First Impressions: FLR FX-5 Shoes Published by Pink bike – Vados

I’ve been riding in FLR shoes for a few seasons now, and I’ve always thought they strike a great balance between quality and affordability. Recently, I got my hands (or feet?) on the new FX-5 model, designed for MTB and gravel, and took them straight to my local testing grounds — the Kitsuma Trail.

If you’ve ever ridden Kitsuma, you know it’s the real deal — a true proving ground for both gear and rider. Steep, technical climbs, fast descents littered with rocks and roots… it’s a full-body experience where your equipment better hold up. After several rides in varying weather conditions, here’s how the FX-5s stacked up.

Out of the Box: Nothing Fancy — and That’s Not a Bad Thing

When you first unbox the FX-5s, they don’t exactly scream “next-level tech.” They look like your standard MTB shoes, built on what seems like FLR’s usual last. But honestly, that’s not a negative — FLR’s fit has always worked well for me. My older pairs are still holding up after seasons of riding, both on the road and on the trails.