might be uncomfortable at first, they do get better over time. These shoes are sturdy, and the quality is great. The shoes are also relatively waterproof, and you can wash them easily.
However, the bottom of the shoe is pretty soft. That means that pedal pins can poke into the sole if you use the shoes a lot.
What they’re for
The Five Ten Freerider Contact shoes keep your feet straight, which is helpful when biking. They also have sticky soles, and that can help your feet stay on the pedals of your bike.
However, that does mean that these shoes aren’t ideal for walking or hiking. For one, they’re not comfortable for walking. When you walk, you need to flex your feet as you step.
And you probably don’t want your feet to feel sticky as you walk, either.
Also, the outsole doesn’t have as much traction as hiking shoes. Part of the shoes has no traction at all, which gives you the flexibility to move around on a bike but is a no-go for hiking.
However, these shoes provide great grip on some surfaces. You might be able to wear them on a hike. But from our Five Ten Freerider Contact review so far, we’d recommend saving the shoes for biking.
The good, the bad, and the ugly
For our Five Ten Freerider Contact review, we wanted to share some of the advantages and disadvantages of these shoes. While they have plenty of great features, they’re far from perfect.
Pros
Cons
WHY YOUR RIDING SHOES MATTER
As you read through our Five Ten Freerider Contact review, you might wonder what the big deal is with choosing the right shoes. Well, we walk on our feet, so they have to support a lot.
Now, when riding a bike, we can distribute that weight between our feet, hands, and bottom. While that can provide some relief to your feet, that doesn’t mean you don’t still need the right shoes.
Even with the best shoes, your feet can develop problems ranging from athlete’s foot to an infection.
Sure, your shoes may not be able to prevent some of the more common foot problems. But the wrong shoes certainly won’t do anything to help.
Since we rely so heavily on our feet, we need to protect them even when we aren’t using them. Because of how our feet sit on bike pedals, we need shoes that keep our feet from moving and flexing too much.
Don’t let it slip
Speaking of foot problems, we aren’t doctors. While our Five Ten Freerider Contact review contains our own research and thoughts, it’s only for your information. We can’t diagnose or treat any foot problems.
So, if you do experience pain or another issue, stop wearing the problematic shoes and contact your doctor. They can check for problems or recommend a specialist for additional help.
There are good shoes out there for everyone, and a doctor can help you find the right ones for you.
HOW WE REVIEWED
For our Five Ten Freerider Contact review, we looked at a range of women’s bike shoes. We considered features like the fit, size selection, and durability.
Next, we looked at what they are good for, and when you should avoid wearing them. After that, we considered the pros and cons of the shoes.
To round out our Five Ten Freerider Contact review, we compared the Five Ten shoes to some competitors. We put each of the shoes through the same process, looking at the features, uses, pros, and cons.
A TRUE FREE RIDER?
No Five Ten Freerider Contact review would be complete without a look at some similar shoes. While the Five Ten shoes have some great features, they aren’t the only option.
So, as you consider the Five Ten Freerider Contacts, consider these options, too:
PEARL IZUMI WOMEN’S X-ROAD FUEL V5
PEARL IZUMI Women’s W X-Road Fuel v5 Cycling Shoe, Smoked…
- Quick-drying, highly…
- Low-cut construction for a…
- X-Road nylon plate delivers…
- Rubber lugged outsole for…
- Flexible forefoot and a…
The PEARL iZUMi Women’s X-Road Fuel v5 is pretty similar to the Freerider Contact in terms of appearance and design.
These shoes have a rubber sole and a bonded seamless upper. Those materials make the shoes comfortable and durable. They also have a low-cut construction, so they’re light and have a nice fit.
This pair has a mesh and synthetic upper that’s breathable and easy to dry. A built-in lace garage helps with drivetrain interference. Meanwhile, a nylon plate gives you stability, power, and efficiency for pedaling.
You can also wear these shoes for walking, but you shouldn’t rely on them for long distances. The sizes range from 36 to 43 EU, which converts to about 5 to 10 in US sizes.
Pros
Cons
Where to buy
GIRO EMPIRE E70 KNIT ROAD CYCLING SHOES
Giro Empire E70 Knit Cycling Shoes – Women’s Grey/Glacier 39
- Upper Material: [body] Xnetic…
- Closure: lace
- Footbed: molded EVA
- Sole: Easton EC70 Carbon Fiber
- Cleat Compatibility: 3-bolt
The Giro Empire E70 Knit Road Cycling Shoes are another option to consider. These shoes have a knit upper with a skeletal support system to offer breathability and a lightweight feel.
The outsole uses a carbon composite material, while the molded footbed gives a medium amount of arch support. These shoes have steel hardware and replaceable heel pads to add to their durability.
They’re water-repellent and easy to clean. You can choose from sizes 5 through 11, with some half sizes also available.
Unfortunately, there’s no mention of how the shoes last over time.
Pros
Cons
Where to buy
NEW BALANCE NBCYCLE WX09
New Balance Women’s 09v1 Cycling Shoe Cross Trainer, sea…
- Mesh and Textile Upper
- NB Cycle
- SPD Cleat Compatible
The New Balance Women’s NBCycle WX09 uses textile and synthetic materials for the upper and features a synthetic sole. These shoes have a low-top shaft, and they feature a lightweight midsole.
They’re compatible with SPD cleats, and they’re great spin shoes. Instead of laces, the shoes use Velcro strips to give you a comfortable and secure fit.
A full-length plate gives you enough power to pedal. However, they aren’t great for walking or other activities. You should keep these shoes for your bike.
They come in sizes 5 through 12, including some half sizes.
Pros
Cons
Where to buy
JUST SMOOTH RIDING FROM HERE
Throughout our Five Ten Freerider Contact review, we wanted to see if these shoes really were some of the best biking shoes. We looked at the fit, durability, and use of the shoes.
Next, we considered the advantages and disadvantages, and we compared the shoes to some of the leading competition. After all of that, we think the Five Ten Freerider Contacts are an excellent choice for women who want good riding shoes.
However, they’re not great for walking or hiking. But if you plan to hit the trails for a ride, you won’t be disappointed!
Have you worn these shoes? Share your own Five Ten Freerider Contact review in the comments!
Featured image by: Amazon
Paul Grove has been passionate about hunting for as long as he can remember. He recalls hunting squirrels with his dad’s trusty Winchester Model 63 as early as age 9. As he grew older, his hunting interests, tactics, and gear have refined. He was also fortunate enough to be born in Wisconsin, thus having unhindered access to some of the nation’s best whitetail deer hunting spots. When he’s not chasing deer or other large to massive game on public lands, he is field-testing various fishing gear in a never-ending quest to find that perfect fishing setup. Is his passion for hunting and fishing innate or acquired? Paul believes that it is more about passing down a family tradition.
