Finding the best cycling shoes for road cyclists

Okay then, so on a positive note, we’ve already noticed that if you have N+1 bikes and for different styles of riding, you now need N+1 to work for your cycling shoes too. Yes, your feet operate in different ways and on different terrains for each of the three styles given, meaning that you need at least three new pairs of cycling shoes – result! Pause first, however, as it gets even more complicated. The trouble with trying to find which are the best road cycling shoes in the world – or indeed the world’s best gravel biking shoes – is that brands don’t often want to tell you how good their cycling shoes are. It’s a bit like the Heineken advert: “probably the best lager in the world!” In short, they can only usually say that they’re probably the best cycling shoes in the world – even though, in your eyes, they definitely are. Brands are rightly cautious of making claims, and rely on the consumer – you and I – to tell them how good their cycling shoes are.

How we measure the quality is also variable too, depending on personal preference. However, one element that is standard in reference, is comfort – and it’s probably the most important aspect too. If you can find the most comfortable cycling shoes in the world, then you’re onto a winner. Once you have comfort on your side, then hopefully performance will follow – style is then down to the designer and to how you mix and match things.

The best road cycling shoes will need to fit you in length, width and volume, hold your heel neatly and comfortably in place, allowing you to maximise power transfer. The shoes will need a stiff and strong carbon sole to create that power transfer, and the lateral movement will need to be curtailed, as the upper wraps itself around your strangely shaped feet. That’s a whole lot to ask of a cycling shoes; but if you can achieve it, then you’re on your way to finding the world’s best road cycling shoe… for your own unique feet! Yes, remember, as we said before, we all have feet that are different in shape, size, volume etc, which is why brands like Lake cycling shoes make probably – that all-important word – the best selection of road cycling shoe size options in the world. Their road cycling shoes are built on a variety of shoe ‘lasts’, giving different shape coverage, and then they have different width fittings, alongside a whole spectrum of sizes for length. They also measure your feet properly too, looking at volume, which when taken with a full bike fit from somebody such as SQLab, will then bring in custom insoles to refine that fit and give your feet some much needed foot love.