Are Vans Good for Mountain Biking? (2024)

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a die-hard mountain biker, you know that the right gear makes all the difference. When it comes to shoes, you want a pair that’s comfortable, stylish, and will hold up to the rigors of mountain biking. Vans are a stylish choice and suitable for a wide range of activities but can you take them mountain biking?

Vans are good for mountain biking on flat pedals. These shoes have soles with a waffle pattern grip that helps keep your feet in place on the pedals while absorbing shocks from bumps in the trail. However, they’re not good for long rides as they don’t provide much support for ankles.

In this article, I’ll discuss why vans make good mountain biking shoes, including their pros and cons. I’ll also cover other suitable mountain biking shoes to consider. Stay tuned!

Reasons Why Vans Make Good Mountain Biking Shoes

Vans are commonly referred to as “skater shoes.” These shoes were initially meant for skateboarding but have become popular among BMX riders and mountain bikers.

The quality of your mountain biking shoes determines how safe you’ll be throughout your rides. The Hospital for Special Surgery discusses that investing in suitable cycling shoes can prevent most cycling ankle injuries.

Vans are suitable for mountain biking because of the following reasons:

They Have a Waffle Sole Pattern

Every pair of vans shoes come with a waffle pattern sole. This type of sole is made up of small squares that are connected by criss-crossed lines. The waffle design helps to increase the grip and traction of the shoe while being lightweight.

The design of these soles ensures good grip and traction by locking into the treads on the pedals. This is beneficial for mountain biking because it helps keep your feet in place on the pedals, even when riding over rough terrain.

Waffle-patterned soles are also thick, which increases the overall thickness of the sole. You need such soles to withstand rough terrain surfaces common in mountain biking. This helps to protect your feet and ankles from injury.

It’s worth mentioning that mountain biking is a demanding sport on your shoes. The constant bumping with ups and downs requires durable shoes. By increasing the sole width, the waffle pattern makes vans durable and able to handle the challenges of riding on such rough terrain

They Are Good at Shock Absorption

Mountain bikes come with suspensions to absorb shocks related to their use. However, it’s your responsibility to put on gear that absorbs as much of the shock as possible.

Shock absorption is necessary for mountain biking for the following reasons:

It keeps you comfortable. The last thing you want is to feel every hit when riding over bumps and obstacles. Shock absorption protects your feet and ankles from feeling the brunt of these impacts.
It reduces fatigue. All the vibrations will travel up your legs and into your body if you don’t have proper shock absorption. This can lead to fatigue and even injuries.
It increases power transfer. You want as much energy as possible to go into the pedals when pedaling. However, that won’t be the case as some of that energy will be lost if your shoes don’t absorb shocks well.

Vans have an excellent shock absorption system to protect your feet and ankles from injury.

The soles of vans shoes have a waffle pattern that helps absorb shocks. Moreover, the crisscrossed lines help disperse the impact force evenly across the sole. This helps protect your feet and ankles from injuries, even when riding over rough terrain.

They Are Lightweight

The weight of your mountain biking shoes is an essential factor to consider. They’ll weigh you down if they’re too heavy and make pedaling more difficult. On the other hand, if they’re too light, they might not provide enough support or protection.

Vans are lightweight and comfortable, weighing from 0.98 to 1.03 pounds (0.44 to 0.47 kilograms) for size 12 men’s shoes. This is beneficial for mountain biking because it helps to increase your pedaling power. High pedaling power is necessary to overcome the high resistance experienced in mountain biking.

The lighter weight of vans also helps reduce fatigue. The last thing you want when riding over rough terrain is to feel weighed down by your shoes.

High Cycling Efficiency

Mountain biking is a physically demanding sport. You need to be able to pedal for long periods, even when tired. This is where the efficiency of your shoes comes into play.

Vans soles are flat and lack arch support. This might sound bad, but it increases pedaling efficiency by ensuring that much energy goes into the pedals when pedaling. The flat sole of vans shoes helps to achieve this by keeping your foot in a neutral position.

The lack of arch support also makes vans shoes more comfortable. This design allows your feet to move and flex more naturally. As a result, you’re less likely to experience pain or discomfort while wearing them.

A Variety of Styles To Choose From

Vans offer various styles for different needs. Therefore, you can find the perfect pair of shoes that meet your needs.

The most popular style among mountain bikers is the Sk8-Hi. This style is a high-top shoe that provides support and protection for your ankles. It’s available in different colors and patterns, so you can find the perfect pair to match your personality.

Vans also offer low-top and slip-on options if you’re looking for a more casual shoe style. These styles are great for everyday wear but might not provide enough support for mountain biking.

No matter what your style or needs are, vans have a shoe that’s perfect for you. Always remember though, that style is secondary. The vital consideration is to ensure that the type you choose is compatible with your bike pedals.

Types of Mountain Bike Pedals

The type of pedals you use on your mountain bike is crucial in determining if you can use vans.

Mountain bike pedals come in three main types:

Platform (flat)
Clipless
Dual (Hybrid)

Platform Pedals

Platform, also referred to as flat pedals, are the most common type of pedal, and they’re compatible with all kinds of shoes. They have a large, flat surface on which you can rest your foot while pedaling.

These pedals are either convex or concave in shape, allowing you to choose your preferred type.

The concave shape has an excellent grip. However, it’s challenging to make foot adjustments while pedaling. On the other hand, although the convex shape gives you more freedom to move your feet around while riding, it doesn’t offer a powerful grip on the feet.

Pros of Flat Pedals

Can be used with any type of shoe, including vans.
Offer more freedom to move your feet while riding.
Easy to make adjustments while pedaling.
Are suitable for beginners as no special skills are required.

Cons of Flat Pedals

Can be challenging to find a comfortable grip.
Might not provide enough support for long rides.
Reduced power transfer especially on uphill terrain

Clipless Pedals

Clipless pedals are designed to be used with specific types of shoes that have cleats on the bottom. The cleats lock into the pedal, keeping your foot in place while you ride.

This design provides a more secure connection between you and your bike. As a result, you’ll be able to pedal with more power and efficiency.

Pros of Clipless Pedals

Offers a more secure connection between the rider and the bike.
Allows you to pedal with more power and efficiency.
Are efficient for use on rough terrains.

Cons of Clipless Pedals

The cleats can be difficult to clip into the pedals.
They are not beginner-friendly as you need to know how to use the cleats.
They are expensive and may not be an option if you’re on a tight budget.

Dual or Hybrid Pedals

Dual or hybrid pedals combine platform and clipless pedals. They have flat surfaces like platform pedals and a small area where you can clip in your cleats.

This design allows you to choose whether you want to ride with or without cleats. You can still enjoy all the benefits of flat pedals if you decide to ride without cleats.

Pros of Dual Pedals

They are highly versatile. You can use them with or without cleats for any type of shoes.
Offers more grip than flat pedals if you decide to use the cleats
Are beginner-friendly as you don’t need to clip in your cleats if you don’t want to.

Cons of Dual Pedals

The small area for clipping in your cleats might not be compatible with all shoes.
Might not provide enough grip if you don’t use the cleats.
They can be more uncomfortable than other options

Best Mountain Bike Pedals for Vans

Platform and hybrid pedals are the best options for vans. As with platform pedals, you don’t need special shoes with cleats to fit before riding. This gives you the freedom to choose any vans shoe style you want.

Hybrid pedals provide a versatile option where you can use them with any shoes like vans or specialized riding shoes.

Although hybrid pedals provide more grip, they might not be suitable if you’re just starting. If you need more grip, consider using platform pedals with toe clips and straps.

Toe clips and straps are devices that fit over the front of your vans shoes and clip into the pedal. This gives you more control over your pedaling and prevents your foot from slipping off the pedal.

Pros and Cons of Vans As Mountain Biking Shoes

Pros

Better riding grip. The waffle pattern sole ensures that your feet grip the pedals well. This eliminates the chances of slipping, a recipe for falls and other cycling accidents.
Breathable. The shoes are made from rubber and canvas. These breathable materials allow your feet to stay cool and dry during long rides.
They are affordable. Vans shoes are more affordable than other brands of mountain biking shoes. Most vans will cost you between $50 and $80. Specialized mountain biking shoes will cost you upwards of $150.
Ankle protection. Vans come in different styles and sizes, with the Skate Hi being the best option for mountain bikers. This is a high-top shoe that offers ankle protection when riding.
Compatible with flat pedals. The flat nature of soles in vans shoes make them effective for use with flat pedals.
Lightweight. Vans shoes are made from lightweight canvas. This is essential for riders as you need a shoe that won’t weigh you down when cycling.

Cons

Lack of precision. The main downside to vans is that they lack the accuracy that other specialized mountain biking shoes offer. This can lead to your foot slipping off the pedal, especially on rough terrain.
Limited ankle support. Some vans’ styles don’t offer much ankle support. This can be an issue for mountain bikers as you need all the support you can get when riding to direct all the energy to the pedals.
They are not as durable. Vans shoes are not as durable as specialized mountain biking shoes. They are made from lightweight canvas, a material prone to wear and tear. As a result, most vans shoes will usually last for about six months with regular use before they start to show signs of wear and tear.
High tops. The high tops in vans shoes are challenging when riding, especially over long distances. They make feet sweaty, and this can be uncomfortable for mountain bikers.
Not good in wet conditions and mud. The soles of these shoes don’t provide grip in such situations, making it easy for you to slip and fall.

When To Use Vans for Mountain Biking

The following are some conditions when vans are excellent mountain biking shoes:

In dry conditions. Vans provide a good grip and are breathable to keep your feet dry. Never use them in wet conditions as the chances of slipping are high.
On easy trails. The shoes lack the precision and durability for more challenging mountain biking trails with obstacles like stones and roots. Using vans on such trails shortens their lifetime due to extensive pressure.
On short rides. They are comfortable but can be challenging on long rides due to the high tops.
With flat pedals. The soles of these shoes work best with flat pedals as they are not too stiff.
With platform pedals and toe clips. These shoes provide more grip when used with platform pedals that have toe clips. This is ideal for beginners who need more control over their riding.

Other Suitable Mountain Biking Shoes for Flat Pedals

As discussed, vans are suitable for mountain biking with flat pedals. Therefore, I’ll also discuss other suitable biking shoes for flat pedals.

Five Ten

This is your go-to option if you want riding shoes with excellent cushioning and grip. These shoes have a tread pattern designed to provide more grip when riding. The shoes are also compatible with all platform pedals, including the popular SPD pedals.

Five Ten won’t disappoint you in terms of durability. The shoes are made from synthetic and leather materials that can withstand regular use. The only downside to these shoes is that they are expensive, costing more than vans. However, they still cost less than most specialized mountain biking shoes.

Giro Rumble VR

The Giro Rumble VR is another excellent option for mountain biking with flat pedals. These shoes come with a stiff sole that helps to transfer power to the pedals efficiently. You can use these shoes on any mountain bike with platform or hybrid pedals.

The Giro Rumble VR is a lightweight shoe that doesn’t sacrifice durability. Its upper part is made from synthetic leather, a material that can withstand regular use. You’ll also appreciate the toe box in these shoes as it is large enough to accommodate your feet comfortably.

The main downside to the Giro Rumble VR is the price, which is similar to that of Five Ten shoes.

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek VII

This is a more affordable option compared to the previous two shoes. The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek VII comes with a synthetic sole and composite fiber, an excellent choice for mountain biking with flat pedals.

These shoes’ carbon rubber lugged outsole provides good grip and traction when riding. The shoes are also compatible with all types of mountain bike pedals.

Finally, the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek VII is a lightweight shoe that won’t weigh you down when riding.

The main downside to these shoes is the lack of durability. The upper part of the shoe is made from mesh, which is not as durable as leather.

Specialized

These shoes have a stiff sole that is perfect for those who want more power transfer when pedaling. They also come with a BOA dial system that makes it easy to adjust the fit on the go.

Specialized shoes are some of the most expensive on the market, costing upwards of $200. However, you’ll appreciate the high-quality materials used in these shoes. The shoe’s upper part is made from full-grain leather, a material known for its durability.

Wrapping Up

Vans have an excellent cushion and grip for mountain biking with platform pedals. However, they are unsuitable for use with clipless pedals and more challenging trails or long rides. Therefore, you should consider specialized riding shoes if your mountain bike has clipless pedals. The shoes you go for must have cleats that fit into your bike’s pedals for a comfortable ride.

Are Vans Good for Mountain Biking? An Honest Answer