The 10 Best Cycling Shoes For Women
This wiki has been updated 17 times since it was first published in October of 2019. Whether you cycle indoors or outdoors, your shoes should fit comfortably and offer secure pedal traction. For spin cycling, you need contoured soles and compatible cleats to keep your feet planted. For track and mountain biking, you'll want thick treads to withstand turbulence. Additional must-have features include adjustable fasteners, soft linings, and breathable panels. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Scott MTB RC
2. Tommaso Pista Spin Class
3. Sidi Dominator 7 SR
Editor's Notes
January 26, 2020:
I've changed this list to feature indoor and outdoor cycling shoes. At first, I only included indoor shoes. To make room for the outdoor selections, I removed the unisex Gavin Road SPD because it's primarily for beginning indoor cyclists and you have to purchase the cleats separately. I also removed the Zol White MTB because its clips constantly need retightening. I added four outdoor shoes to the list based on recommendations from leading shoe experts, including the minty microfiber Scott MTB RC and the cushiony, colorful Sidi Dominator 7 SR.
The qualities I looked for in all of these selections are comfort, ventilation, snugness, durability, and traction.
January 19, 2020:
The decision was made to focus on indoor cycling shoes because their design and function are a lot different than their outdoor counterparts. Indoor cycling shoes feature firm, contoured soles, whereas outdoor shoes feature thick, flexible treads. While outdoor shoes are also designed to accommodate walking, indoor cycling shoes are not intended for walking beyond the matting of the gym. Therefore, indoor shoes feature smooth bottoms to prevent scratching of the floor material at gyms. While outdoor cycling shoes can be used for indoor cycling, the reverse is not the case. That said, some cycling shoes like the Louis Garneau Tri X-Speed III are adaptable to both environments.
The list presents a range of popular cycling shoe brands, including expert favorites like Louis Garneau and Pearl Izumi.
Special Honors
Riivo High-priced outdoor designs with embossed, metallic features. Hand-crafted to the foot measurements of each wearer. They do customized molds at their Houston headquarters. If you order their kit, you can send them your self-made mold. Custom colors and orthotics on select models. riivo.com
Rocket7 Hand-made by a team of cobblers in Erie, Colorado. The company sells different colored variations of five basic designs, intended for track cycling, mountain biking, and triathlons. They also do custom-fitting. Their shoes are backed by a conditional one-year warranty. rocket7.com
4. Fizik R5 Road
5. Louis Garneau Tri X-Speed III
6. Shimano SH-RX800W
7. Pearl Izumi IV-W
8. Venzo Road Riding
9. Giro Empire VR90
10. Flywheel Sports Indoor
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.