Your feet are one of the most important contact points on a bike, so it’s critical to choose the perfect cycling shoes wisely. Choosing the wrong pair can be an expensive endeavour and soon can lead to discomfort and/or pain.
Do I need cycling shoes?
Cycling enthusiasts and indoor cycling junkies love wearing cycling shoes. The reason is that, these stiff-bottomed pairs that clip to the pedals of the bike give them a smoother and more efficient ride. If cycling is a predominant part of your daily workout, you’ve got to invest in a pair of cycling shoes.
What makes cycling shoes different?
Balance and Power
The stiff bottoms enable you to transfer power with every stroke of a pedal. As you clip to the pedals, more of your leg muscle is used when you ride. You get to pull up to work with your hamstrings. This works in favour of greater muscle balance and less fatigue, since your muscles share the work.
Space to Breathe
Cycling shoes are manufactured from breathable materials. A lot of them have air vents that prevent feet from extensive sweating and give you a more comfortable ride. To avoid cramps, the structure of the shoe is made firm as to provide more support to your feet. If your feet can breathe and relax, you can ride for longer hours, which will only build your stamina and fitness.
How to decide?
With a surplus of options from a huge selection of brands, it can be quite tricky to know what’s best for you.
What comes to your mind when you think about a perfect pair of cycling shoes? Is it the efficient power transfer? The comfortable fit? The style? Or the reasonable price?
You need efficient power transfer so that the energy you supply from your legs goes to the pedals with minimal loss through your shoes. A comfortable fit increases the possibility of delivering that power hour after hour without your feet ever complaining about it. Good-looking or stylish shoes give you that much-needed motivation and self-confidence while on the road. And finally, a reasonable price is what we all look for.
Best Cycling Shoes Under £100
Gaerne Women’s Laser MTB Shoes 2020
The Gaerne Women’s Laser MTB Shoes is specifically created for the off-road cycling enthusiasts. It provides exceptional performance at an affordable price.
These high-quality mountain bike shoes are ideal for a summer XC race, a trip to the local winter cyclocross league, or a multi-day gravel bike packing trip.
When the weather warms up, the premium soft microfiber upper ensures they mould nicely to your foot, and mesh and vent holes provide cooling airflow.
A perforated tongue with a cushioning layer complements the ventilated upper for added comfort. The three-strap closure system saves weight while providing a fuss-free and reliable performance in all weathers and conditions, even on the muddiest of days, and they’re also easily adjustable on the fly.
To provide extra stability when pedaling and across rough terrain, the shoe features an injection-molded heel cup with an anti-slip inner and anti-tendonitis shape to prevent heel lift as you pull up on the pedals.
MTB 2density Sole
The 2density Sole is designed specifically for mountain biking and uses both nylon and fibreglass to create a great pedalling platform. It’s stiff enough for efficient power transfer but soft enough to allow for comfortable walking, which is ideal if you need to hop off for a steep push uphill or a mid-ride cafe stop. The durable and grippy tread pattern gives great traction over any surface and for particularly muddy days you can add two front studs to give an extra bite.
Cleat Guidance
These MTB shoes are compatible with MTB pedal systems, which use cleats with SPD standard (2-bolt standard), e.g.: Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, CrankBrothers, CrankBrothers Race, Look MTB, Xtreme MTB, Wellgo MTB, Ritchey MTB.
Features:
- Triple hook and loop strap closure
- Injection-molded heel cup
- Anti-slip heel
- Anti-tendonitis heel shape
- Reflective details
- MTB 2density Sole
- Stiffness 7/10
- 2-bolt cleat compatible (cleats not supplied)
- Weight: 382 g (size EU 43)
MSRP: £59.99
Ride Concepts Women’s Vice Flat Pedal MTB Shoes 2020
Wherever you get your biking thrills, whether it’s street BMX, dirt jump thrills, slopestyle competition, or mountain bike trails, the Ride Concepts Women’s Vice Flat Pedal MTB Shoes provide a secure, supple, and comfortable feel for your pedals.
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
MSRP: £81.22
Ride Concepts Vice Flat Pedal MTB Shoes 2020
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
MSRP: £89.95
Giro Stylus Road Shoes
Premium performance without a premium price tag, the Giro Stylus Road Shoes are made with a lightweight seamless upper, delivering sublime levels of comfort, support and ventilation when cycling.
If you’re looking for cycling shoe with a top-end look and feel, but at a more modest price-point, then look no further than the Stylus Road Shoes. From club rides to sportives to tough training sessions, they pack in all the performance you could want or need without emptying your bank account.
Synchwire™ Technology
The one-piece Synchwire™ 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.
Nylon Composite Sole
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.
Cleat Guidance
These shoes are compatible with both Road and MTB pedal systems, 2 and 3-bolt standards e.g.: Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, CrankBrothers, CrankBrothers Race, Look Delta and Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, Time etc… Also suitable for indoor trainers in gyms etc.
Features:
- One-piece Synchwire™ 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)
MSRP: £89.99
Shimano SD5 Sandals
Keep your feet open to the fresh breeze and sunshine with the Shimano SD5 Sandals. They’re SPD cleat compatible too, letting you clip into pedals and set off to enjoy the freedom of bicycle adventuring.
The original Shimano cycling sandals established themselves as an unlikely icon of their footwear range. But they have proved incredibly popular for leisure riders and two-wheeled explorers alike. They’re now back with a fresh new look and updated design to make the SD5 Sandals better than ever.
They now come in a range of standard sizes to let you get just the right size for you. The improved comfort liner does exactly what it says, enhances comfort, particularly when you’re not wearing socks – though wearing socks is recommended when you’re on the bike and pedalling. The sole is improved too, with a stiffness tailored for efficient pedalling but with tuned flex for comfortable walking too. You can choose to use clip-in SPD pedals for a secure pedalling feel but the cleat-cap lets you use flat pedals with ease too.
Cleat Guidance
These Sandals are compatible with MTB pedal systems, which use cleats with SPD standard (2-bolt standard), e.g.: Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, CrankBrothers, CrankBrothers Race, Look MTB, Xtreme MTB, Wellgo MTB, Ritchey MTB.
Cleat Guidance
These MTB shoes are compatible with MTB pedal systems, which use cleats with SPD standard (2-bolt standard), e.g.: Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, CrankBrothers, CrankBrothers Race, Look MTB, Xtreme MTB, Wellgo MTB, Ritchey MTB.
Features:
- Improved sizing option (standard sizing) to provide better fit
- Comfort liner for sock-less riding, (although wearing socks is highly, highly recommended)
- Cleat-cap
- Semi-rigid Power Transfer Blade for improved walking comfort and efficient pedalling
- Weight: 360g (single size 42)
- Stiffness rating: 4
- 2-bolt cleat compatible (cleats not supplied)
MSRP: £89.99
Shimano RC3 Road Shoes (Wide Fit) 2021
Whether dipping your toes into the world of bike racing, tackling tough sportives or enjoying far-flung two-wheeled biking adventures, the RC3 Road Shoes, here in a fit for wider feet, ensure pedalling comfort and efficient power transfer.
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.
Dynalast Performance Comfort
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.
Efficiently Fast
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.
Cleat Guidance
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, Speedplay 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)
MSRP: £89.99
Giro Women’s Stylus Road Shoes 2021
Using their premium seamless Synchwire™ upper, Giro have ensured their entry-level Women’s Stylus Road Shoes offer you outstanding support and comfort when you’re cycling.
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 sportives to tough training sessions, they pack in all the performance you could want or need without emptying your bank account.
Synchwire™ Technology
The one-piece Synchwire™ 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.
Nylon Composite Sole
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.
Cleat Guidance
These shoes are compatible with both Road and MTB pedal systems, 2 and 3-bolt standards e.g.: Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, CrankBrothers, CrankBrothers Race, Look Delta and Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, Time etc… Also suitable for indoor trainers in gyms etc.
Features:
- One-piece Synchwire™ 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)
MSRP: £89.99
Northwave Magma R Rock
At first glance, the Northwave Magma R Rock Road Shoes appear to be a high-performance cycling shoe. But look closer and you’ll see they use Primaloft® Gold insulation, making them ideally suited to riding during colder months of the year.
The Magma R Rock Road Shoes are perfect for those of you seeking a cycling shoe with the performance of your summer shoes but the warmth to take you through winter too. The Primaloft® Gold insulation is the key to the warmth and yet it’s lack of bulk means you’re not sacrificing any pedalling performance for warmth. Inside the shoes, an insulating 4-layer insole works alongside the Primaloft to prevent heat loss while also enhancing comfort and foot support.
NRG Air carbon reinforced sole
Pedalling efficiency comes by the way of the NRG Air carbon-reinforced sole. This perfectly balances the need for stiffness and pedalling efficiency with a degree of flex to add comfort across longer ride distances and rougher roads.
SLW2 closure system
The upper of the Magma features a combination of Northwave’s Overlap Design and SLW2 dial system. The Overlap Design creates a snug fit with no pressure points while the SLW2 closure system allows you to dial in the fit just how you like it. The micro-adjustment gives precise control of the fit but then at the end of a ride, a single button release makes it easy to kick off your shoes. Quick. Simple, Durable. Precise.
Cleat Guidance
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, Speedplay Light Action, Zero, X-Series (via 3-hole adapter plate), Campagnolo Pro-Fit, Mavic Zxellium, Time Iclic/Xpresso and Time Impact.
Features:
- 200g of Primaloft® Gold insulation
- NRG Air carbon-reinforced sole (8/15 stiffness index)
- Overlap construction on upper
- SLW2 closure system
- 4layer insole
- 360 Degree visibility
- 3-bolt cleat compatible (cleats not supplied)
MSRP: £97.99
Gaerne Composite G Tornado Road Shoe 2020
Designed for keen cyclists who want a stiff race-ready shoe, the Composite G Tornado Road Shoes from Gaerne feature a carbon-composite sole and Boa dial system to deliver the rapid power application and comfort needed to forge ahead of the pack.
With their supple synthetic upper and copious ventilation holes, the Composite G Tornado Road Shoe provide a supportive and well-ventilated fit. Inside, the Transpirant insole is breathable too, making these shoes ideally suited to cycling in warmer weather.
The heel is designed to cup the heel to provide support and with an anti-slip grip, it holds the foot securely and comfortably when applying the power. Meanwhile, the comfort-fit tongue moulds easily to your foot shape, delivering snug comfort.
The integrated heel-cup features both an anti-slip grip and an anti-tendonitis shape for an exceptional foothold and complete comfort as you apply the power.
BOA L-6 Dial
To ensure you get a secure and precise fit Gaene uses the BOA L-6 dial system. Applying even pressure over the whole foot, the L-6 dial system allows for a snug and precise fit, perfectly matching the snug fit of the upper. It also allows for greater air circulation across the front of the foot as there’s no laces or straps to obstruct airflow. With a simple twist, you can micro-adjust the fit to your liking, even on the bike.
EPS Carbon Composite Sole
Made with a blend of carbon and nylon, the EPS Carbon Composite Sole offers excellent stiffness to allow the efficient transfer of power to the pedals. Rubber toe and heel pads make walking easier and an alignment scale makes cleat positioning easier.
Cleat Guidance
These Cycling Shoes are compatible with road bike pedal systems that use cleats with 3-bolt standards, such as: Look Delta and Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, Speedplay Light Action, Zero, X-Series (via 3-hole adapter plate), Campagnolo Pro-Fit, Mavic Zxellium, Time Iclic/Xpresso and Time Impact.
Features:
- Perforated upper
- EPS Carbon Composite Sole
- Micro-adjustable BOA L-6 dial system
- Anti-slip heel cup
- Comfort-fit tongue
- Breathable ‘Transpirant’ insole (removable)
- Made in Italy
- 3-bolt cleat compatible (cleats not supplied)
MSRP: £99.99