Choosing And Maintaining Cycling Shoes

Cycling shoes are the shoes that are designed for the individuals who have great passion for cycling. These shoes are extremely smooth and inflexible. The stiff sole of cycling shoes helps to efficiently transfer power from feet to pedal. It also provides comfort to the rider.

How To Choose Cycling Shoes?

While choosing cycling shoes you should focus on many things, as mentioned below.

  • The most important consideration while selecting cycling shoes is the sole of the shoes since it is the sole which is responsible for providing comfort to your feet. Weight of the sole plays an important role which in turn is heavily dependent on the material used to make the sole. Soles can be made of carbon fiber, plastic or fiberglass. You need to select the material which provides the best balance of comfort and weight.
  • Breathability- This is another important aspect to be considered while choosing your cycling shoes. Breathability refers to the ability of the shoes to allow flow of air inside the shoes. Sufficient airflow through your shoes gives comfort to your feet and also helps in reducing sweat produced inside while cycling.
  • Rigidity of the Shoes – Rigidity is more important than the weight or any other aspect because it is rigidity of your cycling shoes that determines the efficiency of transfer of power from the cyclist to the pedals – more rigid the shoes, better is the efficiency of transmission.
  • Weight of the Shoes – As a thumb rule, lighter the shoes, better they are considered to be.
  • Although there is footwear available in market for both road and off road purpose, it is highly recommended to use shoes that are meant only for cycling purpose and not the ones that are meant for cycling plus walking.
  • Cycling shoes should fit properly so that your feet do not slip around inside while you are riding on cycle. You should select shoes that fit you the best because loose fitting shoes can ruin your ride. So do not go on the look and brand of the shoe but the quality of cycling shoes.

Interesting Aspects About Cycling Shoes :

One of the interesting and important aspects of cycling shoes is that they last for ages. Yes, cycling shoes last longer than any other sport shoes. It is so because cycling shoes do not come into contact with ground and are always constant on pedal giving long life to them.

Another important aspect of cycling shoes is that since the sole of cycling shoes is thick, it makes walking very uncomfortable and awkward.

Maintaining Your Cycling Shoes :

You may also like to note that moisture adversely affects the life of cycling shoes. As such it is advised that as soon as you reach home take off your shoes and stuff them with newspaper or any tissue paper to absorb the moisture present in the shoes. Placing shoes in front of any heat source (for drying) is not recommended as it can damage the shoes. Further, proper maintenance is also important for giving long life to your cycling shoes.

It is also recommended that you should always wear cycling socks with cycling shoes as thick socks would never stretch the shoes.