The autumn and winter months are approaching, those months in which it is nice to change the road bike for the mountain bike. In which it is pleasant to go out on trails painted in shades of yellow and orange. In which it is pleasant to approach the summits surrounded by snow. And, facing these months, there are many people who write to Cycling Andalusian to ask about the best shoes for MTB.
It is something we had in mind: we wanted to talk about mountain bike footwear and, given the avalanche of messages we have received (remember that you can subscribe to our newsletter or contact us to send us any suggestions), we have encouraged it. In this article we present the best Decathlon MTB shoes.
But, before we get down to work, we want to focus on some important aspects when choosing MTB shoes.
And now yes! Go for it. We start with this article about the best Decahtlon MTB shoes. We start with a model for those people who are looking for comfort, who do not feel comfortable walking on heels or with very rigid shoes.
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The Basics: Decathlon ST 100 MTB Shoes
We consider Decathlon's Rockrider ST 100 MTB shoes to be an entry-level model since they are designed for both pedaling and walking. And it is clear that, when we are beginners, we cannot always ride the bicycle, but sometimes we have to push it. That is why Decathlon has designed these shoes with a hybrid sole recommended for outings of up to two hours.
Thanks to the hybrid sole, the shoes offer good grip when pedaling and good foot and ground support when walking. To do this, they have a series of reinforcements on the heel and on the flex line and, in addition, multidirectional studs with a groove design to evacuate mud and water more easily. The sole is made of reinforced polyamide to improve power transmission without sacrificing comfort.
Also, the area of the fingers has a mixture of materials (PU and PES) chosen to favor protection against impacts with roots, stones or any other obstacle that we find along the way. The adjustment of the shoes is done by laces. For added security (to prevent the laces from wrapping around the chain), the ST 100 mountain bike shoes feature a small elasticated tab to hide the laces in.
Is it compatible with a cleat system?
The answer is a resounding yes. When starting out on a mountain bike, it is common to have doubts about whether to fit clipless pedals or not. Well, with this model you can pedal with clipless pedals (with cleats) or without them since the shoe offers a good grip on the pedal even without cleats.
In case you want to place the cleats, the sole of the shoe has a rigid part to place the cleat. It will be easy to place the cleat since this model of mountain bike shoe only has two holes (when the normal is four).
Rockrider ST 100 MTB Shoes
The manufacturer, i.e. Decathlon, recommends the following cleat/pedal models for these shoes: BTWIN SPD Semi-Auto 500; B.T.WIN SPD Auto 100; B.T.WIN SPD Auto 520; Shimano SPD Semi-Auto M324; Shimano SPD Auto M520, and Shimano SPD Auto XT-M780.
This type of cleats also guarantees compatibility with almost all the bikes you can find in gyms.
Getting Started: Decathlon Rockrider XC 100 MTB Shoes
In the Rockrider XC 100 MTB shoes we find the most basic model within the performance range offered by Decathlon. They can be used for both outdoor cycling and stationary cycling (spinning in gyms).
Its rigid sole (polyamide) with studs (monodensity TPU) stands out to guarantee good grip on all types of terrain. On the other hand, in terms of support, we value this shoe with a remarkable thanks to the three Velcro straps that run along the instep.
Rockrider XC 100 MTB Shoes
Thanks to the three fastening straps that make up the shoe, we can say that it is a model that adapts to all types of feet, whether they are wider or narrower. Finally, it is worth highlighting the breathability offered by this model thanks to the perforated and breathable polyester materials in which it is made.
The weight is 710 grams (for the pair of shoes in size 44). The Rockrider XC 100 MTB shoes are compatible with SPD, TIME and Crankbrothers cleats.
Rockrider MTB Race 700 Shoes
Slightly above the previous ones -although with a very similar design- are the Rockrider MTB Race 700 mountain bike shoes. They also offer good support with reinforcements on the heel, on the instep and with three Velcro straps to adjust to the foot. They also have a rigid sole reinforced with studs to be efficient on all types of floors.
The main difference compared to the Rockrider XC 100 is in the compatibility with the cleats. This model is compatible with most of the pedals on the market: SPD, Time, Crankbrothers and, unlike the previous model, with the Look MTB pedals. They are available in three colors: black, gray and blue.
Midrange: Decathlon Rockrider XC 500 MTB Shoes
When we talk about the Decathlon Rockrider XC 500 mountain bike shoes, we are going one step further compared to previous models. It is an ideal product for regular training and even participating in mountain bike races. All this at a more than affordable price.
The first thing that stands out compared to previous models is that the sole of the shoe is made of fiberglass, which ensures greater rigidity and greater power transmission with each pedal stroke. Another detail that stands out from the lower models is the boa closure at the top of the instep. This closure is complemented by a velcro at the bottom of the foot.
Rockrider XC 500 MTB Shoes Red
Rockrider XC 500 MTB Shoes Black
The sole of the Rockrider XC 500 has been specifically designed for cross country: it is lighter, more dynamic and with a shape that favors the elimination of mud and the evacuation of water in extreme conditions. It is also compatible with four millimeter studs for extreme mud conditions.
This model is lighter (680 grams for a size 44); It is available in two colors (black and black/red), and is compatible with SPD and Crankbrothers cleats.
The TOP: Rockrider XC 900 shoes for MTB
At the top of Decathlon's range of mountain bike shoes are the Rockrider XC 900. A model focused on performance, super comfortable and with a very good fit to the foot. The sole is made of carbon composite (20%), has carbon inserts for greater rigidity and, also, with laser perforations to increase lightness. Hence, this model stands at 710 grams for the pair of size 44 shoes.
As for the closure, this model has two boa closures located on the outer side of the shoe, one at the top and one at the bottom of the instep. Being more rigid shoes, they will need a few outings to finish molding completely to the shape of the foot.
Rockrider XC 900 MTB Shoes
Regarding the sole, it should be added that the bi-density thermoplastic studs improve grip on the ground and that the shoe's laser perforation, as well as the upper part of the mesh insole, favors the breathability of the foot. The Rockrider XC 900 shoes are compatible with 4mm cleats and SPD and Crankbrothers cleats.
Other models of Decathlon MTB shoes
In addition to Decathlon's own brand (Rockrider), you can find other brands of mountain bike shoes. Among them, Spiuk and Shimano.
Automatic pedals for MTB
If you are thinking of buying MTB shoes, it is very possible that you also need clipless pedals. Here are our recommendations with the best Decathlon models. Before that you should know that there are two types of models:
All pedals are compatible with SPD cleats. Cleats are included in the pedal set.
🙂 And this is it! We hope this article has been of interest to you. And do not forget that you can send us your comments and suggestions. Leave a comment if you found this article on the best Decathlon mountain bike shoes interesting. You can also subscribe to our newsletter. Until the next! 👋