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Jan 16, 2024

The 10 Best Cycling Shoes of 2023

Maximize efficiency, power transfer, and comfort with these picks. Jump to a Section We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive

Maximize efficiency, power transfer, and comfort with these picks.

Jump to a Section

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Travel + Leisure / David Hattan

From sleek road shoes with carbon soles to models with EVA midsoles that are still cleat-compatible, the best cycling shoe will depend on your goals as a cyclist and the type of riding you enjoy.

The best sole materials, cleated-versus-flat, and other features will change based on whether you’re road riding, racing, gravel touring, mountain biking, or getting your workout in at a spin studio. This collection of shoes focuses on clipless riding, though we did include our favorite flat shoe as well as cleat-compatible shoes that feel like running shoes. There are plenty of performance-oriented shoes on here, but we also have high-value picks that highlight some of the best technology in cycling shoes without breaking the bank.

We chatted with Mackenize Martin, an avid gravel, road, and mountain bike rider who has traveled all around the country with Trek Bicycles on group tours. In the off season, Martin stays in shape at spin studios and has different shoes for each discipline of riding. Martin rides flats for mountain biking but rides clipless on her gravel bike, road bike, and at spin. She looks for a snug fit that doesn’t compress her toes, and sets her cleats to a moderate release to avoid injury.

“When I’m riding clipless, I’m looking for a shoe that has enough stiffness through the outsole for good power transfer and connection to the pedals, but I do like a versatile model that I can wear on gravel rides and doesn’t feel uncomfortable to walk around on," Martin says. She appreciates a good budget pick, and usually opts for an affordable Specialized or Shimano clipless shoe.

Backcountry

They're light, sleek, and stiff for streamlined fit and energy transfer.

Some cyclists report this shoe running narrow, so it's not the best for wide feet.

It’s hard to choose a “best overall” cycling shoe since there are so many riding styles that have varying needs for comfort, fit, and power transfer. We went with a road shoe since much of our focus is on road biking, and the Fizik Vento Infinito Carbon 2 (say that three times fast) came out on top. This is a high-level shoe for performance and efficiency, with a lower weight than previous models and an energy return that will impress high-level cyclists as well as feel comfortable for casual riders. This has two BOA dials, one at the top of the laces and one around the arch of the foot. This model uses Fizik’s stiffest carbon fiber sole for maximum power transfer and efficiency, and the uppers are a super breathable Microtex with venting channels along the sole that use your pedaling motion to help increase airflow so your feet stay cooler, dryer, and more comfortable during high-output rides.

Price at time of publish: $369

The Details: Size range: 5.5-15 | 1.18 pounds | Fastening system: Dual BOA

Zappos

They have good venting for higher output workouts.

Hook-and-loop straps don’t get as tight as BOA or laces.

This is Martin’s pick for everything from casual riding to gravel races, perfect for intermediate riders who want an efficient, comfortable shoe with good power transfer that doesn’t break the bank. These have a glove-like fit with an upper that doesn’t overlap too much around the top of your foot, which helps reduce hot spots. Hook-and-loop closures aren’t our favorite for cycling shoes, since so much power transfer depends on the shoe fit, and you have less of a precise fit here, but having three straps helps. The Shimano RC1 has a wider heel profile and increased padding for more comfort and a natural stride for walking, making them a good all-around shoe for town rides, community events, and those instances where you’re getting off and pushing the bike. (It happens to all of us.) Find the men’s here.

Price at time of publish: $100

The Details: Size range: 6.5-14 | 1.03 pounds | Fastening system: 3 hook-and-loop straps

Amazon

It’s a comfortable shoe for moderate riding and city commuting.

A more flexible outsole means less power transfer.

These fashion-forward shoes are well suited to urban commuting, casual biking, and beginner-friendly rides. Styled like the classic Adidas Samba, these blend in with your in-town outfits while still being compatible with two-bolt cleats. The sole is made with a comfortable outer material as well as a reinforced full-length midsole to closer align with standard cycling shoes, though you’ll trade some efficiency for the townie-like comfort. These are made with imitation leather and have a water resistant upper to help them stay clean during particularly puddle-heavy rides.

Price at time of publish: $100

The Details: Size range: 4-15 | 1.25 pounds | Fastening system: Laces

Bont Cycling

These shoes come in two width options for even better size range.

The high price point of advanced technical features can feel prohibitively expensive.

Bont makes a wider shoe than many others on the market, allowing greater toe splay and more comfort for wider midfoots, and this high-performing shoe comes in two width options to fit a wide range of foot shapes and sizes. Known for their foot support, the Vaypor has an updated carbon fiber base that allows enhanced stability without feeling constricting. Two BOA dials offer micro-adjustment for a precise, foot-hugging fit. For the gram counters, these shoes are more than 3 ounces lighter than the previous Vaypor S model.

Price at time of publish: $449

The Details: Size range: 4-14 | 14 ounces | Fastening system: Dual BOA

Backcountry

It has high-end design elements for a reasonable price.

The nylon-and-carbon sole is less powerful than straight carbon.

This versatile shoe will work for casual rides as well as aggressive training sessions, and it has a beginner-friendly fit without sacrificing stiffness and power transfer. Fizik built the Tempo series specifically for road cycling, with a stiff, lightweight build and a carbon-reinforced nylon sole for maximum power transfer. This lower cost shoe uses technology and design elements from their upper-tier models, creating an excellent road shoe that doesn’t break the bank. The “Powerstrap” closure system uses two hook-and-loop straps that connect to multiple points in their own “zone,” making for a precise, easy-to-adjust system that has a remarkable amount of adjustability and very few of the downsides of single-point hook-and-loop straps.

Price at time of publish: $180

The Details: Size range: 7-12 | 1.12 pounds | Fastening system: Custom hook-and-loop closure

Amazon

The versatile running-shoe style can be worn comfortably outside of class.

It has less power transfer than a shoe with a stiffer outsole.

These popular shoes don’t look like a sleek road shoe, but they feel natural to walk around in (just don’t track mud into the spin studio!) and have a recessed clip that almost lets you forget you’re wearing a spin-compatible shoe. These have a wider toe box and a generous-but-not floppy heel counter for more on-bike comfort, though the upper is less flexible than a standard running shoe and might feel a bit stiff at first. Instead of a carbon sole, these have a rubber outsole and EVA midsole, so you won’t have quite the power transfer of a more classic spin shoe modeled after clipless road-biking shoes.

Price at time of publish: $135

The Details: Size Range: 5-12 | 1.32 pounds | Fastening system: Single-strap closure

Backcountry

It’s an incredibly light shoe with excellent cooling and venting through the mesh.

You can’t adjust cleat placement and fit.

Like any gear on the extreme end of the ultralight spectrum, Giro’s Expire SLX isn’t for everyone. But for cyclists looking for a lightweight, incredibly breathable performance shoe, this is it. With a minimalist design and mesh-enhanced upper, these shoes have impeccable contact, a driving power transfer, and feel like a second skin connecting you to your bike. By shaving grams you lose some features like adjustability, and you won’t be able to tweak the cleat placement on these. But you can feel secure on your ride with titanium hardware that won’t fail, and these have options for varying arch support for different foot shapes.

Price at time of publish: $366

The Details: Size range: 8.5-14 | 13 ounces | Fastening system: Laces

Giro

The outsole grip and patterning has remarkable traction on flat pedals.

It has a less protective midsole and upper than other flat shoes.

While we love the cushioned upper and classic design of Five Ten’s Freerider line, this streamlined take on a flat shoe was Martin’s pick. Martin has ridden for years in the Freeriders, but opted for the Giro Tracker this year as her go-to flat shoe. This is a lightweight, comfortable shoe that has more breathability than plusher models, making it comfortably versatile for gravel rides, commuter trips, and low-key singletrack where you don’t need the extra protection and would rather have a lower profile shoe. Giro’s Tack Rubber outsole feels firm and secure on pins, and the EVA midsole is supportive and comfortable for hike-a-bike sections.

Price at time of publish: $130The Details: Size range: 8.5-12.5 | 1.31 pounds | Fastening system: BOA

REI

A wider build and textile lining is comfortable on the bike and in town.

The mesh upper is less durable than other materials.

Will you be walking? Pedaling? Sitting down for lunch? All three? The Shimano EX3 shoes look like a walking shoe but have a midfoot SPD cleat placement for more efficient riding. The EVA midsole and rubber outsole won’t have the power transfer of a stiffer road shoe, but there’s a reason these are our Most Comfortable pick. These shoes also have a wider forefoot than traditional road biking shoes, which is better for walking and can also feel secure riding flats. We love the versatility of these shoes, with Martin calling them “a great all-around shoe for casual days, long rides, and everything in between.”

Price at time of publish: $120

The Details: Size range: 7-12 | 1.5 pounds | Fastening system: Laces

REI

The hiking-style forefoot is built for those hike-a-bike sections.

The cleats are sold separately.

Multi-day tours are gaining popularity and cycling gear is working hard to catch up. These shoes are Shimano’s offering for extended rides, and they created a comfortable, versatile shoe that has great style without losing features. The uppers are made with a breathable mesh reinforced with synthetic leather on high-abrasion areas, and a single-pull lace system makes tightening a breeze. They have deep lugs for forefoot traction on rugged terrain during sections where you’re pushing your bike and are lightweight and antimicrobial … necessary components for an extended bike tour. The cleat pocket is set further back than other models, which is more comfortable for walking and extended wear, perfect for long tours where you want the efficiency of a clipless system but aren’t going full-out the entire time. Find the men’s here.

Price at time of publish: $140

The Details: Size range: 6.5-11.5 | 1.49 pounds | Fastening system: Single-pull lace

You have three main options for your cycling shoe closure system: Laces, hook-and-loop, and BOA, a dial-tightening system.

Laces might seem antiquated, but they are making a comeback after being used in the professional road cycling circuit. Laces are lightweight, inexpensive, and are easy to repair along with being widely adjustable.

Hook-and-loop (non-brand name for velcro-style) is inexpensive and easy to adjust, but it can get caked with mud and they aren’t as easy to fine-tune as dial or lace systems.

Finally, BOA (or dial) systems are the most high tech. These close with a hub attached to cables. When you turn the dial, the cables tighten over the shoe. These are the most adjustable, fastest to tighten, and the least impacted by mud and grit, though they are pricier and can create pressure points with single-dial closures.

Power transfer is one of the biggest considerations when shopping for a cycling shoe. This means the percentage of energy transferred from your legs during each pedal stroke to your crank arm. Cycling shoes have stiffer soles (often carbon) that don't absorb any energy like a plush running shoe with a rubber outsole and EVA midsole. Most of the shoes on our list are SPD-compatible for riding clipless, which means you’ll get even more power with each pedal rotation. For maximum power transfer, look for cleated shoes with carbon soles, but be prepared to pay more for the materials, and they won’t be as comfortable to walk around in.

We listed several styles in this piece, including stiff-soled road-style shoes, clipless shoes styled like running shoes, and flats.

Road biking shoes have excellent power transfer and on-bike efficiency, but are less comfortable for walking. These are best for cyclists looking for a good workout who get to take the shoes off after the ride.

Middle ground are clipless shoes that have more of a running-shoe midsole/outsole combo, along with a more generous fit through the uppers. These are great for cyclists who enjoy the power transfer of riding clipless, but don’t want to clop around the grocery store like a horse after their ride.

Lastly, you can ride flats, which have pedal-optimized outsole patterns to fit securely on pedal pins without the challenges that come with riding cleats. These are good options for bike touring, mountain biking, and casual riders who prefer to fall off their bikes with the option of getting their feet on the ground before their body hits.

Road-biking shoes should be snug, but not so tight they cut off circulation. The uppers will likely stretch over time, so starting with the shoe on the snug side isn’t a bad idea. The attachment points should be pinch-free, and you want your heel to feel secure without hotspots. You want the toe box to be more form-fitting than a hiking shoe, but not so much that your feet feel cramped. We recommend trying on the shoes before you buy them, being prepared to order several sizes, or asking for help with fitting from a local spin studio or gear shop.

Good cycling shoes are helpful, but totally not necessary for riding a bike. You can ride your bike in flip-flops, Chacos, or running shoes and still enjoy yourself. However, cycling shoes (for road, gravel, and mountain biking) are designed for each of the disciplines, which does mean more efficient pedaling, adjustable cleat placement on many models, and stiff outsoles to get the most out of each pedal rotation. For people looking to increase their speed and proficiency on a bike, riding clipless is a great start, and cleat-compatible shoes are built to be low profile, stiff, and breathable for high-output efforts.

This depends on what you want to get out of your cycling. Are you looking to be a competitive road cyclist, or maybe just a more efficient rider? Riding clipless enables you to clip into your pedals, increasing energy transfer with each pedal stroke. This means you can pull up into the pedal at the top of the rotation along with pressing down on the bottom. This engages your hamstrings as well as your quads, making you a stronger, more efficient rider. It does take practice though, and you’ll want to ride with your cleats on the looser side until you’re adept at clipping in and out.

Riding flats is best for casual cyclists and people who want to be able to put their foot down quickly, or who want shoes that feel as comfortable hiking in as they do on a bike. Each style has pros and cons, and it’s worth becoming a proficient rider in both flats and clipless so you can switch it up depending on the bike, day, and ride goals.

Maggie Slepian is an avid cyclist with more than a decade of professional gear testing experience. She has cycled thousands of miles on road bikes, gravel bikes, and mountain bikes, and transported her bikes across the country to different routes, races, and regions. When researching cycling shoes, she spoke with road cyclist, gravel rider, and long-time spin-studio member Mackenzie Martin.

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