1. Best for cross-country
2. Best cross-country value
3. Best for durability
4. Best for mud clearance
5. Best for cross-country racing
6. Best for XC platform support
7. Best Shimano SPD alternative
8. Best clipless trail pedals
9. Best clipless pedals for adjustability
10. Best SPD pedals for trail riding
11. Best clipless enduro pedals
12. Best clipless downhill pedals
13. Best downhill pedals for durability
How to choose
How we test
Best mountain bike clipless pedals are popular across all mountain bike disciplines and racing, giving riders a secure connection on the pedals to stop feet from slipping off the pedals on rough terrain and enhancing pedaling efficiency.
Clipless pedals feature a sprung mechanism built into the pedal body which attaches to a cleat bolted to the shoe sole. Clipless pedals come in a wide range of designs and cleat/mechanism interfaces, affecting how they feel when riding and their performance on the trail.
So how do you work out which gives the best foothold for your budget and your style of riding? We break down the best mountain bike clipless pedals we have tested by discipline. If you aren't sure what you're looking for, scroll to the bottom to find out everything you need to know when choosing the clipless pedals for mountain biking.
Clipless pedals are only as good as the shoes that you use, if you are looking for some shoes to pair with your new pedals head over to our best mountain bike shoes guide. If you prefer to ride without clipping in, our guide to the best MTB flat pedals covers everything you need to know.
Best mountain clipless bike pedals: XC
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1. Best for cross-country
Guy Kesteven subjected Hope' Union RC pedals to two years of hard testing during which they have proved themselves worthy of taking the top spot as the best XC pedals.
We found engagement and release were super consistent in all conditions. Both pedal jaws are sprung so you can push in rather than needing to toe in and the connection is sharp and positive.
Build quality is top-notch as you would expect from Hope, with machining, assembly, and quality control all taking place in-house in-house in Barnoldswick Lancashire. Bearing wear has been impressive and the pedals can be fully stripped down and serviced at home if needed, the whole pedal clip mechanism can also be serviced although you will need to send your pedals to Hope for that.
There is a little extra faff when it comes to cleat setup as some shoes may require a shim for the right spacing. The pedals come with a simple but effective cut-out card tread depth gauge to easily determine whether you need a shim or not.
It's Hope Union RC's all-round performance that made these pedals stand out when we reviewed them. Hope’s Union RC is a superb investment with tough construction, smooth bearings, incredibly consistent long-term entry and release action, and excellent product support.
Check out our Hope Union RC review for full details.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Good connection with XC shoe when shimmed correctly | ★★★★★ |
| Weight | Competitive with main competitors | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | Tough and rebuildable | ★★★★★ |
| Value | High end price but worth it | ★★★★ |
2. Best cross-country value
If there was ever a benchmark for a cross-country pedal, it has to be Shimano's venerable XT clipless pedal. It's a pedal many of us at Bike Perfect reach for cross-country and gravel bike testing due to its reliable performance and durability.
Clipping in and out is standard Shimano with a crisp and clear clunk signifying engagement or release. The pedal body has a decent shoe contact patch with the shoe giving good stability on rough trails.
Servicing is a simple job, although maintenance requirements should be few and far between considering we have seen years of all-season riding pass with zero upkeep required. Shimano cleats have a long life span and are easy to get ahold of in any bike shop if they need to be replaced.
As Sean Fishpool stated in his review, "nobody ever regretted buying XT SPD pedals". For more details, read our full Shimano XT PD-M8100 pedal review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Decent support with most XC shoes | ★★★★ |
| Weight | Average weight | ★★★ |
| Durability | Easy to service and tough build | ★★★★ |
| Value | Extremely good value | ★★★★★ |
3. Best for durability
Shimano’s entry-level M520 can be bought ridiculously cheap and is as near to indestructible as you’ll find. It might not have the fancy coatings or lighter materials of posher Shimano SPDs, but the tangible actual on-trail operation is indistinguishable. From experience, they often last longer than their more sophisticated siblings too, and the bearings are fully serviceable if they start to develop play. The axles are heavier than the 8mm Allen key shafts on 540 and above, but you can fit and remove them with a garage spanner if you don’t have an 8mm.
The Shimano ‘toe-in’ engagement is easy once learned and connection and release are clearly communicated. Spring tension is adjustable, they shrug off rock strikes very well, and Shimano cleats last longer than any others. The ‘Multi-Release’ cleats let you pull out upwards and sideways if you’re scared of being trapped but premature ejection means we generally stick with the standard cleats.
The relentless reliability and price of the 520 makes it the ‘no brainer’ cost-effective choice though and means there are about a dozen pairs of these roaming free in the northern Bike Perfect workshop as they just refuse to die.
Check out our Shimano M520 review for full details.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Reasonable support for stable suppor | ★★★ |
| Weight | Heavy | ★★ |
| Durability | Extremely tough | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Extremely good value considering durability | ★★★★★ |
4. Best for mud clearance
The Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 pedal's design looks wild compared to other pedals on the market. This minimal pedal design gives the Eggbeater pedal some very unique advantages over other more traditional pedals.
The first is its ability to deal with mud, by removing the pedal body dirt can't get clogged within the cleat mechanism making it a popular choice for riders who frequently ride in mucky conditions. The exposed mechanism is also the only pedal that has four clip-in entry points, while all the other pedals on this list have two.
Crankbrothers uses its own cleat and mechanism for clipping in with two sprung bars engaging with the cleat. That means you don't need to toe into the pedal, instead, you can stamp and go. They offer plenty of options to fine-tune float and release angles by fitting different cleats. However, although they are secure once you clip in, the smooth clip-in and-out action will feel vague for riders used to the positive clunk of an SPD system.
Not all riders are going to get along with the minimal design either. We found the Eggbeaters offered a surprising amount of stability underfoot but for riders who would prefer a little more pedal support and guidance when finding the clip-in point, Crankbrothers offers the Candy 3 pedals.
For more details, check out our full Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Secure when engaged but little to no support if you aren't | ★★★ |
| Weight | One of the lightest pedals around | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | Crankbrothers' durability has been improved in recent years | ★★★ |
| Value | Good balance of performance vs price | ★★★★ |
5. Best for cross-country racing
Shimano's XTR is the top-of-the-range SPD cross-country pedal and has been the racer's choice for years from local leagues to the World Cup circuit.
The XTR PD-M9100 pedals are sleeker, lower, and lighter than Shimano's XT workhorse and have the same distinct and familiar Shimano clip-in mechanism. The forged body offers more mud clearance and extends further down the axle too, increasing platform and support to the sole of your mountain bike shoes. The 8.1mm stack is impressively low giving a slightly more planted feel and a little more pedal clearance.
Although Shimano's XTR pedals have been carved out for racing, it hasn't come at the detriment of reliability either. Like the XT's they spin on easy serviceable and well-sealed cartridge bearings.
We found the marginal gains of the XTR's present a significant upgrade over the XT's if you can justify the extra cost.
Check out our full review of the Shimano XTR PD-M9100 pedals.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Reasonable support for stable riding, slim profile enhances ride feel | ★★★★ |
| Weight | Lightweight but not the lightest | ★★★★ |
| Durability | Extremely tough | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Reasonable pricing considering it's Shimano's top spec pedal | ★★★★ |
6. Best for XC platform support
Crankbrothers makes three versions of its Candy pedal and the 3 sits right in the middle, offering a full range of tuning features in a relatively wide one-piece, three-color-option body design. The mechanism is the classic X-Wing Eggbeater design which rotates freely in the center of the shoe to give all-angle release and engagement no matter what filth is on your shoe. While the medium spring tension is fixed, the float and release angle can be altered by switching cleats left to right or choosing from premium, standard, or easy-release options that give 0-10 degrees of float and 10-20 degrees of release angles.
Clearance between the shoe and pedal can be tuned with shims under the cleat and the Candy 3 also comes with clip-on ‘traction pads’ for the body. With a bit of fettling, you can get just the right amount of foot support and connection for your riding tastes. The extra body support also reduces shoe wear from the stainless steel wings compared to the skeletal Eggbeater design. Protection is improved too but they are 75g heavier than a pair of Eggbeater 3s.
As well as having the traction pads included as standard, the 3s get a Hex key end cap and double seal system protecting the Enduro cartridge bearings and Igus bushings inside. We have found the reliability of recent pedals has been excellent too and a five-year warranty covers them if you do have problems.
This makes them a great XC option for riders who want a softer release feel and more tuneable support than Shimano with a similar level of reliability and weight.
For more details, read our full review of the Crankbrothers Candy 3 pedals.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Increased support and improved engagement from pedal body | ★★★★ |
| Weight | Competitive weight | ★★★ |
| Durability | Crankbrothers' durability has been improved in recent years | ★★★ |
| Value | Competitive with other pedals | ★★★★ |
7. Best Shimano SPD alternative
Look's take on an SPD-compatible pedal carries over the brand's expertise in road bike pedals. So there's a robust build and the bearings are rock-solid, even after thousands of miles of use in the usual muddy/dusty/wet mix of conditions. The black anodizing on the standard pedals tends to wear over time, but the metal bodies cope well with bashes and abuse.
The platform is a bit wider than more minimalist pedals so there's decent shoe support from the gridded side areas. More body does mean there's a bit more tendency to clog with dirt, although we haven't found it to be any worse than other SPD designs.
Like other SPD pedals, there's easy adjustment of release tension. and the open springs continue to work well. Look supplies its own cleats, which are durable and give six degrees of float and there's an easy release version available with multiple release directions, rather than just the side-to-side of the standard cleats.
The more substantial design means that the Look X-Track pedals are a bit heavier than equivalent-priced XC pedals, you can shave a bit off by opting for the pricier carbon-bodied and titanium spindle models.
Check out our full review of the Look X-Track Race Carbon pedals.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Good support and extra float for SPD riders | ★★★★ |
| Weight | Competitive weight | ★★★ |
| Durability | Reasonable durability although special tool required for servicing | ★★★ |
| Value | Competitive with other pedals | ★★★★ |
Best mountain clipless bike pedals: trail and enduro
8. Best clipless trail pedals
Hope has been CNC machining mountain bike parts for a long time, yet the Union pedal range is the first clipless pedal range that the brand has offered. This isn't completely new territory though, Hope already has its F20 flat pedal which is well proven on a durability front and the newer F22. The Unior pedal uses the same heat-treated and plated cro-mo steel axles and triple cartridge bearing, single Igus bushing internals.
What is completely new is the clip-in system, rather than use Shimano's SPD format Hope has developed its own which uses proprietary cleats, of which two are included in the box. The double-sided cleat retention mechanism can be stamped into with a flat foot rather than a forward hooking motion. We found the clip action to be light but positive and the pedal provides a broad platform for a really planted and secure feel.
Find out more about the Hope Union TR pedal in our detailed review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Good connection with trail shoe when shimmed correctly | ★★★★★ |
| Weight | Extra pedal body adds a bit of weight | ★★ |
| Durability | Tough and rebuildable | ★★★★★ |
| Value | High end price but worth it | ★★★★ |
9. Best clipless pedals for adjustability
Up until last year Crankbrothers pedal range had two very distinctive flavors, there were the bare bones Eggbeaters and minimal Candy formats on one end and the large platformed enduro and downhill pedals. To fill the gap Crankbrothers released the Mallet Trail which features a small pinned platform.
The Mallet Trail combines the four-sided Eggbeater mechanism which gives customizable float and release by using different cleats, shipped with a the standard six-degree float, and 15-degree release (or 20 degrees by putting switching the left and right cleat). The pedal/shoe interface and cleat engagement feel can be further fine-tuned with the replaceable traction pads. Surrounding the mechanism is a 6061-T6 Aluminum pedal body with two adjustable supporting pins to help guide your feet into the pedals.
If your a fan of Crankbrothers light engagement and adjustability then the Mallet Trail's are an excellent option for any riding that might require a little extra support but not require a fully platformed pedal.
Check out our full review of the Crankbrothers Mallet Trail.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Easy clip in action and added pedal body support | ★★★★ |
| Weight | Decent weight considering additional pedal body | ★★★★ |
| Durability | Crankbrothers' durability has improved over the years | ★★★ |
| Value | Premium price and no budget options | ★★★ |
10. Best SPD pedals for trail riding
While Shimano has some semi-platformed trail versions of its XT and XTR pedals, it's only a basic hoop around the cleat mechanism. If you want an SPD trail pedal with the added support of a couple of pins, then Look’s X-Track En-Rage Plus is the best alternative.
Its not just the addition of a couple of adjustable grub screws threaded into the front of the pedal that separates the Look pedals from the Shimano offerings. Although the pedals are completely cross compatible with Shimano's SPD cleats and have an almost indistinguishable clip in and out feel, Look uses its own cleat. This slightly modified cleat gives an extra two degrees of float which we found gave a little more freedom under foot which helped us move our body weight around when riding rowdier terrain.
Reliability of the single inboard bushing and a pair of outer sealed ball bearings has been impressive so far. Although when it comes to servicing you will need to source and purchase a special tool from Look.For more details, head over to our full review of the Look X-Track En-Rage Plus.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Good support and extra SPD float feel | ★★★★ |
| Weight | Heavier weight puts them alongside larger platform pedals | ★★ |
| Durability | Test samples have proven to have good durability | ★★★★ |
| Value | Price puts these pedals mid-range | ★★★ |
11. Best clipless enduro pedals
After issues with early versions of the Candy, the Mallet helped save Crankbrothers' pedal reputation by becoming the gravity footholder of choice for a ton of high-profile riders. The Mallet E uses a slightly smaller platform but all the same adjustable pin and shim features to create an outstanding, fully tuneable lightweight Enduro/hardcore trail pedal.
As with all Crankbrothers pedals, the mechanism at the center is the brilliantly simple and effective stainless steel X-Wing Eggbeater design. That means easy, soft clip-in at all angles, no matter the amount of dirt on your foot. Spring tension is fixed but choosing different cleats or switching them left to right gives between 0-10 degrees of float and 10-20 degrees release angles making them (and other Crankbrothers pedals) the most adjustable around. Shoe-to-pedal clearance can be tuned with shims under the cleat or changeable ‘traction pads’ slotted into the two-tone anodized body (four colors are available) alongside the mechanism. Foot connection when clipped or unclipped can be further modified by screwing the six steel grip screws in or out of the body. This means you can have your feet locked down or skating around as you want but still get great impact and pedaling support at a reasonable weight. The LS (Long Shaft) axle gives a 57mm (rather than 2mm) extension for more leverage and crank clearance if you’re duck-footed.
The reliability of recent Crankbrothers pedals has been excellent and they’re covered by a five-year warranty. With eight different versions of Mallet from the entry-level E11 to the limited-edition ‘Super Bruni’ DH World Champion version there’s an option for most wallets and preferences.
For more details, check out our Crankbrothers Mallet E LS review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Platform gives loads of support to trail shoes | ★★★★★ |
| Weight | Good weight considering size | ★★★★ |
| Durability | Bearings last a long time | ★★★★ |
| Value | Expensive but durable | ★★★ |
Best mountain clipless bike pedals: downhill
12. Best clipless downhill pedals
Crankbrothers Mallet pedal has long been a firm favorite amongst downhillers combining the classic eggbeater x-wing clip-in mechanism with a huge supportive platform.
The Crankbrothers pedal design lends itself perfectly to downhill riding, the floaty pedal connection enhances control through the feet and the easy mud-proof engagement helps when getting clipped back in mid-trail. You get all the same cleat and traction pad adjustment to fine-tune ride feel found on the other Mallet versions. Encasing the mechanism is a huge platform sporting eight adjustable and removable pins per side giving loads of support to the shoe. Once set up, our tester Jim Bland found the Mallet DH's intuitive when riding and offering equal parts flat pedal levels of support and clipped-in security.
The large platform adds a chunk of weight over the likes of the Mallet E LS however trail slammers will value the extra real estate. Reliability has previously been questionable although after a full summer of testing Jim's test pedals were still spinning smoothly. They are also serviceable and spares and service kits are available.
To find out more, check out Jim's full review of the Crankbrothers Mallet DH pedal.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Huge pedal body gives excellant stability | ★★★★★ |
| Weight | They are on the heavy side due to larger platform | ★★★ |
| Durability | Decent durability and serviceable | ★★★★ |
| Value | Pricey but performance boosts value | ★★★ |
13. Best downhill pedals for durability
It's hard to believe that Shimano's Saint groupset has remained unchanged since its release in 2013, the Saint M820 pedals were a somewhat new addition to the range back in 2018. Since then they have seen a relatively minor update to the axle durability, indicated by the Shimano Saint M821 version we tested.
Unlike the svelte and pinless XT and XTR trail pedals, the Saint has a far bigger forged aluminum platform with an adjustable pin in each corner. The mechanism is the same as Shimano's proven SPD system giving a crisp reassuring clunk to tell you that you clipped in. There aren't as many float options as Crankbrothers but the spring tension can be adjusted to change the force needed to unclip.
The pedals feature a durable chromoly axle and like all of Shimano's pedals, they spin on ball bearings rather than bushings or cartridge bearings. Servicing is classic Shimano and they will rarely need anything more than occasionally being flushed with fresh grease to keep them play-free and spinning smoothly.
Check out our full review of the Shimano Saint M821 pedals.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Medium sized pedal body and four pins add support | ★★★ |
| Weight | Heavy | ★★ |
| Durability | Very durable and easily serviceable | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Reasonable pricing compared to other large platform pedals | ★★★ |
How to choose the best clipless MTB pedals
There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before buying clipless mountain bike pedals but they’re all pretty straightforward. What isn’t so predictable are the answers.
What size pedal should I use?
The larger the pedal, the easier it is to find with your foot. Bigger pedals like the Crankbrothers Mallet DH and old Shimano Saint M821 also give more support under your shoe. Adjustable grip pins screwed into the platforms increase foot security whether you’re clipped in or not. Bigger pedals are heavier though, so big platforms are more popular with gravity riders.
That’s led to the development of the latest category of medium or ‘enduro’ sized platform pedals like the Crankbrothers Mallet E which use a smaller, lighter platform but often keep grip pins so they’re still useable unclipped.
Small platform trail pedals - like Hope Union TR, Crankbrothers Mallet Trail, and Look X-Track En-Rage Plus - offer a bit more contact area and mechanism protection than an XC pedal but without the extra front and rear support of a caged option.
Finally, XC and 'skeleton’ mechanism-only pedals like Shimano XT Crankbrothers Eggbeaters are super light and more resistant to mud clogging. With no support platform or protection around the mechanism though they’re best suited to very stiff shoes and more careful riders.
Which clipless system should I use?
As well as weight, platform size, and price, the ‘feel’ and operation of some pedals can make them particularly suitable for some riders. All the Shimano-compatible designs feel broadly similar using a single sprung jaw with adjustable release-spring tension. Those tension ranges and clip-in/out action can vary though and there’s no way to adjust shoe-to-pedal spacing. Crankbrothers pedals use hoop-based mechanisms that give a smooth, quiet, mud-proof engagement and disengagement. In contrast, Hope pedals use double-sprung mechanisms with a very obvious and secure feel.
Crankbrothers pedals don’t have spring-tension adjustment but use pedal and cleat shims to tune the gap - and therefore connection/movement - between your shoe and the pedal.
While some riders like a fixed foot connection, more rotational movement before the cleat unclips from the shoe (float) can reduce strain on your knees. Float varies between pedal designs but can also be altered from 0 to 20 degrees by using different shapes of cleats or switching the cleats from left to right. Crankbrothers currently offers the widest range of options.
How much can I expect to pay?
How much you’ve got to spend is always a significant factor, but with pedals, the gains aren’t always in line with the investment. Spending more does get you more choices. The cheapest pedals are all minimal platform ‘trail’ platforms and the price tends to increase as pedals get bigger or lighter.
Features like adjustable pins also cost more and some pedal systems use different coatings on mechanisms to improve performance.
Changes in axle material - better quality steel or titanium on fancy pedals - and more sculpted bodies reduce weight but push the price higher.
However, as with many components more expensive/complex doesn’t always mean more reliable. A prime example is Shimano’s SPD (Shimano Pedalling Dynamics) range. XTR (and to a lesser extent XT) are built from fancier materials and treated to smarter coatings than entry-level pedals to reduce weight and improve performance. You’d be hard-pressed to notice any difference between them and the basic M520 model under your feet though. More importantly, Shimano’s cheapest pedals outlast pretty much any pedal from anyone, despite sometimes being sold for less than a spare pair of cleats (that they come with as standard).
How we test the best mountain bike clipless pedals
We have tested all these clipless MTB pedals over several months to several years racking up countless miles on a wide range of trails to determine how they perform on the roughest terrains and the worst conditions. Pedals are ranked based on support, weight, durability, and value.
Meet the testers
Guy Kesteven is Bike Perfect’s contributing tech editor. He's written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of bike components and riding gear.
Graham has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK on his doorstep. Although occasionally dabbling with flat pedals, the majority of his riding is on clipless pedals.
Paul has been testing mountain bikes and products for the best part of 30 years, he’s passed comment on thousands of components, bikes and hundreds of pedals.
Jim Bland is a product tester and World Cup downhill mechanic working Worldwide. Jim’s chosen riding genre is hard to pinpoint and regularly varies from e-bike-assisted shuttle runs one day to cutting downcountry laps the next.
Sean has old-school cycle touring in his blood, with a coast-to-coast USA ride and a number of month-long European tours in his very relaxed palmares. Also an enthusiastic midpack club cyclocross and XC racer, he loves his role as a junior cycle coach on the Kent/Sussex borders, and likes to squeeze in a one-day unsupported 100-miler on the South Downs Way at least once a year.
