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Five Ten TrailCross LT Review

A versatile shoe for those riders who value adventure over all-out singletrack shredding
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Five Ten TrailCross LT Review (We expect the TrailCross to have a long and happy life. That said, don't be surprised if the soft and supple sole...)
We expect the TrailCross to have a long and happy life. That said, don't be surprised if the soft and supple sole wears faster than some other shoes.
Credit: Laura Casner
Price:  $140 List
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Manufacturer:   Adidas Five Ten
By Pat Donahue ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Jan 6, 2021
82
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 14
  • Grip - 30% 9.0
  • Fit and Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Rigidity and Power Transfer - 20% 7.0
  • Breathability - 10% 10.0
  • Durability - 10% 7.0
  • Weight - 5% 8.0

Our Verdict

The FiveTen TrailCross LT is a supremely versatile mountain bike shoe that bridges the gap between a dedicated mountain bike shoe and running/hiking shoe. If your idea of a fun mountain bike ride is an adventure where you spend significant amounts of time off the bike, these could be an excellent option. They offer far and above the best hiking and walking abilities of any shoe in our test class. A tradeoff for their excellent hiking abilities, however, is reduced sole stiffness and power transfer. Pedal grip and traction are very impressive thanks to Five Ten's Stealth Phantom rubber compound. The mesh uppers promote impressive breathability, and these shoes keep your feet cool and dry out very quickly. If you value pedal grip, ventilation, and hikeability, we feel the Trailcross is a great option to consider.
REASONS TO BUY
Supremely versatile
Excellent ventilation
Tacky grip
Easy to walk in
REASONS TO AVOID
Not a dedicated mountain bike shoe
Less supportive sole

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best For Adventure Riding
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes
Editors' Choice Award
A Close Second
 Best Buy Award
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Bottom Line A versatile mountain bike shoe that offers a beautiful blend of riding and hiking performanceThe flat pedal shoe by which all others are judgedThis light and comfortable shoe has top-shelf grip to rival the best on the marketThis casually styled flat pedal shoe is a versatile performer with excellent gripAn affordable shoe that delivers impressive grip, comfort, and protection
Rating Categories Five Ten TrailCross LT Five Ten Freerider Pro Giro Latch Specialized 2FO Roo... Ride Concepts Livewire
Grip (30%)
9.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
Fit and Comfort (25%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
Rigidity and Power Transfer (20%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Breathability (10%)
10.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Durability (10%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
Weight (5%)
8.0
8.0
10.0
9.0
5.0
Specs Five Ten TrailCross LT Five Ten Freerider Pro Giro Latch Specialized 2FO Roo... Ride Concepts Livewire
Rubber Type Stealth Phantom Stealth S1 Tack Rubber SlipNot ST Kinetics DST6.0 High Grip
Tread Pattern Full Dot Full Dot Gamma tread design Full Hexagon Dot Full Hexagon Dot
Weight per Shoe (ounces) 14.15 (size 10) 14.11 (size 11) 12.5 (size 10) 12.96 (size 43.5) 16.15 (size 11)
Weight per Shoe (grams) 400 (size 10) 399 (size 11) 358 (size 10) 367 (size 43.5) 458 (size 11)
Closure Laces Laces Laces Laces Laces
Lace Keeper Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Volume Low-Medium Medium Low-medium Medium Medium
Upper Materials Synthetic/textile Synthetic Leather Microfiber with Rockprint reinforced toe Leather/textile Synthetic/mesh
Midsole EVA EVA Mute Foam 3D and HD polyethylene power plate Cushioned EVA
Insole AM/MT insole 3D molded Body Geometry

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Trailcross LT is a unique model from Addidas/Five Ten. With a style reminiscent of a light hiking/trail running shoe, it doesn't look or feel quite like any other flat pedal shoe on the market. Billed as a shoe that “lets you pedal, push, and hike in any terrain with a breathable, quick-drying design for taking on any adventure.” We found these versatile shoes deliver spectacular off-bike performance, decent power transfer, and impressive ventilation, while also delivering the incredible grip that FiveTen is known for.

Performance Comparison


five ten trailcross lt - if a section of trail forces you off the bike, there is no shoe...
If a section of trail forces you off the bike, there is no shoe better than the TrailCross LT at handling a little hike-a-bike.
Credit: Laura Casner

Grip


If you ride with flat pedals, then you're likely already familiar with Five Ten's strong reputation for grippy mountain bike soles. The Five Ten Freerider Pro has been our Editor's Choice for years, due in part to this truly top-of-the-line grip. Despite having a slightly different focus, the Trailcross LT still delivers that classic Five Ten tackiness, albeit in a slightly different package.


The Trailcross LT utilizes a Stealth Phantom rubber sole which feels almost identical to the Freerider Pro's Stealth S1. This compound is a touch softer than most of the competition and really allows the pins to engage the rubber. When perched upon the pedals, you can really feel the pins dig into the sole to provide a locked-in feel. The outsole has a tread design comprised of raised dots under the midfoot with wider stepped lugs at the toe and heel for enhanced walking grip. Not only does the tacky Stealth rubber grip the pins well, but the dotty tread does a great job of engaging them. In addition to the impressive grip, we feel this rubber compound combines well with the EVA midsole for a little bit of damping that enhances comfort and helps keep the shoes from getting bounced from the pedals.

five ten trailcross lt - the stealth phantom rubber delivers an unrivaled feel on the pedals...
The Stealth Phantom rubber delivers an unrivaled feel on the pedals. The pedal pins really engage the soft rubber and dotty tread design.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Given the intended application of the TrailCross LT, it does have a couple of quirks. The footprint of the shoe is a little smaller than the Freerider Pro or other shoes in the review. Since it doubles as an athletic sneaker, it is a little narrower, particularly at the arch, than the dedicated, 100% mountain bike focused competition. If you ride with your pedals way back under the middle of the foot, this may result in a little less sole to pedal interface. It also has a slightly more rockered design through the toe. This isn't a huge deal, but it does reduce the amount of the sole that contacts the pedals in some positions.

Off the bike, the traction is outstanding. The slightly rockered sole paired with easy flex through the toe creates an excellent walking motion. The Stealth Phantom rubber is grippy and hooks up well on almost all surfaces short of mud and slop. The tread design has also been optimized for walking, with stepped lugs at the toes and wide lugs at the heel for extra bite. If you frequently find yourself hiking across sketchy sections of trail with your bike on your shoulder…this is a great shoe for the job.

five ten trailcross lt - the trailcross runs a bit long in size with a slightly lower volume...
The TrailCross runs a bit long in size with a slightly lower volume fit than the competition. If your foot works in this shoe, you will enjoy a comfortable and airy feel.
Credit: Laura Casner

Comfort


The TrailCross LT is a comfortable shoe with a performance fit. Overall, we found them to run a bit long (at least a half size), and also slightly narrower through the forefoot compared to most other shoes in the test, and definitely compared to other Five Ten models. That said, our testers with medium-volume feet were able to achieve a comfortable fit thanks to their supple mesh uppers, cushioned midsole, and minimalist protective features.


The soft and breathable mesh upper is extremely pleasant against the foot. It is quite soft and supple and easily conforms to shape of the foot. On the trail, this soft material isn't quite as supportive as sturdier synthetic materials. This can allow a little bit of lateral flex in the upper of the shoe when railing through a corner or making an awkward move on a techy climb, resulting in a slightly more vague side to side feel. That said, this material makes this the most breathable shoe we tested, which enhances its comfort in warm temperatures. The midsole of the shoe is made of EVA foam which does a great job of absorbing impact and helps to keep the feet feeling fresh.

five ten trailcross lt - this shoe remains comfortable while tip toeing across a log over a...
This shoe remains comfortable while tip toeing across a log over a ravine or shredding a loose corner.
Credit: Laura Casner

The insole is generally pleasant and the thin, yet broad, tongue sits flat against the feet. We found it easy to pull even tension across the foot with the laces, although we could feel the shoe's laces through the thin, mesh tongue. We didn't find it to be too uncomfortable, although it could potentially create pressure points if the laces were over-tightened. Due to the relatively minimalist design of this shoe, it is somewhat light on protective features. It does, however, have a rubber cap that protects the toes at the front of the shoe, although it doesn't cover the vulnerable pinky toe knuckle. The heel pocket also has a nice reinforced feel that should help protect it from impacts.

five ten trailcross lt - these aren't the stiffest or most rigid shoes on the market. that...
These aren't the stiffest or most rigid shoes on the market. That said, when it is time to put the power down, they deliver acceptable levels of power transfer.
Credit: Laura Casner

Rigidity and Power Transfer


The TrailCross LT offers decent levels of power transfer. Again, this shoe straddles the line between mountain biking and hiking, and the sole has been optimized to work pretty well for both activities. Considering how well these shoes work for walking/hiking, we were generally impressed by their power transfer. Shoe design is a game of compromises and we think FiveTen nailed it for the intended use of the Trailcross.


When squeezing and twisting the shoe by hand, the softer flex of the Trailcross LT is apparent. This shoe flexes very easily from the ball of the foot forward, making it easy to have a natural walking motion. It does not flex much from the ball of the foot to the heel, and it feels stiff enough to keep the jarring trail forces from reaching your feet and causing discomfort and fatigue. When putting the power down on the pedals, you can certainly notice a slight amount of flex, but we don't think it significantly detracts from pedal efficiency. Yes, there are stiffer shoes that offer better power transfer, but none that match the hikeability of the Trailcross.

five ten trailcross lt - when plopping down big rock lines these shoes are stiff enough to...
When plopping down big rock lines these shoes are stiff enough to keep your feet protected.
Credit: Laura Casner

Off the bike, the soles feel great for walking considering their underfoot stiffness and respectable power transfer. No, this is not the shoe we'd choose to take for hikes without a bike, but we also wouldn't choose to bike in dedicated hiking shoes either. The slightly rockered forefoot paired with the easy flexing toe makes for a natural walking feel. If you tend to use the word “adventure” when describing your rides, the Trailcross will help make those long hike-a-bikes more tolerable.

five ten trailcross lt - this shoe is by far the most breathable in our review. it isn't even...
This shoe is by far the most breathable in our review. It isn't even close.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Breathability


The TrailCross LT is the most breathable shoe in our review, and it's not even close. This isn't all that surprising given the fact that the uppers are comprised almost entirely of a mesh material. This mesh allows air to escape and enter the shoe far more easily than the thicker synthetic materials found on the majority of the other shoes we tested. The lightly padded mesh tongue, thin laces, and even the perforated footbed also help to promote airflow, drainage, and quick drying.


The Trailcross LT is a purpose-built adventure riding shoe and that is apparent in the especially airy, quick-drying design. The mesh uppers allow for impressive airflow and ventilation, making them a great choice for summer, the desert, or any hot climate. The flip side is that they won't keep your feet very warm when the seasons change and the temperatures inevitably dip. The mesh uppers also tend to allow water to pass through them to the feet quickly, however, they dry out nearly as fast for the same reason. The insoles are even perforated under the forefoot to allow water to pass through and drain.

five ten trailcross lt - we expect the trailcross to have a long and happy life. that said...
We expect the TrailCross to have a long and happy life. That said, don't be surprised if the soft and supple sole wears faster than some other shoes.
Credit: Laura Casner

Durability


Throughout testing, we observed no significant signs of wear or premature breakdown of materials aside from some minor pin-scarring in the soles. The quality of craftsmanship appears to be quite good, although we would be remiss not to mention our durability concerns.


One thing that should be noted is the tacky Stealth rubber sole will be prone to wearing out a little quicker than harder sole materials, a tradeoff for their impressive grip. The soles of our test shoes are already showing some minor wear from the pedal pins. The mesh material used in the uppers also seems prone to damage from abrasion, especially when compared to the beefier synthetic materials used in other models we tested. If you value breathability, this tradeoff may be worth it for you. Again, we didn't experience any premature wear of the mesh material, so this is just speculation but we feel is worthy of mention.

five ten trailcross lt - despite being 30-40 grams heavier than the lighest shoes in our...
Despite being 30-40 grams heavier than the lighest shoes in our review, the TrailCross LT has a very, very light feel on your foot.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Weight


Our size 10 TrailCross LT shoes hit the scale at an average of 400-grams, or 14.1-ounces, per shoe. While they aren't the lightest shoes in the test, they aren't that far off, and the super-breathable construction and mesh upper makes them feel extremely light. In addition, the great walking motion only adds to that light and fantastically feathery feel.

Value


We feel the TrailCross LT is a strong value for the right buyer. If you prioritize adventure rides and versatility, this shoe is an absolute no-brainer. The design quality is excellent, the level of grip is top-notch and the hiking experience is unrivaled. This shoe hikes better than any mountain bike shoe and it rides exponentially better than any hiking shoe. That said, those seeking a dedicated riding shoe will probably be better offer spending their money elsewhere.

five ten trailcross lt - there you have it. if your ride is all about the adventure and...
There you have it. If your ride is all about the adventure and exploring cool zones, the TrailCross LT is an awesome choice.
Credit: Laura Casner

Conclusion


The Trailcross LT is a unique shoe aimed squarely at the adventure rider. Basically a hybrid mountain biking and hiking shoe, it blends unrivaled off-the-bike hiking performance with classic, tacky Five Ten grip and pedal traction. It also offers outstanding breathability and respectable power transfer in a lightweight, versatile package. This shoe is an excellent option for the rider who likes to explore and doesn't shy away from extended hike-a-bikes, creek crossings, or the unknown.

Pat Donahue