- Secure and tough construction
- Tread grips well on and off the pedals
- Offers excellent protection
- A little narrow
- Too stiff for prolonged walking
The MT500 Burner clipless shoe is a feature-filled offering from Endura which focuses heavily on ergonomics and pedalling performance. The shoe provides plenty of protection and a stiff platform to pedal from and, with lots of adjustability for the cleat position, it works well on the bike. The grip from the tread is great on- and off the bike but I found the sole to be a little too stiff for prolonged periods of walking. Although sizing was in line with expectations, they did come up a little narrow so try before you buy.
- Best mountain bike pedals
- Best mountain bike shoes 2023 - top-rated flat and clipless kicks
- Best gravel bike shoes 2023
Endura MT500 Burner clipless shoe - Technical details
In terms of comfort, Endura has developed this shoe with a renowned physiotherapy and ergonomics expert to get the most comfort and support possible. The result of this can be seen in the insole where it features specific shaping for arch and metatarsal support. The insole also features raised “bumps” to keep your foot secure inside the shoe.
The shoe construction has been tuned carefully to provide a balance of stiffness which promotes power transfer and flexibility for comfort. There are reinforced toe and heel boxes to fend off rock strikes while the uppers are said to be durable and vented for breathability. The ankle gets some added material on the inside to protect against the crank. The traditional laces are bolstered with a Velcro strap across the top of the shoe for extra security. The heel cup uses a “cat’s tongue” or “shark-skin” material to give extra purchase on your sock and reduce heel-lift.
The sole has some interesting tread patterns, and the heel and toe are akin to a trail running shoe and provide grip while off the bike. Meanwhile, the middle tread is aimed at gripping the pedal while unclipped. The cleat box features lots of adjustment and allows the cleats to be placed far back - this allows the foot to be more central over the pedal which aids comfort and control whilst descending. Markings on the cleat box enable the cleats to be set up symmetrically between the left and right feet.
Sizes range from EU38 to EU47 (UK 5 - UK 12) and there are four colours to choose from (Black, Cocoa (Orange), Forest Green, Navy) so there should be something for everyone.
Endura MT500 Burner clipless shoe - Performance
For me, comfort is the most important part of any riding shoe. From a sizing standpoint my go-to size fitted as expected, however, I’d say these shoes are a little on the narrow side. I have found they put pressure on the sides of my feet once they get hot and swell a little. With a thick pair of waterproof socks, I found them to be quite tight.
While pedalling, the sole is plenty stiff enough to feel efficient and does a good job of reducing chatter coming up through the pedals. There was a confidence-inspiring feeling that my foot was well protected and they do an excellent job of shrugging off rock strikes and poorly timed foot dabs.
While walking, I found the stiffness of the sole to be a little too much which, on one occasion of hike-a-biking, did cause heel blisters. This was after a prolonged period of walking, more than would be considered normal on an enduro ride.
The tread grip is excellent, one of the best I’ve used and, while unclipped, I had no concerns about the pedal grip. Clipping in and out is a fairly standard affair with these shoes, however, I’d say the cleat does sit deeper into the sole than other shoes. For the pedals on test (Funn Mamba S) this wasn’t a problem but could be an issue for other pedals so consider using a cleat spacer if required. It would be nice for the cleat channel to be a little wider to allow for side-to-side adjustment, with an SPD cleat there wasn’t much room.
From a durability standpoint, these shoes have done four months of riding and have held up pretty well. The pins have made their mark on the softer pedal area of the sole and one of the ankle patches is starting to peel a little but they have taken some impressive knocks. I have no concerns for the longevity of these shoes.
The shoe is a little bulkier than some and I have found them to run a little hotter but that is the trade-off for the protection and sturdiness on offer. The bulk also holds the water and takes longer to dry out than thinner shoes but it's nothing a radiator overnight won’t sort.
Endura MT500 Burner clipless shoe - Verdict
Retailing at £130, these shoes represent good value for the performance on offer. Endura also offers a 90-day money-back guarantee where it will refund or replace the shoes if you’re not happy with them. If you’re looking for a more trail-orientated shoe that is better for walking then take a look at the FiveTen Trailcross. It represents similar money but performs better off the bike than on it. For a high-performing enduro shoe, the Specialized 2FO Cliplite is a solid choice which blends pedalling efficiency and comfort very well.
The Endura MT500 Burner clipless is a pair of burly, stiff and feature-filled enduro / downhill shoes. The attention to ergonomics is impressive which provides a comfortable and supportive fit. The materials have proven to be tough and the cleat position has been designed well to give a supportive ride. I found them to be a little narrow and the stiffness was a little too much for prolonged periods of walking so try before you buy.
Add comment