Mountain Bike Gear Guides · Reviews · Jun 04, 2026

Our Favorite Clipless Pedals for 2026

There’s no simple answer to the question of whether to ride flat pedals or clipless. But most people agree that flat pedals are optimal for anyone new to mountain biking, as they allow quick dismounts and focus on body positioning without the risk of a fall.

Mountain bikers will likely forever debate the merits and pitfalls of flat pedals versus clipless. And though there’s no easy answer, the consensus is that clips are for seasoned cyclists with solid riding fundamentals who don’t mind the risks of being permanently connected to the bike.

“It’s not necessarily an either-or thing, but there are advantages to being intrinsically attached to your bike,” says Evan Puglia, past GM at Thunder Mountain Bikes and co-founder of Sedona Mountain Bike Academy (SMBA). “Clips improve efficiency, allow for upward pedal stroke, and can simplify racing and riding technical terrain.”

It might seem like all clipless designs are created equal, but differences can be both significant and nuanced.

The biggest consideration is ease of entry-exit, as well as the ability to tune that function to meet your riding style, whether that’s through tension adjustment or special cleats.

Other factors to consider include pedal weight (the cost goes up as the grams go down), mud-shedding (there’s nothing worse than getting locked out of your clips when conditions turn wet), and whether or not to get a platform (which can ease foot pain and help protect against rock strikes and damage).

To help you wade through the options, we asked our team for their favorite picks.

Best All-Around

	OneUp Clip Pedal After years of producing quality flats, OneUp came out punching on its first foray into clipless, with a design that’s thinner, lighter (410g), and grippier than the old-standby Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120. The platform is legitimately thin (just 14.4mm at the pedal body and 26.8mm at the binding), which led to noticeably fewer rock strikes compared to other brands we’ve tried. And while OneUp stuck with the tried-and-true SPD cleat system, this iteration is both stiffer than Shimano’s versions but also has a wider tension range. And thanks to the four removable hollow pins, we were able to run our pedals at a lighter tension setting but still get a completely supportive and locked-in feel. Because they borrow the Inboard igus bushing and trio of outboard sealed cartridge bearings from OneUp’s burly flats, the Clip Pedals have proven both super durable and easy to rebuild. Add to that eight anodized colors and a competitive price tag, and it’s easy to see why the OneUp Clip has become our go-to trail pedal. Shop OneUp Clip Pedal
OneUp Clip Pedal After years of producing quality flats, OneUp came out punching on its first foray into clipless, with a design that’s thinner, lighter (410g), and grippier than the old-standby Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120. The platform is legitimately thin (just 14.4mm at the pedal body and 26.8mm at the binding), which led to noticeably fewer rock strikes compared to other brands we’ve tried. And while OneUp stuck with the tried-and-true SPD cleat system, this iteration is both stiffer than Shimano’s versions but also has a wider tension range. And thanks to the four removable hollow pins, we were able to run our pedals at a lighter tension setting but still get a completely supportive and locked-in feel. Because they borrow the Inboard igus bushing and trio of outboard sealed cartridge bearings from OneUp’s burly flats, the Clip Pedals have proven both super durable and easy to rebuild. Add to that eight anodized colors and a competitive price tag, and it’s easy to see why the OneUp Clip has become our go-to trail pedal. Shop OneUp Clip Pedal

OneUp Clip Pedal

After years of producing quality flats, OneUp came out punching on its first foray into clipless, with a design that’s thinner, lighter (410g), and grippier than the old-standby Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120. The platform is legitimately thin (just 14.4mm at the pedal body and 26.8mm at the binding), which led to noticeably fewer rock strikes compared to other brands we’ve tried. And while OneUp stuck with the tried-and-true SPD cleat system, this iteration is both stiffer than Shimano’s versions but also has a wider tension range. And thanks to the four removable hollow pins, we were able to run our pedals at a lighter tension setting but still get a completely supportive and locked-in feel. Because they borrow the Inboard igus bushing and trio of outboard sealed cartridge bearings from OneUp’s burly flats, the Clip Pedals have proven both super durable and easy to rebuild. Add to that eight anodized colors and a competitive price tag, and it’s easy to see why the OneUp Clip has become our go-to trail pedal.

Shop OneUp Clip Pedal

OneUp Clip Pedal

Best Downhill

	Renthal Revo-DHC The Revo-DHC is the gravity rider’s antidote to the minimalist trail clip. This SPD-compatible model has stats that rival the top downhill flats, with an ample, CNC-machined aluminum body (104x111mm) and six removable grub pins per side. The huge platform makes the binding easy to find when clipping back in, adds lots of support for softer soles, and can be tuned to almost feel like a flat pedal by moving the pins up or down (from 1.5-5.5mm) for best shoe contact. The tradeoffs of the big platform is decreased clearance and a beefy 622-gram weight penalty (that’s 1 pound 6 ounces!). These aren’t for everyone, but for steep, awkward, stop-and-start riding where getting clipped back in matters, the Revo-DHC offers brute-force confidence. Shop Renthal Revo-DHC
Renthal Revo-DHC The Revo-DHC is the gravity rider’s antidote to the minimalist trail clip. This SPD-compatible model has stats that rival the top downhill flats, with an ample, CNC-machined aluminum body (104x111mm) and six removable grub pins per side. The huge platform makes the binding easy to find when clipping back in, adds lots of support for softer soles, and can be tuned to almost feel like a flat pedal by moving the pins up or down (from 1.5-5.5mm) for best shoe contact. The tradeoffs of the big platform is decreased clearance and a beefy 622-gram weight penalty (that’s 1 pound 6 ounces!). These aren’t for everyone, but for steep, awkward, stop-and-start riding where getting clipped back in matters, the Revo-DHC offers brute-force confidence. Shop Renthal Revo-DHC

Renthal Revo-DHC

The Revo-DHC is the gravity rider’s antidote to the minimalist trail clip. This SPD-compatible model has stats that rival the top downhill flats, with an ample, CNC-machined aluminum body (104x111mm) and six removable grub pins per side. The huge platform makes the binding easy to find when clipping back in, adds lots of support for softer soles, and can be tuned to almost feel like a flat pedal by moving the pins up or down (from 1.5-5.5mm) for best shoe contact. The tradeoffs of the big platform is decreased clearance and a beefy 622-gram weight penalty (that’s 1 pound 6 ounces!). These aren’t for everyone, but for steep, awkward, stop-and-start riding where getting clipped back in matters, the Revo-DHC offers brute-force confidence.

Shop Renthal Revo-DHC

Renthal Revo-DHC Clipless Pedals

Renthal Revo-DHC

Best for Crushers

	Tenet Osiris Though it’s best known for its flat pedals, Tenet recently jumped into the clipless market with the Osiris, a hard-working, all-arounder. It combines a large, custom-extruded 6061-T6 alloy frame (110x85mm) with a stainless, SPD-compatible binding mechanism that offers less float (just 3 degrees) than most of the competition for a super stable pedal feel. You can see the company’s flat pedal pedigree in the sturdy sealed bearings and Igus bushings, the heat-treated chromoly spindle, and the four-per-side threaded thru-pins and grub screws. What really sets the Osiris apart, however, is the ease of servicing or replacing the SPD clip (just remove the four retaining screws), and the fully maintainable bearings and spindles. Tenet also offers a free pedal refresh within the first year of purchase, free bushings and bearings every year after for the life of the pedal, and a lifetime warranty against defects. With that kind of support, it’s a stout design (550g) that’s perfect for all-mountain rippers who want to keep riding the same pedals for years to come. Shop Tenet Osiris
Tenet Osiris Though it’s best known for its flat pedals, Tenet recently jumped into the clipless market with the Osiris, a hard-working, all-arounder. It combines a large, custom-extruded 6061-T6 alloy frame (110x85mm) with a stainless, SPD-compatible binding mechanism that offers less float (just 3 degrees) than most of the competition for a super stable pedal feel. You can see the company’s flat pedal pedigree in the sturdy sealed bearings and Igus bushings, the heat-treated chromoly spindle, and the four-per-side threaded thru-pins and grub screws. What really sets the Osiris apart, however, is the ease of servicing or replacing the SPD clip (just remove the four retaining screws), and the fully maintainable bearings and spindles. Tenet also offers a free pedal refresh within the first year of purchase, free bushings and bearings every year after for the life of the pedal, and a lifetime warranty against defects. With that kind of support, it’s a stout design (550g) that’s perfect for all-mountain rippers who want to keep riding the same pedals for years to come. Shop Tenet Osiris

Tenet Osiris

Though it’s best known for its flat pedals, Tenet recently jumped into the clipless market with the Osiris, a hard-working, all-arounder. It combines a large, custom-extruded 6061-T6 alloy frame (110x85mm) with a stainless, SPD-compatible binding mechanism that offers less float (just 3 degrees) than most of the competition for a super stable pedal feel. You can see the company’s flat pedal pedigree in the sturdy sealed bearings and Igus bushings, the heat-treated chromoly spindle, and the four-per-side threaded thru-pins and grub screws. What really sets the Osiris apart, however, is the ease of servicing or replacing the SPD clip (just remove the four retaining screws), and the fully maintainable bearings and spindles. Tenet also offers a free pedal refresh within the first year of purchase, free bushings and bearings every year after for the life of the pedal, and a lifetime warranty against defects. With that kind of support, it’s a stout design (550g) that’s perfect for all-mountain rippers who want to keep riding the same pedals for years to come.

Shop Tenet Osiris

Tenet Osiris Clipless Pedals

Tenet Osiris

Best XC & Trail

	Wolf Tooth CTRL It used to be that racers and weight-conscious trail riders had to either risk foot pain for weight savings or bog down their rides to get proper pedal support. With the CTRL Trail, you can now have both comfort and featherweight. These SPD-compatible trail pedals are 30 percent lighter and $60 less expensive than Shimano’s top-of-the-line XTR PD-M9220 enduro pedals (and virtually the same weight as the race-focused, cageless XTR PD-M9200), yet they still provide a larger contact pad that distributes pedal pressure evenly across a shoe sole. That extra platform may not seem like much, but on rides that go a few hours to all day, we have found our feet far fresher and devoid of hotspots and pressure points compared to when we ride smaller, less supportive pedals. The CTRL Trail also allows for three separate Q-factor settings (51/55/59mm) to accommodate more pedaling positions, which is an easy adjustment on the bench. Lighter, more comfortable, and less expensive, the CTRL Trail might finally be the Shimano slayer. Shop Wolf Tooth CTRL
Wolf Tooth CTRL It used to be that racers and weight-conscious trail riders had to either risk foot pain for weight savings or bog down their rides to get proper pedal support. With the CTRL Trail, you can now have both comfort and featherweight. These SPD-compatible trail pedals are 30 percent lighter and $60 less expensive than Shimano’s top-of-the-lineXTR PD-M9220 enduro pedals (and virtually the same weight as the race-focused, cageless XTR PD-M9200), yet they still provide a larger contact pad that distributes pedal pressure evenly across a shoe sole. That extra platform may not seem like much, but on rides that go a few hours to all day, we have found our feet far fresher and devoid of hotspots and pressure points compared to when we ride smaller, less supportive pedals. The CTRL Trail also allows for three separate Q-factor settings (51/55/59mm) to accommodate more pedaling positions, which is an easy adjustment on the bench. Lighter, more comfortable, and less expensive, the CTRL Trail might finally be the Shimano slayer. Shop Wolf Tooth CTRL

Wolf Tooth CTRL

It used to be that racers and weight-conscious trail riders had to either risk foot pain for weight savings or bog down their rides to get proper pedal support. With the CTRL Trail, you can now have both comfort and featherweight. These SPD-compatible trail pedals are 30 percent lighter and $60 less expensive than Shimano’s top-of-the-line XTR PD-M9220 enduro pedals (and virtually the same weight as the race-focused, cageless XTR PD-M9200), yet they still provide a larger contact pad that distributes pedal pressure evenly across a shoe sole. That extra platform may not seem like much, but on rides that go a few hours to all day, we have found our feet far fresher and devoid of hotspots and pressure points compared to when we ride smaller, less supportive pedals. The CTRL Trail also allows for three separate Q-factor settings (51/55/59mm) to accommodate more pedaling positions, which is an easy adjustment on the bench. Lighter, more comfortable, and less expensive, the CTRL Trail might finally be the Shimano slayer.

Shop Wolf Tooth CTRL

Wolf Tooth CTRL Clipless Pedals

Wolf Tooth CTRL

It used to be that racers and weight-conscious trail riders had to either risk foot pain for weight savings or bog down their rides to get proper pedal support. With the CTRL Trail, you can now have both comfort and featherweight. These SPD-compatible trail pedals are 30 percent lighter and $60 less expensive than Shimano’s top-of-the-lineXTR PD-M9220 enduro pedals (and virtually the same weight as the race-focused, cageless XTR PD-M9200), yet they still provide a larger contact pad that distributes pedal pressure evenly across a shoe sole. That extra platform may not seem like much, but on rides that go a few hours to all day, we have found our feet far fresher and devoid of hotspots and pressure points compared to when we ride smaller, less supportive pedals. The CTRL Trail also allows for three separate Q-factor settings (51/55/59mm) to accommodate more pedaling positions, which is an easy adjustment on the bench. Lighter, more comfortable, and less expensive, the CTRL Trail might finally be the Shimano slayer.

Shop Wolf Tooth CTRL

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