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How to Choose Cycling Shoes

close up of Giro cycling shoes on a person pedaling a bike

How to Choose Cycling Shoes

Giro mountain bike shoe on trail

Riding a bike is great in any shoes, but if you ride often, you'll love the perks of cycling shoes made just for that. Unlike regular sneakers, cycling shoes have stiffer soles that boost your pedaling power. Depending on your biking style - whether it’s road cycling, mountain biking, or cruising around town - there's a perfect pair waiting for you.

Cycling shoes are typically used with a matching pedal to keep your feet firmly in place on the bike. Most cycling shoes come with either 2-hole or 3-hole cleats that attach to clipless pedals, enabling you to pedal with greater efficiency on every stroke. (For more information about cycling pedals, see our article on Bike Pedals 101 – Which pedal is right for you?)

In this article, we're here to guide you through the various types of bike shoes and assist you in understanding the key factors to keep in mind while shopping. Let's dive in for a quick overview:

  • Road cycling shoes: Road bike shoes are designed to be lightweight, aerodynamic, and feature a stiff sole for optimal efficiency. While they may not have rubberized soles, which can make walking a bit uncomfortable due to their prominent cleats, these shoes are all about prioritizing stability and efficiency over walkability.
  • Mountain bike shoes: Mountain bike shoes usually come with grippy soles to provide extra traction on rough trails. These shoes fall into two categories: those designed for clipless pedals feature two-hole cleats that are recessed into the sole, making walking more convenient, while shoes for flat pedals have a sticky rubber sole without cleats.
  • Bike shoe fit: Select shoes that fit well and are comfortable immediately. Ensure a snug and supported arch with minimal heel movement.

To find the perfect bike shoe, visit a Level Nine store in Utah and speak with a helpful staff member. You can also reach our Customer Service team through live chat, phone, or email using this link.

Road Cycling Shoes

Giro road bike shoe

Road bike shoes tend to be lighter and more aerodynamic, featuring smooth outsoles and ventilation. They use a stiffer sole material to provide even more efficiency. Most road shoes are not designed for walking and do not have rubberized soles. If you’ve ever heard someone clacking loudly as they walk, it could well be their road cycling shoes - as opposed to the recessed design of mountain shoes, the cleats of road shoes are larger and more prominent. This provides greater stability and efficiency but makes walking in them uncomfortable, at best.

Clipless pedal-shoe systems improve cycling performance by letting you securely attach your shoes to the pedals. This setup enhances power transfer as you can push down and pull up on the pedals effectively. It's a key feature for cyclists aiming for better efficiency and performance on the road.

Pedal compatibility:

  • 2-hole cleat: Certain road shoes feature a 2-hole system, alongside a 3-hole cleat system, designed to work with pedals from popular manufacturers like Shimano (SPD), crankbrothers, or Time. It's important to ensure that your shoes are compatible with the pedals you choose.
  • 3-hole cleat: Road bike shoes usually come with three holes on the sole designed to fit cleats and pedals from brands like Look, Time, and Shimano (SPD-SL). Opting for a 3-hole cleat system provides excellent stability and energy transfer during your rides. The broad cleat effectively distributes the force on the pedal, easing pressure on contact points and ensuring a strong connection when you're pushing yourself on the pedals.

Things to keep in mind when shopping for road cycling shoes:

  • Using stiff soles and light materials like carbon fiber enhances pedal power and efficiency, benefiting performance-oriented road cyclists. These features reduce weight and increase sole rigidity, leading to faster performance, although they come at a higher cost.
  • For easier walking when commuting or touring, consider using a two-cleat mountain bike shoe or city cycling shoe.

Mountain Bike Shoes

Consider your riding style, time spent off the bike, and other preferences to choose between flat or clipless pedals for mountain biking. Factors like terrain, skill level, and comfort off the bike can also influence your decision.

Black mountain bike shoe

Clipless shoes (use cleats): Clipless mountain bike shoes utilize a two-bolt cleat system such as SPD, crankbrothers, or Time styles. In contrast to road cycling shoes, mountain bike shoe cleats are usually embedded into the soles, allowing for easier walking on trails or other surfaces. These shoes are perfect for cross-country, long-distance, or less technical rides. It's worth noting that some road cyclists might opt for mountain bike shoes due to their comfort and walk-friendly design.

Flat (platform): These bike shoes without cleats are suitable for flat, wider platform pedals with grippy rubber outsoles for improved traction. They allow easy stepping on and off the bike, making them convenient for trail riding. Ideal for casual, trail, or technical riding.

Pedal compatibility: It's important to match clipless mountain bike shoes with a compatible pedal system. The 2-hole cleat system is commonly used with pedals from manufacturers like Shimano (SPD), crankbrothers, Look, or Time. Be sure to check for compatibility between the shoes and the pedals.

Features: As the price goes up, shoes typically include stiffer soles, lighter weight, enhanced foot and ankle protection, waterproof liners, extra straps for better fit, and removable toe spikes for traction on loose surfaces.

How Cycling Shoes Should Fit

As with most shoes, cycling shoes should fit snugly but not too tight. A day of riding in too-tight shoes will put you in a bad mood. Most riders size cycling shoes generously so that they can accommodate minor foot swelling that naturally occurs over the course of the day. If you plan to ride in the wintertime, it is also a good idea to size generously to allow for thick socks.

Cycling shoes tend to be somewhat narrow and pointed in the toe to increase their aerodynamic performance. If you have wide feet or find this design uncomfortable, look at some of the wider mountain bike shoe designs. Some cycling shoe manufacturers also feature custom designs for folks with bigger or wider feet.