Looking to try platform pedals (I normally used clipless), I picked the Freerider Scribble model because they were under $100/pair, and appearance-wise they matched my other casual shoes (a pair of DC skate shoes- I used to skate a long time ago!) so if I decided to pull the plug on the whole platform pedal experiment, I could still use the FiveTen's for daily casual. Walking around in the FiveTens when I'm out and about will look normal, compared to if I were to try to go casual with my mountain biking, SPD-equipped shoes.

When they arrived at my door, I tried them on for fitment. The FiveTen shoe sizing is about the same as with my Shimano shoes, but if I had to be critical the FiveTen's seem to be a tad tighter on the sides; this is most likely due to the fact that my&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Shimano-SH-MT32L-Mountain-Bike-Shoes/dp/B001HBT4LW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Shimano SH-MT32L Mountain Bike Shoes</a>&nbsp;have thinner sidewalls, where the FiveTen's have padded sides. It didn't make it uncomfortable though, just a little more snug. The toe area is just as roomy. Since the FiveTen's are a more "casual" shoe with a thick, padded tongue, you don't lace these up as tight as other shoes, but they will stay on just as well.

Trying them on the soles are not as stiff as the MT-32L's, but not as flexible as my regular DC skate shoes. The centers feel stiff - good when it's time to pedal, since if it's too soft it would absorb some pedaling power when it's time to hammer down. As for the sole compound, the color combo I chose came with the stickier S1 compound (depending on the shoe color, some come with S1 and some come with a less-sticky "PH" compound) and it was immediately evident walking around in my garage - I could literally hear the soles stick to the bare concrete!

Sitting on my bike for a quick test "feel", the first thought through my mind was, "wow - these are sticky!" Once I had my weight on the pedals, the S1 compound stuck like flypaper. I couldn't even slide the shoe around on the pedal, nor could I twist the shoe to change my foot angle. I had to actually lift my foot of the pedal to reposition - and when taking a look at how the shoe touched the pedals, I learned why. The pattern of the sole combined with the sticky rubber compound let the pedal pins lock into the sole; either a pin would sit in one of the many recesses in the sole, or it would sink into the raised portions of the sole. For reference, I was using a pair of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Blackspire-Sub4-pedal-9-16-black/dp/B007DCFFAI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Blackspire Sub4 pedal, 9/16" - black</a>&nbsp;pedals.

With the traction there, the first thing I did notice was that my pedaling was cut in half; because I could no longer use the upstroke when climbing (like you can with clipless pedals), I had to rely on just the downstroke. The second thing that I noticed was that in the beginning I was always stepping on the pedals in different fore/aft position; I got spoiled by the clipless pedal and how it automatically positioned my foot in the right place. However, the next ride afterward I didn't notice those first two complaints anymore. I simply adapted to pedaling with downstroke only, and positioning my foot centered on the pedal quickly became second nature within one ride.

I have now converted to platform pedals exclusively because of these shoes. It might be difficult to grasp for long-time clipless users (I was one) but if I had to pick the best "plus" for using the FiveTen's with platform pedals: Freedom. My FiveTen shoe may feel "locked on" with its awesome traction, but the split second I have to move my foot, I don't have to subconsciously remember to unclip first - I just move my foot, and it will move. This actually saved me from a crash recently; I was heading downhill on some rough terrain at speed, and when I got to the bottom the surface turned into loose round rocks - a fast change from the packed dirt at the top and middle of the hill. My front tire got loose at speed, but I lifted my left foot and stuck it out to regain my balance, saving myself from a crash. To be honest, I'm not sure if I could have unclipped in time to do the same, as it was a matter of split seconds between surviving (which I did) and crashing (which, thankfully, I didn't).

Everyone who's said that the FiveTen shoes stick like glue are not making it up, these have amazing traction and you would have to feel it to believe it!