How to Choose Cycling Shoes in 10 Minutes or Less? [GUIDE]

This article teaches you how to choose cycling shoes depending on your riding style and other preferences. It is focused mainly on beginners, but even experienced riders will learn valuable information.

If you don’t have enough time to read everything in detail, feel free to skip to Summary, where you find out the most important tips for choosing cycling shoes.

However, I recommend reading the whole article. You learn the types of cycling shoes and fastening systems, their benefits and disadvantages, and much more.

Why Should You Get a Pair of Cycling Shoes?

Cycling shoes can get costly. They cost tens to hundreds of dollars. When you add the price for clipless pedals, the overall price for a set is even higher. So is this investment worth it?

The short answer is yes, it is.

I summarized the long answer in the following table. It shows the main advantages and disadvantages of cycling shoes:

Source: Richard’s 21st Century Bicycle Book

This study shows that using stiff-soled cycling shoes combined with clip-in pedals improved the maximum sprint power by 10.2% compared to running shoes with classic aluminum quill pedals with toe clips and straps.

How to Choose Cycling Shoes?

Choosing cycling shoes may seem complicated and overwhelming if you are a beginner. But trust me. It is pretty easy with the following tips. So let’s dive in.

Cycling Shoe Type

Let’s look at their main features, benefits, and cons in more detail.

Road Cycling Shoes

Road cycling shoes are designed with stiffness, comfort, and lightweight. Their main goal is to provide an effective connection with your bike that will be comfortable during long hours in the saddle.

Unlike MTB bike shoes, road cycling shoes usually feature a 3-hole configuration (see the picture below). This allows you to attach cleats compatible with road bike pedals like Shimano-SPD SL, Look Keo, Time Xpresso, etc.

Regarding cleats and pedals, road bike pedals have a larger surface area than mountain bike pedals to distribute the force you put into every pedal stroke and prevent hotspots during multi-hour rides.

A separate category consists of 4-hole configuration cycling shoes designed specifically for Wahoo Speedplay pedals. You can use 3-hole configuration shoes too, but you need special adapters.

Mountain Bike Shoes

Mountain bike shoes can be separated into 2 categories:

1. Clipless mountain bike shoes are also designed to be stiff (not as much as road cycling shoes) and comfortable. But their weight is not as important as with road cycling shoes. Their third main feature is durability.
   The MTB clipless shoes come with a 2-hole configuration. They are compatible with MTB cleats, which are much smaller than road cleats (Shimano SPD, Crankbrothers, …) and compatible with the MTB clipless pedals.
   Clipless MTB shoes are perfect for cross-country, gravel, cyclocross, or casual riders who are not afraid of clipping into pedals. Some road cyclists prefer them because of their versatility. They are better for walking, and you can clip them into SPD pedals from both sides.
   
   NOTE: Gravel bike shoes are like MTB shoes, but they are often more stylish. They are lighter and more comfortable for long rides. On the other hand, they don’t have as good toe and heel protection because they are not designed for use in as difficult terrain as MTB shoes. I recommend using them with gravel bike pedals.
   
2. Mountain bike shoes for platforms look like skate shoes but have different features. They are stiffer than normal shoes but much softer than road cycling shoes. Their insoles are flat and usually have a honeycomb structure perfect for platform pedal pins, so you get a pretty good grip.
   These shoes are also suitable for walking, and you can take your feet off the pedals quickly when needed.
   Due to their flexibility and energy losses, they are not good for long rides because you will get tired more easily than with MTB clipless shoes or road cycling shoes. They are perfect for riding on trails and more in challenging terrains that require quick reactions.

Hybrid Cycling Shoes

Hybrid cycling shoes are also pretty comfortable. They allow you to clip into the MTB pedals, but you can also use them with special hybrid bike pedals (platform + clip).

They are ideal for trips where you know you will have to get off your bike. They allow easy walking and are stylish at the same time. For example, if you stop for a meal or drink at a local restaurant, you will not get strange glances as road cyclists do due to their silly penguin-like walking.

Their disadvantages are the higher weight and flexibility that causes energy losses, so you get tired during long rides quicker. Your feet can also slip off pedals more easily, so their safety is also questionable.

NOTE: Some people prefer cycling in standard shoes. Feel free to check this selection of the best non cycling shoes for cycling, where you all find out more.

Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of individual types of shoes compared with each other in the table below.

Price Range

Based on my market research, I distinguish 3 basic price ranges of cycling shoes. Please note that the following categories apply to the road and MTB clipless shoes.

• Budget (Under $100) – these shoes are suitable for beginners and hobby riders. They feature velcro strap fastening (learn more about fastening systems), but there are models with a ratchet buckle + velcro strap. Cycling shoes from this price category are heavier and not as stiff compared to more expensive shoes.
• Value for money ($100 to $300) – these shoes form an ideal compromise between cheap and high-end cycling shoes. They are suitable for most riders because they provide a good price-performance ratio. They are relatively light, stiff, and comfortable. They use a combination of velcro straps and ratchet buckle, velcro straps + dials, dials only, or laces.
• Performance (Above $300) – this price category offers high-end shoes for racers and demanding racers. These cycling shoes are usually very stiff and lightweight, thanks to carbon soles and quality materials. They feature mostly dials (BOA, Tecno…) or laces.

Fastening System

Velcro Straps

Velcro is used on the cheapest models of cycling shoes. My first road cycling shoes had 3 velcro straps – not too user-friendly, but I was happy to have my first pair of cycling shoes.

Velcro straps are simple and inexpensive, but they are not as convenient as other fastening systems.

On the other hand, they are lightweight and durable. So, if you crash (hopefully you don’t!), you don’t have to buy a new pair of shoes because your fastening system will break.

Laces

Giro introduced the first modern cycling shoes with laces in 2012. Although we know laces from our day-to-day shoes, they are popular among cyclists too.

Cycling shoes with laces are stylish, cool-looking, lightweight, and prone to damage. Their main disadvantage (a no-go for many people) is that it is almost impossible to tighten them while riding.

Ratchet Buckles

Ratchet buckles are a compromise between velcro straps and BOA dials. They are often used in combination with velcro straps. You can tighten them while riding to get a relatively good fit.

On the other hand, they are heavier than other fastening systems and are also prone to damage if you crash. It isn’t easy to replace them because they are attached to the shoe.

From my experience and discussions with fellow cyclists who used ratchet buckles and dials, I recommend saving a little more for shoes with dials.

Dial(s)

High-end road cycling shoes are almost always equipped with either BOA dials, Tecno dials, or other unbranded dials.

This technology is considered the most effective and convenient fastening systems. But it comes with its price. The good news is that if the dial breaks, you can replace it easily.

Did you know that every BOA dial ‘click’ adjusts the fit by 1 mm? This feature makes BOA dials one of the most precise fastening systems on the market.

The following table shows the pros and cons of individual fastening systems.

Comfort, Fit & Ventilation

Cycling shoes have to provide you with enough comfort to enjoy your bike rides. Demands for comfort are high, especially for road cycling shoes, because road cyclists spend several hours in the saddle.

The shoes must be light, well-ventilated, and fit you. They should not push you anywhere or be too loose.

Proper ventilation is important, especially during hot summer days. The ventilation helps to cool your feet so you won’t sweat as much.

You will also feel much more comfortable and perform better because you won’t feel like your feet are burning.

Size & Width

It is always better to try shoes in person to ensure you buy the right size and fit. But with some preparation, you can buy them online too. Just make sure you measure your foot before ordering and also follow the manufacturers’ sizing instructions.

Should you buy larger size cycling shoes?
Cycling shoes usually run true to size. So feel free to buy your normal shoe size. If you are between sizes, I recommend getting the larger size. You will avoid discomfort (too squeezed feet) that can discourage you from cycling.

Shoe Width

Cycling shoes come in 2 general widths – narrow/standard and wide. The standard cycling shoe width will fit most riders.

If you have wide feet, you should look for ‘wide cycling shoes.’ For example, Shimano calls them ‘WIDE,’ Sidi ‘MEGA,’ Bont ‘+,’ etc.

Wide cycling shoes have a wider heel box and larger toe room to avoid squeezing your feet and prevent numbness.

Shoe width is also sometimes indicated with letters, e.g., 44E means the shoes come wide.

How Should Your New Bike Shoes Fit?

The shoes should feel ‘just right.’ This means you should not feel excessive pressure, your heel should be fixed, and the toe room should allow you to wiggle your toes slightly.

According to Steve Hogg, a professional bike fitter, up to 98% of cyclists also need arch support. To learn more about this topic, read my other article on cycling insoles.

Cycling insoles will support your arches and improve your comfort. They are a worthy investment.

Sole Stiffness

Cycling shoes, especially those for road cycling, have much stiffer soles than noncycling shoes. The stiffness is important—the higher the stiffness, the lower the energy losses with every pedal stroke.

Did you know that during a four-hour road ride, you do 21600 pedal strokes in total if you pedal at an average cadence of 90 RPM?

Riders who experience painful or inflamed balls of their feet (metatarsalgia) or lack of oxygenation of the toes due to blood shortage (ischemia) should be careful when using stiff shoes. The study showed that shoes with carbon soles increase peak plantar pressure, which may aggravate these foot conditions.

Every bike shoe manufacturer uses its own stiffness index. It is difficult to compare them, but you can take a look at this Shimano stiffness index chart for illustration.

The following table shows the relative stiffness of different types of shoes.

Summary

To find out more about every aspect of cycling shoes, read the whole article that explains in detail, what are the benefits and disadvantages of MTB, road, and hybrid cycling shoes, what to expect in various price ranges, and much more.

Cycling Shoes FAQ