Choosing a pair of cycling shoes isn’t such a simple task. There are a ton of different factors that go into producing a quality cycling shoe, and a lot you’ll have to consider when selecting a pair. If you haven’t yet, read through our guide on how to choose cycling shoes to learn what’s most important. But if you are already confident with what you need, you can continue on. In this article, we cover what our top picks are in the category of road, triathlon, and city cycling shoes. That way, there will be something here for all types of cyclists. As for all the off-road cyclists and mountain bikers, we’ll cover our top picks on these in another article. With this in mind, let’s find out what we think are the best cycling shoes.
Tips on Picking Cycling Shoes
Share This Guide On Your Site
Best Cycling Shoes 2018
Best Road Cycling Shoes
With a smooth, blank outsole, road cycling shoes are built primarily for, you guessed it, the road. Road shoes should be well vented with a quick and easy closure system. Ratchets, velcro, or BOA lacing will work best, although some shoes incorporate laces for fine-tuning fit. The best type of material for the sole is probably carbon fiber, as it is very stiff and lightweight for maximum energy transfer. However, if you’re just starting out, a nylon or carbon composite sole will work fine and will cost a lot less. You will also want to stick with upper materials that don’t stretch, such as synthetics, composites, and mesh.
Entry Level Road Cycling Shoes
- Sole Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Closure Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Upper Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Bolt Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Weightfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Carbon composite
- BOA
- Microfiber
- 3 bolt
- 280g
- Nylon
- Velcro straps
- Synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 305g
- Reinforced nylon
- Velcro straps
- Synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 273g
- Reinforced nylon
- Velcro straps + buckle
- Synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 285g
- Carbon composite
- BOA + velcro strap
- Synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 280g
Mid-Range Road Cycling Shoes
- Sole Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Closure Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Upper Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Bolt Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Weightfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Carbon composite
- Dual BOA + strap
- Mesh, TPU, and synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 248g
- Carbon composite
- Laces
- Knit + TPU
- 3 bolt
- 250g
- Carbon reinforced nylon
- BOA + strap
- Microtex
- 3 bolt
- 250g
- Carbon composite
- BOA + strap
- Synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 245g
- Carbon composite
- BOA + velcro strap
- Synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 250g
High-End Road Cycling Shoes
- Sole Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Closure Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Upper Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Bolt Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Weightfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Carbon fiber
- Dual BOA + strap
- Dyneema mesh + TPU
- 3 bolt
- 224g
- Carbon fiber
- Push buckles
- Lorica Vernice microfiber
- 3 bolt
- N/A
- Carbon fiber
- Techlace pro retention
- Monofilament mesh + TPU reinforcement
- 3 bolt
- 150g
- Carbon fiber
- Dual BOA
- Knit fabric
- 3 bolt
- 255g
- Carbon fiber
- Dual BOA
- Klite kangaroo leather + mesh
- 3 bolt
- N/A
Best Triathlon Cycling Shoes
Next we have the best cycling shoes built specifically for triathlons, which offer faster and easier power transfer. Triathlon cycling shoes are also quick to slip in and out of, can be adjusted while riding, and are comfortable for long-distance riding, which is what triathlons usually consist of. Although very similar to road cycling shoes, these key differences are what separate them in use.
- Sole Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Closure Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Upper Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Bolt Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Weightfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Carbon fiber
- BOA + strap
- Water-resistant micromatrix
- 3 bolt
- 280g
- Carbon fiber
- Velcro straps
- Seamless composite
- 3 bolt
- 225g
- Carbon fiber
- BOA + strap
- Microfiber + mesh
- 3 bolt
- 250g
- Carbon fiber
- Velcro straps
- Synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 271g
- Carbon fiber
- Velcro straps
- Synthetic
- 3 bolt
- 235g
Best City/Casual Cycling Shoes
When you’re looking to cycle around town or commute, city cycling shoes will be your best friends. Because only amateurs cycle around the city in clip ins or platform pedals. City cycling shoes will look like casual or light cycling shoes but with a clipless 2-bolt pedal system so you can pedal efficiently while also being able to walk in them comfortably.
- Sole Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Closure Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Upper Materialfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Bolt Systemfont-weight: bold; font-size: 16px;
- Nylon/rubber
- Laces
- Leather
- 2 bolt
- Rubber
- Laces
- Synthetic
- 2 bolt
- Rubber/hardened midsole
- Laces
- Handcrafted leather
- 2 bolt
- Rubber/hardened midsole
- Laces
- Suede leather
- 2 bolt
- Natural gum rubber
- Slip-on
- Full grain leather
- 2 bolt
Best Cycling Shoe Brands
|
