Why buy cycling specific shoes?

There are three main reasons why you might consider riding with a cycling-specific shoe. Firstly, it will allow the use of cleats and clipless pedals. Secondly, once clipped in, more of your leg power is transferred through the pedal to the wheel. Finally, once set up correctly, your foot will be in the optimal position for pedaling. Of course, you can achieve similar things with old-school toe clips (this is why SPD type pedals are called 'clipless'), or you may prefer flat pedals with pins for mountain biking as this can allow more dynamic movement of the bike.

What are the differences between 2-bolt and 3-bolt cleats?

Assuming that you're looking for a shoe to clip in with, we looked at some shoes that use the 2-bolt SPD type system and some shoes that use the 3-bolt SPD-SL road system. Broadly speaking, to decide whether to choose the 2-bolt or 3-bolt route here are some pros and cons: 3-bolt SPD-SL gives a larger clipped-in area so that more power is transferred and a more secure fixing is created. However, they are more awkward to walk in. Shoes tend to be stiffer soled too. Recommended for road use primarily. The 2-bolt SPD uses a smaller cleat which has a smaller interface with the pedal yet still transfers power efficiently. It can be walked in more easily as the cleat is recessed within an outsole with grippy tread. For this reason, it is recommended for everything else and you can ride road happily with it too. As a consequence of this versatility, you tend to find a wider variety of shoe types too. The only other thing to be aware of is that often different pedal brands will only work with their own pedal and cleat combinations - pairing Shimano pedals and Time cleats won't work, for example. They all will work with either the 2-bolt or 3-bolt standard as appropriate though. There are two shoes on test (dhb Dorica and Northwave Core 2) that can accept either 2 or 3-bolt cleats. I have assumed that they are a 3-bolt type primarily as to try to walk in them with a 2-bolt cleat would be very difficult. They would work as a group cycling class or turbo trainer shoe where you can take them off immediately. They would give you the flexibility to use in those contexts then move to a road setup when outdoors.

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF WELL-FITTED CYCLING SHOES?

Cycling is a forefoot sport. Whilst the foot itself doesn’t generate any power, all of the watts produced elsewhere pass through your feet. So not only do poorly fitting shoes create pain, but they can also limit performance. A former British Cycling physiotherapist and bike fitter at the eponymous Phil Burt Innovation, Phil Burt told us: “If you’re in a wrongly fitted shoe it would manifest as rubbing around the little toe, pain underneath the first and second toe where a lot of people get numbness or pins and needles.” Touching on the performance element, he added: “The foot and ankle don’t generate any power. All the power comes from your quad and your glute. But you can lose a hell of a lot through badly fitting shoes – for example, if your foot is moving around or over pronating, you can waste a lot of energy.” The key variables when it comes to cycling shoes are the fastening system, the sole, the cleat style, and of course the fit, although that does depend on whether you've teamed with a pair of good cycling socks .

SHOULD I TRY CYCLING SHOES ON BEFORE I BUY THEM?

The best way to check the fit of a shoe is to try it on in your local bike shop before purchasing (hopefully you'll make the purchase in the shop too!). It is better to do this in the afternoon or evening as your feet can expand slightly during the day. Shoe sizing is pretty consistent across brands, particularly when compared to other pieces of cycling clothing – but just because your old and worn-out size 46 shoes were comfortable, it doesn't necessarily mean you can jump straight into a different brand in the same size. Arch heights, shoe widths, and different fastening systems can all mean that you may find yourself going a size up or down when buying new cycling shoes. Flashier shoes usually come in half sizes, so you can get a good match for your feet. Lower-priced shoes, however, tend to be sold in whole sizes only - they are usually more roomy to start with as well. If your feet are between sizes, that can make choosing the right size tricky. If you're not sure, we'd suggest sizing down.

Best budget cycling shoes 2024 rated and reviewed

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(Image credit: Paul Grele)

By Paul Grele

last updated 22 May 2024

in Buying Guides

Over 40 years cycling in a variety of disciplines including road riding, commuting, a self-supported Land's End to John o' Groats trip, XC mountain biking and several Polaris Challenge two-day events. Adventure, escape and fun are the motivations for my riding. I also love bike and kit design and have fillet brazed a couple of framesets using Reynolds 853 steel tubing for myself. A very satisfying experience to ride your own bespoke bike!

Height: 180cm

Weight: 66kg

Best budget cycling shoes 2024 rated and reviewed

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