Buyer's Guide For Bike Shoes

In this guide, we are looking at bike shoes, the different styles we offer, what to look for when purchasing a pair, how they can make a difference for your riding, and how to find your correct size. Once you get an idea of what you want, shop our selection of bike shoes.

Because bike shoes are made specifically for biking and even the specific type of riding you may be doing, yes they do make a difference. Do you have to wear cycling shoes to ride a bike? Absolutely not, but they can help you stay comfortable, prevent joint pain, and ride efficiently.

The biggest benefit that nearly every cycling shoe offers is a stiff sole. This stiffness allows for efficient power transfer from your legs to the pedal and can also help your feet to not slip off the pedal on rough terrain.

While not every cycling shoe clips into your pedals, the ones that do offer some additional benefits. Among these is the ability to improve your pedaling power and efficiency because of your ability to generate power both on the upstroke and the downstroke. Other benefits of clipless bike shoes include keeping your foot locked in a consistent position, which helps mitigate any joint pain from riding, and enhanced support for your feet.

The two main types of cycling shoes are casual ones designed for regular flat pedals and clipless shoes designed to lock into clipless pedals. Yes, the name for clipless pedals is confusing as they really clip into your pedals, but they were an innovation to the toe clips and exterior cages of the past that kept your shoes attached to the pedals, hence earning the “clipless” name.

While flat bike shoes can be a tad more versatile in their use, clipless shoes are good for riders wanting to improve their riding performance and those dedicated to a specific-type of riding and getting a lot of miles in.

Bike shoes for flat pedals can be used by commuters and casual road riders, but most often, regular sneakers and athletic shoes will work just fine for those uses. Where flat bike shoes get the most use is on riders who ride mountain bikes and prefer platform pedals, offering them traction, comfort, style, and walkability.

Bike shoes are typically measured slightly differently than normal shoes, but some brands may list US sizes on their shoes. Like all shoes however, fits will vary brand to brand no matter the size, so if you have questions about a specific model and brand, our team is here to help.

In the meantime, here is a cycling shoe size guide to get you started in finding the correct size for you: