Five Ten Trailcross XT tested – never stop exploring
Five Ten’s new Trailcross range was designed with adventure in mind. Drawing inspiration from the Adidas TERREX trail running range and pairing it with the infamously grippy Stealth Rubber sole, Five Ten have created a footwear lineup for riders who like to stray off the beaten track! We have put the latest addition to the range, the Trailcross XT, through its paces! Read on for our findings!
Our Scotland-based editor and flat-pedal fanatic, Finlay, put the Trailcross XTs to the test through a particularly wet Scottish Autumn. Straight out the box, it was clear that this shoe was unlike any of Five Ten’s previous offerings. Everything from the design language to the materials used in the breathable upper is new and bear a strong resemblance to the TERREX range of footwear. The shoes quite feel light and our Size 42 test pair weighed in at 760 g.
With the infamously grippy Stealth sole, the Trailcross XTs offer incredible grip – both on and off the bike!
While these shoes are lightweight, Five Ten have made sure to include support and protection where it matters most.
The lightweight breathable upper and mesh construction means you never have to worry about sweaty feet. However, beware of deep puddles!
The Trailcross XTs are strongly influenced by the Adidas TERREX aesthetic, which may not appeal to everyone.
The top of the shoe is constructed from lightweight mesh and a breathable upper, which make for great ventilation. In order to test their warm weather performance, we took the shoes on a riding trip to Madeira where they performed excellently in the hot climate, preventing sweating and keeping us comfortable in changing conditions. However, back in rainy Scotland, the highly breathable design (while being quick to dry) does not put up much of a fight against water seeping through.
The grippy sole is divided into sections, allowing the Trailcross XT to give great traction even when you are carrying or pushing your bike.
On the trail, one thing quickly became clear: the Five Ten Trailcross XT has not lost any grip compared to its stablemates, sticking to our pedals and glueing our feet in place no matter how rough the trail got. The sole itself is divided into three sections, with the toe and heel sections getting a ridged profile for off-the-bike grip. The large middle section takes up most of the sole and is covered in the dotted Stealth Phantom rubber which we all love so dearly. The front section of the sole is quite flexible, allowing you to curl your toes to improve grip on and off the bike. However, the sole seems to get progressively stiffer throughout, achieving plenty of stiffness for all-round enduro and trail riding. There’s also plenty of support and protection around the heel and ankle, thanks to a neoprene gator and foam backer that extends around the back and sides of the ankle protecting it from knocks and scrapes.
Where these riding shoes come into their own, though, is when you shoulder your bike and continue on foot. Whether you are scoping out a backcountry freeride line, scrambling up an exposed mountainside with your bike on your back or anything in between, the Trailcross XT give unparalleled grip with virtually no compromise in all-round riding performance.
Five Ten set out to design a flat-pedal shoe for any biking adventure, and overall, we see the Trailcross XT as a clear success! Everything about the design and execution of these shoes seems spot on. From the clever Stealth sole that offers class-leading grip both on and off the bike, to the lightweight design with reinforcement where it matters – just watch out for puddles 😉.
Tops
- Great grip on and off the bike
- Clever, lightweight design
- Comfortable and breathable for all day use
Flops
- The breathable upper lets water seep through - watch out for puddles.
Tested by Finlay
Duration 3 ½ months
Price €150
Weight 760 g (Size 42)
More info adidas.com
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