Our selection of the best road cycling shoes 2023

Stiffness, lightness or ventilation are qualities that all cycling road shoes try to combine to offer us the best possible connection with our bike, but which models succeed? Here we select 10 of the best options.

10 road cycling shoes you can't go wrong with

The shoes are, without a doubt, one of the most important accessories when riding a bike. It is the point of connection between our legs and the bicycle, which support our feet and optimally transmit the force we exert to the pedals. It is also an element that constantly rotates around the circumference described by the cranks. That is why it is essential that they are stiff to avoid wasting forces, that they have a contained weight to minimize the mass that we have to rotate and, of course, they must be comfortable and ventilated to be able to spend many hours pedaling without stopping.

BOA fasteners, carbon soles, microfiber or knit covers are some of the solutions that different manufacturers usually apply in their creations. Let's take a look at some of the most reliable models on the market.

Fi’zi:k Vento Infinito Knit Carbon 2

The Italian firm, the same that equips, among many others, the Movistar Team cyclists, has in its catalog this version with the outer part made of knit fabric with great ventilation capacity. This makes them perfect for the torrid days that we are already beginning to enjoy. If we also add a tremendously stiff sole and also ventilated thanks to the channels that run through it and an adjustment by two BOA Li2 closures that allow you to adjust them perfectly to the contour of our foot, we have a top-level shoes that will not disappoint you whatever your level.

• Price: 390 €
• Weight: 225 g (Size 42)
• Sizes: 36 to 48 with half sizes from 37 to 47
• Manufacturer's website: www.fizik.com

Scott Road RC

Scott not only manufactures bicycles but also has an extensive catalog in which we find components and accessories of the highest quality. A clear example of this can be found in its shoes. In this case, the Road RC are the second step of its range. However, they have nothing to envy to the top models of many firms, starting with the HMX carbon sole, the same fibers that the brand uses in its most representative bikes. The lining follows a classic pattern with tongue and is made of microfiber. It is perforated to ensure sufficient ventilation and reinforced with generous mesh holes in the front.

The heel area is held in place by an external resin piece that wraps around the heel and gives consistency to the area. As for the fit, this is left in the hands of two BOA IP-1 closures that optimally distribute the tightening throughout the instep.

• Price: 299.90 €
• Weight: 265 g (Size 39.5)
• Sizes: 38 to 48 with half sizes from 41 to 45
• Manufacturer's website: www.scott-sports.com

Gaerne G.STL Iridium

The Veneto brand has extensive experience in the manufacture of footwear for both the world of cycling and motorcycling. In the field of pedals Gaerne has completely renewed its range in this 2023, leading its catalog these G.STL Iridium in which the care of its craftsmanship in its factory in Coste di Masser is maintained. It stands out for its new ultra-thin and ultra-light 12.0 sole with a new shape to improve stability. It has a generous support piece in the heel area and the cables of its BOA Li2 fasteners are arranged diagonally to apply the tightening more evenly and reduce the appearance of pressure points.

• Price: 285 €
• Weight: 276 (Size 43)
• Sizes: 39 to 47 with half sizes from 41 to 45
• Manufacturer's website: www.gaerne.com 

Van Rysel RoadR 900

Decathlon continues its work to make sport more accessible to a greater number of people with quality material adapted to different levels of sporting practice. For cycling enthusiasts the French firm has these Van Rysel that have little to envy to the shoes of its competitors while having an unrivaled price. They have a microfiber lining with a double tongue design in which one half closes over the other. The sole is carbon with ventilation holes. BOA closures cover a large area over the instep thanks to the arrangement of both cables forming a double loop which allows much better distribution of the tightening without pressure points occurring.

• Price: 129.99 €
• Weight: 312 g (Size 43)
• Sizes: 40 to 47
• Manufacturer's website: www.decathlon.es 

Specialized Torch 3.0

Excellence marks all the products manufactured by the North American company. Among them, with permission of their bikes, the shoes have become one of the most famous for its own merits as its Body Geometry fit that allow better stabilization of the knee thanks to the correction of varus and customizable insoles with which to adapt the shoes to the characteristics of each foot. Such is the level of the Specialized range that we don't need to resort to their top of the range S-Works to find an excellent shoe. Their Torch 3.0 offers an option with a classic configuration with tongue and a closure based on a double BOA S2-SV closure that receives the support of Velcro in the part closest to the toe. The lining combines microfiber and mesh fabric in the toe area while the outsole is made with their renowned FACT carbon.

• Price: 240 €
• Weight: 248 g (Size 42)
• Sizes: 36 to 48
• Manufacturer's website: www.specialized.com

Sidi Shot 2

If there is a legendary company in the world of road cycling shoes, that is Sidi, a brand that has been putting shoes on the most important champions for years. Among its extensive catalog, the top of the range is currently occupied by these Shot 2. It has two Tecno-3 cable closures, developed by the brand itself, located in an unusual position on the tongue in order to better distribute the pressure of tightening on both sides of the shoe. The rear part has a piece that allows adjustment so that it more or less adheres to the Achilles tendon while at its base it perfectly gathers the heel. It is worth mentioning its rigid carbon sole that has great adjustability for the cleat as well as nylon inserts that protect it from chafing when we have to walk. Of course, as usual in Sidi, these inserts as well as all the elements of the shoe are replaceable in case of deterioration by use.

• Price: 399 €
• Weight: 287 g (Size 42)
• Sizes: 38 to 48 with half sizes from 41 to 46
• Manufacturer's website: www.sidi.com

Shimano S-Phyre RC9

Since their introduction, Shimano's S-Phyre shoes have made their place in the peloton on their own merits. They feature a sober character in which every element has its reason, starting with the lining, made of microfiber and with a double tongue design that closes one side over the other. However, the upper is kept to a minimum to reduce the feeling of being too tight, which in some cases this configuration creates. It features two BOA Li2 closures and a wide plastic piece covering the heel to ensure a solid fit. The front area is micro-perforated to ensure good ventilation and its carbon sole stands out for the wide range of adjustment it allows to the cleats.

• Price: 321 €
• Weight: 235 g (Size 42)
• Sizes: 36 to 48 with half sizes from 37 to 47
• Manufacturer's website: bike.shimano.com

DMT KR SL

The same shoes used by Tadej Pogacar are available from the Italian company DMT. A shoe created on the basis of achieving the most efficient racing shoes which implies a very light weight that they get by replacing the usual cable closure with traditional laces that allow a firm and customizable fit but not as immediate as that offered by the dials. Its knit upper is constructed in a single wrap-around piece that will also contribute to the lightness as well as offering a snug fit, a solution found in many running or footbal shoes and that DMT has brought to the world of cycling.

• Price: 399 €
• Weight: 208 g (Size 42)
• Sizes: 36 to 47 with half sizes from 37 to 46
• Manufacturer's website: dmtcycling.com

Ekoï R4 Light

The French firm offers excellent products at a reasonable price and is extremely breathable thanks to its Spandex Grip fabric upper covered with mesh. It has reinforcements on the heel and tongue to ensure foot support. The closure is in the hands of two aTop closures with cables arranged to strategically distribute the tightening and thus achieve a perfect fit without creating pressure points. Of course, in a top-level shoe like this, it has a stiff carbon sole to promote the best transfer of force.

• Price: 126 €
• Weight: 275 g (Size 42)
• Sizes: 39 to 47
• Manufacturer's website: www.ekoi.es

Luck Genius

The Riojan company continues to establish itself in the market combining price, performance and fantastic designs in its standard models and, if you do not like any option, you always have the possibility to customize them to your liking. They have HD50 carbon sole with Air Sole Stream ventilation holes to prevent the foot from overheating. Ventilation is complemented by multiple perforations in the microfiber lining. The fit is in the hands of two efficient aTop cable closures. A set of qualities that present us with a really competitive and affordable model.

• Price: 129 €
• Weight: 200 g (Size 42)
• Sizes: 37 to 48
• Manufacturer's website: www.luck-bike.es

What do you think of our selection of some of the best road cycling shoes? Are we missing any of them or do we have too many? We read you on our social networks!