Choosing the right cycling shoes for our feet and for the discipline we practice is just as important as choosing the ideal bike. Whether you ride mountain bikes or road bikes, having comfortable and efficient footwear can make all the difference in your performance and experience on the bike.
Now then, what aspects should we consider when buying cycling shoes? Many cyclists make the mistake of focusing only on design, brand, or closure type, without taking other key factors into account. The sole, ventilation, stiffness, and fit are fundamental elements that influence pedaling efficiency and comfort during long rides.
Next, we analyze the most important criteria for choosing the best cycling shoes, whether for MTB or road, ensuring they adapt to your pedaling style and the demands of each discipline. Let's break it down. 🚴♂️👟
Road cycling shoes
In general, cycling shoes are stiffer than regular street footwear to avoid losing power with each pedal stroke. Soft and flexible soles are not the best choice for riding a bike. But among cycling footwear, shoes designed for road cycling are the stiffest, as they are made solely for pedaling. The stiffer they are, the better they will transfer power while pedaling. But don't think that stiffness in the shoe will mean discomfort. What you need to do is try many pairs and find the one that best fits your foot. Because of their stiffness, these shoes don't stretch like regular street shoes, so when you try them on, they should fit perfectly; it's recommended to go half a size up, since in summer your feet swell from the heat, and in winter you might want to wear thicker socks. Road cycling shoes are not designed for walking, so the less you walk in them, the longer your cleats will last. Depending on the area where you live, you can look for shoes that are more or less ventilated.
>> What are the best cycling shoe brands?
Mountain, cyclocross and gravel shoes
Although stiffness is always important for maximum efficiency, mountain bike shoes They are usually less rigid than road ones, since it is more common for us to have to walk occasionally. In addition, the sole is accompanied by rubber studs, so you can walk without the cleat getting in the way. When buying mountain biking boots, we should check if they have reinforced toe caps and heels, which is always good to be protected from possible impacts with rocks, stones, branches, etc.
Shoes for triathlon
In triathlon, shoes are sought with maximum stiffness, aerodynamics, and good ventilation, since the triathlon season is during hot weather. Also, feet are usually wet, since we come from the swimming segment. Triathlon shoes have to be easy to take off and put on, so they have a strap on the heel to make it easier and usually have velcro closures.
Shoes for platform pedals
In disciplines such as enduro, freeride, or downhill, where power transfer is not as important and comfort, technique, and foot freedom are, shoes without cleats are used, with reinforcements and soles with good grip.
Shoes for winter cycling
To combat the winter cold and rain, there is cycling footwear specifically designed for winter that may combine high shafts covering the ankle with fabrics to repel rain such as Gore-Tex. For winter, you can also combine the road shoe used during the rest of the year with overshoes.
>> Are cycling overshoes essential in winter?
Types of closures
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a cycling shoe is the type of closure. Depending on the system it has, the shoe will fit our foot more or less.
Lace closure
The classic lace is still used in many disciplines such as BMX, enduro, urban, mountain bike, etc... Even on the road with models like the Giro Empire. The advantage of this type of closure is that it is cheaper and customizable, but on the other hand, there is the risk that the lace could get caught in some part of the bike or on a branch when riding through trails.
Velcro closure
These are quick closures for taking shoes on and off. And they are also lightweight. But the downside is that over time they can lose their properties, especially if you practice mountain biking in muddy areas.
Ratchet or buckle micro-adjustment closure
Although until recently this was a type of closure for mid- and high-end cycling shoes, with the arrival of the Boa closure it has been relegated to the background.
Boa closure
This closure system acts as a rotor for a wire or kevlar cable that adjusts the shoe to our foot in a very fine and precise way. In reality, the term Boa refers to a specific model of this type of closure, since there are other brands with similar systems, but beware, they may not be as reliable. It is a quick and comfortable system, although it is important to distribute the cable properly and check if the shoe fits our foot well. Among its drawbacks is the price: it is usually a more expensive shoe.
Materials of cycling footwear
Depending on the climate where we live, the discipline we practice, and our level of demand, we will need shoes with different qualities. The type of material they are made from will provide us with a different level of ventilation, comfort, protection, responsiveness...
>> The importance of choosing the right cycling socks
Shoe body and fabrics
Cycling shoes are usually made of synthetic fabrics or leather; we need to look for one that fits the foot well and does not stretch when pedaling so as not to lose power. If the shoe has a silver mesh inside, that will help evacuate sweat from the foot.
The sole
A sole with a stiffer material transmits power better, but if it does not fit your foot well, it can be uncomfortable. Shoe materials range from rubber, plastics, nylon, to mixed ones with carbon inserts or entirely made of carbon fiber. Shoes with nylon soles will help us walk, as they are more flexible and also more affordable. Carbon fiber ones will give us lightness and stiffness. Regarding stiffness, it is not a black or white issue; brands work with indexes that determine this value. For example, Scott uses an index between 6 and 10 for stiffness, where they inform us that 6 is for cycle tourists, 7 and 8 for enthusiasts, and 9 and 10 for professionals. At Bontrager, their index goes from 6 to 14.
>> Are clipless pedals essential?
Problems finding a shoe that fits you?
Fortunately, in today's market there are alternatives if we have trouble finding shoes that fit us. The Spanish brand Luck works with custom-made shoes starting at around €200. We can also try special insoles made for us. Another alternative is thermo-moldable or thermoformable insoles or even shoes. What you do with them is put them in the microwave or oven for a few minutes and then put them on so they mold to your foot.
To choose the perfect shoe, we will look beyond the type of closure or a certain color. The important thing is that it fits your foot well. And since each brand and each shoe uses different lasts and not all of them may suit us, the recommendation is to try before buying, because an unsuitable shoe can turn our ride into a nightmare.
Tuvalum Team
