If you’re a BMX bike rider, you already know you need to wear a helmet and pads, but another essential factor is your footwear. The proper footwear will keep you comfortable and help prevent your feet from slipping off the pedals. So let’s get to it and help you find the best BMX shoes.
Comparison Chart
BMX Shoes Reviews
PUMA Select Men’s Suede Classic Plus Sneakers
If you are looking for a pair of low-cut sneakers that are perfect for BMX biking, this option from Puma is a great one to consider.
Review
One of the most extraordinary features of these sneakers is that they come in 40 different color and pattern designs. This means that you should be able to find one that suits your wardrobe.
This shoe is made with high-quality materials for overall durability, with suede being the main component. Suede looks exceptionally nice, and it’s pretty durable, but with that being said, you probably shouldn’t get it wet.
This is a low-cut sneaker, allowing for a good deal of flexibility and a great range of motion. However, it features a padded collar and tongue to provide added protection.
This shoe also features a lace-up closure for a very secure fit, so you know that these shoes aren’t going anywhere while you do your jumps.
The shoe’s outsole is quite flexible and flat, which means that you should be able to get a good grip on those BMX pedals. In addition, it comes with a tread pattern that is perfect for biking.
The well-padded midsole provides a good deal of arch support to prevent your feet from becoming painful on the pedals.
Pros
- Many colors to choose from
- Flexible
- Allow for a good range of motion
- Padded tongue and collar
- Good outsole for BMX pedals
- Bit of arch support
- Secure fit
- Durable materials
Cons
Suede doesn’t do well in water
DC Men’s Pure Casual Skate Shoe
DC has created a casual skateboarding shoe that can also double as a BMX shoe. This is a fantastic brand, and they make excellent footwear.
Review
Although there aren’t quite as many color options as the last option we reviewed, there are about 15 different color and pattern options, so you should be able to find one that suits you. One of the most significant benefits is that these shoes are built for comfort.
First, this shoe features a highly lightweight design, so it won’t weigh you down as you try to propel yourself forward. Moreover, various ventilation holes ensure that your feet never get too hot on a warm day.
The padded tongue and collar add a bit of protection to your ankles. In addition, you get a special cup built into the outsole for extra foot and ankle support when you are on your feet. In other words, this means that you have a very stable platform to stand on while you are pedaling on your BMX.
However, they don’t come with any underfoot support as they are completely flat and don’t have any arch support. But this is not bad for BMX riding because your feet are planted securely on the pedals.
These shoes are made of leather, making them quite durable and somewhat water-resistant, although not totally waterproof.
Pros
- Quite a few color options to choose from
- Good ankle and heel support
- Very stable
- Lightweight and breathable
- Quite durable
- Water-resistant
- Secure lace-up closure
Cons
- No underfoot support
- A bit on the narrow side
adidas Originals Men’s Seeley Running Shoe
If you are looking for a relatively affordable all-purpose shoe that also works well for walking, skateboarding, and cycling, this is an excellent option from Adidas.
Review
One of the biggest draws for this shoe is that it comes in about 50 different color and pattern options, thus allowing you to match it perfectly with your wardrobe. But, of course, it comes with the classic Adidas design.
These shoes are made with highly durable synthetic suede. The synthetic suede looks exactly like genuine suede to the point where you really can’t tell the difference. However, it is more durable than natural suede; it is more water-resistant than genuine suede and more abrasion resistant, making it ideal for high impacts and strenuous sports such as BMXing.
Moreover, there’s a textile lining on the shoe’s interior to provide a very soft and breathable interior that is comfortable to wear for hours. On that same note, this is also one of the lightest shoes on the list today.
These shoes provide a very secure fit with their lace-up closure, but they really don’t have any sort of support, whether at the ankles or under the foot. These are very thin and basic shoes that allow you to feel the pedals with your feet because the outsoles also aren’t very thick.
Pros
- Durable
- Abrasion-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Soft and breathable textile lining
- Flat and thin sole allows you to feel the pedals
- Affordable
- Basic but effective
Cons
No real support of any kind
Etnies Men’s Kingpin Skateboarding Shoe
This is an excellent option if you want conservative and basic-looking skateboarding and BMX shoes that come in 19 neutral colors such as brown, grey, black, white, and beige.
Review
These shoes are made out of 100% genuine leather. Leather is one of the most durable materials used in shoe manufacturing, and once you wear leather shoes for a while, they become pretty flexible. There is also the fact that natural leather is very water-resistant.
Now, leather is usually not all that breathable, but these shoes have a breathable mesh tongue and various ventilation holes in the shoe. So it might look like a very thick shoe, but it’s actually relatively lightweight.
While the shoes are thick, they provide a good amount of padding and support from all sides. In addition, they have a broad and well-padded ankle section, tongue, and collar.
The shoes have a die-cut EVA insole and midsole to provide a good deal of support in terms of overall comfort. You might also appreciate the 400 NBS rubber outsole that is relatively flat with a good lug pattern on the bottom for excellent traction and stability.
Pros
- Good ankle support
- Good arch support
- Soft and well-padded
- Relatively lightweight and breathable
- Natural leather for excellent durability
- Good traction and stability
Cons
- Very conservative colors
- Quite thick and bulky
Five Ten Freerider Mountain Bike Shoes Men’s
These shoes are advertised as mountain biking shoes, but they also work well for BMXing, so let’s take a look.
Review
One of the most impressive features of these shoes is that they are designed for flat bike pedals. The shape and design of the outsole provide stability and security when standing on bicycle pedals.
Moreover, they come with a Stealth S1 rubber outsole to provide the most friction possible when standing on bike pedals. The dotted tread pattern is all about getting the best possible traction on those pedals. In addition, the outsoles are incredibly stiff, allowing for excellent stability.
You may also appreciate that they are extremely lightweight and breathable, so they won’t weigh you down or cause your feet to overheat while biking.
These shoes are made of natural leather. Leather is one of the most durable materials for shoes, but these shoes are not waterproof. Be aware that these shoes are made out of recycled leather, which makes them eco-friendly.
Pros
- Real leather build
- Very durable
- Lightweight and breathable
- Amazing traction on pedals
- Very stable and secure
- Made of recycled materials
Cons
- Not much padding or support
- Too stiff for long periods of walking
Buyer’s Guide
When choosing the best shoes for BMX, let’s look at the most important factors to look for.
Durability
BMX is a sport, and this means that you will be putting your shoes through a lot of punishment, so make sure to get shoes that are made to be durable. One of the best materials to use for shoes is leather. The thickness of the shoe will make a difference, as will price, because you do get what you pay for.
Comfort
Look for shoes with a well-padded tongue and collar to prevent pain around your ankles due to biking. You should also look for a shoe with a decent amount of arch support to prevent the soles of your feet from becoming painful due to constantly landing on the pedals. You also want your shoes to be breathable, so your feet don’t get too hot.
Traction
One of the most essential things in shoes for BMX biking is how good of a traction pattern they have on the bottom. You want something that will provide the maximum amount of traction so you don’t slip off of those pedals.
Weight
You probably want relatively lightweight shoes, so they won’t weigh you down as you propel yourself forward and upwards on your bike. However, don’t sacrifice too much weight for durability because durability is paramount.
Brand
The last thing is the brand that manufactures the shoes. So, again, we recommend going with a high-quality and well-trusted brand because you get what you pay for; you don’t want to go for no-name brands.
FAQ
Why Do I Need BMX Shoes?
BMX shoes provide you with the stability and security you need while moving at high speeds and standing on those small pedals.
What are the Best BMX Shoe Brands?
Some of the best brands here include Puma, Etnies, Five Ten, Adidas, and DC.
What’s the Difference Between BMX Shoes and Skate Shoes?
The main difference is that BMX shoes have much stickier outsoles designed to adhere to the bike’s pedals. In addition, BMX shoes usually also have added cups in the soles (usually in the heel) to allow for greater stability.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, we think the best option on our list is the PUMA Select Men’s Suede Classic Plus Sneakers, as they are comfortable, durable, and stable, not to mention that they also come in several dozen color and pattern options.