With the government urging us all to avoid public transport and walk or cycle to work, and with a lot of time on our hands to enjoy the outdoors a little more, many of us are getting more interested in cycling.
And the best cycling shoes will ensure a more comfortable and smooth ride, whether you’re long-distance riding or commuting.
You’ll want a very snug but not-too-tight fit and a reasonably stiff sole. They’re designed to be lightweight, and often have mesh panels for foot breathability. They’re often also designed to be compatible with clipless pedals; this means they will be fitted with engagement points called 'cleats'.
If you are primarily into performance road riding you may want to spend more, and the cycling shoes are likely to be stiffer (which helps in transferring power to the pedal), while leisure riding can get away with being a little more flexible and, often, more affordable.
We've rounded up the best cycling shoes for men and women for all budgets below.
Best cycling shoes to buy
1. Giro Men's Rumble Vr MTB Cycling Shoes
This versatile shoe comes with cycling-specific features like clipless pedal compatibility (you'll need buy cleats separately), but also offer the comfort of a light hiking shoe.
The upper is crafted with breathable mesh, and there's an inner shank to help transfer power to the pedals to take on tougher trails. A great all-rounder.
Price: From £74.35, Amazon - buy here now
2. Shimano Men RP100 SPD-SL Cycling Shoe
If you've just started enjoying some longer bike rides for a nice way to to exercise at the weekend, these are a great entry-level shoe - at an equally great price.
Reflective detailing on the heel helps keep you visible in low light, and the breathable nylon mesh panels and mesh sole keep your feet ventilated.
They boast an excellent combination of stiffness and compliance for a good balance of comfort and performance. They come up small, so you may want to size up.
Price: £61.20, Amazon - buy here now
3. VeloChampion Elite Road Cycling Shoes with Ratchet Closure
Lightweight and breathable, these traditional cycling shoes have modern features for top performance at a reasonable price.
The supple upper is water-repellant, there's a reinforced heel cup and toe.
The main ratchet closure with micro adjustment allows for a perfect fit whilst the two lower velcro straps help keep weight to a minimum.The polymer outsole incorporates both a three bolt and SPD cleat attachment which is great for 'spin' training as well as long-distance cycling. Also ideal for long commutes.
The SPD attachment makes them great for cycling, but might not be ideal if you want to walk any long distances in them.
Price: £74.95, Amazon - buy here now
4. Sidi Shot Road Shoes
These shoes donned the feet of Chris Froome at the Critérium du Dauphiné, so they're pro-approved and ideal for serious race riders.
There's an aerodynamic upper and Vent carbon sole, that boasts a sliding vent at the toe, which allows you to tailor the desired level of airflow.
The three-bolt push system is speedy, and creates a perfect tension balance, while the adjustable heel retention device ensures no sliding during steep climbs or sprints. For all you up and coming Bradley Wiggins' out there.
Price: From £280, Wiggle - buy here now
5. dhb Dorica Road Shoe
Add a touch of class to your bike game with these comfortable, sleek lace-up cycling shoes.
The nylon sole offers a great balance of pedal efficiency and compliance for performance gains, as well as comfort. Perforation holes on the top of the shoe increase breathability, and they're compatible with road bike pedal systems that use cleats with 3-bolt standards.
Ideal for everything from long-distance weekend bike rides to the daily commute.
Price: £60, Wiggle - buy here now
6. Giro Techne Road Shoe
Offering the classic, comfortable three-strap retention system, these cycling shoes are great all-rounders, suited to spinning, commuting, and sport riding.
Easy to use and quick to get on for a ride or class, the nylon outer allows you to mount either mountain bike or road cleats, whatever your preference.
Price: £80.99, Wiggle - buy here now
7. Specialized Torch 2.0 Road Shoe
Designed to combat the stiffness that often comes with road cycling shoes, these are a great option for comfort.
A mesh upper is paired with a medium stiffness carbon sole for perfect degree of on-bike and off-bike traction. The three-bolt cleat pattern fits all major road pedals, too.
Price: £158, Evans Cycles - buy here now
8. Rapha Classic Cycling Shoes
If you're getting a bit more serious about your cycling and it's becoming more of a regular activity, you may want to splash out on some high-performance cycling shoes.
These pro-worthy options from Rapha are cool and stylish as well delivering on results. Super-comfortable with a lightweight carbon sole that transfers power while pedalling, there's also a TPU outsole that reduces slipping when off your bike.
The sculpted heel keeps your foot securely in place, and the double-wall lacing system ensures they're perfectly tailored to your foot.
