The Lab: Ride Concepts Hellion Elite Men´s Shoe in review
Does the softest rubber compound offered by RC live up to its promise and defy all conditions? We were on the road with the Ride Concepts Hellion Elite flat pedal shoes for you and tested them to their core. After eight months of testing, you can read the results here.
rideconcepts.com
The RC Hellion Elite is a trail-ready flat pedal shoe with RC’s softest rubber compound to inspire all those who love freedom on their pedals…. only on the pedals because your foot is tightly enclosed by the RC Hellion. Riders with wide feet beware! For everyone else, this means a very firm hold in the shoe with almost zero potential for unpleasant rubbing. The overall silhouette of the shoe belies the close-fitting interior and it looks like a standard flat from the outside. The tongue of the shoe is connected to the inner lining on both sides which should prevent dirt and moisture from soaking directly in. There is also a small elasticated band attached to the tongue, under which you can tuck the rather long laces to keep them from getting tangled in the chainring. The toe and heel caps are each equipped with reinforced abrasion protection, which prevents rapid wear and, moreover, protects the toes from unpleasant collisions with roots or rocks.
The DST 4.0 MaxGrip sole is the grippiest that RC have on offer. That’s also very noticeable while riding. However, it can’t quite match the FiveTen Stealth sole, though this will suit riders who want to adjust their foot position on the pedal more often. In terms of stiffness, the RC strikes a middle-ground. Not being built for pure efficiency when pedalling, it can still be worn quite comfortably in everyday life. Nonetheless, when required, it still effectively transmits power to the pedals. The pedal pins connect well with the sole without leaving deep marks in the rubber, indicating good durability. The D3O insole absorbs hard impacts from below and prevents pressure or hot spots from the pedals: very pleasant!
The synthetic upper of the shoes is very well made and perforated throughout for good ventilation. The metal lace eyelets improve durability and ease of lacing. In addition, the upper 3 eyelets are highlighted in red against the upper, to match the RC logo on the tongue. Another positive feature is the ample padding around the ankles. While it makes the shoes more difficult to put on, it then enclosed and stabilised our tester’s foot very well. The shoes are available in sizes from 37 to 49.5 and come in 2 colourways: our tested model in Khaki/Black and the more subtle Black/Charcoal. A women’s specific version is also available.
Overall, the RC Hellion Elite is a good all-round flat pedal shoe that does nothing wrong but with which you probably won’t break any records. The shoe handles the balancing act of durability, grip and comfort well and can also cut a fine figure in everyday life. If you’re looking for a new pair of shoes that can be used for the daily commute on your bike, you’d be well served with this € 149 shoe.
Tops
- durability
- excellent workmanship
- looks
Flops
- a little hard to get into
Tester: Manne
Test start: 30.03.2021
Price 149 €
Weight: 794.8 g (size 42.5)
More information: rideconcepts.com
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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Thomas Weiß
