The Ride Concepts TNT flat pedal shoe has a lot going for it. It’s designed to cope with the rough and tumble of gravity riding, as well as trail building – of all things. However, its performance extends well into winter as it shrugs off a commendable level of water ingress, especially considering that the brand stakes no claim to its waterproofing. On top of that, on-pedal traction is among the best mountain bike shoes in class but its pedal feel isn’t quite as communicative as others and its burly build will struggle as the mercury rises.
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Ride Concepts TNT flat pedal shoe - Technical details
The TNT from Ride Concepts is a flat pedal shoe that’s been built for durability and protection. As commonplace on the brand’s heavier-hitting clogs, this shoe benefits from slithers of D3O’s non-Newtonian impact protection found on the inside of the asymmetric medial collar. A High Impact Zone Technology version of D3O has also been placed in the insole to absorb impact and the brand says that it even reduces fatigue. On the subject of protection, there’s a custom moulded toe cap and a TPU heel.
The TNT has been equipped with a microfibre synthetic top to help resist abrasion and weather that’s complete with airflow encouraging perforations. The tongue is then fully gusseted in a bid to stop dirt from finding its way in. Closing up the shoe is a classic lace-up closure, however, there’s also a rather wide hook and loop strap for extra security. There is also an elastic lace tidy but, given that the Velcro strap does a solid job of keeping the laces in check, it’s something I’ve rarely used.
Inside, there’s an anti-bacterial mesh lining included to limit stench then the outsole uses Ride Concepts’ Max Grip rubber outsole complete with recessed heel and toe zones that have been shaped to provide grip when off of the bike. The Max Grip rubber is the brand’s softest compound and it’s been formulated to be durable but also mega-sticky.
The TNT sits at a four on Ride Concepts’ flex scale, so it should be stiff enough to offer good power transfer but bendy enough to keep the foot secure on the pedal. It’s then shaped with the brand’s High last that should accommodate those with a higher instep and wider foot, so the shoe is roomier than the brand’s other offerings.
Ride Concepts TNTflat pedal shoe - Performance
For my test with the TNT, I rode them through a good chunk of the UK’s winter which included all of the wet weather and the wettest January on record. That’s through my usual trail rides, right through to uplift assisted days at the bike park so it’s safe to say that these shoes have seen a few things.
But to start with the fit, it’s an interesting point, as the shoe is built with Ride Concepts’ High last, which suggests that it is a very spacious shoe. However, I’ve found it to be the opposite and almost to the point where I thought about sizing up. It’s certainly a snug shoe, despite what the brand claims but I appreciate a close-fitting shoe and I reckon it builds communication between the sole and the pedal better. If you’re in between sizes, definitely have a look at sizing up as even when compared to the Low last used for Ride Concepts’ Accomplice Boa Clip, the fit is tight – it is also noticeably wider.
That sais, comfort is great. There’s plenty of padding around the shoe, not to mention the D3O and I’ve been perfectly happy wearing them during long days on the bike. This is also where that D3O High Impact Zone gets to work as there’s a real level of squidge underfoot when walking. The hint of sponginess is what absorbs trail chatter and harder impacts and it absolutely lives up to the brand's claims of reducing fatigue during lengthy descents.
What the impact-absorbing midsole also does is improve security on the pedal simply because there’s a bit of give underfoot. So under harder impacts that may buck the shoe off of the pedal, the midsole absorbs the energy. Granted, this is still a flat pedal shoe, so there’s always some risk of blowing a foot unexpectedly.
Although, the TNT’s grip is really quite impressive. It’s been incredibly rare that a foot comes off a pedal unintentionally which rustles up all of the confidence when pushing through chattery sections. In general, the grip that the TNT provides is class-leading and I just cannot find fault. It’s not too shabby off of the bike either. The outsole’s durability continues to impress, too. There are clear signs of where the tread and rubber has meshed with my pedals, but after a solid winter’s riding, there’s some serious longevity built into the compound.
To touch back on the vibration-reducing midsole, it’s not without a small sacrifice in that it reduces feel on the pedal because it’s not as direct as shoes without the D3O tech. Communication with the pedal’s pins and its platform can feel a little vague as there’s so much more in between the bottom of a foot and the outer surface of the rubber tread. On the other hand, the extra thickness of the whole sole is responsible for the shoe’s ability to stave off fatigue deep into chunky descents.
Ride Concepts cites that the microfibre synthetic upper provides some weather resistance and in no way does it state any kind of waterproofing. That said, it does an exceptional job of keeping the wet out in all but the absolute wettest conditions. For your average winter ride with the odd puddle here and there, the TNT confidently fends off splashes and stream crossings. Though when it’s consistently wet, the shoe floods through the tongue and eventually moisture ingresses through the ventilating perforations. I must reiterate, however, that this is not a waterproof shoe, so any weather resistance that the TNT does muster is more than appreciated.
The surprisingly effective weather resistance does come with its compromise. Despite its perforations, it's not the coolest shoe out there, so it’s not quite wearable year-round. Its ventilation does a bit to keep the temperatures down but, in the height of summer, I’m certain that it’ll overheat. In fact, during some of the warmer days I’ve ridden them in, things have got a little hot under the collar.
Ride Concepts TNTflat pedal shoe - Verdict
Though where the shoe doesn’t come with Gore-Tex membranes and other dedicated waterproof technologies, the TNT undercuts a good portion of the fully waterproof designed shoes on the market such as the Leatt 7.0 HydraDri and the Shimano GF800 GTX flat pedal shoes. These cost £190 and £220, respectively and, while they both do a very solid job of keeping water out, they come at a greater expense. Both options also lack the protection of the TNTs.
The real competition comes as Five Ten’s Trailcross GTX at £160. It’s grippy and waterproof but the laces aren’t the best around as the impact comfort and they’re not the most secure.
If you look at the TNT as just a flat pedal shoe, that £160 asking price is fairly steep compared to other non-waterproof options. Fox's exceptional Union Flat shoes are £130 which is rather spendy for a flat pedal shoe and the same goes for Fizik's Gravita Versor Flat shoes. However, neither of them fend off nasty weather quite as well, and nor do they pack the level of protection found on the TNTs.
The Ride Concepts TNT flat pedal shoe does a lot of things very well while balancing an appreciable level of weatherproofing that exceeds the brand's promises. The ultra-tacky outsole rustles up all the grip and the TNT’s impact absorption, and comfort will please even the most discerning of gravity and trail riders. However, its fit certainly ranks the TNT as a ‘try before you buy’ product and its mass of vibration damping limits pedal feel. All in all, it's a great package from Ride Concepts.
