I’m guessing I’ve put somewhere around 60 days on a bike and a few dozen more just walking around in the Sleuth DLX, and it’s held up quite well so far. These shoes also feature an abrasion-resistant Stealth Marathon rubber outsole with a Dotty tread to guarantee excellent control on your pedals. Its fairly thick suede upper and pretty small, internal reinforcements at the heel and toe have kept my feet protected for the most part, but I’d opt for the Powerline (or Five Ten’s Freerider collection) if I frequently kicked a lot of rocks.

Built for both on-bike and casual settings, the Sleuth boasts comfortable cushioning that keeps your feet happy throughout the day. Something of an oddball from a UK point of view, but for those riding in alpine and/or arid terrain, they may make more sense. Its sleek appearance adds a touch of style to your outfit, making it a solid choice for any occasion. If you know you love, for example, Five Ten’s ultra-sticky Stealth Mi6 or Stealth S1 / Phantom rubber, the Powerline’s DST 4.

And after spending a few months riding in the Trailcross LT, I found that the shoe was, in effect, everything that Five Ten said it was. The fairly stiff sole and smooth tread underfoot make it especially difficult for the shoe to affect any sort of mechanical grip in those conditions.

Again, there are plenty of people who just want a really sticky rubber, and I think those people should still look to Five Ten’s Stealth Mi6 and Stealth S1 / Phantom compounds.I’ve got good old impacts for rocky stuff and bought some adidas terrex swift solo for my gravel bike and bigger rides. We’d still opt for the cheaper classic Freerider (unless you can find Sleuth DLX shoes at a healthy discount), but the Sleuth DLX does blend in better at the coffee stop or apres-ride pub. With a durable suede leather upper, an EVA midsole, and a Stealth Marathon rubber outsole, the Sleuth is ready for a day at work, stopping at the bike park, and grabbing a tasty beverage after. The Sleuth does work notably better on a mountain bike than, say, a Nike SB Stefan Janoski (my go-to casual shoe). You also might want to check the Five Ten Sleuth DLX, the first true collaboration between Adidas and Five Ten.

Pick out the Five Ten Freerider Pro for quick drying and ultimate toe protection with gripped soles perfect for biking.The Five Ten Sleuth is a multisport shoe with great casual style for those days when you want a shoe that does it all. I figure if some bike brand was able to use one of Vibram’s climbing-shoe rubber compounds (like those on La Sportiva’s climbing shoes) on a bike shoe, they could definitely compete in terms of grip, based on my time using 5. But if you’re like me and actually prefer a bit less grip in exchange for easier foot adjustments, the Powerline’s DST 4. We offer 10 days free cover with all new bikes purchased, provided by our insurance partner VeloLife.

All Five Ten shoes I’ve used seem to perfectly straddle the fine line between having a shoe that grips my pedals / pins tenaciously while allowing me to reposition my foot (or bail! g., most of my trail running and hiking shoes are notably better), but it is a bit more reliable than the Five Ten Sleuth DLX, so I think the Powerline’s tread design goals were achieved to a certain degree. properly-fitting shoe when you’re hurtling down a rock garden could be the difference between impressing all your friends and leaving a rock-shaped impression in your chest.Particularly if you’re not planning on spending a lot of time on rough trails and / or want a shoe that will truly see 50/50 use on and off the bike, that makes the Sleuth worth a look. I spent the last few dry(er) months in Scotland testing the Five Ten Sleuth DLX Canvas shoes for trail and enduro riding. Same issue with ski boots… I can fit narrower midfoot boots/shoes on, but after several minutes of descending, it feels like someone’s been beating on the bottoms of my feet with sticks. The Freerider Contact / Vault combination of shoe and pedal has been my go-to for a while now (and easily my favorite that I’ve ever tried), and I’m relatively loath to test anything that takes me away from that combo.