Best Cycling Shoes 2026: Road, MTB & Indoor Shoe Buyer's Guide

The best road cycling shoe for most people—exceptional performance at a reasonable price.

We've put over 3,000 miles on the Shimano RC7 across training rides, centuries, and races, and it consistently impressed us with its combination of comfort and performance. The carbon-composite sole is stiff enough that we felt zero power loss during hard efforts, yet the shoe remains comfortable for 100+ mile days—something we can't say about some stiffer, more expensive options.

The dual Boa Li2 dials are a major upgrade from single-dial shoes. The forefoot dial lets you dial in toe box fit while the instep dial secures your heel. During long rides, we regularly made micro-adjustments to accommodate foot swelling, something impossible with velcro or single-dial designs. The dials also hold up—after nearly a year of use, ours still click precisely.

Shimano's last fits a wide range of foot shapes, which is why you see these shoes in both amateur group rides and WorldTour pelotons. If you have particularly narrow or particularly wide feet, you may need to look elsewhere (or try the wide version), but for average feet, the RC7 fits like it was made for you.

The ventilation is excellent—perforations across the entire upper mean our feet stayed cool even on hot summer rides. The trade-off is that these aren't ideal for cold, wet conditions without shoe covers.

Bottom line: The Shimano RC7 delivers 90% of the performance of $400+ race shoes at roughly half the price. Unless you're competing at a high level and need every marginal gain, these are the road shoes to buy.

The ultimate race shoe with maximum stiffness and pro-level performance.

The Shimano S-Phyre RC903 is the shoe that WorldTour professionals actually race in—and you can feel the difference from the first pedal stroke. The full-carbon sole has zero flex, meaning every watt goes directly to the pedals. During sprint efforts and hard climbs, the immediate power response is noticeable compared to the RC7.

Shimano's Surround upper technology wraps the foot in a single piece of material that eliminates pressure points and hot spots. Combined with the premium Boa Li3 dials (which have independent tightening and loosening), the fit is the most precise we've experienced. The heel cup is deeper and more secure than the RC7, eliminating any lift during hard efforts.

At 228 grams per shoe, the S-Phyre is among the lightest shoes on the market. For racers obsessing over every gram, this matters. For weekend warriors, the weight savings are nice but not transformative.

The downside is that maximum stiffness isn't always comfortable. On rides over 4-5 hours, some testers found the ultra-rigid sole transmitted more road vibration than they liked. If you prioritize comfort over absolute performance, the RC7 is actually a better choice.

Bottom line: The S-Phyre RC903 is for cyclists who want the absolute best and race regularly. If you compete seriously or simply want no-compromise performance, this is the shoe. For everyone else, the RC7 offers better value.

Premium comfort with exceptional fit for riders with narrow to average feet.

Giro's Imperial is the shoe we recommend for cyclists who've tried Shimano shoes and found them too wide. The Synchwire one-piece upper provides a glove-like fit that adapts to your foot shape, and the heel cup is the deepest we've tested—if you struggle with heel lift in other shoes, try these.

The full carbon outsole is genuinely stiff (Giro rates it maximum stiffness), and the power transfer feels immediate. Despite the stiffness, the Imperial is surprisingly comfortable on long rides thanks to the upper's ability to flex slightly where needed while remaining supportive overall.

Bottom line: If you have narrow feet or prioritize heel retention above all else, the Giro Imperial is worth the premium. For average or wide feet, stick with Shimano.

Solid performance at an entry-level price—the best road shoe under $130.

The Shimano RC3 proves you don't need to spend $300+ to get a good road cycling shoe. The fiberglass-reinforced nylon sole is stiff enough for efficient pedaling—most recreational cyclists won't notice the difference from a carbon sole during normal riding. You'll only feel the flex during all-out sprints or standing climbs.

The single Boa dial plus velcro strap closure works well, though it's less precise than dual-dial systems. The shoe uses the same last as Shimano's premium models, so if you fit in the RC7, you'll fit in the RC3.

Bottom line: For cyclists getting into road riding or those who prioritize value, the RC3 is an excellent choice. You can always upgrade later once you know your preferences.

The best all-around SPD shoe for cross-country, gravel, and adventure riding.

The Shimano XC5 is our go-to SPD shoe for everything from cross-country racing to gravel adventures to bike commuting. The carbon-composite sole is stiff enough for efficient pedaling but includes enough flex in the toe and heel for comfortable walking—essential for hike-a-bike sections, coffee stops, or just getting around.

The Boa dial combined with velcro forefoot strap gives excellent fit control. The tread pattern sheds mud well and provides good traction on rocks and roots when you need to put a foot down. We've used these for 50+ mile gravel races and technical XC trails with equal success.

Compared to the race-oriented XC9, the XC5 sacrifices some stiffness for significantly better walkability. Unless you're racing XC at an elite level, that trade-off makes sense for most riders.

Bottom line: The Shimano XC5 is the most versatile SPD shoe you can buy. Whether you're racing XC, exploring gravel roads, or commuting to work, these do it all.

The best clipless shoe for technical trail riding and enduro racing.

For technical trail riding where you might walk as much as ride, the Giro Sector is unmatched. The Vibram rubber outsole provides exceptional traction on rocks, roots, and loose dirt—far better than XC-focused shoes. The ankle protection and reinforced toe box add confidence on gnarly terrain.

The sole is moderately stiff—efficient enough for pedaling between trail sections, but not as race-focused as the XC5. That's the right trade-off for all-mountain and enduro riding where walkability and protection matter more than pure pedaling efficiency.

Bottom line: For trail riders who clip in, the Giro Sector offers the best combination of pedaling performance and hiking capability. It's also excellent for bikepacking and gravel adventures involving significant off-bike time.

The gold standard for flat pedal grip—nothing else comes close.

Five Ten's Stealth rubber is the benchmark for flat pedal grip—so much so that competitors measure themselves against it. The Freerider Pro takes that legendary compound and wraps it in a stiff, protective shoe designed specifically for mountain biking.

The grip is almost too good—your feet won't slip on the pedals, but you also can't easily reposition them. After a few rides, you learn to place your feet deliberately. The stiff midsole provides excellent power transfer for a flat pedal shoe, much better than wearing skate shoes or sneakers.

Bottom line: If you ride flat pedals, the Freerider Pro is the shoe to get. The grip is unmatched, and the protection is substantial. They also work great for casual riding and look normal enough to wear off the bike.

Purpose-built for indoor training with superior ventilation and easy walkability.

Indoor cycling generates ridiculous amounts of sweat without wind to cool you down. The Shimano IC5 is designed specifically for this challenge, with an open mesh upper that maximizes airflow. After hundreds of Zwift sessions, our IC5s dry quickly and don't develop the funk that road shoes accumulate indoors.

The 2-bolt SPD compatibility means these work with virtually any indoor bike—Peloton, spin bikes, and smart trainers. The recessed cleat makes walking to and from your pain cave easy, and the single velcro strap gets you clipped in and riding in seconds.

The sole is moderately stiff—fine for indoor training where you're not sprinting for a finish line, but noticeably flexier than road shoes. For dedicated indoor training, this doesn't matter. If you want one shoe for both indoor and outdoor riding, get the XC5 instead.

Bottom line: For dedicated indoor training, the IC5 is the best value shoe available. The ventilation alone makes it worth having a separate pair from your outdoor shoes.