The 17 Best Men’s Cycling Shoes for 2018

Double Boa Dials

Louis Garneau Course Air Lite II
All the features of top-end shoes, including two Boa dials, without the price tag.
$370 | Competitive Cyclist

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Great When Walking

Specialized Torch 2.0
A medium-stiff sole with rubber heel make these great for riding and walking.
$220 | Specialized

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Stiff and Sticky

5.10 Freerider Pro
This flat kick has a firm sole, sticks to your pedals like glue, and looks good off the bike.
$150 | REI

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High End for Less

Shimano RP9
All the high-end features you expect in a top-end shoe for a fraction of the cost.
$275 | Competitive Cyclist

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Skate Style

Specialized 2FO Cliplite
A casual look but light, stiff and great for XC or trail riding.
$120 | Specialized

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The feeling of new shoe day can be rivaled only by new bike day, and for all the research and test riding that goes into choosing the right bike, selecting the right pair of shoes will only enhance the quality and enjoyment of your ride. They are responsible for transferring your watts into the drivetrain, and for mountain riders, keeping you on your feet while hiking. They should be comfortably snug without being too tight, and stiff enough to get the most out of those watts without making you uncomfortable. In this roundup we look at 17 of the best men’s road and mountain shoes.

Road Shoes

Road shoes offer a variety of cleat patterns, but the most common on high-end shoes is the three-bolt cleat system compatible with Shimano and Look pedals. There is also a four-bolt system used by Speedplay, and mid- to lower-range shoes typically use a two-bolt pattern that is the easiest to clip in and out of. The sole of a road shoe is smooth and stiff to maximize pedaling efficiency, and the upper is made of a supple synthetic material or leather that is designed to conform to your foot for a comfortable fit. A well-fitting road shoe will often have a reinforced heel cup to hold your foot in place while riding.

Mountain Bike Shoes

Since mountain biking usually involves stretches of walking, mountain shoes use only a two-bolt pattern with a recessed cleat or rubber lugs that combine to make it easier to traverse rocky or muddy terrain. More expensive clipless shoes often use carbon soles that are stiff enough to rival road shoes but will include some level of flex to make them easier to walk in. Due to their use on rugged terrain, the uppers are usually thicker with extra protection around the toe and heel.

There are a lot of riders who prefer not to use cleats and instead opt for a flat shoe with a sticky sole that grips to a flat pedal. This makes mounting and dismounting easier and is ideal on technical trails where you may have to get off the bike quickly. These shoes tend to look more like skate shoes and are less likely to make you stand out as a cyclist in social situations. The downside to flat shoes is that you can’t pull up on the pedal like you can if you’re clipped in. so you lose some efficiency.

Stiffness Isn’t Everything

As road shoes get more expensive, the stiffness of the carbon sole tends to increase. It improves pedaling efficiency with the downside being that the stiff sole can cause hot spots and discomfort. At the lower end, nylon is used to provide more flex but at the expense of pedaling efficiency, and midrange shoes use a carbon-composite material for a sole that falls somewhere in the middle. While stiffness is important, fit must be considered as well. If a shoe isn’t comfortable, you can kiss the advantages of a stiff sole good-bye.

Closure Systems—What’s What?

Laces: Laces are light, simple, and can accommodate different foot shapes. They are easy to replace when they break and can be swapped out quickly when you want to change colors for a different look. Of the different types of closures, a lace system is the only one that can’t be adjusted midride—without stopping, of course.

Hook and Loop (Velcro): These straps are most commonly found on mid-to lower-cost shoes as a standalone system because of their increased weight to the other systems. However, they are often used in combination with other systems on more expensive shoes because they are still light and easy to adjust midride. They can be placed at different points across the shoe to adjust tension at different points. Over time, the hooks will lose their ability to grip.

Dial: The dial system can be found on nearly all top-end shoes because of its superior closing force and microadjustability. Once locked in place, it remains secure and is resistant to the elements. Boa is the most recognizable name, but Atop and Northwave have their own systems. The downside is that the dials can get jammed and the whole system will need to be replaced.

Northwave Extreme RR

A light, stiff shoe with a carbon sole and cable-closure system
Type: Road
Price: $400 Buy Now More Images

Northwave uses a 100 percent unidirectional carbon to create its stiffest shoe to date. The synthetic material used for the upper is constructed from a single piece of material and wraps to the contours of the foot (Northwave calls it X-Frame). It’s soft and light, and paired with the cable-closure system, it helps to reduce pressure points. This single dial system has a unique wiring route that gives a snug, comfortable fit and contributes to the Extreme RRs being Northwave’s lightest shoe to date.

Sidi Dominator 7

A well-fitting off-road shoe that’s built to last
Type: Mountain
Price: $250 Buy Now More Images

The Dominator 7 uses less-expensive material than Sidi’s higher-priced shoes yet borrows a lot of those shoes’ features. They are suitable for trail and adventure riding and, claims Sidi, are scuff resistant. They have a stiff sole with rubber lugs, a water-repellent upper, and a micro-adjustable caliper buckle with Velcro straps for a comfortable fit. They weigh a little more than comparable shoes, but for the added weight you get a shoe that’s built to last.

Giro Privateer Lace

Light and stiff, with laces to make you smile
Type: Mountain
Price: $130 More Images

When lace-up shoes first reappeared in a moment of retro glory, it seemed like a chance to revel in nostalgia. That feeling has been quickly replaced by the realization that laces can also make a shoe fit better. They’re light and can easily be updated by swapping them out for a different color. At first, they were available only on high-end shoes like the Empire Slx. But the Giro Privateer, for only $130, makes laces available to many more riders. They are stiff enough to ride all day, have extra protection around the heel, and extra rubber underfoot to keep you from slipping on your pedal.

5.10 Freerider Pro

The right amount of stiffness and super-sticky soles
Type: Mountain
Price: $150 Buy Men's Buy Women's More Images

The Freerider Pro and its predecessors set the standard for flat shoes and paved the way for all the shoes you see in the bike park and on the trails. The sole is stiff enough for riding but has enough flex to walk in and sticks to the pedals for excellent grip. It has more toe and heel protection than the previous version, plus it will keep your feet cool and dry. They can be worn all day in the park and look enough like a regular skate-style shoe that you won’t be out of place while wearing them into town afterward.

Shimano AM-7

A downhill shoe that’s stiff enough for XC rides
Type: Mountain
Price: $130 Buy Now More Images

For mountain riders who like to do a bit of everything, the new Shimano AM-7 will accommodate. For the cross-country riders it’s plenty stiff, but it’s also comfortable and grippy for the enduro crowd. You won’t see a neoprene cuff on too many shoes out there, but it does a great job of keeping dirt from getting in. There’s plenty of protection around the heel and toes, and it is well ventilated thanks to the extra-large mesh vents on the side of the shoe. A high strap keeps your laces contained and locks your foot in place.

Giro Code Techlace

Laces, Velcro, and a Boa dial combine for a great fit and easy adjustment
Type: Mountain
Price: $300 Buy Now

There’s a lot to love about laces, and Giro knows how to get the most out of them. They weigh very little, they provide a great fit without pressure points, and they’re easy to replace or change when necessity—or your mood—strikes. The downside is that they are difficult to adjust midride. With the Code Techlace, by attaching the laces to Velcro, Giro has made it easier to make midride adjustments. The Boa dial is microadjustable and keeps the overall weight of the shoe down. The stiffness remains high for racing but with enough grip for casual riding. The soft and comfortable upper can repel repeated brushes, but be careful amongst rocks as they will do some damage. Make sure to go up half a size as they run a little narrow and tight.

Specialized Torch 2.0

A comfortable fit and medium-stiff sole with rubber heel make them great for riding and walking
Type: Road
Price: $220 Learn More More Images

With soft padding around the heel that holds it in place and room up front to wiggle your toes, the Torch 2.0 is ideal for all-day riding. The sole feels stiff but keeps some flex, and paired with a rubber heel, makes it easy to walk in. To ensure that the fit is snug without feeling tight, the Boa dial is adjustable to 1mm and gives a supple feel with reduced pressure points across the foot. The upper ventilates well and kept our tester cool on some hot rides. The wire loops around hooks and can come loose when removing the shoe, so always ensure they are correctly laced when you put them back on.

Fizik Infinito R1

The sole vents let you feel air flowing in under your feet
Type: Road
Price: $400 Buy Now

A lot of shoes claim to have sole vents, but these actually work. For the sweatier of us who like riding on hot days (the vents may not feel so great on cold days), you can feel the air circulate through the shoe. The rest of the shoe is exactly what you would expect from a shoe at this price. It has an extremely stiff sole that weighs very little. The forefoot volume adjust system adapts the fit to a wide range of foot shapes, and the Boa fits more comfortably than most.

Giro Empire VR70 Knit

Fantastically comfortable and conforms better than most
Type: Road
Price: $250 Buy Now

The Empire VR70 Knit is fantastically comfortable and conforms well to the contours of the foot thanks to its reinforced knit upper and laces. Without the stiff carbon sole, you would have trouble believing it wasn’t a sneaker. The ventilation is similar to a regular shoe, and the upper is resistant to absorbing water and sweat. To keep out dirt, the shoes have an ankle cuff, and the knitting is protected against abrasion by a TPU skeleton. During testing, one of editors crashed (he’s OK) and the shoes escaped with very little damage.

Louis Garneau Course Air Lite II

High-end features to fit B to D+ feet
Type: Road
Price: $370 Buy Now

The difference between these shoes and the very top-end models is small. They cost slightly less, but without knowing it would be difficult to tell as they have a similar weight, come with similar features, and have the same level of performance. The shoe comes with two Boa dials, a light and stiff carbon sole, and insoles with arch support than can be adjusted. The shoes fit slightly large, and the heel retention could be improved. The upper has a window covered in a flexible material that stretches to accommodate B to D+ feet.

Specialized 2FO Cliplite Lace

A performance XC shoe disguised as a skate shoe
Type: Mountain
Price: $120 Buy Now

It may look like a skate shoe, but the 2FO performs very much like a high-end mountain bike shoe. At 370 grams per shoes, its weight is comparable to the $500 Sidi Drako. While skate shoes tend to be loose and flexible, the 2Fo Cliplite is tight and very stiff. So much so that it feels like an XC shoe. It offers excellent protection throughout and performs well when walking. Long cleat-adjustment slots mean that you can position the cleat well back on the shoe. The only downside is that the 2FOs are stiff around the ankle and can dig into the skin.

Specialized S-Works 7

Comfortable, supportive, and stiff
Type: Road
Price: $400 Buy Now

When our editors reviewed the lower-end Torch 2.0 they immediately noted how comfortable they were. The same is true of the higher-end S-Works 7, and this model also has a race-stiff sole and a lower weight. The interior is comfortable and smooth but takes a little extra effort to get your foot into the shoe. The upper finely balances support and suppleness but doesn’t vent very well. The heel cup feels secure without causing discomfort, and overall fit is an improvement on the previous version.

Scott Road Comp Velcro

Stiff, comfortable, and easy to get a good fit
Type: Road
Price: $120 Buy Now Read Full Review

Velcro is the easiest and fastest closure system to use and adjust on the fly, and the Scott Road Comp Velcro uses it to create a fit that feels similar to the premium fit of laces. It’s low weight and comfortable but blended with performance thanks to the nylon and glass sole that feels stiff but not like a full carbon sole. It’s firm enough to direct your energy but helps reduce foot fatigue that can come with stiffer soles. There is padding around the ankle, and the upper conforms well to foot shape.

Giro Prolight Techlace

Three straps make it simple to adjust tension across different parts of the foot
Type: Road
Price: $400 Buy Now Read Full Review

Until you wear the Giro Prolight Techlace, it’s difficult to appreciate how light they feel on your foot. At just 150 grams in a size 41, they feel feathery but supportive and come with a very stiff outsole. The lace/Velcro closure system has zonal adjustment for selecting a different tightness across the top, middle, and bottom of the shoe and is easy to adjust midride. The upper ventilates well and is supple and slightly forgiving. The fit is narrowish and low volume, but thanks to the flexibility in the upper will accommodate a variety of foot shapes.

Lake MX 176

Suitable for riders with wide feet
Type: Mountain
Price: $160 Buy Now Read Full Review

For riders with wider feet, these shoes could be a good fit for you. They are wider than most shoes and have moderate to high volume. Lake even makes the MX 176 in a wider last across a smaller range of sizes. The sole is constructed of nylon and is suitable for most trail riding, while the Boa closure system holds the foot firmly in place. At 405 grams, the weight is similar to comparable shoes of this style, but these could be the most comfortable of all of them.

Shimano RP9

High-end qualities for a fraction of the cost
Type: Road
Price: $275 Buy Now Read Full Review

A $275 shoe is not cheap, but in comparison to the RP9’s features against shoes that cost much more, it is good value. They’re comfortable and stylish and would easily fit in a gallery of those more expensive options. They are also light at only 544 grams/pair for a 41. The Velcro strap across the forefoot with lever dial-adjust fastening at the top make them easy to tighten, and the microfiber synthetic leather body gives a snug fit that won’t stretch over time. Shimano also includes insole adjustment inserts, and the shoes are heat moldable. You will likely find yourself skipping this as they are comfortable and well-fitting right out of the box.

Scott Road Lace Comp

A premium fit at an affordable price
Type: Road
Price: $120 Buy Now Read Full Review

Laces have previously been available only at the higher end of the shoe market, but the Scott Road Comp Lace now makes the premium fit of laces available to many more riders. The fit feels custom as the upper can be tightened where it needs to be while leaving more room where it’s needed. The moderately stiff sole is made of fiberglass and nylon, so you get good efficiency while reducing hotspots. The foot is cradled by a polyurethane upper, and firm yet comfortable insoles support the foot well. There is plenty of venting to keep your foot cool, and the foot feels supportive on short and longer rides.