Best cycling shoes 2025: Our top-rated and reviewed shoes for road cycling

Fit is paramount when it comes to choosing the best cycling shoes for you. Of the three contact points with the best road bikes, there’s arguably nothing more critical than shoes: they are at the nexus of the energy transfer between body and bicycle. Sloppily fitted shoes prevent the power from being transferred efficiently to the best road bike pedals and propelling you forward. However, every rider’s feet are different, so no single pair of shoes works best for everyone.

There are plenty of areas to save money that will not impede you from enjoying your time on the bike, but this is not the case with footwear. You’ll be happier, faster, and more comfortable on the bike with shoes that fit well. If that means shelling out a little more, then so be it; cheap shoes aren't cheap if they are uncomfortable and need replacing sooner rather than later. For some of the best value shoes, have a read through our Best budget cycling shoes guide.

However, the most expensive shoes won't necessarily be the best or most comfortable as they become a lot stiffer and more performance-orientated. Thats why a balance is so key and why we have selected the Specialized S-Works Torch as our best overall. Specialized have perfectly balanced the performance with their renowned body geometry fit, and dual BOAs keep the foot secure and distribute pressure evenly.

If you enjoy riding off-road, check out our best gravel bike shoes guide. Regular commuter bike users should also check out our best cycling shoes for commuting suggestions.

The quick list

The best cycling shoes: Our top-rated & reviewed shoes for road cycling

Best Overall

The S-Works Torch is Specialized’s top-of-the-line racing shoe, seen on the feet of Remco Evenepoel and other WorldTour animators of note. The S-Works Torch features two Boa S3 dials, an exceptionally stiff sole, and an asymmetrical heel cup. The sole has a single small vent under the toe, as well as a replaceable heel tread piece.

Specialized has refined its shoe designs over many iterations, and this latest version offers an impressive set of features. The shoe has been widened by 4 millimeters compared to the outgoing S-Works 7, and has a redesigned upper with material optimized specifically for each area of the foot.

The alloy dials are robust, and the back-and-forth style ratchet allows for easy fit micro-adjustment, however, the lack of a quick release feature (most BOA dials allow you to pull up the mechanism to release it all the way) means they’re slow to remove from your feet. The heels did an exceptionally good job holding my foot in place and preventing movement within the shoe. Specialized’s shoes are best for mid- to high-volume feet, especially in the toe box.

Specialized uses a fit philosophy called Body Geometry as part of the design of its shoes. The most notable feature of this is a slight outward cant to the shoe, which Specialized claims better aligns the knee and ankle. It won’t work for everyone (I need additional support in the other direction, for example) but is backed by the company’s research into pedal dynamics.

At 211 grams per shoe (size 40.5) the S-Works Torch is among the lightest shoes here, though they are also among the most expensive at $450.

On the road, the shoes operate like the WorldTour-proven footwear they are. Power transfer is exceptionally good, which is a function of both stiffness and the shape of the shoes, which held my feet in place firmly and left no room for extraneous movement. The two BOA dials are well placed to distribute pressure evenly over the foot and accommodate a variety of foot shapes. I find Specialized shoes to run slightly big, so usually choose a half-size smaller.

My only significant qualm with the S-Works Torch shoes is fit-related: the shape of the soles has a significant upward curve at the toe, which just doesn’t work well for my feet. I think it’s something that I could get used to, but it bothered me for the first few test rides. This may or not be an issue for you.

Read the full Specialized S-Works Touch cycling shoe review

Best for stiffness

Shimano's top-of-range S-Phyre RC 903 is an upgrade to the RC902 that has reduced the weight a little, altered the lower BOA Li2 dial's lacing, integrated the heel cup more and increased ventilation.

Shimano makes the shoes in two widths. We found the standard width a little narrow, but the wide fit, although only 3 to 4mm wider, worked better for us. BOA's Li2 dials provide micro adjust meant in both directions, so the shoes could be tightened or loosened whilst riding as conditions changed.

The arch support is adjustable and supports the foot well and the quite narrow toe box and secure heel cup mean that feet feel planted when sprinting with no heel lift or foot movement.

Read more: Shimano S-Phyre RC903 cycling shoes full review

Best for wide feet

The Lake CX403 shoes are heat moldable, a popular feature on many higher-end cycling shoes. They're designed as a race shoe rather than an all-rounder and we found them a bit stiff and with a low volume for everyday use but perfect for shorter blasts where the efficient power transfer really shines.

A mix of soft leather and stiff carbon fiber in the uppers aims to provide comfort along with support in all the appropriate places. Two independent BOA dials allow the instep and forefoot to be adjusted separately for improved personalization of fit.

They're easy to mold both at a dealer and at home and you can repeat the process multiple times, making them a good option if your feet are an awkward shape for off-the-peg cycling shoes.

Read more: Lake CX403 shoes cycling shoes full review

Best for arch support

The Vento Stabilata Carbon is Fizik's top road shoe. Using Fizik's Dynamic Arch Support 2.0 system, it's designed for durability, but at a measured 540g for a pair of size 43.5 it is not quite as light as some competitors.

The mid-sole arch support system uses mesh, adding some extra ventilation to the carbon sole which Fizik claims is the stiffest in its range. As with its other shoes, Fizik has shifted the cleat bolt holes rearward, but not so much as to stop more forward cleat placement if you prefer this.

The synthetic upper feels robust and is easier to clean than fabric models. It's closed by two BOA Li2 dials for excellent micro adjustment and feels moderately wide.

Our tester doesn't suffer from any problems with arch pain, so the arch support system didn't provide any tangible benefits beyond a more cupped feeling, but we still rated the Vento Stabilata Carbon as an excellent pair of racing shoes.

Read more: Fizik Vento Stabilata Carbon full review

Best heat moldable shoe

Bont uses a bathtub design for the unidirectional carbon sole of its Vaypor S road shoe, meaning that it slightly cradles your foot rather than just being underneath. This adds increased stiffness to the shoe which is then continued in the anti-stretch fabric of the upper.

Reliable and hugely adjustable fastening is provided by two BOA Li2 dials, with precise adjustment available even on the move. Despite their stiffness, we found them incredibly comfortable on the bike thanks to the support of the sole.

The Bont Vaypor S is available in a massive range of sizes with half sizes from 36-50 and then four standard and two special order widths. On top of that they are heat moldable in your home oven so you can tweak the fit for comfort (that being said, we found this process only allows small changes to fit).

Read more: Bont Vaypor S road cycling shoes full review

Best budget

Sitting at only 6/12 on Shimano's stiffness scale, even before putting on the RC1s, I knew I wasn't slipping into some sort of carbon track cycling slipper; rather, a more versatile, possibly comfort-oriented cycling shoe, which is why it is our best overall budget cycling shoe.

The RC-1 shoe uses Shimano's standard 3-bolt cleat-type sole, which is fitted to a glass fibre-reinforced nylon sole, this is finished with a synthetic leather upper and three Velcro straps for security. Available in three colours: Black, Navy and White, and in sizes 36-50, plus a lady's Black with accents in sizes 36-44.

I found the fit to be quite good, as there was plenty of room in the toe box and the heel was supportive and well-fitted. While it was certainly not a squeeze and perhaps had room for a winter sock, it was tighter than it perhaps needed to be.

The sole is quite flexible, which most people find advantageous, as it allows them to work relatively easily. That said, this does translate into a shoe I could wear all day in complete comfort.

Most comfortable

This is Canyon's first-ever shoe, and it is a real show of force. The German brand is entering the accessories market, just as bike giants Trek and Specialized have done in the past. Canyon developed an entirely new last for the shoes - that’s the model foot on which designs are prototyped - leading what they call the Purefit360 fit system.

As you would expect from a plus £300/$400 cycling shoe, it has a whole list of fit and functional features to improve comfort and performance. Most notable of these is the stretch tongue, which is a woven sock-like construction, holding the foot firmly but comfortably. The shoes also feature ‘pressure relief zones’ where, in combination with the last, less material is used around the toe box to allow your toes to spread out naturally.

The trump card in the Tempr CFR's design - the Solestar custom insole the world's leading experts in insoles. I found this is what elevates the shoe's comfort levels way above the competition.

Overall, Canyon has done incredibly well to take a giant leap towards the top of the shoe market—and I don't say that lightly. The shoes have a great aesthetic, are abundantly comfortable, and perform well. My only word of warning is that the metatarsal bump took some getting used to, but it really does help splay your toes out, which is fantastic when climbing out of the saddle.

Read our full Canyon Tempr CFR cycling shoe review

Best lace-up

Rapha has several years of shoe design experience, and with these latest versions, it is clear the company is making products that can be raced at the highest cycling levels. The Pro Team Lace Up shoe sits in that upper echelon but offers a slight variation on the norm: laces instead of BOA dials.

The Lace Up shoes are notably sleek in appearance. Uppers are constructed with a woven material Rapha called Powerweave, developed with materials science company Avery Dennison. The material has a visible textile appearance and breathes well, but surprisingly, it doesn’t have much stretch. The uppers have only a single seam tucked out of the way on the inside of the heel. The laces use a quick-pull cord, similar to types seen on trail running shoes. It is faster and easier to tighten but doesn’t provide the same level of tunability as true laces.

I usually need to tighten my shoes quite a bit to get fully locked in, which sometimes causes discomfort near the ankle if the shoe bunches up. However, I didn’t have any issues with this in the Pro Team Lace-Up shoes. The combination of the Powerweave fabric and well-padded tongue makes them feel slipper-like,, and I noticed and appreciated the feel of a shoe without dials on the outside of the foot.

I found that the speed laces are longer than ,necessary and, as a result,, can be finicky to tuck away. Sole stiffness is quite good—on par with other offerings on the market—but the soles could be made a bit thinner and lighter.

Rapha says the Pro Team Lace-up shoes tend to run small, though I found them to fit true to size, at least in length. For those with wider or higher volume feet, however, they will probably be too confining, as the uppers don’t have much to give to them.

Read our full Rapha Pro Team Lace Up review

Best under $200

Specialized’s Torch 2.0 is an updated model that takes many of the features of the S-Works Torch and brings them to a more accessible price point. The Torch 2.0 uses a single Li2 BOA dial paired with a Velcro strap at the toe. The dimensions and fit of the shoe are the same as its higher end relatives, while the materials and construction techniques are more basic. The sole is carbon, though of a different design than the S-Works shoes, and the heel piece is larger (and not replaceable).

All of the same Body Geometry features are included and the heel cup and toe cap are both integrated underneath the upper, which makes for a very clean, uncluttered appearance. The soles aren’t vented but it’s great to see carbon at this price point. The sole design makes a big difference in keeping weight low, and these shoes punch above their metaphorical weight as a result.

I found that the Velcro strap at the toe doesn’t have much purchase to adjust the fit, and is more or less ornamental. I’m not sure why Specialized elected to include it, but I suppose it at least looks like it does something. I think this feature could be refined further.

On the bike the Torch 2.0 is nearly indistinguishable from a top-end shoe, Specialized or otherwise. The single BOA dial doesn’t offer the precision of two dials, but when you’re riding, that’s not something you think about. Sole stiffness is more than adequate, though Specialized doesn’t provide any ratings for its different soles so it’s hard to say how it compares in terms of numbers. The stability of the larger heel piece makes a huge difference off the bike—they don’t make you feel like a newborn giraffe at the coffee shop. For most riders, these shoes will offer every bit of performance they require.

At its price, the Specialized Torch 2.0 is an excellent value. It’s not an entry-level shoe, but a very solid step up. For that small jump in price, they nearly perform at the level of a pro-level shoe. In fact, I actually prefer the interior shape of the sole of the Torch vs. that of the S-works model, and found my feet were very happy riding long hours in these.

How to choose the best cycling shoes for you?

Beyond the obvious shoe size, there's a lot to think about when choosing cycling shoes. Even sizing isn't straightforward, as you want a cycling shoe to hold your foot steady to pedal efficiently, so you might need a shoe that's a half size down from your normal.

Carbon soles will be stiffer and increase pedalling efficiency, which is great unless you're expecting to walk in them when a little more give will prove useful. Likewise, they don't have any sole grip.

You also need to make sure that you have the correct cleat holes in the sole for your intended pedal system; either two or three (or sometimes four for Speedplay cleats).

Think too about the closure system. BOA dials are efficient but expensive and single dials may not distribute pressure as evenly as dual dial systems. Ratchets and Velcro are cheaper and can be as efficient. Laces look smart and save weight, but you can't adjust them while riding.

A highly ventilated pair of cycling shoes or shoes with woven uppers will keep your feet cooler in hot conditions, but won't be so good if it's cold and damp.

Finally, there's the price: how much are you prepared to spend? There's no substitute for trying before you buy.

How we test

Cycling Weekly's team of testers has extensive experience in assessing and writing unbiased reviews of a wide range of cycling products. Since it all involves riding, shoes are central to this and we've tested literally hundreds of different pairs.

We have testers with large feet, small feet, narrow feet and wide feet, so you can be sure that we've taken account of the differences in fit and foot comfort for a wide range of riders and understand what makes for a good pair of cycling shoes.

All our reviews use the same 1 to 5 star rating system:

5 - Superb, best in its class and we couldn’t fault it
4 - Solid product, could be improved
3 - Fine, but a few niggles let this down
2 - Acceptable, needs improvement
1 - Extremely poor, barely worked