Last summer, Bikerumor got an early look at the new Freerider Pro BOA shoes at Crankworx Whistler. This model introduces the convenience of a BOA Fit System to a very popular MTB shoe, and having owned laced Freeriders in the past, I agree that the BOA dial was a great addition.
I got my hands on the Freerider Pro BOA shoes this Spring, and have been riding them almost exclusively since, so they’ve seen plenty of action on the trails. The shoes aren’t showing any damage or excess wear, they’re still grippy and supportive on the pedals, and still perfectly comfortable after many, many rides.
FiveTen Freerider Pro BOA – Construction:
The Freerider Pro BOA shoes are constructed with synthetic uppers, which have a textile lining and a sturdy, reinforced toe cap. These shoes get Stealth S1 rubber soles with FiveTen’s classic dotty tread. An EVA midsole provides cushioning and comfort.
Of course, the big feature of this model is the BOA Li2 Fit System. This system uses a single BOA dial to cinch up the shoes. The dial twists to tighten and pops upwards to release the cable.
Ride Impressions – Fit:
I’ve owned a few pairs of FiveTen shoes, and I’ve always worn size 9.5. When I tried on the Freerider Pro BOAs, they seemed to fit just slightly bigger than the previous Freeriders I’ve ridden. I assumed this was because the older models I owned were laced, so I was likely able to cinch down the uppers more evenly on my foot vs. the BOA dial.
The BOA system does put slightly more pressure on the top section of my foot near the cuff, but it pulls evenly enough on my feet to keep them snug everywhere. I did not have any problems with friction or my foot moving around inside the shoe. With the BOA dials cinched in nice and snug, I’m perfectly comfortable in these shoes.
The only issue I had wasn’t really an issue at all, but I’m glad I mentioned it to FiveTen’s Luke Hontz during this year’s Crankworx. I noticed the tongues of both shoes always settled into a very off-center position. The edge of the tongue sits very close to the shoe opening, but thankfully, it doesn’t move beyond it. I was concerned this would leave a detectable gap between the tongue and the uppers, but where it sits does keep things perfectly comfortable.
I mentioned this to Hontz, who immediately suggested I try on a size 9. It turns out I do fit into a size 9 FiveTen shoe, and the tongue sat more evenly on my foot, easily covering the shoe’s opening. I guess my foot is a bit narrow and not too long for a size 9. Should I test more FiveTen shoes in the future, I’ll move down to size 9, as it is the better fit for me!
Comfort:
Despite now knowing I should go a half size smaller, I had no comfort issues at all throughout my extensive testing with the Freerider Pro BOAs. FiveTen gives these shoes generous padding around the inside top of the cuff to help keep your feet down, and it hasn’t packed out after months of riding.
Initially, the insoles felt pleasantly squishy, which helps reduce vibrations in your feet. Even now, the insoles have hardly lost any of that feel, so they’re holding up impressively well.
Soles:
Fresh out of the box, the Stealth S1 rubber soles on the Freerider Pro BOAs were very grippy on the pedals! My foot was firmly stuck in place one of the first times I tried to adjust its position. There is an initial tackiness that wears off, but the shoes still offer excellent grip on any flat pedal. In fact, some riders might prefer the feel after that fresh rubber tackiness goes away, as adjusting your foot position gets a bit easier.
These shoes offer plenty of pedal support, but they’re not too stiff to make walking around off-bike uncomfortable or to eliminate all pedal feel. The Freerider Pro BOAs, after a few months of riding, feel more supportive than the Crankbrothers Stamp Trail BOAs I tested last year. By comparison, they’re a bit heavier, but the uppers are more protective and the soles are definitely stiffer. The Crankbros shoes definitely allow for more pedal feel, but the FiveTens were fine in that regard and will remain supportive for much longer.
Durability/Functionality:
The Freerider Pro BOAs feel pretty lightweight. At 369g, they sit right between the Crankbrothers Stamp Trail BOAs (lighter) and Endura MT500 flats (heavier). I’d gladly call them a lightweight option, yet the uppers don’t feel thin and non-protective. The stiff toe cap will easily deflect rocks, and the uppers are just thick enough to reduce the impact from flying rocks or fend off pointy branches. While they are nicely protective, the shoes maintain a pretty slim profile, with no excessive width or bulk anywhere.
As far as how warm or cool they are, the Freerider Pro BOA is pretty average for an MTB shoe. They’re not designed to be especially cool or warm, so they work well in nearly any temperature. On hot summer days, my feet remained comfortable in them, but they’re also robust enough to keep your feet from getting chilled on cooler rides.
The BOA retention system worked without fault throughout my testing. The dial pops up easily to release the cable, and the shoe opens up enough that they’re easy to slip on and off.
Since these are low-cut shoes, there is nothing to prevent dirt and debris from getting into them. I do shake them out before every ride, and some sand, dirt, or grass always falls out. This is normal for any low-cut shoe that doesn’t feature a sock liner or higher cuff to keep dirt out.
After months of riding, there is no damage whatsoever or excessive wear and tear on my shoes. Every part of them is holding up perfectly, and I’d expect this pair to last me quite a while yet!
Weather Resistance:
The Freerider Pro BOAs got put through the bad weather wringer right away, as their first ride was a muddy one. The shoes did great at keeping me dry and clean despite some decent puddle splashes and a good splattering of muck. On another day, I rode the Freerider Pro BOAs for two hours in light to steady rain. The shoes got really muddy, but through all the rain, they kept my socks perfectly dry! In any conditions that don’t require a fully waterproof shoe, the Freerider Pro BOAs’ weather resistance won’t likely disappoint you.
FiveTen’s Freerider Pro BOAs retail for $170. They are available in either Core Black or Cloud White, and in men’s sizes 6-15. Women’s models are also available in sizes 5-11.
