Five Ten Freerider VXi Elements – First Look
Five Tens; pretty much everyone is running them, but as we head into 2014 the line-up from the sticky rubber brand is growing and we now have more versions dialing into different riders needs than ever before. We had a brief look at the full range at Eurobike this year and now the first of the new breed have landed with us for review.
So where has the Freerider come from? This shoe was predominately made for people not racing downhill but wanting the same compound and grip racers were getting from the bulky looking Impacts. This shoe was born as the more causal line for the serious rider not wanting to look like they have stepped into an odd future. For 2014 the Freerider gets the VXi treatment. A new breed of rubber brewed up by the scientist behind it all created something for the Mission Impossible film out of all things. These guys needed a rubber compound built to help them be as stable as possible whilst busting some stunts on glass during filming their latest blockbuster. With a few tweeks, Five Ten produced the Mi6 compound. Lighter, more impact resistant and harder wearing, built with riding in mind.
With a rubber which can out perform it’s predecessor ‘Stealth’ in taking impacts, Five Ten have been able to rebuild this shoe from the flats up creating a much lighter casting and needing less foam inside to keep you comfy.
That said, the ‘Elements’ factor to this shoe does give you a bit more cushioning inside to keep you warm in the winter months. Elements also give you extra weather proofing with a synthetic upper to repel the unwanted spray.
Grip wise we don’t have any quibbles on what this rubber can achieve when in contact with some metal pins on our favorite flats, but off the bike pushing up the trail we can’t see these holding the ground so well.
So we have some new Freeriders with some extras. We have a lighter shoe with more water resistance, higher grip and a bit of a fashionable (if garish) colour choice. That said, there is a much mellower grey/black version if you’re not into the latest colour fad. Keep an eye on the site for a full review on the Freerider VXi Elements once we have put some miles down.
Rob Lewis