Five Ten Trailcross XT Test & Review: Grip, Fit, Walking Comfort and Current Specs
The Five Ten Trailcross XT is a flat-pedal mountain bike shoe built for riders who mix technical trail riding with hike-a-bike sections, long days outside and off-bike exploration. This updated guide separates the earlier Trailcross XT test data from the current model, so old weight, construction and weather observations are not confused with today’s specification.
What Kind of Rider Is the Trailcross XT For?
The current Five Ten Trailcross XT makes the most sense for riders who want high flat-pedal grip without the bulk and stiffness of a gravity-focused shoe. Its open mesh upper, EVA midsole, moulded toe cap and Stealth Phantom outsole point to a clear use case: trail riding where pedalling, walking and scrambling can all happen in the same outing.
The compromise is equally important. A breathable, flexible shoe is not the same thing as a sealed winter shoe or a heavily reinforced downhill model. If your rides are dominated by deep mud, cold rain, bike-park impacts or maximum lateral support, a more protective option may fit the job better.
Earlier Trailcross XT vs Current Trailcross XT: Do Not Mix the Two
The original version of this article contained a 760 g size-42 weight, a €150 test price and ride impressions that match the first-generation Trailcross XT reviewed by ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine in 2021. That model used a neoprene gaiter around the ankle and a visibly different upper.
The current shoe is a later design. A 2023 Pinkbike review identifies the cuff-free version as the second generation, while adidas currently lists an open mesh upper with synthetic overlays, EVA midsole, moulded toe cap and Stealth Phantom outsole with forefoot flex grooves.
| Detail | Earlier reviewed generation | Current model |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle construction | Neoprene gaiter/cuff around the ankle | Lower, cuff-free design with open mesh upper |
| Upper | Breathable mesh construction used in the 2021 test | Open mesh with synthetic overlays |
| Midsole | Not presented as a current official specification here | EVA midsole |
| Toe protection | Earlier reinforced trail construction | Moulded toe cap |
| Outsole | Stealth Phantom with walking-oriented toe and heel zones | Stealth Phantom rubber with forefoot flex grooves |
| Weight | 760 g per pair in size 42 in the 2021 ENDURO test | No official pair weight is stated on the current adidas product page |
| Reference price | €150 in the 2021 external test | €160 on adidas Germany when this update was checked; availability and price can change |
Specification and generation cross-check: adidas official Trailcross XT product page, Pinkbike’s second-generation review and ENDURO’s 2021 first-generation test.
Five Ten Trailcross XT Current Specs at a Glance
The most reliable way to understand the current model is to start with adidas’ own product specification rather than carry forward measurements from an older test. The details below describe the current product listing checked for this update.
| Pedal system | Flat-pedal mountain bike shoe |
| Closure | Laces |
| Upper | Open mesh with synthetic overlays |
| Midsole | EVA |
| Toe | Moulded toe cap |
| Outsole | Stealth Phantom rubber with forefoot flex grooves |
| Recycled content | The upper contains a minimum of 50% recycled content |
| Fit guidance | adidas lists the model as true to size and recommends the usual size |
| Official product code checked | ID5017 |
Stealth Phantom Grip: Why the Sole Is the Core of the Shoe
For a flat-pedal rider, outsole rubber is not a cosmetic specification. Pedal pins need enough friction and surface contact to keep the foot planted through braking bumps, compressions, rough climbs and body-position changes. The current Trailcross XT uses Five Ten’s Stealth Phantom rubber, the same family of sticky, non-marking rubber associated with Five Ten flat-pedal footwear.
The forefoot flex grooves are the important second part of the design. They allow more natural movement when walking than a very rigid gravity sole. That flexibility can make hike-a-bike sections more comfortable, but it also means the Trailcross XT is aimed at a different compromise from a heavier downhill shoe.
- Sticky rubber prioritises contact with platform-pedal pins.
- A broad midfoot contact area supports a stable stance on flat pedals.
- Forefoot flex grooves improve off-bike movement.
- The shoe is designed to transition between riding and walking rather than optimise only one of the two.
Does the Five Ten Trailcross XT Run True to Size?
There is a useful difference between the manufacturer guidance and some independent ride reports. adidas currently labels the Trailcross XT as true to size and recommends ordering your usual size. Pinkbike’s tester, however, described the shoe as normal in width but slightly short in length and suggested that some riders may prefer half a size larger.
Those two statements are not necessarily contradictory: foot shape, sock thickness and preferred toe room can change the result. The safest approach is to use your normal adidas/Five Ten size as the starting point, then pay particular attention to toe clearance if you sit between sizes or have a longer forefoot.
Enough Protection for Trail Riding, Not a Downhill Armour Shoe
The current Trailcross XT includes a moulded toe cap and synthetic overlays, but its open, athletic construction is deliberately lighter than Five Ten’s more gravity-focused shoes. Independent testing of the second-generation XT describes it as more flexible and less laterally supportive than burlier Freerider or Impact models.
That distinction matters on rocky, high-speed terrain. More flexibility and less bulk can improve walking comfort and pedal feel, while a heavier gravity shoe generally offers a more substantial platform and more protection against impacts. Neither approach is automatically better; the right one depends on the terrain and the rider’s priorities.
Why the Trailcross XT Feels More Like a Trail Shoe Off the Bike
The Trailcross concept takes cues from technical hiking and trail-running footwear rather than from traditional skate-style MTB shoes. On the current XT, the open mesh upper reduces the amount of dense material around the foot, while the EVA midsole provides cushioning and the forefoot grooves allow the sole to bend more naturally while walking.
This matters when a ride includes steep pushes, carrying the bike, scouting a line, stopping frequently or spending time away from the pedals. A very stiff sole can be efficient and protective on the bike but awkward on foot; the XT deliberately moves the balance toward versatility.
Breathable Does Not Mean Waterproof
The current Trailcross XT uses an open mesh upper. That is excellent news for airflow, but it also tells you what the shoe is not: a sealed wet-weather shoe. Independent testing of both the earlier and second-generation XT consistently reports that water can enter readily, while the relatively light construction can also release water and dry faster than heavily padded footwear.
For occasional rain, damp trails or shallow splashes, many riders may accept that trade-off. For prolonged cold rain, winter mud or repeated stream crossings, a dedicated weather-protected shoe is the more logical choice. adidas currently offers a Trailcross GORE-TEX model for riders whose priority is water protection.
- Do not buy the standard XT because you expect a waterproof membrane; it does not have one.
- Waterproof socks can add flexibility for occasional bad-weather rides, but they do not turn the upper itself into a waterproof shoe.
- After a wet ride, remove the insole and allow the shoe to dry naturally rather than placing it directly against intense heat.
Choose the Trailcross XT If Your Ride Looks Like This
The XT is easiest to understand as a crossover between a grippy flat-pedal shoe and a technical outdoor shoe. It is not trying to be the stiffest, most waterproof or most armoured Five Ten. It is trying to stay useful when the route alternates between pedalling and moving on foot.
The XT makes sense when you...
- ride flat pedals on trail or all-mountain routes;
- regularly push or carry the bike on technical terrain;
- want more ventilation than a heavy gravity shoe;
- prefer a shoe that remains comfortable during stops and walking;
- ride in dry, warm or mixed conditions more often than persistent winter rain;
- want one versatile shoe for riding, hike-a-bike and adventure use.
Look elsewhere when you...
- need waterproofing as a primary requirement;
- spend most rides in bike parks or very rocky gravity terrain;
- want maximum ankle coverage or lateral support;
- prefer a very stiff pedal platform;
- use clipless pedals and need a cleat-compatible sole.
Trailcross XT Is a Flat-Pedal Shoe, Not a Clipless Shoe
The Trailcross XT is designed for platform pedals. Its outsole is built to contact pedal pins directly and it does not use a recessed cleat interface. If you ride Shimano SPD, Crankbrothers or another clipless system, you need a cleat-compatible MTB shoe instead.
The choice between flat and clipless is not only about efficiency. Flat pedals allow immediate foot repositioning and make off-bike movement simple; clipless pedals create a mechanical connection that changes entry, release and shoe requirements. If you are comparing systems, read DEMON’s guide to clipless trail pedals and shoe compatibility.
How the Trailcross XT Sits Between Lighter and More Protective Options
Instead of asking whether the XT is simply “better” than another Five Ten, compare what each type is optimised to do. The Trailcross XT occupies the middle ground between lightweight mobility and gravity-focused protection.
For repeated bike-park impacts or maximum lateral support, a more gravity-focused Five Ten such as the Freerider Pro or Impact family may be more appropriate than any lightweight Trailcross option.
Five Ten Trailcross XT: The Trade-Offs in One View
Why it works
- Stealth Phantom rubber provides the sticky contact flat-pedal riders expect from Five Ten.
- Open mesh makes the current model highly ventilation-oriented.
- Forefoot flex grooves improve walking and hike-a-bike movement.
- EVA cushioning makes off-bike use less punishing than a very rigid sole.
- Moulded toe protection adds practical trail protection without turning the shoe into a heavy gravity model.
- The current design is versatile enough for mixed riding and walking days.
What to accept
- The standard XT is not waterproof.
- Flexibility and low bulk mean less support and protection than heavier gravity shoes.
- Independent sizing reports do not perfectly match the manufacturer’s true-to-size guidance.
- Riders who never walk off the bike may not need the XT’s crossover design.
- Archive reviews and photos of the first generation should not be treated as current-model specifications.
Five Ten Trailcross XT: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Five Ten Trailcross XT waterproof?
No. The standard Trailcross XT uses an open mesh upper and is designed around breathability. For frequent wet-weather riding, a waterproof-specific model such as the Trailcross GORE-TEX is the more appropriate direction.
Is the Trailcross XT for flat pedals or clipless pedals?
The Trailcross XT is a flat-pedal shoe. It uses a Stealth Phantom rubber outsole for direct contact with platform-pedal pins and does not have a cleat mount.
Does the Five Ten Trailcross XT fit true to size?
adidas currently recommends the usual size. However, at least one detailed independent review found the shoe slightly short and suggested trying half a size larger. Riders between sizes should pay particular attention to toe room rather than relying on a single universal sizing rule.
Is the Trailcross XT good for walking and hike-a-bike?
Yes, that is one of its central design goals. The forefoot flex grooves, EVA midsole and trail-shoe-inspired construction make it more walking-friendly than a very stiff gravity-oriented flat-pedal shoe.
Is the current Trailcross XT the same shoe as the 2021 version?
No. The earlier reviewed model used a neoprene ankle gaiter, while the current version uses a revised low-cut, open-mesh construction. Historical weight and price figures should therefore be labelled as earlier-generation test data.
Is the Trailcross XT suitable for enduro?
It can suit trail and enduro riders who value mobility, flat-pedal grip and walking comfort. Riders prioritising maximum impact protection, stiffness or bike-park support may prefer a heavier gravity-focused shoe.
Five Ten Trailcross XT: A Strong Choice When Riding and Walking Overlap
The Trailcross XT’s value comes from balance. It combines the pedal grip that makes Five Ten relevant to flat-pedal riders with a lighter, more flexible structure intended for routes where the bike does not stay under you every minute of the day.
The current model is particularly compelling for trail, all-mountain and adventure use in mild or warm conditions. Its open mesh upper, EVA midsole and flexible forefoot make sense for long exploratory rides and hike-a-bike sections. The same choices also explain its limitations: it is not waterproof, and it does not provide the same support or impact protection as a heavier gravity shoe.
Most importantly, buyers should distinguish the current shoe from the earlier Trailcross XT shown in several archive images and older reviews. The 760 g size-42 weight and €150 price belong to the 2021 test context, not to the current official specification.
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