The brand Ride Concepts has not been on the market for very long, but from the beginning, it presented a wide product portfolio in the field of mountain bike shoes. Whether flat pedal or clipless pedal shoes, Ride Concepts has something for every taste and relies on cooperation with renowned riders in development. Recently, they signed the mountain bike multi-talent Andreu Lacondeguy. Enough reasons to take a closer look at a shoe – here comes our test of the Ride Concepts Hellion flat pedal shoe.
General Information about the Hellion Flat Pedal Shoe
The stylish Hellion shoe is mainly kept in black and gray, with only the logo and some accents standing out in neon yellow. The flat pedal shoe is classically laced, but features numerous elements that make it a true high-tech shoe. Let's start with the grippy sole called Rubber Kinetics. It is shaped in a waffle pattern from the heel to the toe tips, offering plenty of opportunities for the pedal pins to grip. When we took the shoe out of the box, the sole seemed relatively hard to us, but this impression quickly changed on the trail.
With the Hellion, Ride Concepts presents a comfortable MTB shoe that can also handle a bit of dirt.
Inside the shoe, a breathable insole made of shock-absorbing D30 material in the toe and heel area provides additional comfort, so you can still enjoy riding even after hours on the pedal.
The outer material of the Hellion consists of a two-part synthetic material, which is not only extremely robust but also water-repellent . Additionally, there are perforated ventilation openings in the front and side areas of the shoe. The toe area is additionally reinforced with an abrasion-resistant material – this keeps the shoe in good condition longer and also offers more safety in case of contact with roots or stones. The so-called "Modern Lifestyle Performance Fit" is intended to ensure that the shoe naturally delivers the best possible performance on the trail while also functioning as a casual shoe.
Our Test Result for the Ride Concepts Hellion
Finally, the bike parks have reopened, so we set out to test the Hellion in the Sauerland, making the bike parks Winterberg and Willingen our playground. We examined the shoe under all conditions, from single trail to downhill. We were also in the trail park adjacent to the Winterberg bike park with the e-bike, allowing us to optimally test the uphill performance.
The cap of the Hellion protects your toes and makes the MTB shoe last significantly longer.
When first putting it on, the shoe feels very firm, yet extremely comfortable. The inner material is very soft and the fit is good. The size fits as we know it from other shoes. So you don't have to adjust up or down by half a size. The foot sits firmly and securely in the shoe even when riding, as the shape provides a good hold. The heel or Achilles tendon area is sufficiently recessed, so the foot does not attempt to move upwards out of the shoe even when climbing uphill.
The initial hardness of the shoe itself and the sole quickly dissipates. After a few descents, you have "broken in" the Hellion and can fully enjoy the advantages of this shoe.
The waffle-shaped sole actually provides an incredible grip, as expected. Once you stand on the pedal, you basically have little chance of slipping your foot. To fundamentally change the foot position on the pedal, you have to lift your foot a bit. Whether downhill, freeriding, or e-biking, the sole has done an excellent job in all areas. After two full days of use, there were no signs of wear on the sole, which of course cannot yet be considered a long-term judgment.
Food for the flat pedals: Your pins can bite into the grippy sole.
The robustness of the toe area was also tested involuntarily, as there were several contacts with stones in the rock field. However, the combination of the reinforced front and the shock-absorbing D30 insoles prevented worse.
Especially with such a universally usable shoe, the factors of waterproofness and breathability are of course important. Naturally, after a full day in the bike park, we had sweaty feet in the afternoon, but it was never uncomfortably hot. You wear the shoe and quickly forget about it, which is exactly how it should be.
Since it was summery warm, we looked for a trail with a stream crossing to test the waterproofness and rode it several times. The outer material allows the water to bead off wonderfully, but of course, moisture comes through the perforated ventilation openings and the laced area with a lot of water. However, this is absolutely within limits, and we would also recommend the Hellion for bad weather with a clear conscience.
Inside, the waterproof Hellion always stays nice and dry
Our conclusion on the shoe
Our impression of the Hellion is consistently positive. It boasts various technical highlights that not only look good on paper but also work on the trail. It combines high comfort with impeccable performance on the pedal and can undoubtedly stand on the same level as the common shoe competitors. The Ride Concepts Hellion is a great flat pedal shoe at an absolutely justified price.
