Cycling shoes that fit properly keep your feet comfortable, boost power transfer, and allow air to enter to keep your feet cool on hot days. They’re an underappreciated component of any cyclist’s wardrobe, and they don’t have to be expensive.
The right cycling shoes will provide you with comfort while unlocking your performance potential, as they are an important piece of equipment with a wide range of options. We choose the best.
Used with cleats, cycling shoes hold your foot in the best position for efficient pedalling, but even on their own, their extra stiffness improves comfort.
Cycling shoes intended for some types of mountain biking don’t take cleats but use sticky rubber to grip flat pedals.
Inexpensive cycling shoes are usually closed with three Velcro straps or laces.
You don’t have to spend big; there are cycling shoes for over £300, but very functional and comfortable shoes can be had for around a tenth of that.
The sole is essential to the operation of cycling shoes. Cycling shoes have much stiffer soles than standard shoes or trainers. Since they do not need to bend while walking, they can be very stiff. This distributes the force you apply to the pedals around your foot and prevents your foot from bending uncomfortably at the pedal’s edges.
A good pair of cycling shoes is an important piece of equipment for any serious rider – but the right shoe for you will differ based on the form of cycling that you do.
When it comes to choosing the best pair of cycling shoes, there are a plethora of choices available from a wide range of brands. Choosing the best model for the best price can be difficult. This guide is intended to assist you in locating the ideal pair for you at an affordable price.
When it comes to cycling shoes, the main variables are the fastening method, the heel, the cleat size, and, of course, the fit, which is dependent on whether you’ve paired them with the right cycling socks. Following our selection of the best cycling shoes available right now, we’ve got all the details on each of these main features.
Best Selling Cycling Shoes
Before we get started and provide you with a guide on what to look for, here are the three best selling cycling shoes on Amazon currently – so with majority of people buying them, it’s worth taking a look!
Compatibility & Applicable field ：Compatible with all SPD, SPD SL and...
Breathable & Durable：The outsole is made of wear-resistant nylon...
Lightweight & Easy Wear：Swivel shoelace + Velcro design. makes this...
Role of cycling shoes：Wearing cycling shoes can better correct riding...
Appearance introduction：In the urban environment to increase...
- Light and comfortable：Imported nano uppers are used, the shoe body is...
- Wear-resistant nylon outsole: The use of wear-resistant nylon outsole, with...
- Comfortable and breathable inner lining: comfortable and breathable inner...
- Rotating shoe buckle and Velcro: Convenient and fast rotating buckle...
- Professional design: Research and design according to the riding...
- Upper Material: TPU + Mesh ,Cycling Shoes Mens It shines exceptionally...
- Inner material: Textile: cycling shoes are made of high quality materials,...
- Sole: The sole is made of nylon and TPU. Compatible with 2- or 3-hole cleat...
- Reel knob lacing system: Cycling Shoes has Gear technology for quick...
- Package includes: Cycling Shoes Mens we have 1 pair of high quality 9 °...
What to look at when buying cycling shoes
Soles
As with the fastening systems, there are various different types of soles that come on different cycling shoes, and of course the more you pay, the more you get.
A cycling shoe sole is stiff since it is made of a rigid material that is often reinforced with fibreglass or carbon fibre. Most cycling shoe soles have threaded inserts that allow you to connect cleats for use with clipless pedals, but there are a few retro-styled shoes with smooth soles that can be used with clips and belts.
For clipless pedals, there are two types of soles. Road racing shoes have three threaded inserts for a cleat that lies on the sole’s outside edge. Mountain bike shoes use a two-bolt cleat that lies in a recess in the sole tread, making the shoes easier to walk in while getting off the bike.
Shoes for three-bolt cleats are ideal for rides that include no more than a cafe stop. Choose two-bolt shoes if you want to walk around in between periods on the run.
Three-bolt soles normally have a couple of lumps of rubber under the heel and toe to make walking a bit smoother, but they only help a little.
The only thing you want from the soles of your cycling shoes is for them to be rigid. This means that when you push down, the sole does not bend, transferring all of the power you produce through the sole and into the pedal. The second factor to consider is weight, with more costly shoes having lighter soles.
Entry-level cycling shoes would typically have plastic soles, but for a little more money, you can get shoes with carbon composite soles (i.e., a combination of carbon and plastic), and at the top of the scale, you can get shoes with carbon soles. The only issue with some very high-end shoes is that the ultra-stiff sole can cause discomfort on longer rides for some people, so it’s worth reading some reviews before parting with your money.
Uppers
Cycling shoe uppers are made of a variety of materials, including genuine leather or suede, synthetic leather or suede, and nylon mesh. Usually, they are stitched together from different panels of leather, but certain high-end shoes have the upper moulded in one piece to save weight. Look for double lines of stitching at the panel edges to strengthen seams. Shaped heel cups hold the foot in place in the shoe.
Padding, reinforcement, and stiffening will be used in the main body of the higher. Typically, the most noticeable stiffening occurs around the heel. This heel cup is shaped to hold your heel down in the shoe so it doesn’t slip on the upstroke as you pedal. The toes are usually reinforced against scuffing, especially in shoes intended for mountain biking. There’s usually padding at the heel and top of the shoe for comfort.
Some high-end shoes have uppers that can be moulded to more precisely fit your feet. Your dealer warms them, usually in a special oven, and then you put them on and buckle them up. As they cool, they’ll take on the shape of your feet.
Closures
There are basically four different systems used to tighten cycling shoes: Velcro, ratchets, laces, and dials.
Almost all cycling shoes under £50/$70, and a significant proportion of those up to £100/$150, use Velcro straps for fastening, mostly because it is a less expensive choice. For the rider, Velcro straps do a decent job of keeping the shoe securely in place, but they can be difficult to change when on the move, and they can also be difficult to get the precise fit you need.
Another advantage of Velcro strap is their light weight. This means they can also be used on very costly lightweight climber shoes, such as the Rapha Climber’s shoes and the Giro Prolight SLX II shoes.
Boa dials attached to cycling shoes have the most comfort and adjustability.
The next step up in the fastening system food chain comes ratchets. A ratchet offers more precise adjustability than Velcro straps, gives a really secure fit, and can also easily be tightened while riding. However, loosening a ratchet is not quite as easily, generally requiring two hands. Ratchets are generally found on mid-price shoes, and generally combined with a Velcro strap or two further down the shoe.
Dials, the fastening device used on most high-end shoes, are at the top of the tree. In general, these are extremely stable, easy to adapt, and can be dialled in (pun unintended) to provide a very precise hold. There are, however, distinctions between various brands of dials. Boa dials have the new gold standard for gradual tightening and loosening, while other brands’ dials cannot always be loosened as quickly.
Laces are another choice on a few other high-end shoes. Laces are very aerodynamic for those looking for marginal benefits, but they are also usually very comfortable. Laces, on the other hand, are almost impossible to modify while moving.
Laces can still be found on more casually-styled cycling shoes. To keep them on your feet shoes, need to be fastened. The old school way of doing this was with laces, but most cycling shoes now use Velcro straps, buckles, dials or some combination. Laces have made a bit of a comeback in the last few years, though, with some very high-end models using sophisticated string to keep them snug.
Shoes with laces will usually have a Velcro strap to cover the knot or some sort of ‘speed laces’ with a buckle to hold the laces in place and a place to tuck the free end. Either way, you don’t want any dangling string that can get caught in your chain or wrapped round the pedal axle so be sure to there are no loose dangly bits to get snagged. They may be a bit fiddly, but laces allow you to spread the tension evenly over your foot, which can make lace-up shoes very comfortable.
Velcro straps are the least expensive choice. There are normally three around the top of the foot, which you simply pull close and cinch down. They’re fast and easy to use, and they keep the shoe securely in place, but since there are only three of them, it’s easy to overtighten one and end up feeling as if part of your foot has been clamped. Gently tighten them.
A ratchet buckle replaces the top strap on more costly shoes. The benefit of a ratchet is that you can easily change the tension as you ride, either tightening it for a big effort or loosening it if your feet get tired.
On some high-end shoes, you’ll find one or two dials that tighten very fine plastic-covered steel cables. In effect this is the high-tech answer to laces, spreading the tension around the top of the foot. The idea first appeared as the Boa closure; several shoe manufacturers now use it or their own versions. Like ratchets, wire-dial closures allow you to adjust the tension while you ride.
Insoles
Within the shoe, you’ll find an insole that cushions your foot and distributes weight evenly. From a thin layer of foam to liners with different densities and flexible support to heat-mouldable insoles that can be moulded to match your foot, the sophistication of these varies. You may also replace the insoles in your shoes to enhance fit and comfort.
Ventilation, warmth and waterproofing
On hot days, all that pressure through your feet will cause them to become hot. In addition to weight reduction, some shoes use lightweight mesh to allow air to enter and cool your feet. Many shoes even have ventilation holes in the soles, which can be uncomfortable in the winter. That is easily remedied with a strip of duct tape. Winter cycling shoes protect against the cold and wet.
Speaking of winter, there are shoes made specially to keep your feet warm and dry during the cold and rainy months. They usually have a breathable, waterproof Gore-Tex lining as well as an insulation sheet. That means they’re not cheap, but they’re worthwhile if you want to keep riding in the winter.
Pro tip: purchase them in the spring while they are heavily discounted and store them for the winter.
In conclusion, the best way to check the fit of a shoe is to try it on in your local bike shop before purchasing (hopefully you’ll make the purchase in the shop, too!). It is better to do this in the afternoon or evening as your feet can expand slightly during the day.
Shoe sizing is pretty consistent across brands, particularly when compared to other pieces of cycling clothing – but just because your old and worn-out size 46 shoes were comfortable, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can jump straight into a different brand in the same size.
Arch heights, shoe widths, and different fastening systems can all mean that you may find yourself going a size up or down when buying new cycling shoes.
Our Best Cycling Shoes For Beginners
While sitting at an entry-level price point, the RC3 Road Shoes deliver the fit, comfort and efficient performance normally reserved for higher-priced shoes. This is thanks to technology first developed and deployed on the pro-level S-PHYRE shoes. This has now trickled down to be accessible to those of you on a tighter budget.
Starting with comfort, this is delivered via the Dynalast design, a single piece synthetic leather upper design that wraps the foot snugly. This offers a firm hold, foot stability and an optimized toe-spring section that ensures the most efficient and powerful pedal stroke possible with reduced fatigue over long distances. Perforations across the shoe keep your feet fresh too. The low-profile L6 dial gives you quick and easy adjustment of the fit, even on the bike. And at the end of your ride, it’s simple to loosen the shoe to kick them off.
The RC3s get you where you’re going with minimum fuss and optimal efficiency thanks to a lightweight glass-fibre reinforced nylon sole. This rates 6 out of 12 on Shimano’s stiffness scale, allowing you to get power to the pedals with minimal power loss. But at the same time, it has enough flex to soak up bumps and vibrations from the road, enhancing comfort on both short and long rides. They also feature a seamless midsole construction. This brings your foot closer to the pedal axles, giving a more natural pedal stroke and again maximising power transfer.
These Road Shoes are compatible with road bike pedal systems that use cleats with 3-bolt standards, such as: Look Delta and Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, Speed play Light Action, Zero, X-Series (via 3-hole adapter plate), Campagnolo Pro-Fit, Mavic Zxellium, Time Iclic/Xpresso and Time Impact.
Features:
- Surround wrapping upper structure improves fit, reduces overlap and eliminates hot spots
- Seamless midsole construction, minimises stack-height and maximises power transfer
- Synthetic leather composite upper provides increased breathability and comfort
- Glass-fibre reinforced nylon sole
- Single mid-shoe BOA® L6 dial ensures a perfect fit while maintaining a clean finish
- Weight: 242g (single size 42)
- Stiffness rating: 6
- 3-bolt cleat compatible (cleats not supplied)
If you’re looking for cycling shoe with a premium look and feel, but at a more modest price-point, then look no further than the Women’s Stylus Road Shoes. From club rides to sportive to tough training sessions, they pack in all the performance you could want or need without emptying your bank account.
The one-piece Synch wire™ upper deployed here has been tried and tested on Giro’s premium race shoes. This supple thermo-bonded exco-structure gives you a shoe with minimal weight but one with optimal foot-hold and support. The upper is also laser-perforated to provide excellent ventilation and breathability, keeping your feet cool as the heat rises.
For adjustment of the shoe to your liking, Giro uses the ever-reliable 3 strap system. These compression moulded straps are light in weight, easy to adjust and work in all weathers without fuss or fiddling.
The composite Nylon/Glass fibre sole unit provides a balanced pedalling platform, stiff enough to deliver brisk forward momentum but with enough give to offer all-day comfort. Thanks to the 2 and 3 bolt cleat compatibility, you can enjoy use with almost any pedal system too. And over-moulded TPU toe and heel pads make for a more secure footing when you’re off the bike.
These shoes are compatible with both Road and MTB pedal systems, 2 and 3-bolt standards e.g.: Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Brothers, Crank Brothers Race, Look Delta and Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, Time etc… Also suitable for indoor trainers in gyms etc.
Features:
- One-piece Synch wire™ upper with thermo-bonded exo-structure
- Laser-perforated ventilation throughout
- BOA® L6 dial featuring 1mm adjustment and macro release
- Die-cut EVA footbed with medium arch support
- Carbon fibre reinforced outsole
- Dual injected TPU toe and heel pad
- Reflective heel tab
- 2 and 3 bolt cleat compatible (cleats not supplied)
- Weight: 252 grams (size 39)
Whatever dirt discipline fires your enthusiasm, the Women’s Vice Flat Pedal MTB Shoes keep you firmly in control. And this is achieved firstly by their super-sticky RC Fuzion outsole. Made from DST 6.0 High Grip rubber and featuring gradient diameter hexagons, 9mm at the toe and heel and 7mm at the pedal, this sole unit bonds with your pedals like no other, offering unrivalled sensitivity, durability and grip. Inside, the removable insole features D3O impact protection at the ball of the foot, soaking up vibrations and the hits of heavy landings. Even more comfort and support are offered by the 3mm EVA foam between the insole and upper.
Meanwhile the upper is also first-class when it comes to comfort and durability. Suede is used to give a flexible fit and the durability to take on the demands of dirt riding. It’s also perforated, which keeps your feet cool and fresh as temperatures rise. TPU toe protection keeps bumps and bruises at bay, and a gusseted tongue keeps dirt and debris out. When the dirt is calling your name, the Women’s Vice Flat Pedal MTB Shoes are the ones to put on.
Features:
- RC Fuzion outsole features sloped-angle inverse hexagons, varying in diameter from 9mm at the toe and heel to 7mm at the pedal contact area
- Rubber Kinetics – DST 6.0 HIGH GRIP rubber outsole
- Suede upper is durable and protective
- Cup outsole design features 3mm EVA for additional shock absorption and comfort
- Perforated ventilation for breathability
- Internal TPU toe protection
- Fully gusseted tongue prohibits the intake of dirt and debris
- D3O High Impact Zone Technology insole absorbs impact and reduces fatigue
Rubber Kinetics DST 6.0 high grip rubber outsole. Suede upper material is durable and protective cup outsole construction with 3 mm EVA for additional shock absorption and comfort. Perforated ventilation for breathability. TPU toe protection. Full Point Tongue prevents the absorption of dirt and deposits. D3O insole with high impact zone technology absorbs shocks and reduces fatigue.
Taking feedback and input from their team of dirt jumpers, slopestyle and BMX riders, Ride Concepts have created the unshakeably grippy, comfortable and durable Vice Flat Pedal MTB Shoes.
Whatever dirt discipline fires your enthusiasm, the Vice Flat Pedal MTB Shoes keep you firmly in control on the pedals. And this is achieved firstly by their super-sticky RC Fuzion outsole. Made from DST 6.0 High Grip rubber and featuring gradient diameter hexagons, 9mm at the toe and heel and 7mm at the pedal, this sole unit bonds with your pedals like no other, offering unrivalled sensitivity, durability and grip. Inside, the removable insole features D3O impact protection at the ball of the foot, soaking up vibrations and the hits of heavy landings. Even more comfort and support are offered by the 3mm EVA foam between the insole and upper.
Meanwhile the upper is also first-class when it comes to comfort and durability. Suede is used to give a flexible fit and the durability to take on the demands of dirt riding. It’s perforated too, keeping your feet cool and fresh as temperatures climb. TPU toe protection fends of bumps and bruises and a gusseted tongue ensures no dirt or debris can get inside. When the dirt is calling your name, the Vice Shoes are the ones to slip on.
Features:
- RC Fuzion outsole features sloped-angle inverse hexagons, varying in diameter from 9mm at the toe and heel to 7mm at the pedal contact area
- Rubber Kinetics – DST 6.0 HIGH GRIP rubber outsole
- Suede upper is durable and protective
- Cup outsole design features 3mm EVA for additional shock absorption and comfort
- Perforated ventilation for breathability
- Internal TPU toe protection
- Fully gusseted tongue prohibits the intake of dirt and debris
- D3O High Impact Zone Technology insole absorbs impact and reduces fatigue