Our Favorite Flat 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 for quick dismounts and the ability to focus on body positioning without the risk of a fall.

Top riders favor them for similar reasons: the ease of letting the bike free when jumps go awry or big tech moves don’t work out.

And some riders simply prefer the riding experience of flats.

“If you come from the racing side of things, putting on a pair of clipless cleats can feel like going to work,” says XC national champ and 2012 Olympian Sam Schultz. “Flats are more casual, so riding with them can feel more fun.”

With the platform market exploding, however, it can be tough to wade through the options and find the perfect pair.

In general, the rule of thumb is big and grippy.

“A large platform gives you more room to make footwork and body position adjustments. And lots of pins keep you planted on the bike,” says Evan Puglia, past GM at Thunder Mountain Bikes and co-founder of Sedona Mountain Bike Academy (SMBA).

That narrows it down a bit, but there’s still a lot of options out there. To help you out, we surveyed our team and put together a sampling of our favorites.

Best Gravity

Shimano Saint PD-G8040 Though Shimano pedals have long set the standard for performance and durability in the clipless world, the company’s platform pedals have mostly, well, fallen flat. Until now. Launched in early 2026, the new Saint model is a thoroughly modern, gravity-oriented offering, with a huge platform (121x1101mm), a relatively trim concave body that tapers from 16mm to 14mm at the spindle, and an ample 10 pins per side, with the option for four additional center pins (included). What really sets these apart, however, is the resin skid plate wrapping the alloy body, which allows the pedal to slide over and glance off rocks rather than smash and deform. Best of all, they’re completely rebuildable, including axles, pins, skid plates, and more. And for those seeking more of a trail-oriented option, Shimano’s other new flat, the Deore XT PD-M8240, packs many of the same benefits for less cash. Shop Shimano Saint PD-G8040

Shimano Saint PD-G8040 Though Shimano pedals have long set the standard for performance and durability in the clipless world, the company’s platform pedals have mostly, well, fallen flat. Until now. Launched in early 2026, the new Saint model is a thoroughly modern, gravity-oriented offering, with a huge platform (121x1101mm), a relatively trim concave body that tapers from 16mm to 14mm at the spindle, and an ample 10 pins per side, with the option for four additional center pins (included). What really sets these apart, however, is the resin skid plate wrapping the alloy body, which allows the pedal to slide over and glance off rocks rather than smash and deform. Best of all, they’re completely rebuildable, including axles, pins, skid plates, and more. And for those seeking more of a trail-oriented option, Shimano’s other new flat, the Deore XT PD-M8240, packs many of the same benefits for less cash. Shop Shimano Saint PD-G8040

Best Compact

Yoshimura Chilao SS Blending motorcycle heritage with boutique sensibilities, the Yoshimura Chilao SS is a stunningly hewn, high-end flat pedal manufactured in Chino, California. And while this second edition, launched in 2024, looks much like the original, some unique internals set it apart: a “static spring” (hence the SS) at the end of each pedal body keeps the bearings under a constant preload to ensure they keep spinning freely and feeling tight even as the internals wear. The Chilao SS comes in two sizes to accommodate a range of feet—small (100x95.5mm) and large (110x107.25mm)—both of which are thin and trim for better negotiating techy terrain. The smaller pedal form doesn’t mean less grip, however, as the pins (7 per side on the small; 10 on the large) are taller than much of the competition, and the slight concave shape keeps shoes locked in. Due to the distinctive spindle design and thin body, there is a slight bulge on both inside and outside of the pedal bridge, which some riders may find distracting or even difficult to manage. Distinctive shaping aside, the Chilao comes in four body colors and 10 customizable pin colors. Shop Yoshimura Chilao SS

Yoshimura Chilao SS Blending motorcycle heritage with boutique sensibilities, the Yoshimura Chilao SS is a stunningly hewn, high-end flat pedal manufactured in Chino, California. And while this second edition, launched in 2024, looks much like the original, some unique internals set it apart: a “static spring” (hence the SS) at the end of each pedal body keeps the bearings under a constant preload to ensure they keep spinning freely and feeling tight even as the internals wear. The Chilao SS comes in two sizes to accommodate a range of feet—small (100x95.5mm) and large (110x107.25mm)—both of which are thin and trim for better negotiating techy terrain. The smaller pedal form doesn’t mean less grip, however, as the pins (7 per side on the small; 10 on the large) are taller than much of the competition, and the slight concave shape keeps shoes locked in. Due to the distinctive spindle design and thin body, there is a slight bulge on both inside and outside of the pedal bridge, which some riders may find distracting or even difficult to manage. Distinctive shaping aside, the Chilao comes in four body colors and 10 customizable pin colors. Shop Yoshimura Chilao SS

Best Value

Deity SuperVillain Though we have long considered Deity’s TMAC pedal one of the standard-bearers of flat performance, the company has managed to up the game with the SuperVillain. This all-aluminum design is not only slightly bigger (113x105mm) than the TMAC, it’s also lighter, and the 14 pins per side are more widely spaced (especially in the middle). The SuperVillain retains the TMAC’s highlights, including a deep 2.5mm concavity for a locked-in feel, grub pins that can be removed from either side for the best chance of repair should you damage them, a full set of replacement pins, and an array of eight anodized colors for ultimate bling. And despite all of that, it costs around 25 percent less than the competition. And though you can get less expensive composite pedals (we favor the Deity Deftrap), nothing can beat the SuperVillain’s combination of features and 6061-T6 aluminum durability at this price. Shop Deity SuperVillain

Deity SuperVillain Though we have long considered Deity’s TMAC pedal one of the standard-bearers of flat performance, the company has managed to up the game with the SuperVillain. This all-aluminum design is not only slightly bigger (113x105mm) than the TMAC, it’s also lighter, and the 14 pins per side are more widely spaced (especially in the middle). The SuperVillain retains the TMAC’s highlights, including a deep 2.5mm concavity for a locked-in feel, grub pins that can be removed from either side for the best chance of repair should you damage them, a full set of replacement pins, and an array of eight anodized colors for ultimate bling. And despite all of that, it costs around 25 percent less than the competition. And though you can get less expensive composite pedals (we favor the Deity Deftrap), nothing can beat the SuperVillain’s combination of features and 6061-T6 aluminum durability at this price. Shop Deity SuperVillain

Best All Around

Wolf Tooth Waveform The Waveform isn’t the largest, lightest, or cheapest pedal we sell, yet it frequently tops our shop employees’ list of favorite flats. That’s partly down to the details: the substantial platform (112x106mm; there’s also a size small option at 105x99mm) is big but not unwieldy and has 11 rear-loading pins per side that lock into rubber soles. And Wolf Tooth’s innovative dual-concave shape—with the platform tapering from a trim 14mm at the edges down to 12.5mm at the waist, both from front and back, but also from side to side—creates a shallow bowl effect that lets your foot sink into the pedal. From steep and airy moves like the exit on Hangover to laps at the jump park, the Waveforms have kept our feet locked on as well or better than any other flat we’ve tried. We also love the look of the nine ano colors, as well as the durability of the beautifully milled 6061-T6 aluminum construction. Wolf Tooth’s Right to Repair program also means that every part can be purchased separately and replaced. They aren’t cheap, of course, but it’s a good deal for a pedal that has kept on spinning smoothly year after year. Shop Wolf Tooth Waveform

Wolf Tooth Waveform The Waveform isn’t the largest, lightest, or cheapest pedal we sell, yet it frequently tops our shop employees’ list of favorite flats. That’s partly down to the details: the substantial platform (112x106mm; there’s also a size small option at 105x99mm) is big but not unwieldy and has 11 rear-loading pins per side that lock into rubber soles. And Wolf Tooth’s innovative dual-concave shape—with the platform tapering from a trim 14mm at the edges down to 12.5mm at the waist, both from front and back, but also from side to side—creates a shallow bowl effect that lets your foot sink into the pedal. From steep and airy moves like the exit on Hangover to laps at the jump park, the Waveforms have kept our feet locked on as well or better than any other flat we’ve tried. We also love the look of the nine ano colors, as well as the durability of the beautifully milled 6061-T6 aluminum construction. Wolf Tooth’s Right to Repair program also means that every part can be purchased separately and replaced. They aren’t cheap, of course, but it’s a good deal for a pedal that has kept on spinning smoothly year after year. Shop Wolf Tooth Waveform