If you want to ride comfortably and efficiently you need to own a pair of cycling specific shoes, you probably already know this if you have been doing a lot of cycling. The big problem is to work out which cycling shoes are correct for you and the form of cycling that you choose to take part in.

If you want to ride comfortably and efficiently you need to own a pair of cycling specific shoes, you probably already know this if you have been doing a lot of cycling. The big problem is to work out which cycling shoes are correct for you and the form of cycling that you choose to take part in.

Which Shoes Should I Buy?: The first answer is easy, there are specific biking shoes for each different cycling discipline, from MTB to road, track and spinning. there are even shoes that are specificly designed to keep your feet warm in the winter. We will look at as many different cycling shoes as we can and hope that this will help you to make an informed purchase. There are some basic guide lines; Price, fit, looks and function.

Road Shoes: There are thousands of different on the market and how much you can afford will affect what you buy. Let’s start from the top; shoes with a lace-up fastening system are a thing from the past, now we have Velcro and some different adjustable ratchet tightening systems, these are designed to hold your feet securely and comfortably in your bicycle shoes.

Your foot cannot be constricted or crushed and one of the best closure systems is from Sidi shoes, on their top of the range “Sidi Ergo 2″. It has three different buckles on the same shoe, the lower strap is Velcro, the middle strap is a nylon string with a tightening system for comfort across the top of the foot and then the top strap is a plastic ratchet that is tightened or loosened by a lever for micro adjustment, to get the correct tension on your foot. Sidi have many shoes at different prices, their carbon soles are some of the best made.

Shimano don’t only make cycling components, they have a range of clothing and some fine shoes. Shimano pedals were designed to fit their own SPD style pedals, these took a smaller shoe cleat with just two bolts, since then SPD’s for road bikes are not so popular as they were, but the Shimano cycling shoes are still very popular as they can fit all pedals.

The top of the Shimano range is the R215B, it has the usual three closures, two Velcro and a micro-adjust buckle. They take all the different shoe plates and with an adapter you can also fit Look pedals to the hollow channel carbon fiber sole which is light and very rigid for power transference.

• Lake
• DMT
• Carnac
• Spiuk
• Louis Garneau
• North Wave
• Adidas
• Diadora

…and many other manufacturers make very good shoes. The main problem you can have is finding the one that fits you the best; most have a similar closure system with three straps or adjustable ratchets. Most uppers are made of a plastic material that is both strong and comfortable, the main thing you must look for is that the sole will take the cleats of your choice of clippless pedals and most importantly that the sole fits your feet. As with all shoes the sole shape and dimensions are different from one manufacturer to another and you have to try a few before you find the sole that suits you. The Italian shoes tend to be narrower and the German and French a little wider, but this is a general guide and cannot take the place of trying the shoes before buying.

Mountain Bike Shoes: They have basically the same uppers as the road bike shoe, but the sole is completely different because some running is involved. Take a look at the sole of a MTB shoe and you will see the built-in studs for grip in muddy or other difficult terrain and in the center of the sole you will find the fittings for a clipless pedal.

Shimano invented the SPD clipless pedals for off-road, these are small and less likely to get jammed up with mud or sand etc. The shoe plate is small and slot into the pedal easily and tends not to get too much mud clogging the entry and exit of the shoe plate from the pedal.

Some of the best shoes come from Shimano, they make race style MTB shoes as well as a trainer style, and both can take a clipless pedal with a removable cover over the two holes for the SPD bolts. The trainer style is great for easy riding with a bit of walking involved, where as the race shoes are made more for action. With all mtb shoes you must look at how easy it will be to clean them and if the rain and mud may ruin the material of the uppers.

Adidas make the AdiStar XC Ultra, it is a top class shoe with great studs and closure system as does the men’s legend from DMT, which also has a very comfortable toe box…

• North Wave
• Diadora
• Carnac
• Sidi
• Pearl Izumi
• Louis Garneau

They all make very good quality and stylish MTB shoes in both versions, trainer and race shoe. The same rules apply when buying mountain as road shoes, try them first and when you find a manufacturer that suits you then stick to it and hope that they don’t change the shape of their shoes.

Women’s Cycling Shoes : Size and shape are the main problems for women to find the perfect cycling shoe, all the usual manufacturers. Sidi, just like the men’s ones, make some of the nicest and covers all the sizes that the ladies need. Look out for comfort on the inside of the shoe, any seems or joints will rub your foot and cause problems. The closure systems are the same as the men’s, and will not cause you any problems. Finding the correct size is the most important thing, and some of the manufacturers don’t make small enough shoes, check this out first on the manufacturer’s web-site then try to find a pair in a bike/sports shop that fits.

Winter : if you want to go training in the cold weather then you have to look after your feet, the three most important part of the body that you need to look after in cold and/or wet conditions are the head, hands and feet, if you have ever been out on your bike and forgotten to look after your feet, you will know what I’m talking about!

Most of the shoe manufacturers make at least one special winter cycling shoe or more usually a boot. The good reason for a boot is that extending the footwear up over the ankle protects the lower leg whilst keeping the warmth in and the rain out. The best warm and dry winter cycling shoes that we have found are made by:

• Shimano
• Sidi
• Diadora
• Nalini
• North Wave.

Some use Gore-Tex for protection and a Thinsilate to keep your foot warm, there is also a fleece lined boot with sheep’s wool lining for warmth. If you don’t want to go as far as buying an extra pair of shoes, then a pair of over shoes is your answer, these can be for either warmth or water proof and fit over your existing shoes, protecting the shoes and your feet against the elements.

Spinning Shoes: it has become exceptionally popular recently and there is now spinning specific clothing as well as shoes, these are very handy for the person who wants to go spinning but doesn’t normally ride a bike, so hasn’t got a collection of cycle clothing and shoes. Just like going to the gym or running you need you need some special equipment for spinning, a good pair of cycling shorts and a pair of spinning shoes.

Shimano again make some of the best spinning shoes, you can use them with an SPD pedal or not, as they have reinforced areas where they would rub against toe clips and straps, most of these shoes can be used for other forms of cycling, but not anything extreme and they can be walked in with a fair bit of comfort.

What to Look For :

Comfort is the most important thing with shoes, they must fit well and the fastening system must hold your feet in the shoe securely and without constricting them and causing any numbness.

The toe area must give you room and around the ankle must be comfortable, check that the heel gives support and holds your heel without movement, if your heel is moving around in the shoe it can cause discomfort and could cause a knee or hip injury.

Get the best you can afford, but make sure that they are comfortable!!