The Ride Concepts Hellion Clip BOA is a capable trail and enduro, descending focused shoe. The generous cleat channel and rearward bias positioning give excellent control whilst the stiff sole promotes good power transfer. They have proven to be tough albeit with some frayed edges and the BOA adds a tough of simplicity to their use offering a secure fitment. There not a cheap pair of shoes however when comparing to the other big brands with similar offerings they’re good value for money – well worth considering.
Ride Concepts Hellion Clip BOA – Technical details
The Ride Concepts (RC) Hellion Clip BOA are full of features so let’s break it down in a logical way. Starting with the sole, a hexagonal pattern is used which gives plenty of pedal pin purchase whilst the heal and toe see extra reliefs cut for better walking traction. A long cleat channel gives plenty of guidance to get clipped in reliably and a 40mm long cleat box is nicely rearward clearly aimed at control whilst descending. The cleat box features markings which makes lining up the cleats a simple affair.
Moving onto the midsole, RC rate these shoes at the stiff end of their flex index which is appropriate for a clipless shoe however may compromise the off-bike performance a little. That stiffness comes from the PowerDrive nylon shank which is said to provide lateral stiffness and promote power transfer through the shoe. On top of the nylon shank is an EVA midsole which provides support and shock absorption. D3O (like you’d see in protective pads) is used on the insole to further absorb impact and is said to reduce fatigue.
The upper is based around a PerformFit Wrap with a fully gusseted tongue which provides a secure and comfortable fit. A higher inner ankle offers a little extra protection from bike contact, and the mesh lining is anti-bacterial which helps control odours. The exterior of the shoe is built to be tough using a durable Cordura mesh which is light and breathable along with a TPU toe box to protect against dirt, debris and abrasion. A secure and even fit is ensured with the Li2 BOA dial which features adjustment in both directions to get perfect tension in the super tough TX4 lace.
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he Hellion Clip BOA is available in men and women specific options with the men’s sizes ranging from UK6-12 and the women’s ranging from UK3-8 with half sizes included too. From a style standpoint, this shoe is only available in a stealthy black.
Ride Concepts Hellion Clip BOA – Performance
First up fitment, these shoes are true to size with the 10.5 (EU45) fitting as expected. The toe box is a little more snug with less vertical height than expected, this isn’t uncomfortable but is noticeable. Getting in and out of the shoe is simple enough with a big opening and once slotted in, the shoe wraps around the top of the foot giving a super secure feeling.
The BOA dial is easy to use although you need to take some care to pull the lace through the loops whilst securing the shoe. Failure to do this will result in the shoe feeling loose after some use where the tension redistributes across the shoe and requires a couple more clicks on the dial.
The Cordura outer has proven plenty tough enough withstanding a whole summer of abuse without any damage. I particularly like the TPU toe guard which has been fending off strikes and protecting my toes, there are plenty of marks on it but it’s just been quietly doing a good job.
The lace loops have started to fray at the ends which isn’t affecting their integrity but does look a little scruffy. I’ve found the upper to do a good job of fending off light splashes from the odd puddle but of course there are no waterproof shoes. The upside to that is a reasonably breathable MTB shoe, certainly not the most airy but given the protection on offer they do a good job to avoid overheating feet.
The D3O insole padding wasn’t noticeable during test, whether this means it’s doing its job or is totally ineffective is up for argument. Perhaps there is some merit in having a soft material that reduces vibrations whilst toughening up for bigger impacts however it’s not an issue I’ve had with other MTB shoes so I don’t think the inclusion of D3O is a deal breaker or winner either way. That being said, the Hellion Clip BOA does a good job of not transferring vibrations through to the feet providing a comfortable platform to stand on. The stiff sole works very well on the bike with no unwanted flex although I did find them quite stiff for walking whilst off the bike. That snug toe box does compress onto the top of the toes – thick socks, especially waterproof socks could be an issue here.
One area of praise for the Hellion Clip shoes is the cleat channel. A large channel makes finding the cleat nice and simple, much easy than other shoes I’ve used in the past. I like the rearward bias to the cleat location as well which is clearly aimed at descending control. The generous size and location actually gave me the chance to position the cleats where I wanted them rather than the usual slamming them all the way back.
Ride Concepts Hellion Clip BOA – Verdict
Retailing at £190, the Hellion Clip BOA certainly isn’t the cheapest pair of MTB clipless shoes on the market but they’re packed full of features and have proven to be tough so they’re competing with the top end of the market.
Other options worth considering for a trail / all mountain and enduro shoe include the ever-favourite Crank Brothers Mallet Trail BOA clipless shoe. These come in at a pricey £220 but are very similar to the Hellion Clip BOA with excellent stiffness, vibration reduction and prove to be comfortable.
Also at £220, the Fox Union Clip shoe also comes in a BOA option. Whilst we haven’t tested the BOA version, the laced option got a glowing review praising the riding feel and cleat position with the added bonus of some weather protection.
The Ride Concepts Hellion Clip BOA shoes are packed full of features which culminate in a tough, reliable and well-fitting shoe. Whilst they’re a little stiff off the bike, the on-bike power transfer and vibration dampening is excellent. Aside from frayed edges the shoe has proven to be durable withstanding lots of trail enforced abuse. A super generous cleat channel and well place cleat box makes these an excellent descending focused shoe.
Ride Concepts Hellion Clip BOA
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