The Five Ten Freerider Contact is a new version of the company’s Freerider VXi. The big change is that the smooth rubber section across the middle of the sole now extends further for improved grip.

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There’s still not a lot of bite when walking on wet, slippery trails, but at 38A durometer, the Stealth rubber is the softest here and offers an amazing amount of grip. Some mbr testers actually find the traction too much, struggling with foot repositioning, but if you really want to feel locked in to your pedals, this is the shoe to go for.

With a redesigned upper and tongue, the Freerider Contact fits better and feels lighter when pedalling, but it’s not as robust as the old Freerider VXi. The lighter construction also means it’s cooler, but not as protective or hardwearing.

>>> Five Ten Impact VXi review

Grip is everything with flat pedal shoes and, while the Freerider Contact is the best on the market at the moment, it’s also 25 per cent more expensive than most flat shoes. If you want the best, it turns out you will have to pay a bit more for it.

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