Road Cycling Shoes

When buying road cycling shoes, you are going to see characteristics that span across all road cycling shoes. You’re going to find stiff soles and mechanical connection to your bike pedals for efficiency and comfort. These shoes should also have external cleats for racing and if you are going to walk in them more, pick ones with cleat recess. You’re going to want to find a lightweight shoe and you’ll have to choose from laces, ratchet buckles, Velcro straps and wire dials.

These shoes are meant to keep your feet cool while being light and stiff enough to peal efficiently. They will also have a sole that has been designed to work with a clipless pedal cleat.

Around 30 years ago, clipless pedals arrived and this was an idea taken from downhill skiing. A plastic or small metal cleat is attached to the sole of your cycling shoe with bolts numbering from two to four. These engage with the pedal when you put pressure down on it. This allows for a better transfer of power and keeps your foot stable in terms of ergonomics by being in the optimal position.

There are a lot of factors to consider when buying your road cycling shoes and we wanted to make the process a little easier for you by sharing some of the best road cycling shoes of the year. We hope this list of some of the highest rated shoes will give you a better understanding of what you’re looking for.


Gavin Elite Road Cycling Shoe

The Gavin Elite Road Cycling Shoe a high performance and comfortable shoe that will allow you to ride all day long. It is compatible with SPD, SPD-R, SPD-SL and Look cleats. It’s keeps your feet cool with vents in the nylon fiberglass soles and mesh panels on the uppers. They are durable and light which is what you are really looking for in a cycling shoe.

The fit is also very important and these shoes have a micro adjustable buckle in addition to two hook and loop closure straps to adjust and fine tune the fit while you are riding. These shoes are meant to be stiff and comfortable at the same time.

Features

– Fine tune the comfort and fit with micro adjustable buckles
– Air flow vents in the nylon fiberglass sole
– Breathable mesh and synthetic microfiber leather
– Designed to be lightweight while being comfortable
– Compatible with SPD, SPD-SL, SPD-R and Look cleats


Diamondback Men’s Century Clipless Road Cycling Shoe

The Diamondback Men’s Century Clipless Road Cycling Shoe is the perfect road cycling shoe for the person that likes to get out there and do work on the road. These shoes offer the rider a breathable mesh and synthetic leather upper that allows for air flow in addition to a three strap closure for a comfortable and secure fit. The soft spandex lining and perforated insole are washable and they will improve the comfort of your foot. Aggressive venting and rigid nylon-fiberglass composite outsole creates comfort and efficiency. With this shoe, you are also getting a curved anatomical sole that will fit the contours of your feet.

Features

– Mesh is synthetic leather and breathable mesh
– Three strap closure for secure fit
– Washable soft spandex lining and perforated EVA insole for comfort
– The outsole is built with nylon-fiberglass composite and has venting for an efficient and comfortable ride
– Get improved walkability with the TPU walk pads at the heel and toe


Tommaso Strada Elite – Quick Lace Style Road Bike Cycling Shoe

The Tommaso Strada Elite is a quick lace style road bike cycling shoe that is well reviewed and has high ratings by users. This is because of the quality build and the pricing. These combined make this one of the best road cycling shoes of 2019. The shoe offers elite racing features like a dialed speed lacing system and carbon fiber plate to take you to the next level. You will feel the difference after just one ride.

This shoe is made to ride to work, road biking or touring. The sole is reinforced with a carbon fiber plate to increase the power transfer to the pedal. It’s designed to fit all standard cleat systems. Overall, this is a great road cycling shoe.

Features

– Great value for one of the best cycling shoes out there
– Microfiber upper and ultra strong nylon mesh inserts
– With 100% carbon fiber cleat plates, the transfer of power will be noticeable
– Precision fit and quality with 100% free fit returns and a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty


Fizik R5 Road Cycling Shoe

The Fizik R5 Road Cycling Shoe with carbon reinforcement and microtext is another great option if you are looking for a high quality road cycling shoe. This shoe has been created to give the rider the essential timeless look and high quality performance to make every ride and enjoyable one. The classic ideas of a road shoe have been rethought and updated with a distinct identity from Fizik.

With the R5 nylon composite outsole, the rider will experience a perfect balance of pedaling efficiency and comfort. The Tempo R5 Powerstrap is designed to give you a great fit with a Velcro closure and Microtex upper. This all road design is engineered to make sure you have a smooth ride.

Features

– Microtex upper
– Boa IP1 Closure system
– Footbed is the Fizik cycling insole
– The sole is made with carbon reinforced nylon
– Cleat compatibility is built for three hold road


Giro Apeckx II Cycling Shoes

The Giro Apeckx II Cycling Shoes are a great option if you are in the market for some road cycling shoes. This shoe combines a welded and supple bonded mesh upper with a wonderfully stiff dupont Zytel sole for your bike. The bonded and welded upper give more comfort and less hot spots with reduced seams. With the micro ratcheting features, the fit is adjustable and you are getting a supportive, anti-microbial EVA footbed to reduce odor and optimize comfort. In addition, the Apeckx II is made the same as the highest performance shoes that they have to offer so you know you are getting the same fit that the pros have.

Features

– Synthetic build
– Bonded and welded upper for support and comfort
– Medium arch support and molded EVA footbed
– Standard 3 bold mount and dupont Zytel nylon