Tips for Buying Road Cycling Shoes

7 Tips for Buying Road Cycling Shoes

If you plan on riding a road bike during a sizzling race or during a weekend group ride choosing the right pair of shoes can greatly improve your performance and comfort.  The shoe is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can have. Rider comfort and efficiency are the most important aspects when shopping for road cycling shoes.  If your feet are comfortable, you’ll be able to handle extended periods of time in the saddle.  If your pedal stroke is made more efficient by your shoes then you’ll be able to transfer all that comfort into power, speed and endurance.

So, taking the time now to research and trying on a few pairs now before you buy will save you a lot time, energy and money.

Listed below are some of the top tips for buying road cycling shoes:

1.  Determine where you are and where you want to be in your cycling – When choosing to buy a road cycling shoe the first thing that you want to take into consideration is just where you are currently in your road cycling and where do you want road cycling to take you.

You may be a leisurely recreational road cyclist who maybe rides maybe 20 miles total for a week or perhaps you are more into the sport and have joined a local cycling group and participate in weekly group rides and charity riding events.  Or maybe your passion is the thrill of the race and speed.

No matter where you are, choosing the best road cycling shoe is critical to your performance, efficiency and comfort. 

If you have no desire to join a road cycling club or race then there are very few reasons why you should invest in an expensive pair of road bike shoes.  However, if you want to get as much out of each long ride as you can or plan to hammer down in next year’s Tour de France then the investment in a high-end shoe may be just what you are looking for.  Higher priced road cycling shoes offer many more benefits to the rider than a less expensive pair.  They are extremely lightweight, stronger, ergonomically fit to provide maximum comfort and efficiency and will usually last for years.

2.  Snug fit - The one thing that is consistent especially for the recreational cyclist is that road cycling shoes can be difficult to fit.  It's not because there is a lack of models, styles and prices but because you want the shoe to fit snug to maximize performance...but not too snug that they will compromise rider comfort.

3.  The stiffer the sole the better!  Choose road bike shoes with the stiffest soles.  Shoes made from high-grade carbon fiber offer the best blend of stiffness, flexibility, strength and pedal power.  Stiff soles are much better at transferring the power and energy from your legs and feet to the pedals.  The more power that you can transfer to the pedals the fast you will go.

4.  Air Circulation – During the course of even a short ride your feet will begin to get hot and sweat, so it’s important to choose a shoe that is vented or constructed from breathable materials.  Most shoes are designed and constructed with mesh or nylon-blended uppers that are made to allow air to flow to your feet. 

5.  Cleats Are Not Created Equal – Once you have decided on a great new pair of road bike shoes you must also buy a cleat that is compatible with the shoe.  Or make sure that you buy a shoe that is compatible with the clipless pedal system that is already on your bike.  Most road racing shoes have adaptors on the bottom of the shoes for various kinds of cleats.  Check to make sure you have the right system.

6.  Easily Adjustable – Choose a road bike shoe that offers you either Velcro straps or a ratcheting system.  Shoes that have these features provide you with the ability to adjust the tightness of the shoe without having to stop.  This goes without saying, avoid shoes that lace up as they hinder your ability to adjust them while riding.

7.  Road Cycling shoes are not created equal – Road bike shoes can vary in size and dimensions greatly depending on the manufacturer.  To get the ultimate fit, manufacturers often use the European sizing matrix so always check to see if they have a sizing chart that tells you just the right size for your shoes.  Some brands tend to fit riders with narrow feet better while still other tend to fit rider with wider feet.

The best road cycling shoes should fit you snuggly to enhance the power transfer.  But they should not fit so tightly that your foot goes numb either.  If possible, you should try on as many different brands as possible at your local bike store to see which one provides you with the best fit.