Unparallel MTB & Gravel Shoes
Unparallel MTB & Gravel Shoes start from a genuinely interesting place: the brand was co-founded by the same people who built Five Ten's rubber reputation, and they brought that climbing-shoe obsession with friction directly into trail footwear. The result is a range that prioritises flat pedal grip above almost everything else - and on the kind of wet, pin-caked pedals you're dealing with on a damp Welsh trail centre Saturday, that matters more than most brands want to admit.
The outsoles use Unparallel's proprietary VD and RH rubber compounds - the same thinking that keeps climbers on overhangs - and they translate that into a connection between shoe and pedal that feels almost magnetic when conditions turn slippery. Beneath that, shock-absorbing EVA midsoles take the edge off rock gardens and rooty descents without deadening your feel for what the pedal is doing. The uppers are synthetic, weather-resistant, and wipe clean without much fuss - useful when you're loading kit back into the car and don't want to think about it until next weekend.
Whether you're an enduro rider chasing chunk in the Brecon Beacons, a dirt jumper sessioning the local park, or a clipless convert after something more purposeful, there's a model in the range worth knowing about.
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Rubber Tech and What It Actually Does in the Wet
The core of what makes Unparallel different sits in those rubber compounds. VD rubber is the softer, tackier of the two - you'll find it across the forefoot where grip on pins matters most. RH rubber is slightly firmer and more durable, typically used across the heel and outer edges where wear accumulates fastest. Together, they give you a sole that doesn't choose between longevity and friction the way cheaper shoes often force you to.
In practice, this means the shoes stay planted when your flat pedals are coated in Peak District clay or trail spray from a fast descent. Sticky rubber outsoles of this grade conform slightly to pin shapes under load, which is why experienced flat pedal riders talk about a 'locked-in' feeling that cheaper shoes simply don't replicate. Five Ten shoes operate on the same principle - not surprising given the shared lineage - but Unparallel's compounds have been developed independently since and are worth comparing directly on current models.
The synthetic uppers do a solid job of fending off trail spray and puddle splashes. They're not waterproof in any meaningful sense - nothing with breathability built in truly is - but the material resists saturation better than canvas or mesh-heavy alternatives, and it dries out faster between rides. For most UK riding from spring through autumn, that's enough. Deep winter bogs are a different conversation.
The Range: Which Model Suits Which Rider
Unparallel's MTB range isn't huge, but each model has a clear purpose rather than overlapping vaguely in the middle. The Dust Up is the aggressive trail and enduro option - stiffer through the midsole, more structured around the heel, with TPU toe protection that actually covers enough of the toe box to matter when you clip a root or a rock face. If you're riding technical natural trails or sending drops regularly, this is the one to look at first.
The Roost sits at the more relaxed end: softer feel underfoot, lighter build, and a silhouette that works as well walking to the pump track as it does riding it. Dirt jumpers and casual trail riders will feel at home here. It's not built for sustained descending punishment, but it's not trying to be.
For riders who prefer clipless pedals, the Up Link brings the same rubber and upper quality into a two-bolt compatible shoe. Unparallel clipless MTB shoes aren't as widely discussed as their flat pedal range, but the Up Link is a capable option - especially for gravel riders who want something trail-worthy rather than road-shoe stiff. Worth comparing against Giro MTB shoes if you're weighing clipless options at a similar price point.
On sizing, Unparallel shoes run broadly true to size with a snug, performance-oriented fit. The last is relatively narrow through the midfoot, which suits riders with standard to slim feet well. If you're on the wider side or plan to wear thick winter socks, go half a size up. The heel cup is firm by design - it's intentional, not a quality issue - and it beds in over a few rides. Unparallel shoe sizing guide searches tend to surface contradictory forum advice, so the safest call is to measure your foot in centimetres and cross-reference against their size chart rather than relying on your usual shoe size alone.
The Unparallel Dust Up vs Roost decision usually comes down to one question: how technical is your riding, and how often are you on your feet between sections? The Dust Up rewards commitment to riding hard; the Roost rewards everything else.
Keeping Them in Good Shape Through a UK Winter
Synthetic uppers are forgiving to maintain, but a few habits will extend the life of the rubber significantly. After muddy rides, rinse the outsoles with cold water and a stiff brush - get the mud out from between the lugs before it dries hard and starts to pack in permanently. Don't use hot water on the outsoles; it can soften the adhesive bond between rubber and midsole over time.
Dry them naturally. Stuff the insides with newspaper to pull moisture out from the interior, and leave them somewhere with airflow. Radiator drying is tempting after a wet ride, but sustained heat causes EVA midsoles to compress unevenly and can cause the sticky rubber outsole to begin separating at the edges - which is expensive to fix and usually not worth attempting. A couple of hours in a warm (not hot) garage does the job fine.
The synthetic uppers wipe clean with a damp cloth once the mud is off. You don't need specialist cleaner. If the rubber starts to feel less grippy after extended use, a light scrub with a nail brush and warm soapy water often restores some of the surface tack - road grime and trail dust fill the micro-texture of the rubber over time. Crank Brothers shoes share similar synthetic construction and benefit from the same approach if you're running mixed kit.
One more thing worth knowing: the insoles in most Unparallel models are removable and dry faster when taken out separately. Pull them after every wet ride. It makes a real difference to how fresh the interior feels on the next one, and it slows the build-up of the kind of structural moisture that degrades foam over a full season of UK enduro footwear use.
Unparallel MTB & Gravel Shoes FAQs
Are Unparallel MTB shoes true to size?
Generally yes - Unparallel shoes fit true to size with a snug, performance-oriented heel and midfoot. The last runs fairly narrow, so if you have wide feet or plan to wear thick winter socks, go half a size up. When in doubt, measure your foot in centimetres and check their size chart rather than relying on your usual shoe size.
How does Unparallel rubber compare to Five Ten?
Unparallel was co-founded by former Five Ten developers, so the DNA is genuinely shared. Their proprietary VD and RH rubber compounds deliver comparable levels of sticky flat pedal grip and vibration damping. Current models have been developed independently, so it's worth comparing both on up-to-date versions rather than assuming one is simply a copy of the other.
Are Unparallel shoes waterproof for UK winter riding?
They're not fully waterproof, but the durable synthetic uppers resist trail spray and light rain well enough for most three-season riding. For deep winter riding through standing water and bog, pair them with waterproof socks - that combination covers most of what a UK winter throws at you without sacrificing the flat pedal feel that a heavier waterproof shoe tends to kill.