Choosing the best cycling shoes is one of the most significant things you can do to make difference to your ride. The key contact points between you and your bike are at your feet and the right shoes can make a significant difference to comfort levels, especially with the weather warming up as we head into summer. If you're of a more gravelly persuasion we do have a sister guide to the best gravel bike shoes which does the same job, but for off-road options.
Even short rides can become a chore if you are wearing shoes that rub or make your feet sweat excessively. A more serious concern can be pain created by shoes that don't fit correctly or fail to offer the right amount of support, perhaps even resulting in injuries. This is even before you consider the benefits a good pair of shoes can have to power transfer to improve the efficiency of your riding.
The best cycling shoes have come a long way in terms of technological advancements since the introduction of 'clipless' pedals in the '70's, allowing riders to clip in to the pedals directly. I've been trying out a bunch of the best options out there across various price points, and
The best cycling shoes available today
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The Fizik Tempo Powerstrap R5 is going to be somewhat controversial. BOA dials dominate the options for modern cycling shoes and these shoes have none. The problem is that BOA dials cost money for a brand to use. That cost impacts budget models by putting dual zone adjustment out of reach. Fizik gets around this challenge by just leaving BOA dials off the design and instead uses an innovative system of big straps and Velcro.
The straps that Fizik uses aren't like what you find on other brands of shoes. Instead of a stiff strap that pulls the the opening above the tongue closed, Fizik connects the straps of the Tempo Powerstrap R5 all the way down to the base of the shoe. The strap material is also different and it's both strong and flexible with no pressure points. The whole system sits close to the shoe, making it fast and simple to get the fitment perfect, and if you need to pull some kind of cycling overshoes on, there's nothing to get in the way.
The downside of course is that there is no BOA dial. It's still pretty easy to adjust mid-ride if you have to but it will never be as simple, or precise, as a BOA dial. The shoes are also a bit on the warm side as they lack a vent through the sole of the shoe.
Fizik frequently creates two shoes that are exactly the same other than one will have a two bolt cleat interface and tread and one will have a road specific base. That’s the case with the Tempo Powerstrap R5 as well, so if you prefer walkability for your road bike, or if you need a gravel shoe, check out our review of the Fizik X4 Terra Powerstrap.
For a lot of buyers, a BOA dial is a must have. If you are shopping for a BOA dial at a budget price, the Bontrager Circuit shoes are a quality option that won't break the bank. There are a few different BOA dial options and the Circuit uses an L6, meaning you can tighten it with a twist, but if you want to loosen things up you'll need to pop it then tighten again. Like all BOA dials, it's warrantied for life and you can swap pieces if anything ever breaks.
Another big advantage to the Bontrager Circuit shoe is in the sole. Trek, under the Bontrager sub-brand, uses a nylon composite that the brand puts at a 7 out of 14 compared to the other options available. That part isn't all that unique for a shoe of this price range but what is very unusual at any price range is the ability to mount your choice of two bolt of three bolt cleats. Even if you use a two bolt cleat you won't get the walkability of an off-road shoe but you do have the option if you prefer the ease of use that comes with a double sided off-road pedal. On top of that, Bontrager puts a vent at the toe which does a great job keeping you cool.
The big downside is that the lower strap is essentially for show. It's not impossible to tighten it a little bit but the shoe and strap are too stiff to actually get much movement.
You can read more details in our full Bontrager Circuit review.
Adidas was once a dominant name in cycling then the brand disappeared. Now there are new offerings, and instead of looking to dominate the market with range topping offerings, Adidas just wants consideration. After spending time with these shoes, I'm happy to say they are more than worth considering.
The Road Cycling Shoe comes priced a little higher than the least expensive options here but still less than half the price of the most expensive options. For that money you get a shoe that feels a lot like it could be a soccer cleat. It has the same bit of upturn at the toe and the laces would also feel at home on pitch as well as a parcours. The upper is a woven fabric made from yarn containing at least half Parley Ocean Plastic content and the rest recycled polyester; it's padded and comfortable just like the tongue.
For the sole, Adidas chose a fibreglass-reinforced polyamide plate instead of carbon. It's the softest of budget options but it’s completely workable, it's possible to recycle it, and it also helps keep costs down. The front and rear tread blocks are non-replaceable and the whole design is a bit heavy but, again, at this price point, everything seems reasonable.
I have to also mention the iconic Adidas style. Style matters when it comes to shoes in general but the three Adidas stripes are going to turn heads in a whole different way. Like most Adidas products, colours change pretty often so you might find something different out there but they all have the stripes.
In case it's not already apparent, I'm a fan of the Fizik Powerstrap system. There's nothing quite like the joy of popping open a BOA dial at the end of a long ride, but aside from price BOA dials are also heavier than other systems. Brands making the lightest shoes available tend to have different closure solutions, and for Fizik that means the Powerstrap system. As with the budget Tempo R5, the Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave has two big and flexible straps that attach to the sole and close with Velcro.
The R2 Aeroweave isn't trying to be a price leader though. Instead, this shoe is for a rider that loves a lightweight shoe and a narrow fit. The sole is a 10/10 stiffness on the Fizik scale, though there are stiffer soles out there, and there's a large vent at the front. Up top is where the real innovation is though. Instead of a wide variety materials on the market, Fizik uses something called Aeroweave. Imagine the plastic lanyards, or bracelets, that kids make then imagine using that material to knit the entire upper of a shoe. It's light but it's also so open that you'd better make sure you are wearing something stylish from the best cycling socks list. You can see right through the Aeroweave so your socks are on display.
The only downside of the Aeroweave is also the only real downside of the shoe in general. The construction seems to limit colour options so make sure you like black. On the upside, it's tough; even a toe rub or two won't be an issue.
Read more details in our full Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes review.
The basic Giro Empire design has been around for years. You can watch Taylor Phinney looking his trademark cool while wearing them in Therabouts 2 way back in 2015. The latest version is the Giro Empire SLX but the formula is essentially unchanged. Way back then, and now, the idea is to use a seemingly simple construction to make the lightest most exacting shoe possible. If you want a wide shoe, or an ultra stiff sole, you will want to look elsewhere. I almost added BOA dials to that list as well but there is a slightly heavier version with BOA dials if you must go that route. I strongly recommend letting go of that need though. The laces are a light, ever so slightly stretchy material that never comes undone and there's a place to stash them so they don’t get in the way. The laces also mean the exact fit you need in every part of the shoe.
Either way though, this is a narrow shoe and even I can induce a bit of flex in the carbon sole. That's what makes it great though, it fits like a second skin and practically begs you to stand and dance on the pedals. Despite the endless honing and shaving, you do still have the option of swapping arch support to fit your needs. Consider it the one small concession.
The downside of all that weight reduction is that there are some things that don't make the cut. The Synchwire upper looks and feels great but it doesn't stand up to toe rub and adding a plastic protector would have added weight. I suspect it's a somewhat similar story as to why there's no adjustability in the cleat placement beyond what is allowed by the cleats themselves.
Read more details in our Giro Empire SLX gallery.
Over the years, Specialized has been shifting the shape of the shoes the brand makes. More and more the toe box is wider with more room. The Specialized S-Works Torch is the replacement for the S-Works 7, and the latest in the many S-Works options the brand makes. As such, it's the most up to date vision of what Specialized believes is the best shape and it's 4mm wider at the ball than the previous generation of S-Works 7 shoe.
The changes aren't just the work of intuition either. Specialized pulls from the trends seen through over 100,000 foot scans as part of the RETÜL fit system. The same data also guides the particular shape of the central cut-out as well as the angle BOA dials and the way that they sit on the shoe. It's also data you can feel when putting on the shoe.
Cycling shoes are a balance of performance and style though. There are a lot of great looking shoes but the S-Works Torch takes things to a whole other level by looking incredible with a design that holds up. I love the protection at the toe against toe rub but the exterior is also hard wearing and easy to wipe clean, and the BOA dials are metal. Unfortunately those BOA dials, while looking great and holding up well, do lack the pop to release feature of more advanced models.
Read more details in our full Specialized S-Works Torch review.
The Bont Vaypor S was one of the shoes I was most excited to test. When they finally got to me though, they seemed to be the wrong size. It took quite a bit of examination to realise that the length was spot on. I couldn't go down a size but there was a lot of volume in the front of the shoe. It's unusual and I didn't immediately love it. The way the flap across the top of the shoe limits the adjustability by hitting the lower BOA dial eventually didn't help.
Given that I don't have wide feet, I was sceptical of the design. On short rides, I didn't see much advantage although I did appreciate the toe rub protection and the incredibly grippy material on the interior of the shoe. It wasn't until I got the Vaypour S out on a long ride that I really appreciated the extra space in the toe box. It's much more substantial than Specialized despite that brand getting wider in the toe box over the years. Even when my feet swell, I never have issues with pressure anywhere in the shoes. If you need even wider, there are a total of four widths to pick from without having to go for a custom size and you can even customise the carbon with a simple heat mould process. I'm also a big fan of the fully reflective exterior of the Reflex Ghost version.
One thing to be aware of though is that, as the sole is a bathtub design, with carbon sides, if your feet are too wide they are going to butt up against solid carbon rather than flexible material, so fit is paramount. Lake on the other hand also offer shoes for those with wide feet that are more forgiving.
You can read more details in our full Bont Vaypor S review.
Shimano and Specialized are, at least in the US, the two most common brands. Just about every bike shop carries both and comparisons are obvious. As you look to decide between the two, the signature difference is how Shimano handles the closure design. Instead of coming from both sides of the shoe and closing in the middle, as you'd expect from a shoe, Shimano wraps one side over the other. It's unique compared to almost everything on the market and it makes for a narrower fit throughout. This latest generation adds more vertical volume at the toe but as soon as you start to head towards the back of the shoe everything narrows out. It's not as narrow as Giro but definitely more so than Specialized and that continues all the way to the heal cup which is even narrower than the Giro Empire.
Outside of that, the big differentiator for Shimano is how much cleat adjustment the brand builds into the sole. The channel for sliding the cleat mount is roughly 18mm compared to 10-11mm for most brands. It might not sound like a big difference but if you want to get your cleat way back to the centre of your foot, most brands won't do it. Shimano does, as does Fizik, but Fizik is even narrower than Shimano. If getting the cleat towards the centre of your foot is your desire, Shimano will do it and you also get excellent toe rub protection, great mid-foot retention, and incredible colour options.
You can read more details in our full Shimano S-Phyre RC903 review.
I almost didn't put the Lake CX403 on this list because it's so expensive. There are less expensive options as well though and Lake is offering a shoe unlike anything else on the market. It starts with one of the stiffest outsoles I've ever experienced and plenty of venting. Then, the upper uses kangaroo leather that's luxurious, supple, and available in beautiful colour options. Over the upper part of the foot, where the top BOA dial controls retention, is a carbon fibre fabric from Carbitex. The fabric keeps the upper strap from stretching and allows for even more precise adjustment. The whole ankle surround, a common weak spot for many great shoes, is also exceptionally well padded.
Looking at all the details, this is one of the most advanced shoes on the market and it's hard to find fault with it. At least as long as you are considering the technology and the performance. There is a downside when it comes to the scale. I suspect that the exceptionally stiff sole is also a bit heavy. Whatever it is though, the Lake CX403 is the heaviest shoe on the list even coming in with more weight than low cost shoes with nylon soles.
If a little extra weight isn't an issue for you, you'll still want to be aware of the sizing. The size chart was accurate for me but be mindful that the instructions say to add 5mm to the length of the measurement you take from your foot.
Read more detail in our full Lake CX403 review.
I suspect that a lot of people looking for the best cycling shoes are looking for something that covers everything you need from a shoe as well as the ability to ride a bike. If you want a pair of shoes that you can wear all day then get on your bike at the end of the day, that's what this category is all about. There are two different ways to go about that though.
It's more efficient to clip into a pedal when riding. Your foot will never slip and you can pull up as well as push down. If you'd prefer to go that direction, even with a casual shoe, then the Adidas Velosamba is the way to do it. The sole is stiffer to resist the forces of the cleat acting on a small area and while the cleat sits below the surface of the sole, you'll want to take care on wood floors. Those drawbacks aside though, you get the iconic Adidas sneaker design and it's perfect for jumping on a city bike and clipping in. The laces will tuck into an elastic garage to stay out of the way and it's a comfortable casual experience.
Another direction you could go is to just skip the clipless pedals all together and go for the Stamp Streed Fabio from Crankbrothers. These are actually high-performance cycling shoes focused on a genre that uses flat pedals. Trials and street rider Fabio Wibmer helped design the shoe and instead of clipping in it uses a flexible, sticky, rubber bottom. It's a super comfortable shoe to wear, and it works well on a bike, but you do lose that extra bit of connection. Like the Velosamba, Crankbrothers uses a lace garage to keep the laces safe while riding.
We have a buyer's guide specifically covering the best gravel bike shoes, but every time I'm asked to narrow it down to one shoe the S-Works Recon gravel shoe is the one I pick. More than that though, this shoe is making an appearance here on the more general list because the latest version of this shoe is essentially a clone of the S-Works Torch. The whole upper is exactly the same design pulled from the trends seen through over 100,000 foot scans as part of the RETÜL fit system. You still get the same widened toe box and squared off front. You also get the same hard wearing upper that is easy to clean and the same BOA dials that look amazing but don't pop to release. If you ever experienced pain around your ankle from an S-Works off-road shoe in the past, this latest version fixes that issue with a dropped external ankle arch.
The place where things start to look different is in the sole. It's still ultra-stiff carbon that's perfect for high-intensity all day riding but it's also a two bolt cleat mount and there is some tread so you can walk. The whole design is almost more of an all-road design and it's a perfect shoe for a road rider who jumps back and forth between types of bikes.
Also Tested
I always test products that miss out on the final buyers guide. When it comes to the best cycling shoes, there were a lot more that almost made it than some of the other guides. Fantastic shoes that are incredibly good but just missed inclusion when compared to other options. If there's something about any of these that sparks a connection to your needs, you won't go wrong.
The first pair of shoes that were close but ultimately missed the main list are the Sidi Shot 2. Sidi is a somewhat legendary name in cycling shoes and the only reason these missed out is price. In the US, the pricing is well over many of the options listed above. In exchange for that price increase, you don't get noticeably more technology. In other parts of the world, you might find more advantageous pricing, and if you do find pricing that works, you'll get a traditional pointed toe box and a narrow fit paired with the best heel retention of any of the shoes I tested. The Tecno-3 Push Flex system is also incredibly comfortable but there's no pop open function and no micro-adjustment for loosening.
The Fizik Vento Stabilita Carbon is also a shoe that does one thing better than anyone else. The design leaves the upper completely soft under the arch then pulls the strap for closure through that same section. The effect is perfect for anyone who has a high arch and the shoe is also incredibly light with tons of cleat adjustability. Despite all the strengths, the strap that runs across the top of the foot can sometimes create a pressure point. It's a shoe that solves a very specific problem while potentially creating another. Not only that but the Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave is one of my favourite shoes of all time and the two are similar enough I gave it the nod for the list. If you've got high arches, you might want to consider the Vento Stabilita Carbon.
Like the Fizik, the Adidas Road BOA cycling shoe missed because of a competing product from the same brand. This time though, it really comes down to price. The sole of the Adidas The Road Shoe and the Adidas Road BOA cycling shoe is the same. That means you pay a premium to add a BOA dial while getting similar performance. If that's a must have, you've got the option but otherwise, the laces on The Road Shoe do a great job and you get the best pricing.
Yet another shoe that lost out to sibling rivalry is the Specialized S-Works Ares. The Ares is one of my favourite shoes and a shoe I always grab when I need something I know will work. It locks your foot in place better than anything else out there. The problem is that it's an older shoe at this point and Specialized has moved on to a newer design. The Torch has most of what makes the Ares good but also has the wider toe box and, arguably, looks a lot better.
The last shoes that almost made the list are the Rapha Pro Team shoes. The Rapha shoes are a narrow fit similar to Fizik and for me, it's perfect. What I notice every time I put them on though isn't the fit, it's how stiff the sole is. It's unlikely that you are thinking of Rapha when you are considering an ultra stiff cycling shoe but you should. Despite all the good, the reason that the Rapha shoes aren't in the main list is that the knit outer is impossible to clean. It looks beautiful when new but it's very difficult to keep it looking that way. If you are willing to take the risk, the performance of the Rapha Pro Team shoes is among the best.
How to choose the best cycling shoes for you
The first thing you are going to want to think about is what kind of cleat you would prefer to use. This list is mostly options for road cycling and that generally means a three-bolt cleat mounting system. If you'd prefer to use a two-bolt cleat then you need a shoe designed for that type of cleat. I've included one gravel specific option and there is also one shoe that lets you use either type. If you want more options for two-bolt shoes, take a look at our list of the best gravel bike shoes.
With that out of the way, the next decision is what kind of closure system you want. I test a lot of shoes and I'm not someone who's all that bothered with different systems. If given the option, I'd choose laces because I like the look and I feel they are the most comfortable. The downside is that there's no way to reach down while riding and loosen, or tighten, your shoe just a little. For some people, that is a deal breaker. If you constantly fiddle with your shoes, then there's nothing easier and more precise than a good BOA dial. Fizik also has the Powerstrap design which lets you reach down and make changes although it lacks the precision and speed of a BOA.
With those two details out of the way, you are likely looking at only a small number of shoes and now it's time to decide how wide your foot is. There's been a big shift to wider cycling shoes over the last few years. For some, that's been a boon. I don't have wide feet though so it's been less exciting for me.
You might also consider your arch support at this point but it is a little less important. Unlike width, you can add extra arch support down the road. Some shoes give arch support options that you can easily swap out, or Bont has high-quality insoles you can use in shoes of your choice. Aftermarket options are also available from non cycling brands. There is also a whole world of custom insoles that you can move from shoe to shoe.
Why do road bike shoes use three-bolt cleats?
Most people don't start with clipless pedals and shoes. As a cyclist progresses in their, hopefully, lifelong cycling adventure there tends to be a point at which people decide to start clipping in. It's at this point that most people look at two-bolt cleats and three-bolt cleats, and the shoes that match, and wonder why anyone would choose the option you can't walk in.
The reason road bike shoes use three-bolt cleats is all about the specific needs of road cycling. Road cycling focuses on pedalling and there's no need to stop other than, perhaps, a short walk across pavement to the coffee shop table. More pedalling, and more time pedalling means that concentrating the pressure of the pedal in a smaller spot can lead to discomfort in that spot. Three-bolt cleats are bigger and better disperse the pressure.
Another reason for three-bolt cleats instead of two is part style and part tradition. Modern day two-bolt shoes can work just fine because the sole of the shoe can be stiff enough to disperse the pressure. It wasn't always like that though. When shoes were softer, pedals had to do more of the work and at this point road bike tradition is to use a three-bolt cleat so that's what road bike shoes tend to use.
If you want to buck the trend and use a two-bolt shoe that's walkable, you can do it. You'll need to look at mountainbike, or gravel specific shoes and pedals but there are plenty of great options. There's no technical reason you can't pair what you like with a road bike.
What about four-bolt cleats and compatible shoes?
Okay, it's true, not all road cycling cleats attach to road cycling shoes with three-bolts. There are also four-bolt cleats that work with Speedplay pedals and there are some options for shoes using that interface. It's a relatively uncommon option though. For one thing, it only applies to one type of pedal while three-bolt systems encompass a variety of different cleats and pedals. Also, Speedplay cleats will mount to shoes that use a three-bolt system with the use of an included adapter.
Should cycling shoes be stiff?
The answer here depends on your needs. If you spend more time on a bike, and you are able to pedal harder, you will want a stiffer shoe. Part of this is a matter of efficiency and not wanting to lose power to flex in the shoe. Part of it is that a flexible shoe can cause discomfort over time.
On the other hand, you might prefer a softer shoe. If you aren't pushing that hard or riding that far, a softer shoe is going to feel more comfortable. A softer shoe also tends to be less expensive.
Do lighter cycling shoes make a difference?
This question is dear to my heart. I am a huge proponent of lighter shoes. I find there is something really wonderful about not feeling the weight of your shoe as you move and the numbers can be significant. 100 grams is a little less than 1/4 of a pound and you can feel that much weight. As with everything related to cycling though, lighter tends to be more expensive. Keeping a light shoe stiff requires a better sole and keeping the upper light will mean more expensive materials.
Do good cycling shoes make a difference?
I started by answering the weight and stiffness question before jumping into the meat of the question here. The qualities you can expect from a good pair of cycling shoes are that they will be lighter and stiffer. Sometimes, as in the case of Lake or Sidi, you will find that there's a tradeoff and instead of being lighter, the shoes will have things like padding, venting, and other technologies.
The other thing that inherently comes along for the ride is cost. So in some ways the question is more akin is it worth spending the money for better cycling shoes. The bottom line is that if you can spend the money, you will get a better product and it's nice to have better quality cycling shoes.
Stiff, light, and stylish shoes are a joy to wear. You'll find it's more comfortable to ride farther and to ride harder. You'll have less issues with hot spots in your feet and the power you put into your pedals will directly translate to propelling you forward.
Keep in mind though, this becomes more of an issue the more experienced you become with your cycling. When you are just starting out with gentle rides for 30 minutes to an hour, you are asking a lot less of all your equipment and that includes your shoes. At that stage, you might even appreciate a softer shoe. Alternatively, if you start racing you will find yourself a lot more interested in translating your effort into forward movement. If racing isn't your thing than comfort for long adventures is also an important consideration. When I head out for 12-14 hour rides I am very interested in making sure that my feet don't hurt.
How do we test?
When I write a buyers guide I spend as much time as possible with as many different products as I possibly can. For shoes, that means long rides in the 6-8 hour range and even longer when I have the opportunity. I also took the shoes I've chosen into the hills and mountains to see how they respond to climbing situations. Then, the last test involved a race situation. I took each option into a Zwift race about an hour long. This way I get a sense of how they handle shorter efforts where I am pushing as hard as possible.
There was also one other aspect of testing these shoes and that was pedals. Being a reviewer I have a variety of pedals and I have different pedals on different bikes. Generally that's not an issue but in the course of this buyer's guide, I needed the ability to change shoes for almost every ride.
My preference when it comes to pedal systems is Look. I already have a set of Look pedals on my trainer bike and I frequently use Garmin RK200 pedals when I don't have another power metre option. During this testing I added a set of Look Keo Blade Carbon pedals and Look Keo Grip cleats. By standardising my pedals I was able to swap shoes as often as I wanted to better compare.
