John, our sales manager who we love for his attention to detail, and just general bike nerdiness has been riding the all new Ride Concepts Hellion shoes. Here are his thoughts:
I’ve been riding the new Ride Concepts Hellion Clip shoes for around 40 hours now on a mix of bikes, including my trail bike, e-bike, and downhill setup. Conditions have been all over the map from hot and dry to wet and muddy, and the shoes have performed consistently without a single hiccup.
The fit is excellent. They run true to size and have a snug, secure feel that stays comfortable for long rides. The BOA dial system works flawlessly, letting me fine tune the fit on the fly. The added power strap really helps lock things down by spreading pressure evenly across the foot, which makes the shoe feel more balanced and stable than a single closure system. The slightly raised inner ankle is another smart detail, adding some extra protection and abrasion resistance when brushing up against rocks or the crank arms.
On the bike, the Hellion Clip feels very confidence inspiring. The stiff sole delivers efficient power transfer while climbing and also gives my feet great support when things get rough on descents. I especially appreciate the longer and deeper cleat box, which allows me to run the cleats further back than most shoes will accommodate while still having ample engagement with my pedals (Crankbrothers Mallet E and DH) . This makes a noticeable difference in descending comfort and control. The D3O insole is another highlight, adding impact absorption that keeps my feet fresher on long, rough days. Or ache and cramp free after the occasional run where I can convince myself to let off the brakes a bit.
Durability also seems dialed. The reinforced toe cap feels solid and has already shrugged off a few strikes with no visible damage. The overall build quality feels premium and ready to handle hard use over time. After plenty of hours across different disciplines and conditions, they still feel as good as day one.Overall, the Ride Concepts Hellion Clip is a very well-rounded shoe that blends comfort, adjustability, and performance with durability. If you are looking for a clip shoe that can handle everything from trail rides to bike park laps, this one is definitely worth a look. It even comes in a flat pedal variant too.
Leave a comment