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Whether riding indoors or out, every cyclist needs a shoe that matches their skill level and time spent on the bike. These shoes should be as stylish as any others you would put on your feet, especially as there are so many beautifully designed cycling shoes on the market. One may think for spinning you don’t need a performance cycling shoe, but an indoor cyclist actually puts as much pressure on their feet in a 45-minute class as a 3 hour outdoor ride. The same features a competitive cyclist would look for in a road shoe are just as important for the avid spinner.
Assuming you ride with some frequency, you want a shoe that is going to be comfortable, fit well and of course, look great! The difference between a high priced shoe and a less expensive one is the fabric used in the upper, the material used on the sole, and the buckle system. Brands fit differently… some narrow, some wide, and all offer high and low priced options. Here are 10 chic cycling shoes for both men and women, every budget and every level, ready to go the distance.
LESS EXPENSIVE (left from top)
GIRO TRANS E70 $200. Giro makes some of the most stylish bike gear on the market with the performance to match. The Trans™ E70 features a perforated upper that conforms to the foot, and the acclaimed SuperNatural Fit footbed with adjustable arch support for optimal comfort and pedaling efficiency. Combined with the Easton EC70™ carbon composite outsole, replaceable heel pads, and ratcheting buckle closure, this shoe offers a lot of performance for the price.
DIADORA SPEEDRACER 2 $234.99. Engineered and developed for the pros, the Speedracer 2 features an ultra-thin, but very rigid full carbon/fiberglass sole for efficient power transfer. Innovative features like the Power Flow ventilation system, V-Fit adjust strap and ergonomic insole deliver the highest level of performance.
SHIMANO SH-R088 $119.95. The Shimano SH-R088 road shoes are perfect for indoor fitness and outdoor recreational riders. A lightweight, fiberglass reinforced sole provides pedal power while the stretch-resistant upper enhances stability. Air intake/exhaust system offers continuous ventilation, Dynalast promotes a smoother, more energy-efficient upstroke, and dual offset straps with micro-adjust ratchet give a snug, pressure-free fit.
SPECIALIZED PRO ROAD $250. Simple and elegant, the Pro Road combines a sleek ratcheting buckle closure, full-carbon sole, and Body Geometry footbed to optimize alignment, comfort and performance. The lightweight full carbon sole uses TorsionBox technology to increase stiffness and power transfer to maximize performance benefits.
SIDI MOON $199.99. Constructed for comfort, rigidity and efficiency, these shoes are perfect for the recreational cyclist looking for some shiny flair. Anatomically contoured last eliminates hot spots and improves power transmission in the Millennium 4 Carbon Composite Sole. Cooling mesh panels provide continuous airflow, and reinforced heel cup and 3-strap closure provide a superior fit.
MORE EXPENSIVE (right from top)
LOUIS GARNEAU COURSE AIR LITE SHOES $379.99. Louis Garneau designed the Air Lite to be lighter, faster, and stiffer with the goal destination being top of the podium. Taking feedback from the Pro Tour Europcar team, the shoe features a new High Modulus X-Lite carbon fiber sole with titanium inserts to make it stiffer, stronger and lighter. The sole stack height is just 4.3mm, for closer contact to the pedal and more power transfer and efficiency. The microfiber and mesh upper is super light and heavily vented. The BOA quick attach system provides micro adjustment fit.
SPECIALIZED S-WORKS ROAD $360. The S-Works Road shoe is lightest and stiffest Specialized makes, and features unprecedented fit, comfort, and efficiency for pro-level performance. Body Geometry sole and footbed optimize hip, knee, and foot alignment to improve performance and comfort. An ultralight Powerline carbon sole, two independent Boa S2-Snap dials, and thermobonded Adaptive Fit upper provide ultimate connectivity and power transfer.
NORTHWAVE EXTREME TECH PLUS $375. Northwave cycling shoes are designed to be anatomically compatible with every cyclist, aligning the foot and transmitting power directly to the pedals without wasting any energy. The ultralight sole features maximum stiffness with minimal thickness for unrivaled lightness and superior ventilation. The Extreme Tech Plus uses Northwave’s SLW 2 fit system with two micro-dials for a maximum precision fit.
SIDI WIRE VENT $499.95. The Wire is based around a single system, the new Tecno 3 buckle, which is the focal point of the design of this shoe. It allows for a high level of micro adjustability and fit consistency. For those who like a snug fit, the shoe’s tongue and instep strap are padded generously to allow for supreme comfort with tight buckles. The Carbon Lite sole provides the stiffness and razor sharp power transfer for which Sidi is known.
MAVIC HUEZ $ 424.95. Energy Full Carbon SLR outsole with Ergo Lite Upper makes the pro-level Huez the lightest in its category with superior energy transfer and power. Proven and tested by pro-level cyclists, the Carbon 3D heel counter aligns your foot in its most powerful position, while the molded insole with elastomers soak up vibrations along the way.
