Wide World Magazine

Five Ten BA51C 12LINE shoes

How do Five Ten's urban climbing shoes handle?

Gareth Rowson

Product

Five Ten – BA51C 12LINE

Promise

A casual low-profile trainer with a world-class fit and grip.

Performance

From messing about on your BMX to slack-lining in your mates back garden, these shoes are as comfortable as they are grip-tastic. Non-marking RED Stealth Phantom outsoles are just what the free runners and skaters of this world ordered (literally, Five Ten sponsor a lot of sports for which their products are made) so your active lifestyle can go un-noticed on mother's clean kitchen floor.

Their growing popular among the Parkour crowd tells you quite a lot about their ability; sticky, casual and up for punishment. The rubber soles borrow a lot from approach shoes favoured by climbers, and even the new crop of urban 'buildering' shoes, that combine the best of climbing shoe and trainer for versatility.

Verdict

Perfect for sticking solidly to your pedals on the way in to work, and they won't looking out of place heading for a pint after. If you like a good skate-style shoe, these paddles are for you.