Day 1 Randoms - Sea Otter 2022

Apr 7, 2022
by Mike Kazimer  
Who doesn't love a good cutaway? EXT had a sliced open version of their Storia coil shock on display.

The Italian suspension manufacturer also had another version of the Aria, their upcoming air shock, tucked in the back of their booth. This one has the air valves for the dual positive air chambers oriented in a different way than the original prototype we spotted earlier this year. After speaking with Franco Fratton, EXT's technical director, it sounds like they've been tweaking the shock's layout to ensure that it'll work with as many frame designs as possible.

OneUp Components were showing off their entire dropper post lineup, with options for riders short and tall. Travel amounts range from 90mm all the way up to a whopping 240mm version for the extra-long legged riders out there.

Sea Otter 2022
Contra Bikes' steel high pivot was quite a sight in the bright sunshine. It's getting closer to production, with a just a few small details left to sort out before it's for sale. A size large will have 164mm of rear travel, a 480mm reach, 438mm chainstays, and a 63.5-degree head angle with a 170mm fork.

The bike really is a sight to behold in real life. The brainchild of Evan Turpen, he's been obsessing over every facet of the design, from the machined bearing cover for the large idler to the lower chainguide that uses the pulley wheel from an XTR derailleur.


Cutaway rims might not be quite as exciting as cutaways of fancy shocks, but these are from American Classic's new lineup. The Feldspar 290 and the Feldspar 350 are aimed at the OE market, which means they'll eventually show up on complete bikes rather than being available aftermarket. Both are made from 6061 aluminum and have a pinned joint. The 29" 290 weighs a claimed 580 grams, and the 350 weighs 655 grams (the first two digits of the model number indicate the internal width).


Five Ten had the recently release Trailcross Pro Clip-In on display. The $160 shoe uses a similar upper construction to the flat pedal Trailcross, but receives a strap across the laces, and a clipless compatible sole.

The Trailcross Clip (the women's version is shown here) is designed to be lightweight and breathable, with enough flex in the front of the sole to make hiking feel as natural as possible.
Stealth Marathon rubber surrounds the cleat pocket.

There's a new more colorful version of the Freerider Pro this year.

Sleuth slip-ons, anyone? They're designed more as a post-ride, casual shoe, but the sticky rubber sole should help ensure your feet stay put if you do decide to get a little wild after a night on the town.



Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Five Ten Sea Otter 2022


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102 Comments

  • 191 15
 I have a soft-spot for 5.10. I even worked for them for a bit back in the good-old pre-Adidas days. Their rubber was sticky as hell, and they were nice people. So I feel bad for what I'm about to say. Those Trailcrosses look like something a middle-aged dad from Huston would wear for an afternoon of mall walking. I'm sorry 5.10.
  • 130 1
 Meh-if Porsche can keep making Caymans and 911s because they sell a crap ton of SUVs, so be it. If 5.10 sells a bunch of dad sneakers but keeps making Freerider Pros, so be it.
  • 13 0
 That's the same I thought when I saw the Trailcross for the first time on a buddy's feet. Well, some people like it that way, a lot of people...
  • 16 3
 Exactly what I was thinking , the slip on shoes are like something found in a retirement home!
  • 14 1
 I’m a middle aged man and I’d never wear those shoes, they look like geriatric walking shoes!

As to the slip ins, the idea is cool, but the color way is terrible, come on guys, the previous colors were fine.
  • 11 3
 Yea I bought some trail cross recently after having 5 pairs of OG 5-10 Inpacts in a row Adidas have conpletely destroyed the brand. RIP 5-10
  • 8 0
 @pedro46: or a prison. Ordering a pair now.
  • 3 0
 @pedro46: but in toddler colours
  • 23 1
 still better than the old impacts which looked like you were trying to correct for each leg being shorter than the other. the past wasn't all roses.
  • 24 0
 Won't be slipping on any spilled beverages at the mall though, so who's laughing now?
  • 1 0
 They match well with a mullet haircut and a mustache.
  • 12 10
 regardless how famously sticky the soles might be 5-10s have always looked like overgrown skater kids shoes anyways. These new ones look like old people trying to be hip shoes, or maybe just straight up kids shoes. Hard to tell. Go with Shimano if you want shoes designed for grown ups.
  • 12 0
 I don't agree, they aren't white and no N on the side lol
  • 11 0
 For when you want to combine your mountain bike training with your CrossFit training.

Why can't they ever just reproduce those original Sam Hill green shoes that lasted forever? That was the gold standard and 5.10 have never come close to it since.
  • 25 0
 You're right, they are very ugly shoes. But honestly, so are all of 5.10's lineup. While the Trailcross are for looking like a middle aged mall walking dad, shoes like the Freerider or Hellcat are for looking like a 15 year old juggalo heading into a Limp Bizkit concert.
  • 5 1
 510 are absolute pointy garbage just like their owners make now.

Why do shoe makes all think feet are shaped like arrows?

510 used to be comfortable.
  • 7 1
 @pedro46: Get off my lawn!
  • 3 0
 I am a middle-aged dad and i use them a lot. I bought them to keep my feet dry, they have very good ventilation in comparison with other models.
  • 4 2
 Don’t be sorry, Adidas is obviously clueless. 5.10 is dead to me. Once my remaining Freeriders die I’m jumping ship.
  • 12 0
 I like those Trailcrosses...but I'm also in that target demographic you noted Frown
  • 18 0
 I'm 60 and I think the Trailcross looks great. Unfortunately saying this, I'm afraid I just confirmed your argument.
  • 2 1
 I don't know why I expect you to know this, but has something significantly changed with their rubber? I got a new pair of freeriders this season and they.....suck
  • 7 0
 the trailcross (flat pedal version) are super-middle-aged-dad in appearance and I love it. you can almost hear the bros sn*ggering right before I pass them on the downhill. I went to St. George for a week and brought a pair as my only shoes for the trip. I rode my bike, hiked, and went canyoneering-sticky as all get-out. When I go to races on the weekend for my son I use them for riding and then go fishing in them and they grip like nobody's business on wet rocks. I had to apply some gorilla glue to the insole to get it from slipping around, but other than that I love them. They are the ultimate sleeper shoe.
  • 5 0
 I have the trailcross and love them. They don’t look like chunky skate shoes that I’ve always found ugly, and they are plenty breathable for warm days. I am not a middle aged dad but a young college student. I do think that the strap on the clipless versions look weird though.
  • 4 0
 I have the trail cross, an almost perfect shoe for mid summer heat, but all that breathe ability let’s a lot of dust in. It’s a sport shoe, I don’t care what it looks like. I don’t wear them out like I don’t wear ski boots on to a nice dinner. The shoes do remind me of German tourists, from when we used to have them in the States before Covid.

That said, I’ve gone back to freerider pros for most of my riding as I’ve mostly wore the trail crosses out, but nothing beats the trail cross for hike a bike rides.
  • 9 0
 Please post what you’re wearing now. All of you.
  • 2 2
 @mrkumro: Nope. Original Hellcats were peak fashion.
  • 1 0
 @mhoshal: think you mean a greeny white from mowing the lawn
  • 1 0
 I wish nike would put a clip on the air monarch.
  • 1 0
 @wyorider: must buy dad sneakers!
  • 1 0
 Those slip ons would sure be a nice accessory to your Lacoste golf shirt.
  • 1 0
 @Rhetti2Ride: I wish companies would make a shoe that looks like a regular shoe. I'd buy a pair tomorrow.
  • 3 0
 Haaaaa. I was looking at those trailcross shoes thinking they look pretty nice. Guess what, I’m a middle aged Dad. They hit their target demographic right on for those shoes. I still have my freerider shoes for DH days on the DH bike.
  • 1 0
 Idk i think they look like a regular sneaker. Seems fine to me. Though im not like a shoe collector sneakerhead type, so maybe im hopelessly out of fashion or something.
  • 1 0
 @pedro46: Or just like the Vans that every kid under 25 wears daily.
  • 1 0
 Well, I'd say middle-aged dads from Houston have good taste in footwear, they look awesome, I just pity not having a use case for them.
  • 6 0
 @Rhetti2Ride: This whole thread is weird to read. If everyone is referencing five tens old shoes (sam hills etc) from the mid to late 2000s as the gold standard, those were the most god awful looking shoes to grace this planet and the main reason I committed to wearing vans as my riding shoes vs those abominations, which literally look like nike air monarch 4s, but black and with an even uglier sole.

These newest five tens are actually quite decent looking and right on point with the current trends in outdoorsy footwear, following the gorpcore style of somewhat deconstructed silhouettes.

I like them.
  • 1 0
 @rich-2000: Why did you buy them then?...
  • 2 0
 @pistol2ne: with a carbon fibre composite insole and a dremel you could make your dream come true.
  • 2 0
 Clearly wrong audience here. Bunch of children who think kids shoes are the best.
  • 4 0
 To be fair middle aged dads buy more mountain bikes than any of the kids commenting on here. I like my 510s and I’d grab a set of those slides any day. I’ll wear them to ride my steel hardtail up the micro brewery while stroking my moustache.
  • 1 0
 @jaycubzz: thank you. The idea that mountain bikers have any style, especially 20 years ago, is ridiculous.

Just put on the costume and go mount biking—nobody actually cool is going see you!
  • 1 0
 I’m going to say that as a 28year old I have to agree with you regarding the trail crosses in these photos looking pretty terrible, but i have a pair of the first iteration of the trail crosses (flats) and they are by far the most comfortable and well rounded pair of riding shoes i have ever had, i actually have feeling through my shoes, yet i have managed to avoid breaking any toes and they dont make me feel like I’m wearing skate shoes from 20 years ago.. ill be buying another pair as soon as my current ones wear out, I’ve tried a range of other brands and five10 shoes, yet these are my favourites.
  • 1 0
 @owl-X: some old Shimano DX's and if I ride flats I have 2 pairs of Hill era impacts.
  • 1 1
 @jaycubzz: who gives a shit what they look like, they were the stiffest and most comfortable.

Much like the weight weenie crowd or all the idiot North Americans who don't understand lefties, people like you are the reason I can't have nice things.
  • 1 0
 @Bahh: ok grandpa, stay mad
  • 38 3
 Dear 5Ten, please rerelease your earlier biking shoes but with non-absorbent material. Forget about the new cut/fit, give us OG Impacts, Sam Hills and Freeriders please.

Also your newer designs look very ‘special’
  • 5 0
 And bring back Mi6 compound!!
  • 3 0
 I'll take some ELC, if we're being picky, please with a less absorbent lining and I'd love an ankle gaiter to keep water and debris out
  • 3 0
 ^^^^ This, bring back the Impact, the actual best flat pedal shoe...
  • 3 0
 These new ones look like HI-TEK silver shadows my grandad used to wear.
  • 5 0
 Also bring back the resole kits!!
  • 1 0
 @littleskull99: I had hi tech silver shadows, as did half of my school. Sick trainers such a comfort upgrade from adidas kick. Thanks for the memory jog.
  • 3 0
 @stormracing: Agreed. Seems like the focus on environmental impact and corporate responsibility would put some pressure on them to do this. Kills me to throw away shoes that would just fine if I could resole them.
  • 2 0
 @CustardCountry I still have my black with green Sam Hill's from the pre-Adidas era. Judging by everyone's reviews of all the 5-10's since Adidas took over. Guess I'd better keep patching them together with the shoe-goo as long as possible. Smile
  • 29 2
 That Contra is absolutely stunning
  • 1 0
 How come this Contra bike that looks something for hard hitting doesn't have a seat tube gusset when most if not all trail/enduro frames have one that somewhat limit dropper size options? Is it the shock mounting point doubling as gusset?
  • 7 8
 Hhmmm, that rear end is gonna flex like a wet fish
  • 1 0
 As long as you never have to try and clean it after a muddy ride
  • 6 0
 I feel like a set of chrome Proflle cranks would have been a nice touch.
  • 1 0
 It's a beaut for sure, but that idler wheel looks bigger than my 28t chainring.
I know it's a design feature as I heard the maker talking about it on a podcast, but how big actually is it?
  • 2 1
 Wonderful machine, but when the idler pulley is as big or bigger than the chainring falling in love is not enough...
  • 1 1
 Wondering about the minimal chain wrap at the chainring. Not all tooth profiles will work without skipping, I guess...
  • 1 0
 @miguelcurto: It depends on the tubing wall thickness. Some steel frames run very thin wall steel tubing and need the gusset while thicker wall tubing can get away with not having a gusset. That said, the shock position looks like it will definitely add some rigidity and this could possibly be one of the details that needs sorting.
  • 3 0
 @naptime: don't see why it should be flexy - it's steel for a start, there's no CS/SS pivot, and even if it is flexy, at least it won't load the shock, as that's driven from the study looking linkage. A bit of flex is helpful on roots and rocks anyway
  • 2 0
 Yes, but I can’t get the image of a rider wearing a Steam Punk outfit.
  • 4 0
 @chakaping: 24t. You can count them in the zoomed in pic.
  • 2 0
 @mountainsofsussex: look at the length of those stays... with zero cross bracing!! But, oh yeah it steel so a floppy frame is "engineered compliance "
Don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of chro mo bikes but slap that bike into a berm like will smith slapped Chris Rock an I guarantee the rear wheel will be wobbling all over the line on exit.
  • 2 0
 @lookseasyfromhere: Good work. I believe he said it was so big in order to reduce drag and improve reliability?
  • 2 0
 @nyhc00: absolutely
  • 1 0
 Triggers flash backs to Wild West 3 in my mind
  • 1 0
 i'm normally not a huge fan of steel full sus bikes, but the Contra does look lovely.
  • 14 1
 Like CustardCountry said, Adidas, stop fxxxing around and start making Sam Hill's and freeriders again,same spec as the original versions,take the Adidas branding off and hey presto,customers aplenty ,job done.
  • 9 1
 つ ◕_◕ ༽つ Critical Support for Contra Bikes つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
  • 4 1
 BUY BUY BUY - I wore my old 5.10 Danny MacAskills on the Strait Acrres-built DS course today!!!! The new track is sick!!! I was bummed Vali and everyone else had to ride that bombed-out husk of a course last year. The unofficial WC of DS is back! Maybe there will be coverage of riding activities when the 'We Spotted This For You To Buy' articles are done........
  • 3 0
 Anyone notice that they are just utilizing the current model year colorways on other models for next year... Just Lazy!!! Next step... RASTA makes a comeback 2023... #aslongasitsanno
  • 1 0
 I actually own a set of impact rastas....
  • 2 0
 Also surprised American Classics are back, same company or new group with the old name? I have some nostalgia to my mid 2000s super light (but strong) wheels with ridiculously bad engagement.
  • 4 0
 Wait, what? American Classic is back in business?
  • 1 0
 I've seen them selling tires aimed at the gravel market but I didn't know they're doing wheels too. I can't tell if the reviews about their tires are true but they're supposed to be good for the price point and are decently durable.
  • 1 0
 The Contra looks wild (both functionally and aesthetically), congrats to the creator. Love what I assume to be a forward virtual pivot point, the large pulley, the packaging, and the apparent solidity.
  • 1 1
 the air valves on the EXT Aria will likely need to be moved if they want the shock to be compactable with the Norco Range, the latest Santa Cruz and Intense bikes, The Forbidden Druid and Dreadnought, and any other bike that have shock in tunnel.
  • 3 0
 Damn that ext airshock looks amazing with the titanium details/stickers
  • 3 0
 The 5.10s remind me of kids shoes. Damn...
  • 1 0
 I'm guessing that one of the small details missing from that Contra Bike is there isn't an XTR crankset available until 2025...
  • 1 0
 I have said for years…. Even to the five ten executives and reps, “make a damn flip flop already and bring the damn eddy’s back!!”
  • 1 0
 I had a pair of the original 5 10’s they where amazing the lasted for 5 yrs riding downhill here in BC all year around summer winter fall & spring
  • 2 0
 @oneup Where's the Sailboat? (Maybe a Schooner) #mallrat
  • 2 0
 Contra, leading the arthouse of enduro.
  • 1 0
 Currently riding Ride Concepts Transitions. Great shoe, USA based company, build way better.
  • 1 0
 Are those Rims named after Craig Feldspar?
  • 1 0
 Five Ten needs to accept some applications…
  • 1 0
 Who doesn't love a good cutaway? :-)
  • 1 0
 i think they never take non driveside pictures on purpose.
  • 1 0
 Kash Kruiser
  • 1 1
 I need those five tens
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