Ride Concepts has quickly cemented itself as one of those go-to shoe brands, and while many of the shoes we’ve tested are good, they weren’t without the odd weak point. However, with its latest Hellion shoes, the brand has managed to pull off an excellent flat pedal shoe. Not only are they comfortable, but they also marry just the right balance of flex and stiffness with tenacious traction that’s ideal for a shoe of this type. However, the price tag is a smidgeon high.
Coming in as an all-season flat pedal shoe, the Hellion boasts a range of Ride Concepts’ hallmarks, such as an asymmetrical collar and a D30 High Impact Zone insole, which is said to absorb impact to reduce fatigue. There’s also an EVA midsole that’s added to provide support and further impact absorption.
Moving onto the upper, the Hellion’s is built from Cordura panels that were told balance durability and breathability. There’s an anti-bacterial mesh to keep the shoes smelling good, as well as a fully gussetted tongue to stop debris from getting inside. Rather than any fancy dials or Velcro, Ride Concepts has opted for a lace closure on its base-level kick.
As for the outsole, it uses Ride Concepts’ MaxGrip rubber with a hexagon pattern throughout the bulk of the tread, whereas the toe and heel get a reverse relief in a bid to aid traction when walking.
Built for trail and all-mountain riding, the Hellion sits nearer the top of Ride Concepts’ flex index. There are then plenty of sizes, ranging from a UK 6 up to a UK 12, with half sizes available. Keeping things simple and SKUs low, there are two colours to choose from, black or the white/gum we’ve got on test.
Ride Concepts Hellion shoe - Performance
On test, I’ve got a size 9.5, or EU44, and I’ve found the fit to be very good. It’s snug in all of the right places, while leaving a good amount of wiggle room in the toe box. The lace closure then provides tonnes of fit adjustment that’s easily evened out throughout the upper of the shoe. With that, I’ve found no hot spots or weird pressure points.
As the Hellion sits at the same spot in the brand’s flex index as the Tallac Mid, a shoe that I complained about for being a little too stiff, I was expecting it to be equally as unforgiving, but somehow, there’s a little more flex built into the Hellion. And while more flex might not seem like something you want from a shoe, for a flat pedal shoe like this, it means better communication and feedback from the pedal, and easier walkability.
In fact, I really enjoyed the balance of stiffness and flex built into the Hellion. Whether the shoe broke in faster, or it is really just a little more flexible, the compliance provided gave me an excellent feel of where my foot is on the pedal. It also helps the shoe bend around the pedal, meaning that the pedal’s pins could sink into the rubber better and provide more grip.
And the grip that the Hellion provides is excellent. It’s right in keeping with what you can expect of Ride Concepts’ MaxGrip rubber compound. I tested the shoe with PNW’s latest Loam pedal, OneUp Components’ Wave pedal, and Race Face’s Turbine, and with each of them, I was never left wanting for more traction. The Hellion manages to give a solid hold on all of the pedals I’ve ridden with, which is thanks to that rubber, but also the hexagon tread.
Ride Concepts Hellion shoe - Verdict
The only mild drawback of the Hellion is perhaps its price. At just a little under £145, it’s nearing the top section of the price spectrum for a flat pedal shoe. Spend a little more, and you could get the equally excellent Five Ten Freerider Pro Boa, which grants you the convenience and ease of use of a Boa dial.
Hotter competition comes in the form of Fox’s Union Flat shoes. They’re not quite as comfortable, but the traction is right on point. These will set you back £130, whereas the canvas model is £110. There’s also Fizik’s Gravita Versor Flat shoes at £140. These are lightweight, slim, and super comfortable.
But if it’s all-out pedal traction, comfort, and looks that you’re after, Ride Concepts’ Hellion has all of those in spades. Apart from the slightly loftier price, there’s incredibly little to knock, and so far, these shoes are the very best Ride Concepts has made to date.
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