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The single most common mistake buying pads for a Magura MT5 isn’t organic-versus-sintered — it’s the shape. The MT5 is a 4-piston caliper, and it shares its pad family with the MT7, MT Trail and Louise — so any pad correctly listed for those brakes will also fit an MT5, while pads for Magura’s 2-piston brakes (MT4, MT2, MT6, MT8) are a different shape entirely and won’t go in. That much most buyers already know.
What catches people out is that “MT5” itself covers two different physical pad shapes, sold under Magura’s own MDP 8 and MDP 9 designations. MDP 8 pads are four small individual pads per caliper — one per piston. MDP 9 pads are two larger pads per caliper, each one spanning two pistons, used on newer MT5/MT7 calipers. A listing that says “fits MT5” without specifying which one is not enough information on its own — the only reliable way to know which your bike takes is to look at (or count) the pads currently in the caliper, or check your bike’s build spec by production year, before ordering.
Once shape is sorted, organic versus sintered is a real trade-off, not a marketing choice. Sintered (metallic) pads handle heat better, last longer, and keep working in wet and muddy conditions where organic pads can glaze over and lose bite. Organic (resin) pads run quieter, bite harder from cold, and modulate more predictably in the dry — but wear faster and are more prone to fade under sustained braking, like a long descent. Magura’s own pad lineup is actually organic across the board (their compounds carry up to 30% metal content but aren’t true sintered pads), so anyone specifically wanting a sintered compound needs to look to a third-party brand rather than assuming the OE pad covers it.
Rotor size and bike weight matter more here than most buyers expect. A heavier e-bike, or a rider regularly on long, steep descents, generates more sustained heat at the pads than a lighter trail bike does — which is exactly why several brands sell an e-bike-specific compound for the MT5, built to resist fade under that extra heat rather than just being a rebrand of the standard pad.
The ten pads below are all genuine, currently listed products for the Magura MT5’s 4-piston caliper family. Check your MDP 8 vs MDP 9 pad shape against the actual product listing before ordering — it’s the one detail that turns a correct brand match into a pad that doesn’t fit.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magura Performance Contact Pads (Gold compound) | $20–$30 per pair | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | EBC Gold Sintered Copper Brake Pads (CFA660/4HH) | $18–$26 per pair | Amazon |
| 3 | Kool-Stop Disc Brake Pads for Magura MT5 (Organic) | $15–$22 per pair | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | SwissStop Disc E Compound Brake Pads (MT5/MT7) | $22–$30 per pair | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Galfer Pro Compound Brake Pads (Magura MT5/MT7) | $20–$28 per pair | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Jagwire Pro E-Bike Disc Brake Pads (Magura MT5/MT7) | $16–$24 per pair | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Unior Sinter Model 021 Brake Pads (Magura MT5/MT7) | $12–$18 per pair | Amazon |
| 8 | Gorilla Brakes Sintered Pads (Magura MT5/MT7/CMe5, MDP 8 shape) | $18–$25 per pair | Amazon |
| 9 | Gorilla Brakes Organic Racing Pads (Magura MT5/MT7, MDP 9 shape) | $18–$25 per pair | Amazon |
| 10 | Magura Performance Contact Pads (Green compound) | $20–$30 per pair | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Magura Performance Contact Pads (Gold compound)
Magura’s own OE-spec replacement pad for the MT5/MT7, in their Gold compound tuned for maximum deceleration and short, powerful braking. As the genuine manufacturer part it’s the safest shape match if you’re unsure which MDP variant your caliper takes — Magura’s own fitment charts specify it exactly by caliper.
- Genuine Magura OE compound, organic with up to 30% metal content
- Gold compound tuned for maximum deceleration
- Available in both MDP 8 and MDP 9 shapes depending on listing
- Direct manufacturer fitment guarantee
- Guaranteed correct fit when matched to the right MDP number
- Strong initial bite for aggressive trail riding
- Widely stocked by Magura dealers
- Not a sintered compound if that’s what you’re after — Magura’s range is organic-based
- Faster wear than a true sintered pad under sustained heavy use
EBC Gold Sintered Copper Brake Pads (CFA660/4HH)
A true sintered pad for riders who found Magura’s organic-based OE pads fading or glazing on long, hot descents. EBC’s copper-sintered compound is built for consistent bite in wet and muddy conditions where organic pads typically lose performance fastest.
- Sintered copper compound (CFA660/4HH)
- Rated for MT5/MT7 4-piston calipers
- Consistent performance in wet/muddy conditions
- Higher heat tolerance than organic pads
- Genuine sintered compound, unlike Magura’s own organic-based range
- Long service life under heavy or repeated braking
- Performs well in wet weather where organic pads glaze
- Noisier than organic pads, especially when cold
- Can feel less sharp on initial bite until warmed up
Kool-Stop Disc Brake Pads for Magura MT5 (Organic)
A well-regarded organic aftermarket pad with a copper-plated backing plate, aimed at riders who want Magura-level bite and modulation without paying OE pricing. A common recommendation among MT5 owners for everyday trail riding rather than sustained downhill abuse.
- Organic compound
- Copper-plated backing plate for heat dissipation
- Direct fit for MT5 4-piston caliper
- Quiet operation compared to sintered options
- Strong reputation for consistent bite and modulation
- Quieter than sintered alternatives
- Competitively priced against Magura OE
- Organic compound wears faster in wet/muddy conditions
- Less heat resistance than sintered pads on long descents
SwissStop Disc E Compound Brake Pads (MT5/MT7)
An organic pad specifically engineered for high temperature stability, marketed by SwissStop as their e-bike-rated compound — relevant even on a non-electric MT5 if the bike is heavier or regularly on long descents where heat buildup is the limiting factor.
- Organic ‘E’ compound rated for high heat stability
- Direct fit for MT5/MT7 4-piston calipers
- Long-lasting compared to standard organic pads
- Consistent power delivery across a braking session
- Better heat stability than typical organic pads
- Long service life for an organic compound
- Reliable, consistent braking power
- Premium pricing relative to Kool-Stop or Magura OE
- Still not as heat-tolerant as a true sintered pad
Galfer Pro Compound Brake Pads (Magura MT5/MT7)
A semi-metallic pad built for aggressive riding, with Galfer specifically positioning the Pro compound for heavy dirt and mud conditions and strong resistance to brake fade. One of three Galfer compounds sold for this caliper, sitting above their Standard and E-Bike options for outright power.
- Semi-metallic compound
- High fade resistance under sustained braking
- Steel-backed construction
- Direct fit for MT5/MT7 4-piston calipers
- Strong performance retained in heavy dirt and mud
- Resists fade better than organic compounds on long descents
- Multiple compound options from the same brand if this is too aggressive
- Noisier than organic pads
- More aggressive bite can feel grabby for casual trail riding
Jagwire Pro E-Bike Disc Brake Pads (Magura MT5/MT7)
A semi-metallic, steel-backed pad developed specifically for the extra heat and load of e-bike use, but a reasonable choice for any heavier MT5-equipped bike ridden hard. Jagwire also sells a lighter-duty Sport semi-metallic version of the same fitment for non-e-bike riders.
- Semi-metallic compound with steel backing plate
- Friction compound developed for e-bike heat/load demands
- Direct fit for MT5/MT7/MT Trail (front)
- Consistent modulation with low noise, per manufacturer spec
- Built specifically for higher heat loads than standard trail riding
- Steel backing improves durability over resin-backed pads
- Jagwire also offers a lighter Sport variant for lighter riders
- Semi-metallic bite feels less sharp when cold than a fresh organic pad
- Overkill for a light bike on mellow trails
Unior Sinter Model 021 Brake Pads (Magura MT5/MT7)
A budget-conscious sintered option for MT5/MT7 calipers, aimed at riders who want the wet-weather consistency of a metallic compound without paying premium-brand pricing. A reasonable choice for a backup or spare set to keep on hand.
- Sintered metallic compound
- Direct fit for MT5/MT7 4-piston calipers
- Steel backing plate
- Lower cost than EBC or Galfer sintered options
- Wet-weather consistency of a sintered compound at a lower price
- Good option to keep as a spare set
- Straightforward direct-fit replacement
- Less established track record than EBC or Galfer in this category
- Sintered noise and cold-bite trade-offs still apply
Gorilla Brakes Sintered Pads (Magura MT5/MT7/CMe5, MDP 8 shape)
A sintered pad specifically cut for the four-small-pad MDP 8 caliper shape — worth calling out on its own because this is exactly the shape distinction that trips buyers up. Confirm your caliper takes four individual pads (not two larger ones) before ordering this specific listing.
- Sintered compound
- MDP 8 shape — four individual pads per caliper
- Fits MT5/MT7/CMe5/Trail calipers using the MDP 8 pad format
- Steel backing plate
- Correctly shape-matched for MDP 8 calipers, avoiding the most common MT5 pad mistake
- Sintered durability and wet-weather performance
- Clearly labelled shape, reducing fitment guesswork
- Wrong pad if your caliper is actually the MDP 9 two-pad shape — check before ordering
- Smaller brand with less name recognition than EBC or Galfer
Gorilla Brakes Organic Racing Pads (Magura MT5/MT7, MDP 9 shape)
The organic counterpart cut for the newer two-large-pad MDP 9 caliper shape, for MT5/MT7 owners who’ve confirmed their caliper takes the larger pad format rather than four small ones. A useful pairing with the sintered MDP 8 listing above to illustrate the shape split buyers need to check.
- Organic ‘no-pins’ compound
- MDP 9 shape — two larger pads per caliper
- Fits newer MT5/MT7 calipers using the MDP 9 pad format
- Simplified no-pin installation
- Correctly shape-matched for MDP 9 calipers
- Organic compound gives quieter, sharper initial bite
- Simple installation without small retaining pins
- Wrong pad if your caliper is actually the MDP 8 four-pad shape
- Organic compound trade-offs (wet-weather fade) still apply
Magura Performance Contact Pads (Green compound)
Magura’s own long-life, quiet-running compound, aimed at riders who braking-feel isn’t the priority — durability and low noise are. A sensible pick for commuting or lower-intensity trail use on an MT5-equipped bike where pad replacement frequency matters more than outright bite.
- Genuine Magura OE compound, organic with metal content
- Green compound tuned for maximum durability and low noise
- Available in both MDP 8 and MDP 9 shapes depending on listing
- Direct manufacturer fitment guarantee
- Longest service life in Magura’s own compound range
- Quietest-running of Magura’s OE compounds
- Guaranteed fitment when matched to the correct MDP shape
- Less outright stopping power than the Gold compound or sintered alternatives
- Still an organic base, so wet-weather fade resistance trails true sintered pads
Buying tips
- Count the pads in your caliper before ordering: four small pads means MDP 8, two larger pads means MDP 9 — the MT5 uses both depending on production year.
- Don’t rely on a listing that just says “fits MT5” without stating MDP 8 or MDP 9 — check the pad photo against what’s actually in your caliper.
- Pads sold for Magura’s 2-piston brakes (MT4, MT2, MT6, MT8) are a different shape and will not fit the MT5 — confirm 4-piston compatibility specifically.
- Choose sintered over organic if you ride regularly in wet or muddy conditions, or on long descents where sustained heat is a factor.
- Choose organic over sintered if quiet operation and sharp cold bite matter more to you than outright fade resistance.
- Bed in new pads with a series of controlled stops from moderate speed before riding hard — this applies to every compound on this list.
- Check rotor thickness alongside pad wear; a badly worn rotor can prevent even correctly fitted new pads from seating properly.
- Keep a spare set of the correctly shaped pads on hand if you ride somewhere remote — the wrong shape purchased in a hurry won’t help you on the trail.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.