First Look: Five Ten 2015
Kestrel
After four years of development with input from riders Nico Vouilloz and Lars Sternberg, the Kestrel, Five Ten's new clipless shoe, is scheduled for release in April of 2015. While its styling may be low key, the shoe is meant to be a top level performer, and uses a carbon infused shank to create the stiffest shoe in the company's lineup. The sole is comprised of two rubber compounds, with softer Mi6 rubber in the toe and heel for walking comfort, and a harder C4 compound around the cleat area to reduce the drag when clipping in. In addition to a hard outer toe box area, a small rubber bumper is in place to provide further protection, and a mesh upper liner and perforated tongue are designed to allow for maximum breathability on those hot summer rides. Five Ten has gone with a ratcheting BOA closure system for the Kestrel, which allows for easy, one handed tightening and loosening of the shoe. MSRP: $180.
Women's Freerider
Five Ten has had women's riding shoes in their line before, but 2015 sees the addition of a women's specific last to their Freerider model. The new last has a narrower to and heel for a better fit. Available in women's sizes 4-10, the shoe will come in a canvas ($110) and a standard version ($100).
Freerider Contact
The Freerider Contact (formerly called the Freerider VXi) uses the same unique Stealth rubber sole as before, with a smooth portion located around the ball of the foot to make it easier for riders to change their position on the pedal, although the sole is now sewn to the toe box to improve the durability. A breathable mesh tongue has been added, and the design of the upper has changed slightly as well. MSRP: $120
Spitfire
The Spitfire is aimed at dirt jumpers and slopestyle riders who don't need as stiff of a shoe as the Freerider, although it's still supportive enough to help take the edge off when landing big drops and jumps. It gains a bright orange sole and matching laces for 2015, and will retail for $90.
www.fiveten.com
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At least Adidas hasn't screwed up the climbing shoe line, yet. I actually love the newest iteration of the Guide Tennie, which all my friends hate. They should have come out with a "Guide Tennie VXI" and kept selling a regular Guide Tennie imo.
Keep the rubber, but the rest of the shoes need some tweaks to make them drain better.
anyone find anything better in the meantime.
HOLY SHIT! They look even better in real life too, by the way.
@malathoin There's even better stuff on the way, too. Keep that in mind!
In the end they all look like shoes to me, which is good because that's what they are. Things to be worn on your feet to keep them attached to your pedals and not destroyed by said pedals and other elements. Sure, none of 'em may be anything stand out or worshipfully-stunning pieces of engineering, but...They're -shoes-. They all look 90% the same when they're covered in dirt, mud, grime, grease, and sweat anyway! That is, if you're actually using them for their intended purpose and not just gawking at them all day! That's what bicycle are for.
I still own and wear a pair of 2008 impacts - had to glue the sole back on once or twice - and they held on pretty well, but you can tell that it's finally coming apart. Given it's age and abuse that's pretty impressive. BUT: It's heavy (like really heavy), bulky and not at all comfortable to wear. My brother just got the new impact couple of month ago and it's better in every aspect: rubber, weight, fit, materials, foot support, but still as sturdy as the original. Same with my freeriders. Thanks adidas.
I wondered what Adidas wanted with Fiveten, now I think I know: They wanted a rubber brand to compete with Vibram.
They even have a seperate website set up: www.stealthrubber.com
@bikeeagle There are no patents for stealthrubber unless they're started filing them as of late. They've always (smartly in my opinion) kept those formulas as a trade secret. There are some patents related to shoe construction that are still in Charles Cole's name, so I'm guess he kept the IP as part of the deal, or at least part of it.
Didn't know that, but the ads for stealth rubber by itself in climbing mags are new.
and it's not like they aren't putting stealth rubber on Adidas shoes: news.adidas.com/gb/Latest-News/Terrex-Solo--approach-in-STEALTH-mode/s/0016514a-f87d-492e-a54e-d3c2c4d3b8af
That's a climbing approach shoe, normally fiveten bread & butter. If they saw the value in the purchase as fiveten, rather than stealth rubber, why isn't that a fiveten branded shoe?
IMO it looks like the back end of a merrell running show and the front end of an NHS correctional shoe (those raised in the uk during the 80's will know what I mean)............ just my opinion though!