The brand Ride Concepts has been around for several years and during this time has gained a solid fan base. Initially, there was a small but fine selection of mountain bike shoes, which has steadily grown over the years.
Whether flat pedal or clipless pedal shoe, Ride Concepts has plenty of MTB shoes in their portfolio and relies on cooperation with renowned riders for development. But what can these shoes really do? And – even more importantly – do they feel good? Good question and also a good reason to test a shoe thoroughly.
Voila – our test of the Ride Concepts Hellion Flatpedal MTB Shoe:
👟 General Information about the Hellion Flatpedal Shoe
- Appearance: The casual test Hellion shoe impresses with a simple look in black and gray. The neon-yellow logo and a few colorful details ensure that the shoe doesn't look boring.
- Closure: Our flat pedal shoe is classically laced.
- Lace Tuck: The worst case – the shoelaces come loose and get tangled in the crank 😱. For this, there is a small rubber tab between the lacing. Tuck the ends in, and you're good to go!
- Sole: The shoe features a proprietary sole compound and construction called Rubber Kinetics. It is shaped in a waffle pattern from heel to toe, providing plenty of opportunities for the pedal pins to grip.
With the Hellion, Ride Concepts introduces a comfortable MTB shoe that isn't afraid of a little fun in the dirt.
- Insole: Inside the shoe, a breathable insole made of shock-absorbing D30 material provides comfort. There is also padding in the toe and heel areas.
- Material: The outer material of the Hellion consists of a two-piece robust and water-repellent synthetic material.
- Ventilation: There are plenty of perforated ventilation openings in the front and side areas of the shoe.
- Toe Protection: The toe area is additionally reinforced with a abrasion-resistant material – this keeps the shoe in good condition longer and also provides more safety in case of contact with roots or stones.
Sizes & Price
- The Hellion is available in women's sizes from 35 to 41.5.
- For men, the shoe is available from 39.5 to 47.
- Depending on the model and features, the MTB shoes cost between 180 and 250 euros (RRP).
📊 The Ride Concepts MTB Shoe in Quick Check
|
Comfort |
👍👍 |
|
Equipment |
👍 |
|
Water Resistance |
👍👎 |
|
Grip |
👍👍 |
|
Durability |
👍👍 |
|
Price-Performance |
👍 |
|
Application Area |
Flatpedal; Enduro, Trail |
The Fit of the Ride Concepts Hellion MTB Shoe
The so-called "Modern Lifestyle Performance Fit" is supposed to ensure that the shoe naturally delivers optimal performance on the trail, while also functioning as a leisure shoe.
Note: Our test model is no longer available. However, you can buy various current models with cool updates (new colors, BOA closure, and so on).
🔎 Ride Concepts Hellion: Our Test
We set out for the test of the Hellion to explore the bike parks Winterberg and Willingen in the Sauerland.
Where did we test?
We closely examined the shoe under all conditions (from single trail to downhill). We were in the neighboring trail park with both the bio and the e-bike, allowing us to also try out the uphill performance.
The cap of the Hellion protects your toes and makes the MTB shoe last significantly longer.
Our First Test Impression
Even before putting them on, we noticed the rather hard sole. However, this first impression quickly dissipated on the first trail meters. Once you stand in them, the shoe feels very firm, offers good support, yet is 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 account for half a size up or down. The foot sits firmly and securely in the shoe while riding, as the shape nicely stabilizes. The heel or Achilles tendon area is sufficiently recessed, so the foot makes no attempt to slip out of the shoe uphill in a standing position.
The initial rigidity of the shoe and sole quickly dissipates. After a few descents, you have "broken in" the Hellion and can fully enjoy the advantages of this shoe.
How's the grip?
The waffle sole actually offers an incredible grip. When you take your place on the pedal, you stand there – rock-solid and immovable. If you want to change the position of your foot, you actually have to lift your foot a bit. Whether on DH, freeride, or on the e-bike, the sole has always done an excellent job in terms of grip. But does it survive the pedal pins? No worries: The long-term result is still pending, but after two full days of use, there were no signs of wear on the sole.
Feed for the flat pedals: Your pins can bite into the grippy sole of the MTB shoe Hellion.
Does the Ride Concepts Hellion sufficiently protect the toes?
We had to test the robustness of the toe area involuntarily, as stones approached us several times in the rock field. However, the combination of the reinforced front and the shock-absorbing D30 insoles prevented worse.
Especially with a universally usable sports shoe, two points are absolutely crucial:
- the waterproofness
- and the breathability
Fresh air in the mountain bike shoe
Of course, after a full day in the bike park, we had sweaty feet in the afternoon, but it was never so unpleasantly hot. You wear the shoe and forget it relatively quickly, and that's exactly how it should be.
Wet feet in the Hellion? Is the MTB shoe waterproof?
On our test days, it was summery warm. So we went in search of water to find out if Ride Concepts managed to make the slippers waterproof. A trail with a stream crossing was just right for the water test, and to be sure, we rode it several times (okay, it’s also really fun 🙂). The outer material lets the water 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 so we would recommend the Hellion for the off-season with a clear conscience. Maybe not in a downpour, but it works perfectly in normal bad weather.
Inside, the Hellion always stays reasonably dry.
👉 Our conclusion on the Ride Concepts Hellion MTB shoe
Our impression of the Hellion is consistently positive. It delights with 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 easily compete with the competition. The Ride Concepts Hellion is a great flat pedal shoe, and the RRP of 180 to 250 euros (depending on the equipment) is absolutely justified.
We love testing!
We use any excuse to get on the bike! That's why you'll find many more tests about bicycles here in the Bike Blog! Here is a selection:
