Choosing the right cycling shoes is important, especially if you’re planning on doing any kind of racing or long-distance riding. Without the right shoes, you’ll find yourself uncomfortable or even with an injury. You may also notice that your foot slides in the shoe or on the pedal. But the right shoes can take care of that problem and keep you more comfortable and safe. It’s all about choosing the right size to start.
So, how much room do you actually need for your toes? The answer is not a lot. A few millimetres is considered the maximum amount of toe space you should have. That’s because you want your toes to touch the end of the shoe but without pressing into it. Your toes should be fully extended in the cycling shoe without feeling like they’re being pinched or pushed back. This doesn’t require a great deal of space.
The outer part of the foot should have very little space as well. In general, you’re looking for shoes that are going to be comfortable for you but are going to envelop your foot rather firmly. You don’t want to have too much open space because that means your foot is going to slide around and that’s only really good when you’re walking (and only to a certain extent).
If you’re really not sure about sizing, go to a nearby store that specializes in cycling and ask for some help. They’ll measure your foot and find you the right pair of shoes so you’re going to have a great experience the next time you decide to go out on your bike.
Sizing your Cycling Shoes
So, what do you need to do to make sure you’re sizing your cycling shoes the right way? You need to start with trying on a few different types of shoes because they’re all going to fit a little different. Once you find the style that you’re comfortable with, it’s time to start looking at the right sizing to make sure you get all the benefits and features that you need for your next cycling trip.
Check the length of the shoe you’re considering. You’re not going to be rolling your foot when you’re cycling, which is why you generally want a little bit of added space at the front of walking or running shoe. With cycling shoes, however, that’s not the case. You want something that fits comfortably without being too snug or too loose since you don’t want your feet to move around while you’re pedalling.
Next, check the width of the shoe to see how comfortable it is all the way around your foot. Once again, your foot doesn’t need to be able to move and actually, it shouldn’t be able to. The outer width of the shoe should actually feel tight on your foot but not so tight that it’s constricting. You don’t want it to press on the outside of your foot. Instead, you want it to feel like it’s wrapping your entire foot.
The heel is another area that you need to check to make sure that the fit is comfortable and firm. Again, you don’t want too much movement and you definitely don’t want to slip out of the shoe, even when you’re walking in it. But you should be able to walk without being in pain in the shoes. You won’t plan on walking in them much, but you should be able to. You want a heel that fits firmly against the back of the foot so that the heel does not move at all.
Be sure that the closure for the shoe is comfortable and that it will tighten to just what you need. You should be able to attach your shoes quickly and easily and should feel confident that they will stay securely closed while you are riding. You should also feel confident that the shoe is not going to slip, slide or loosen while you’re riding.
Finally, make sure that the shoes you’re looking at have firm uppers to provide good support to the foot while also providing a stiff sole that will sit firmly on the pedals. This will make sure that you are more comfortable while you’re riding and that you don’t have to worry about how your foot sits on the pedals while they’re moving. You need a good balance here.
Improving your Shoes
If you feel like increasing the comfort level of your shoes it’s not about giving yourself more space or loosening up your shoe. Rather, it’s about adding in some custom insoles. You can get padded insoles that are designed to make your foot feel even more comfortable and you can get them in a number of different styles so you get all of the best benefits.
Insoles give you a little more padding where you need it and a little more support where you need it as well. They can also help with getting rid of sweat and building up air flow. Or get insoles that are designed to take away sweat odor or to correct a problem you may have with your feet. In general, there are a whole lot of reasons that you might need or want new insoles to put in your shoes.
When you’re ready to head out on the open road and start cycling for real you’re definitely going to want shoes that are designed for it. Your regular walking shoes are okay if you’re just riding around for a short time or for fun, but if you’re looking to get really into cycling as a hobby or a lifestyle you need to make sure you have the right equipment and that starts with finding some firm fitting shoes with a narrow framework all the way around.