Feb 23 2009
Picking Cycling Shoes
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For those who ride a bike fairly often a good pair of shoes and clipless peddles make for a smashing investment. For those who are picking out a pair of shoes for the first time we have put together a handy little guide to picking the perfect cycling shoes.
Firstly you need to identify what style of riding you are planning on doing.
Offroad shoes offer more protection around the ankle and are made of a thicker, more flexible material to help the foot cope with uneven surfaces.
If you are planning on riding on the road or even racing then it is best to look for a lightweight stiff shoe. Most shoes that are being made now usually have carbon outer soles which stops your foot flexing and so increases the power that you can push through the cranks. Lightweight shoes also offer the benefit of saving weight on the climbs.
In summer you might consider a shoe with built in air vents and a wicking fabric to help cool your foot however you really want to make sure not to wear this type of shoe over winter, even with over shoes or over socks your feet with still be cold and wet.
A growing trend for riding in winter is to wear a cycling boot rather than a bike shoe for both mountain bikers and road riders alike mainly due to the fact that they keep the foot warmer and drier than traditional cycling shoes.
Emma Lois Watson manages the cycling shoes e-tailer Cycling Shoes Direct; the UK’s only specialist cycling shoe website.
