When it comes to cycling it’s vital that your shoes fit you better than a glove. When you consider the stresses and strains they go through, not to mention the amount of power they are responsible for transferring into the pedals, even a slight rub at the heel can be disasterous.
Get this wrong and it’ll cost you more than just watts – numb toes, blisters and painful cramp in the soles of your feet can all strike at an inopportune moment, such as when you’re 40 miles from home.
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So what’s important in cycling footware? Well like any other shoe the first consideration is how well they fit. Your size is only really the first step in this process, as fit can differ wildly and you might find your foot too wide or narrow to slip comfortably into one maker’s products, while it’s fine in another.
Next up is how well they transfer power to the pedals and this is mostly down to the sole construction – this can be plastic or fibreglass in cheaper shoes, which will flex and waste watts, or stiffer carbon in more pricey models to make sure every bit of effort you put in makes its way to the back wheel.
The final two considerations are what the sole is like and how they stay attached to your foot. When it comes to the former, ask yourself how much purchase you want on the tarmac when you’re off the bike, because the amount of rubber on the bottom can vary between models. Then there’s the way they do up, or the ‘closure’ to use the right word. Laces, Velcro straps and the ubiquitous BOA system will all be available to you. Work out what you like and stick with that.
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The best road cycling shoes
Best value for money
Not the cheapest here but in terms of pure bang for buck these Bont shoes are very hard to ignore. The soles take the form of a carbon tub (like a McLaren supercar!) for stiffness, while a precise fit can be achieved by baking them in the oven and then putting them on your feet, a bit like moulding a gumshield to your teeth, but for your toes.
Best of the best
WiggleFew things to dislike here – super stiff carbon soles, two BOA dials and customisable arch support means fit and power delivery are about as good as they get. You pay for all this in the form of a punchy price tag, of course, but then again that won't be a surprise when you consider this is the shoe of choice for pro and amateur riders worldwide.
Best for winter
AmazonThe best overall option in our winter shoes roundup, this high-top and waterproof model features fleece lining and aluminium insulation in the sole for heat retention with a minimalist design. The rubber outer and hidden closure ensure the worst of the winter weather stays outside of your shoes, while a competitive price makes you wonder why you'd look elsewhere.
Best for comfort
If you want a stiff sole without the sensation of having your entire lower leg winched into the pedal then these Giant shoes (small sizes available) with clever ExoBeam tech are the ones for you. Put simply, this means the front of the shoe where your pedal connects can be rock solid, while a degree of torsional flex towards the rear allows more natural movement in the heel.
Best for a budget
halfordswww.halfords.com
Once again the Boardman Carbon features in one of our cycling shoe round ups and it's easy to see why - stiff and lightweight carbon sole, BOA-style closure, and rubber bumpers at the toe and heel belie a price tag well under £100. This is a no nonsense shoe that offers loads of features at a non-shocking price. Looks great as well.
Best Velcro closure
www.wiggle.com
If you're not into the snakelike grip of a BOA system and don't like the idea of retro-look laces flapping around then the sleek and simple lines of these Fizik shoes will definitely appeal. The Velcro strap wraps all the way around to ensure they stay comfortable and secure to your foot, and as we pointed out in our winter shoes roundup, this gives you the option of easily slipping a protective neoprene boot over the top when the weather turns.
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