Cycling Shoes

Most sports enthusiasts don't have to be told that using the proper equipment, designed for their favorite sport, is the surest way to enjoy the physical activity without inviting risk or injury. For most sports, shoes are considered fundamental and are vital to an athlete's safety.

Cycling enthusiasts will find cycling shoes are not only tailored for wear while riding a bicycle, they are specialized even further within the sport of cycling.

Most cycling shoes are designed for efficient power transfer from the cyclist's body to the pedals. Safe cycling relies on keeping the feet from slipping off the pedals so good cycling shoes are designed to minimize this.

The lighter the shoes, the better for the cyclist so proper shoes are as lightweight as possible.

Good cycling shoes must adapt well to walking. The best shoes accomplish this with minimum adjustment and effort.

Cycling shoes are specialized to meet the needs of different styles of cycling.

Road cycling shoes need to have a smooth inflexible sole that bends slightly at the ball of the foot. The best road shoes have a protruding cleat that attaches to the pedal but, unfortunately, makes walking awkward.

Cycling shoes designed for touring allow safe and efficient cycling but they have a recessed cleat instead of a protruding one. This development allows the cyclist to easily go from cycling to walking.

Shoes designed for mountain biking feature a small, recessed cleat and studs along the sole. These features allow the mountain biker to walk across the difficult terrain he or she bikes on.

Shoes designed for spinning provide limited traction and have a firm sole. These cycling shoes are most often worn in the gym or spinning club so cleats are unnecessary.