In The Know Cycling

Efficient power transfer, comfortable and good-looking.  It isn’t a poetic or catchy phrase but it is what you should expect and will find in the best road cycling shoes.

Efficient so that you can transfer the power you bring from your legs to your pedals with minimal loss.  Comfortable so that you can deliver that power hour after hour without your feet ever complaining.  And good-looking to you and perhaps others so that it motivates your performance and enhances your enjoyment on the road.

In this post, I share with you my evaluation of the best performance road cycling shoes for enthusiasts.  Whether you race, do club rides or like to challenge yourself on short segments or over long days, these shoes will help you ride your best in supreme comfort and look good doing it.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Click on any statement below to go directly to that part of the post

Shoes are critical to your power, speed, comfort, endurance and enjoyment of cycling

The best shoes are really worth the money, and answers to other key questions

Look past the features; fit and a few performance criteria will help you choose

Top models from Specialized, Sidi, Bont, Bontrager and Lake are the best performers

WHY TRUST THIS SITE AND MY RECOMMENDATIONS

In The Know Cycling is for road cycling enthusiasts like you and me who want to know what gear we should get next and where we can get it at the best prices from great stores.  I and my fellow In The Know Cycling testers do hours of analysis on an entire category of cycling gear and incorporate insights from other independent reviewers and riders I trust for each review.

To eliminate potential conflicts or perceived bias, I buy or demo and return or donate all the gear we test. I don’t run any ads on the site, don’t go on company-paid product introduction trips, don’t rewrite and post announcements of new gear as “first looks”, and don’t accept articles paid for or submitted by companies, stores, PR firms or guest authors.

My only influence is what I think would be best for you, my fellow roadie.  This is my passion, not a business.

You and I together make this site possible using a simple and transparent model.  I find and provide you regularly updated links to each piece of gear or kit I’ve reviewed.  Those links take you directly to the lowest priced product listings at online stores that have the highest customer satisfaction ratings amongst the 100 or so stores I track. When you click on and buy something at the stores through the red links, they pay the site a small commission that covers the gear, review, and site costs.

If you get value from this site and want me to keep cranking out reviews, click on the links and buy at the stores they take you to.  You will save money and time while supporting the creation of independent and in-depth gear reviews at the same time.  If you prefer to buy at other stores, you can still support the site and new posts by taking a pull here.  Thank you.

THE ROLE OF SHOES IN ROAD CYCLING

Let me tell you this right up front.  I don’t know or care much about cycling fashion.  Standard black and red bikes, black shoes and shorts, and jerseys from whatever events I’ve done was my starting point for most of my cycling life.  The road cycling shoes I picked always fit me fine and once that was out of the way, it looked to me like the major difference between what I and other riders wore was just style and color and various do-dads that I really didn’t need.  I focused on ridin’ rather than stylin’.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Fit doesn’t always provide the best transfer of power or comfort on a long ride.  Fit like a glove or fit like a pair of slippers or even fit in the store doesn’t always or even usually mean it’s the right fit or a comfortable fit for someone pedaling tempo to threshold zone power out on the road.

As to fashion, it’s about the last thing that should matter when it comes to picking a great pair of road cycling shoes.  Power transfer and comfort are what set shoes apart and are key to your ability to improve your performance.  Shoes that you like the look of (or don’t mind) is the icing on the cake.

Look good = feel good = ride good is certainly something I agree with.  It may also be what some companies market and what draws you in.  But looks should be why you buy a pair of cycling shoes only after you’ve chosen ones with the right fit, power transfer and comfort for you.  At least if you are a serious roadie.

Have you ever thought about getting another pair of shoes other than when your feet start to hurt or your shoes get stretched out or the uppers start looking a little shabby or something new catches your eye?  Have you ever really looked into how your choice of road cycling shoes affects your ability to ride faster or longer?  Before I started the research for this review, I must admit that as a fellow road cycling enthusiast I would have answered no to both questions.

Some of us (yes, including me) look at every opportunity to find a few extra watts or clicks of speed by picking the right wheels, tires, or helmets and by spending more time in the right aero position, shaving our legs, shedding our gloves, etc.  I’ve written posts about all those things.  But, the right shoes can also help you increase the power you deliver to your pedals and the speed that shows up on your bike computer.

Some of us focus equally or more on endurance than we do on speed and want to ride more miles or kilometers, do more centuries, sportives, fondos, etc. to get or stay healthy.  Better shoes can help you do that too.

Frankly, I should have known better than to overlook the performance benefits road cycling shoes can bring and relegate the decision-making merely to basic fit and fashion.  I grew up skiing down mountains, raced through college and still coach.  While the skis and speed suits get all the attention, the most important piece of gear is the boots.

If you aren’t wearing a pair of ski boots that fit you snugger than anything else you’ve ever worn on your feet, hold your heels down firmly, provide the room to wiggle your toes and allow you to fine tune the fit at the top of a run, it doesn’t much matter how right you got the wax on the bottom of your skis, how well you sharpened your edges, how tight your ski suit fits or how cool all your gear looks.  If you’ve got boots that are the wrong size, fit and flex, you aren’t going to get the most out of all the technique you’ve developed or tactics you’ve planned or training you’ve done.  The same goes whether you are racing or skiing moguls or taking a non-stop 15 minute top to bottom run or skiing the deep pow.

Having the right gear on your feet is also critical in football (aka soccer) or basketball or track or ice skating or volleyball or most any sport where your legs power your performance.  Fashion may get the attention and sell the footwear to those who don’t know better, but the performance your shoes enable or limit will make a big difference in your success and enjoyment.

In a lot of sports including many I just listed, shoes are your biggest expense.  In cycling, however, your footwear is one of the things you spend the least on.  Bikes, groupsets, and wheelsets all cost more for a similar level of performance than bike shoes.

Yet I and many of my fellow road cycling enthusiasts seem to be a lot more sensitive spending 100 to 200 more dollars, pounds or euros for a pair of shoes than we would be spending 200 to 600 more than that for a bike or groupset or wheelset.  We shouldn’t be.  Shoes are just as critical to your performance – your speed, power, comfort, endurance – as many pieces of gear or kit you might ride that cost much more.

THE BASIC Q&A ABOUT ROAD CYCLING SHOES

When I began the research for this post, several questions came up that had to be answered before I could move forward.  Since they apply across the whole category of cycling shoes for roadies, I’ll cover them here before sharing with you what I found out about any of the specific pairs of shoes.

Function or fashion?

The good news is that you can get both in some of the best shoes.  You can also get those same shoes in rather basic black and other top performance shoes that don’t look like they are trying to make a fashion statement.  But, you can also get some shoes that look great but don’t perform very well.

Competition or comfort?

Here again, you can get both – shoes that have very stiff and light bottom soles (known as “outsoles” in footwear lingo) and a very precise and comfortable fit.  Those that do both tend to be the higher priced shoes for the more competitive enthusiast, whether it be those looking to go faster or last longer out on the road.

You can also get shoes that are high on comfort and fit well enough but not so precisely or made with materials to get you every last watt of power transfer.  These tend to be those shoes that are 100 to 200 dollars, pounds or euros less expensive and are often favored by the endurance enthusiasts who are in it for the pure pleasure of riding and is a bit more focused on their wallet than their speed.

Readers of this blog site run the gamut from competitive enthusiasts that are willing to pay more for performance to those that are more value conscious yet enjoy their riding as much as the next cyclist, if not always at the same pace.  In this review, I’ve focused on performance shoes that provide both the most efficient power transfer and comfortable fit.

Are top-end road cycling shoes really worth the extra money?

I think I’ve covered this in the section above but allow me to repeat myself in this Q&A section of the post.  In most cases spending more for performance shoes than value ones will indeed give you better performance.  The shoes I’ve chosen for this review do with the exception of a couple lower rated ones.

Like anything else, you can take it too far.  If you don’t want to, you really don’t need to pay extra for a unique style (e.g. retro lace shoes) or a certain brand name or a top of the line model that has just about every extra you can imagine (e.g. cobranded Lake-Assos, Sidi Shot) but don’t need to get top of the line performance.

At market prices (rather than full retail), you can get a great pair of performance shoes in the $250 to $400 price range and a comfortable value shoe with far less efficient power transfer in the $150 to $200 range.  As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.  I personally think spending 100 to 200 more is a deal for the improved cycling performance and pleasure you get from your shoes, especially compared to other places you can spend that amount of money only to see little to no real benefit.

What’s all the fuss about Boa?

Boa is a proprietary combination of wires, guides, and dials that together tighten, loosen or open your shoes.  They are made by a company called Boa Technology and are used in place of laces, Velcro straps, buckles or ratchets or sometimes in combination with straps on cycling shoes and other sports and non-sports gear.  They have become the standard on performance cycling shoes and are starting to be seen on value shoes as well.

Why?  Quite simply, they can give you a better and more comfortable fit and are easier to adjust while underway than the straps, buckles etc. they have replaced.  The tension is spread more evenly across various parts of your foot as you close the shoe for a secure fit.  If they are used in combination with a high quality upper with minimal seams and a good heel cup, insole (aka footbed), and outsole in a shoe size, width and last that fits your foot, they can give you that glove-like feel with efficient power transfer that I’ve never been able to get with Velcro straps and buckles.

Are mens and womens shoes different?

Most companies do sell gender specific shoes.  That said, it’s hard to tell whether some of the women’s cycling shoes are really designed for womens feet – stereotypically narrower and smaller and of different shapes and biomechanics then mens – or are of the same design as the mens shoes but available in smaller sizes and in colors shoe makers think will appeal to women.

The good news is that there are plenty of mens shoes (or probably shoes originally made for male riders that also fit women) available in basic black, white, and other gender-neutral colors that are made in half sizes, narrow and standard widths and from different lasts (or molds based on heel width, instep height, forefoot width, and toe box depth) to serve a good range of rider needs, both men and women.

If you wear sports shoes (what we used to call sneakers) or football (aka soccer) cleats or any other sports footwear, boots or well-fitting shoes, you probably have a good idea if your feet are narrow or wide, have high arches, are sensitive to hot spots, etc.  This will help you figure out what shoes to try or what special requirements you might need to get the right fit.

How different are the sizes between brands?

There are indeed differences in how companies size their shoes.  In the individual shoe reviews below, I point out which ones run small or large and chart which run narrow, wide or standard width.

While most shoes use European sizes, there are also some great charts that convert US shoe sizes to European ones across many brands.  You can link to the most complete ones I’ve seen by clicking on Competitive Cyclist for US shoe sizes.  They are also shown below.  To convert from the UK to EU size, use the US size one full size larger than your UK size.  For example, if you are a UK size 9, use the US size 10 column to convert to the European size.

Source: Competitive Cyclist

Source: Competitive Cyclist

For those shoes I’ve evaluated that aren’t on these conversion charts, use the brand specific size chart at the links I’ve provided to great stores who carry the shoes at the best prices at the end of each review.

What are the pros and cons of buying shoes online vs. at a local bike shop?

As I learned when reviewing aero helmets (here), buying online is a more efficient way and likely to end up with you getting a better cycling shoe choice and price.

If you’ve been in a bike shop lately, you know that most carry fewer brands and less inventory of models, sizes, and colors than online stores.  So to go the bike shop route, you need to be willing to spend the time traveling around to various shops that have the models and sizes you are interested in during the hours when you should be working or could be riding or relaxing at home.  If you buy at an online store, you merely order the ones you are interested in with a few clicks whenever you want to.  That’s an easy choice for me.

Buying online, you get to wear the different shoes you are interested in hours at a time in the comfort of your own home the way you couldn’t or wouldn’t do in a bike shop.  You also don’t have a salesman in the middle of the process who might be urging you to buy something they sell but that might not be right.  But, if you aren’t sure what you need or what constitutes a good fit and you have a knowledgeable cycling shoe fitter at your store, you may benefit from buying there.

The harder choice is figuring out whether you are willing to add to your credit card balance by ordering extra models or sizes from an online store until you return the ones you don’t want versus just buying one pair after spending the time going to a lot of bike shops and trying on the shoes they have in stock at each.

You can also apply both approaches.  In my case, for example, there was one very high-end shop not too far from me that had a good selection of three of the top brands (Lake, Bont, Sidi) and a chain that sold a couple models made by the larger cycling companies (Specialized and Shimano).  Unfortunately, the shoe fitter in the high-end shop was clearly pushing shoes I didn’t need and was selling them at full price while the chain store had a model I liked in a color I didn’t nor the size that I thought would fit best and needed to special order it and wanted me to make a deposit before he would.

Competitive Cyclist in the US, one of the online stores I’ve bought a lot of gear from over the years and has a top 5 rating from the nearly 100 I track (see here), had most of the shoes and sizes and color combos in stock I was interested in and quickly processed the returns of shoes that didn’t fit before the credit card billing period ended.  (Timing is everything!)

If you are reading this, I trust you are experienced online shoppers and cycling gear buyers and know what works best for you.

If you want to know how to replicate the cleat position of your old shoes to your new ones or position them without a reference point, here’s a good video from Art’s and another from GCN that tell you how.  It’s pretty straightforward.

And if you do plan to get a pair of shoes that can be heat molded for a customized fit, know that the process to do that is designed for you to do in your home oven.  It takes a few rounds of 10-20 minutes of heating, cooling, and forming to get it right.  Few shops are set up or are going to be able to spend the time to do that with you.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR ROAD CYCLING SHOES

My discipline for each In The Know Cycling review is to evaluate gear-specific criteria that fit into four groups – Performance, Design, Quality, and Cost.  I put an emphasis on Performance and Cost criteria in making my recommendations.  Design should mostly be focused on delivering performance rather than to merely say you’ve got some innovation or a spec that no one else does.

Normally, if it doesn’t make the gear perform better or reduce cost, a novel or unique design is wasted effort.  With the look of shoes being important to some, some design approaches can provide a distinctive or gotta-have look in the designer’s or buyer’s eyes.  I can only point out but can’t judge a distinctive look with my admittedly blind-to-fashion sensitivities.  You are the best judge of what design looks best to you.

I describe the criteria within in each of the four groups here.

PERFORMANCE

As I stated at the top of this post, efficient, comfortably fitting, good-looking power transfer is what makes a good cycling shoe and how you should choose them.  Two-thirds of that formula – efficient and comfortably fitting power transfer – are clearly performance criteria.

Efficient power transfer is dependent on two things: 1) how stiff the outsole is and 2) how closely your foot moves with your shoe.  With a stiff sole and a fit that holds your foot firmly to that shoe so that it moves with no wasted effort, you’ll transfer your power efficiently.  Without a good fit or one that doesn’t hold everything but your toes in place, power will be lost somewhere between your foot and the pedal.

A good fitting road cycling shoe will keep your heel immovable, toes free, and midfoot snug.  This comes in part from picking one with the right size or, more specifically, the right “last” (heel width, instep height, forefoot width, and toe box depth).  Fit also comes from how well the upper and closure system work to wrap you at all points across the top of your midfoot (or “metatarsal” bones), how well your arch is supported by the insole (aka footbed), and how well your heel is held in place.

Comfortably fitting power transfer really speaks to your ability to stay comfortable with that right fit over time.  Obviously, if the fit is great but your foot starts to sweat or develop pressure points after you ride for a while, you’ll be less likely to transfer your power as well as you did when you first started riding.

To keep the fit comfortable over a ride of any distance, a good shoe will 1) be breathable enough to allow your feet to cool (keeping them warm is usually done through socks or overshoes, 2) not produce any hot spots or pressure points across the top of your midfoot or along the bottom touch points between the bottom of your foot and insole and 3) allow you to adjust the fit for different situations like changing temperature, swelling feet, hill climbing or sprinting.

It’s important to remember then that a good fit doesn’t guarantee comfort and you can be comfortable in shoes that don’t fit you very well.  You need both fit and comfort well secured to a stiff outsole to get good power transfer over miles and miles of riding.

Since everyone’s feet are a little different, I can only describe the cut or “last” characteristics of cycling shoes (for example: runs narrow, wide toe box, high arch) to help steer you to those that might best fit what you know to be the characteristics of your own feet.  And to be able to rate shoes on fit, efficiency and comfort for a range of readers, I’ve used input from a cross-section of reviewers I trust who have feet of different sizes and shapes (though sadly most are men’s feet) rather than just offer you the response to these shoes of my own sorry feet.

Once you get the right fit, the shoe’s efficiency and comfort performance are more easily discernible.

Too many companies market their shoes’ power transfer based on the stiffness of the outsole.  The outsole might be super rigid but if your foot moves around on top of that outsole, you aren’t going to get an efficient transfer of power.  To compare power transfer efficiency across shoes from different brands for this review, rather than just evaluating the sole’s flex or regurgitating the company flex number they come up with comparing shoes in their own line, I’ve used input from independent tester Tour magazine which did relative ratings of each shoe’s flex using an artificial foot fit and secured inside each shoe.

DESIGN

The design of a road cycling enthusiast’s shoe, as with any piece of cycling gear, is mostly focused on delivering the desired performance level for a targeted cost and partly focused on delivering a certain look.  Some designs work well in achieving the performance goals while others fall short.  Some design attributes like sole composition can be objectively measured against a performance goal while others, like a shoe’s attractiveness to a segment of customers, can only be judged in the eyes of potential buyers.

Just because a shoe has a specific technology or design feature doesn’t mean it’s going to perform better than those that don’t have them.  Design is a means to performance, cost, and aesthetic ends.  Sometimes a technology or feature helps get you there, sometimes it makes no difference or actually detracts from performance and cost goals.

Unfortunately, since performance is hard to quantify and describe, companies market the crap out of technology and features.  You see a lot of that from those selling cycling shoes similar to the way you do from those selling wheelsets or bike frames or cycling clothing.  So while I will lay out the major design criteria here, you should only be aware of them and make your choice on how well they deliver the performance, cost and look you want from your shoes, rather than whether your shoes have one design feature or another.

Outsole – Performance level shoes are almost always made from very stiff carbon fiber impregnated resins.  Value shoes use less stiff carbon fibers and often nylon fibers in their soles.  Outsoles may also be designed with ribs or other structural features to improve their stiffness or provide desired arch support levels or toward other performance objectives.  The bumpers on the front and back of the shoes, almost always replaceable are designed to protect the soles from damage or scuffing and, to a lesser degree, to make it easier to avoid falling on your face when you walk around off the bike or through a coffee shop.

Last – The dimensions of heel width, instep height, forefoot width, and toe box depth give a shoe its unique fit characteristics.  The proportions of these dimensions will typically remain consistent regardless of the length or size except when there are separate men’s and women’s shoes that are made with different lasts.

Insole (or Footbed) – Many shoes regardless of price come with very basic, wafer-thin insoles that most people will replace with those that can be best fit to the rider’s specific arch and forefoot needs.  These insoles are made by specialist companies and represent an upsell for the shop.  So you have to figure that into the shoe cost.  Some shoes do come with more substantial insoles that work as is or can be customized with included wedges that you insert or velcro to the footbed.

Closures – As mentioned in the Q&A section above, Boa closures and similar dial and wire closure systems that Sidi and Mavic have developed for their own shoes have pretty much taken over the performance market.  There are three models of Boa closures used on cycling shoes which provide you more or less functionality, mostly in loosening the shoes but they all tighten more or less the same way.

Most shoes that have Boa closures now use two dials and wires, one at the top of the shoe that close is just below your ankle and a second-placed about halfway down your shoe to close it across you midfoot or from the top to bottom of your metatarsal bones.  A few shoes will also use a small Velcro strap below the middle Boa to tighten the shoe in the area just above the toes.

With the latest generation of Boa closures called lP1 (small L, capital P, the number 1 – don’t ask me what it means), you can pull up on the dials, totally relieving all the tension in wires for a quick exit from your shoes at the end of a ride or to open them fully to put your foot in when you first put them on.  Earlier models still found on some shoes like the Specialized S-Works 6 allow you to turn the dial one way or another to tighten or loosen the wires but don’t have this total release function, something I welcome on form-fitting shoes.

Laces have made a comeback with retro or football styled cycling shoes.  You’ll see them both on high performance and value shoes most prominently from Giro.  Laces provide almost infinite adjustment to get the fit right when you first put them on but you obviously can’t adjust them while riding unless you stop.

Ratchets, buckles, and Velcro straps are the traditional closure systems used mostly on value shoes these days but you will find straps used in combination with dial and wire closures in some cases as in the example mentioned above.

Upper – Uppers differ based on the type of material being used, how many separate pieces are stitched together, and how flexible, soft and breathable they are.  Some shoes use real leather, most use a synthetic leather-like material and others use a synthetic mesh.

One piece uppers eliminate the potential pressure points or “hot spots” across the top of your feet that come with stitching or seams pressing down on them.  The more stitching and seams, the more likely you get pressure points and potentially an uneven fit from materials that stretch differently.

Some shoes will use a synthetic leather upper with a more breathable mesh near the toes to provide more ventilation where feet tend to sweat more.  Uppers will also be perforated with holes to improve breathability.  Softer and more flexible uppers can improve flexibility and improve the shoe’s fit but may also provide more give when you are pedaling and lead to less efficient power transfer.

Venting – To keep your feet from overheating, uppers usually have perforations throughout the upper sometimes combined with a mesh area in spots where the feet can get especially overheated.  Some shoes are great for the summer while others with less ventilation can be worn three seasons without an overshoe but might be a little warm in the summer.  Most good shoes have vents in the outsole for cooling which will be covered over with an overshoe when riding in cooler weather.

Customization – Some of the more expensive shoes have heat moldable insoles, heel cups, and even uppers to customize the fit to your shoes.  Moldable insoles make sense if you have feet that pronate unusually.  Moldable uppers or integrated upper and outsoles like on Bonts can help improve your fit if you have bunions or you have found over the years that you just have a hard time finding shoes that will fit your feet.

According to the companies that make these heat moldable shoes, most people don’t need or even use the molding.  Heat moldable shoes are often more expensive and take several hours of molding and remolding over the first few months of use to get them right.  If you feel or are being told you need a moldable shoe, you may want to consider whether you are going with what seems like a cure-all feature that you don’t really need or your shop is trying too hard to sell you a shoe that’s not right for you.

Weight – Cycling shoe weight is another place where we as riders and the industry as marketers put way too much emphasis on something that matters so relatively little.  With the exception of a couple of outliers, most of the Performance shoes weigh within 50 grams of each other at around 250 grams per shoe.  This is not a criterion most enthusiasts should concern themselves with.

Sizes – You’ll find half sizes available for most shoes in the more common foot size range, women’s sizes or at least smaller shoes of similar lasts from most, and some shoes sold in both normal and wide widths.  While most shoes have normal or standard widths that fit the largest number of cyclists, the lasts on some shoes are naturally narrow or wide to start out with.  The chart below shows where each shoe falls on the width spectrum including those that sell multiple widths of the same shoe.

Outsole bolt holes – Nearly all road shoes come with 3 bolt holes in the outsole to work with road cleats made by Shimano and Look, the most popular pedal systems.  Speedplay, another popular road pedal system, use cleats with 4 holes.  While you can find a couple shoes that come with outsoles specifically designed for 4-hole Speedplay cleats, a simple adapter Speedplay makes can convert any 3-hole shoe to work with their pedals.  If the shoe you are interested in only has 2 holes, you better be planning to use them with mountain bike cleats as they won’t work with your road bike ones.

Walking – Chris Froome took to running in his cycling shoes on a 2016 Tour de France stage up Mount Ventoux when his bike was run over by a moto and there were no other bikes (or running shoes) immediately available.  While none of these shoes are designed for running and few are really great to walk in for long, there are some I’ve noted that may be less desirable than most for a mid-ride trip into the café.

Style – We can all judge this for ourselves.  My suggestion is to get a shoe that will provide a comfortable fit first and efficient power transfer if you want a performance level shoe.  Once you’ve done that, pick between the shoes whose look or style you are good with.  Most come in black and white along with yellow or red with standard lines while there are others that have tried to separate themselves with a unique style or comfort touches including some with a retro lace-up closure system, others with real kangaroo leather, and still others with bright neon green, orange, and blue color choices.

QUALITY

Fortunately, all the shoes I’ve reviewed are made of pretty high quality.  The most you should have to do is replace the heel pads on the bottom of the shoes when they wear down to improve your walking rather than your riding.  You’ll also want to keep your Boa system clean by using some water on the dials and silicone on the wire guides to avoid things from getting gummed up.

Here’s a brief video from Boa and Specialized which shows how.

Of course, you may treat your shoes in ways that extend or shorten their life.  My suggestion is that if you are going to put a few hundies down on a nice pair of shoes, take care of them.  I’ve tried to point out where I know of a shoe’s reputation for wearing out in one place or another.  Frankly, all you’ll have to do with most of these shoes is replace the heel pad, keep the closure systems and uppers clean and avoid scuffing the soles and they’ll last a long time… or until something new catches your eye.

COST

With shoes, your cost is primarily what you pay for them when you first buy them.  Other than heel pads, there are no added or maintenance costs you need to figure in along the way.  Depending on the shoes you buy or the needs of your feet, you may need to buy custom insoles when you first get your shoes.  A lot of us just transfer the insoles we already had made up from shoe to shoe.

Like much of the cycling gear these days, the price of shoes often depends on whether the company sells them just through local bike shops or also sells them online.  Specialized and Bontrager, which make two of the more highly rated shoes only sell them through local bike shops and independent bike dealers and offer little discount off their MSRP or RRP.  Some of these shops also sell online but the distribution is frequently limited to sales in-country.

Most of the other shoes reviewed can be bought online, often at a 10-20% discount to the store prices.  Those who only sell through a few online stores are typically closer to the 10% discount level.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

With the chart below and the to-the-point comments about each shoe that follows, my attempt is to give you enough about what matters using the selection criteria I just laid out so you can pick a shoe or a couple of shoes you want to try on.  While I normally recommend a best performer in each category of gear I review, I can’t do that for shoes for two reasons.  First, some great shoes will not fit your feet and second, how a shoe looks will be important in choosing between them for some of you.

What I have done is give you a performance rating for each shoe based on efficiency and comfort, assuming you’ve got the right fit to start with.  While most shoes are designed to fit the majority of riders, some shoes run narrow or wide by design or heritage and a few are made in more than one width.

My suggestion is to look for the shoes with the best performance rating in the column of the chart that you think best fits the width of your feet.  So, if you normally wear a narrow shoe, look at the shoes in that column of the chart.  I’ve rated the shoes that are in the upper right of each column highest on overall performance.  That overall performance rating is simply the rating I’ve given for comfort times the efficiency rating.  Similar to a golf score or a course time, the lower the number, the better the rating.

Specialized S-Works 7 – With superior efficiency and comfort, there’s few if any better

Performance Rating: 1

Like: Great, molded-like fit and comfort sustained over hours with little micro-adjustment required; as stiff/efficient power transfer as any shoe; great heel hold down; midfoot supported well between form-fitting upper and out/insole supported arch; room for toes to move around; vented toe box; bonded seams with no hot spots; comes in basic black or white but looks can be spiced up with neon yellow or rocket red dipped options

Don’t Like: Hard to get into – would be easier to get into with the newest Boa dials that fully release rather than unwinding the wire; some shoes have had dial/wire issues requiring maintenance or replacement but lifetime guarantee covers costs; some break-in time; won’t fit heavier/winter socks in size that best fits regular socks; one of the most expensive and not discounted

For you if: Regularly sized feet, don’t plan to ride shoes in cold weather

Not for you if: Flat feet, wide ankles, don’t like a close fit, don’t want to spend top dollar

Notable: Two Boa2 closures, stitchless seam upper, one of the lightest (225g)

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$400, £280, €370. Available online for UK/EU residents from Tredz 10% off w/code ITKTDZ10,CycleStore. Others can find these shoes in local bike shops

Sidi Wire Carbon – First-rate power transfer and comfort but some drawbacks that show its age

Performance Rating: 1

Like: Supremely stiff, breathable shoes with excellent and highly tunable fit for narrow feet that together provide top-of-the-chart power transfer efficiency and comfort; classic cycling shoe looks; for years, the benchmark for others

Don’t Like: One of the most expensive and heaviest performance shoes; Sidi proprietary dial and reel system not as easy to use for fit tuning underway as Boa; simple insole that comes with shoe needs replacement if you want more support under your forefoot or arch; many “innovations” that are more complex to use than more modern shoes from others

For you if: Narrow feet; compete or want the best performance in a classic shoe where price isn’t important

Not for you if: Want a more modern, simpler, lighter and less expensive shoe

Notable: As many different color combinations as you could imagine suiting your kit

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$500, £300, €400, AUD$500. Available from Competitive Cyclist, Amazon, UK/EU Tredz 10% off w/code ITKTDZ10, Chain Reaction, Wiggle, Merlin.

Bont VayporS – Outstanding power transfer for race-focused enthusiasts who want a custom fit

Performance Rating: 2

Like: Ultimate stiffness and power transfer from a one-piece boat-like structure that integrates outsole and supporting parts of the upper; outsole/upper structure can be molded to riders’ unique fit needs

Don’t Like: Walking in shoes will soon scuff and wear outsole; not the most comfortable over longer rides; can get quite warm in hot weather; will likely take multiple moldings to get desired fit; some find the unconventional forefoot shape and boat structure unattractive; insole provided is useless so need to buy better one adding to already high cost

For you if: Race or are competitive enthusiast; have hard to fit feet especially because of unique protrusions from bones or bunions; have the patience or even like to adjust your gear over a period of time to get it just right and superior to others

Not for you if: Looking for a versatile shoe – competition, endurance, able to walk around; have flat fee (arch built into sole)

Notable: Sizes run small but come in normal, wide and narrow fit options; very small distance between bottom of foot and cleat (“stack height”) requires lowering seat post a few mm to maintain bike fit; excellent Boa closures and placement

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$440, £270, €360, AUD$480.  Available from Wiggle, Tredz 10% discount w/code ITKTDZ10.

Bontrager XXX Road Shoe – Excellent power transfer and average comfort at a top price

Performance Rating: 2

Like: Power transfer in the top tier of performance shoes; good air flow in warm weather

Don’t Like: Thicker upper is stiff and feels tight, less comfortable than the best shoes; takes a few long rides to break-in to average comfort level

For you if: Have wide feet; don’t want to mess with custom molding

Not for you if:  Value comfort

Notable: Top of the line Boa lP1 closures for easy exit

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$400, £270, €350, $460.  Available from Trekbikes.com

Lake CX332 – Customizable and comfortable but more flexible leather upper makes for less efficient power transfer

Performance Rating: 2

Like: Leather upper provides comfortable, real-world feel. Heat moldable heel allows a custom heel fit. Dual Boa dials give more control than prior one Boa model.  Stiff bottom sole.  Good looking shoes in basic black and white. Come in standard and wide models and 4 drilled hole option for Speedplay pedals.

Don’t Like: Takes a couple dozen rides to break in the uppers.  Toe box runs a bit narrow.  Flexible leather upper material leads to average power transfer against today’s shoes. Boa L6 dials only turn to tighten; have to lift Boa to take all pressure off and then tighten to the desired level.

For you if:  You want the look and comfort of a leather upper and are willing to trade-off a bit of power transfer for it.

Not for you if:  You want precision fit, micro-adjusting, maximum power transfer shoes.

Notable: Lake CX 402 model allows for sole as well as heel moldability for even more custom fit at a higher price.  Also comes in red.

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$430, £326, €365.  Available from Competitive Cyclist, Sigma Sport, Mantel UK, Bike24

Giro Empire SLX – Exceptional comfort and unique style at expense of power transfer and adjustability

Performance Rating: 3

Like: Superb fit and slipper-like comfort lasting throughout the ride; lightest performance shoe going though matters more in feel than performance; one of the least expensive performance shoes; some find them very breathable while others find them sweaty

Don’t Like: Below average power transfer despite stiff outsole because of poor arch support and thin, flexible upper; takes a while to lace up just right; have to stop if you like to adjust fit during ride; thin sole can require shorter cleat bolts and lowering seat post

For you if: Prize comfortable fit, weight, and style above all else; have narrow feet

Not for you if: Like to tighten/adjust shoes for in-ride situations; don’t want to mess with laces; have wide feet; are a competitive or racer level enthusiast

Notable: Very low stack height, three different arch height insole options; super light (175g per shoe)

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$350, £275, €325, AUD$400.  Available from Competitive Cyclist, Tredz 10% off with code ITKTDZ10, Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles.

Gaerne Carbon G.Stillo – Brash cycling style and excellent long ride comfort at the expense of efficiency

Performance Rating: 3

Like: Great comfort from flexible and breathable upper and padded tongue; distinctive Italian, football shoe styling

Don’t Like: Emphasis on comfort comes at expense of power transfer; different views on heel retention; front outsole pad is not replaceable; expensive

For you if: Bold colors and brash design trumps all

Not for you if: Looking for traditionally narrow Italian shoe fit – these run at normal widths

Notable:  Comes with insole that has limited arch support – will likely want to replace with better one; white shoes come with a 4 hole Speedplay cleat option

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$420, £320, €415.  Available from Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles

Fi’zi:k R1B – High on comfort but mushy fit and power transfer

Performance Rating: 4

Like: Supremely comfortable feel with cushioning for ankle and heel and use of soft upper synthetic; among the easiest to get on and off; very sleek look

Don’t Like: Heel hold average; narrow toe box; precarious walking on smooth surfaces; cleat mounting holes may not slide back enough; run a bit large

For you if: Comfort and style matters more than fit and performance

Not for you if: Wide feet; competitive enthusiast rider; walk through coffee shops often

Notable: Pullover flap makes tongue irrelevant

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$400, £280, €350.  Available from Competitive Cyclist, Tredz 10% off with code ITKTDZ10, Chain Reaction Cycles

Louis Garneau Course Airlite – Moderately stiff and comfortable shoes available in striking colors

Performance Rating: 4

Like: Combination of good, if not the best power transfer and comfort; red and neon provide striking color options along with standard white; well supporting and comfortable insoles for arch and forefoot; closure system that allows easy exit when you need it

Don’t Like: Heel hold down depends on friction pads more so than heel cup shape; good not great shoe

For you if: Aren’t willing/able to spend top dollar for bold looking performance shoes

Not for you if: Wide feet; don’t like loud shoes; want the best level of power transfer for racing

Notable: Two sets of insoles provided – one with perforations for hot weather and a second with insulation for colder temps; top of the line Boa lP1 closures that fully release tension enabling you to quickly remove shoes

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$360, £225, €245, AUD$450.  Available from Competitive Cyclist

Scott Road RC – Good but not top-ranked power transfer efficiency and comfort

Performance Rating: 4

Like: Good overall comfort; stiff yet breathable upper and very good heel hold provides good efficiency

Don’t Like: All “good” and a lot of “innovations” but nothing that really distinguishes the performance or attracts me to this shoe over others: white Boa dials hard to keep clean

For you if: Narrow feet

Not for you if: Want black shoes or distinctive styling

Notable: Run small; insoles come with wedges to add height under toes and arch; stiff outsole from front through arch but more flexible under heel, theoretically for injury prevention; latest Boa dials

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$350, £250, €300.  Available from Competitive Cyclist

Pearl Izumi PRO Leader III – Poor heel hold and breathability detract from efficiency and comfort

Performance Rating: 6

Like: Comfortable over long rides in moderate weather; forefoot angle and arch height easily adjusted with inserts;

Don’t Like: Not as efficient as shoes with the best power transfer; wide heel cup and loose heel hold; not as breathable as best shoes; lined grid styling and dial placement isn’t appealing for my tastes

For you if: Comfort and distinctive style are priorities

Not for you if: Have high metatarsal bones across top of foot; ride in hot weather

Notable: Boa lP1 closure system; dials placed on heavily padded tongue

Pricing: MSRP/RRP USD$320, £250, €350, AUD$440.  Available from Competitive Cyclist, Cyclestore, Tredz 10% discount with code ITKTDZ10

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