How To Buy The Right Cycling Shoes 


  

How To Buy The Right Cycling Shoes

Whether you ride on the road, explore off road trails or commute to work, the proper cycling shoes can make a big difference in your performance, comfort and enjoyment. If you're a casual rider or only go short distances you can get away with riding in your favourite street shoes, but if you're more serious about cycling, you need something built specifically for the job.  Here’s what you need to look out for when buying any kind of cycling specific shoes:

Types of Shoe

Road Shoes

Road cycling shoes are unsurprisingly best used for road cycling – so much so they should be used for minimal walking. Off the bike, they're awkward to walk in and easily damaged.

  • They're the stiffest shoes around and should be as lightweight as possible with a very thin sole.
  • Advanced carbon fibre soles are excellent for road cycling.
  • If you're doing competitive riding, look for a shoe with a fast closure system.
  • Triathletes should look specifically for triathlon shoes. Cycling shoes designed for triathlons offer the same stiffness and light-weight features as a road cycling shoe but allow for faster and easier transitions.

Mountain Biking/Off-Road Shoes

Mountain biking shoes are built for off road riding and some walking on rough terrain which is handy when you need to shoulder or push your bike.

  • They’re the most rugged shoes available.
  • They have a stiff sole, though not nearly as rigid as road shoes. The sole is also a bit more padded.
  • They usually have recessed cleats and serious treads. Toe cleats, for better grip when off the bike, are optional.
  • Recessed cleats make walking easy. Ideal for just about everyone who isn't exclusively a road cyclist. Ideal for city bikers, commuters and messengers.

What’s Important

A Stiff Sole

  • Running shoes are usually built with a thick flexible sole while the best cycling shoes have a thin, stiff, carbon fibre sole. 
  • The stiffer the sole, the less energy you'll lose between your foot and the pedal.
  • A perforated sole is best to drain water.

A Good Fit

  • You should buy your shoes about a half-size smaller than your normal size to ensure a proper, snug fit.
  • If your feet slide around at all, you should try a different shoe.
  • Some brands like Specialized feature shoes designed specifically for woman that may offer a better fit.
  • Cycling shoes can come in a number of widths depending on the brand. You need to find the right width for your foot.

Breathable Materials

  • When your feet start to sweat, it's best to be wearing a shoe that is made with a moisture-wicking material. That way it will draw the perspiration away from your foot, so that it doesn't slip around inside the shoe.
  • Mesh patches allow the feet to breathe.

Easy On, Easy Off

  • With Velcro, dial and hook and loop strap closures it's very fast and easy to adjust the tightness of a shoe, a necessity when on a long ride with varied terrain.
  • An easily adjustable “lacing” method is best so that you can maintain the best fit no matter what the circumstances.

Quality and Cost

Like most things with cycling shoes you get what you pay for. A good pair of cycling shoes should cost from around $120, but they can range up to $450+ if you really are into performance.

Clipless (“Step-In ”) Pedals

Clipless pedals (sometimes called “step-in pedals”) ensure maximum pedalling efficiency. They work like ski bindings.... a plate on the sole of the shoe clicks into a spring loaded fixture on the pedal. Clipless pedals require shoes and cleats specifically designed for the make and model of pedal being used.   Many clipless pedals are designed to allow the rider to adjust the amount of force needed to engage or disengage the foot. Your AvantiPlus Dealer can show you how to make this adjustment.

Foot Pain

A stiff-soled cycling shoe can occasionally lead to foot pain and numbness because of the extremely rigid and inflexible foot bed. If you have pain or numbness while riding, you may want to consider a softer shoe or adding padded shoe inserts or an orthotic to decrease pressure on the feet.

Try Before You Buy

Whatever type of shoe you decide to buy, it's important to try them on first to see how they fit your foot. Be sure to try them on with the socks you intend to wear while riding. If you plan to ride in cold weather, make sure your shoes have enough room for a thicker sock, as well.