Four new MTB shoes arrive in March 2027, bringing a fresh look and a choice of laces, single BOA or dual BOA fastening.
Adidas has revealed its 2027 Five Ten Freerider range, with a new Freerider Pro BOA Clipless joining three flat-pedal shoes. Announced on 29 September, the collection brings a familiar name into fresh territory for mountain bikers and eMTB riders who prefer to clip in.
The four-model line-up comprises the Freerider, Freerider Pro, Freerider Pro BOA and Freerider Pro BOA Clipless. Adidas says the range will be available to buy from March 2027, so this is an early look at next season’s shoes.
Freerider Pro BOA Clipless: the biggest change
The first clipless Freerider combines two Li2 BOA dials with Stealth Marathon rubber and a revised cleat slot offering an extra 5mm of rearward adjustment. Adidas says the shoe brings together elements of the Freerider and its Hellcat clipless footwear.
Despite the confusing name, “clipless” means a shoe that clips into a compatible pedal through a cleat mounted underneath. Flat-pedal shoes have no such attachment: their rubber soles grip the pedal’s pins.
The cleat adjustment is worth watching. Moving a cleat further towards the heel changes where the pedal supports your foot, giving riders more scope to find their preferred position. Whether that extra adjustment works well in practice will depend on fit, pedal choice and riding position.
Three options for flat-pedal riders
The launch images show three distinct choices for riders sticking with flats. The Freerider and Freerider Pro use conventional laces, while the Freerider Pro BOA has a single dial.
There is also a clear visual shift. Large Adidas stripes dominate the sides, with 5.10 branding at the heel. The pictured soles retain a circular tread pattern, while the Pro models have a noticeably different shape around the toe and sidewall from the standard Freerider.
Adidas specifies a five-layer toe box incorporating PORON impact protection across the Pro models. It also says their asymmetric construction improves protection against side impacts. Those are manufacturer claims for now; we have not tested the new shoes.
What matters for MTB and eMTB riders?
For flat-pedal riders, the important questions go beyond the fastening. How securely does the sole hold the pins through rough sections? Can you reposition a foot easily? And does the shoe remain comfortable through a long ride?
For British riding, drying time, mud clearance and grip when pushing up a slippery bank deserve just as much attention. The announcement alone cannot answer those questions, and there is no reason to assume the new design automatically performs better than the outgoing shoes.
The same applies on an eMTB. Motor assistance does not remove the need for good foot support, dependable pedal contact or a fit that stays comfortable through repeated climbs and descents.
Adidas Five Ten Freerider 2027 release date and pricing
Adidas confirms March 2027 availability. Announced prices start at €120/$120 for the range, rising to €180/$180 for the Freerider Pro BOA and €250/$250 for the Clipless version. UK prices and the lace-up Pro’s price are not given in the official Adidas announcement.
For now, the clipless addition is the clearest news: riders will have a Freerider option whichever pedal system they favour. Whether these deserve a place on your next ride will come down to the fit and performance beneath that new three-stripe upper.