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Whether you're riding trails or on the road, a good pair of bike shoes improves efficiency, comfort and stability on the bike.
Over the past decade, we've purchased and tested more than 200 bike shoes to bring you our top picks for everything from road cycling to mountain biking. Our team of expert testers brings hundreds of years of combined experience to the table, using and abusing every pair and scoring them in key areas.
The best road cycling shoe in our tests is the Shimano S-Phyre RC903. It offers great comfort and impressive power transfer.
Who it is best for: The Shimano S-Phyre RC903 is ideal for serious cyclists prioritizing power transfer. It was the highest performing model in our road bike shoe tests. You'll see this shoe on just as many feet in your local fast group ride as in professional pelotons. It's especially well-suited for riders who want maximum efficiency and stiffness from their footwear, whether sprinting or grinding through a long day in the saddle. However, those who regularly ride long distances might want to compare it against the more comfort-focused shoe due to potential foot fatigue over extended rides.
Why we love it: It combines elite-level performance with a surprisingly comfortable fit. The carbon fiber outsole is among the stiffest we tested, while the upper locks your foot down for a secure feel that excels under pressure. As our lead tester said, “This shoe gives the best power transfer of any option I've tested.” The secure heel hold encourages better hamstring engagement while pedaling, and updated cable routing offers improved comfort for long rides and quick efforts. The two BOA Li2 dials per shoe allow for precise fit adjustments, further enhancing its performance credentials.
Should you buy it? If you ride fast and rack up serious miles, this delivers race-worthy performance with enough comfort to keep you going. Minor drawbacks include the rear dial's placement—requiring two hands to put on or take off the shoe—and a stiff outsole that can cause fatigue if overtightened. The synthetic leather-wrapped outsole and plastic heel cup are prone to cosmetic scratches, which may be frustrating on such a premium-looking shoe. Still, these are minor issues in an otherwise outstanding road cycling shoe.
The bright blue color of the Shimano S-Phyre RC903 stands out as much as its performance sets it apart. If this look feels too flashy, it's also available in more subdued colorways.
Who it is best for: The Giro Cadet is ideal for beginner to intermediate road cyclists seeking an affordable, all-around clipless shoe that doesn't compromise too heavily on comfort or durability. Its balanced performance and universal fit make it a great choice for riders who want a dependable, entry-level option without diving into the high-end market.
Why we love it: “This shoe simply fades to the background while I ride, letting me think about anything but my feet,” said our lead tester. That kind of invisible comfort is exactly what makes the Cadet stand out. With a single BOA dial, a hook-and-loop strap, and a carbon-reinforced nylon sole, it offers a secure fit, decent power transfer, and longevity — all at a fraction of the price of more premium shoes. A thick heel pad adds durability, while the simple construction keeps it versatile.
Should you buy it? If you're after a reliable road shoe with solid performance and a comfortable fit — and you're okay with a bit of weight and a less locked-in heel — the Cadet is a strong contender. For the price, the Cadet delivers comfort, function, and value that's tough to top.
Who it is best for: The Quoc Escape Road is best suited for riders who prioritize long, leisurely rides over all-out performance. This shoe is a compelling pick if you value all-day comfort and a relaxed fit more than chasing Strava KOMs. It's a strong choice for casual cyclists who want something stylish and cozy, rather than hyper-stiff or race-ready.
Why we love it: A supple synthetic leather upper and a dial system that evenly distributes pressure give an effortlessly comfortable fit. “The fit is more of a pleasant hug than a squeeze while I ride,” said one tester. Quoc's closure avoids hotspots, and the soft polyurethane upper conforms beautifully to the foot. The shoe's easygoing feel and low-pressure fit make it a standout in the comfort category.
Should you buy it? If you're looking for a cycling shoe that prioritizes comfort and casual adventure over stiffness and speed, the Escape Road could be your perfect match. However, riders looking for more power transfer or foot retention may want to consider other options. The Escape Road's soft outsole and narrow toe box may limit its appeal for more aggressive efforts, but it nails the brief for all-day cruisers.
Who it is best for: The Freerider Pro is ideal for flat-pedal riders who want maximum grip and dependable performance across various terrain. It was the best of all the mountain bike flat shoes we tested. With a medium-volume fit, it's well-suited to various foot shapes. This shoe should be on your shortlist if you're after all-day pedal security and protection without sacrificing off-the-bike versatility.
Why we love it: Stealth rubber on the outsole gives this shoe class-leading pedal grip — “the next best form of attachment besides clipping in,” said our lead tester. A stiff midsole supports power transfer while minimizing foot fatigue, and the slight toe flex offers just enough walkability for brewery stops. The padded upper strikes a great balance between comfort and protection, making the Freerider Pro a consistent favorite.
Should you buy it? If you want a top-tier flat shoe with unmatched grip and reliable performance, yes — the Freerider Pro is a top performer. Its stickiness might frustrate riders who frequently shift foot positions, and it runs hot on warm days. However, the Freerider Pro is the benchmark flat pedal shoe for most riders.
Who it is best for: The Giro Latch was our top choice in our women's MTB shoe review. Is best for riders who prioritize a lightweight flat shoe with great bump absorption and reliable pedal grip, particularly cross-country or trail riders. It's not the most protective or breathable option, but it excels for riders who value comfort and a connected pedal feel on moderate terrain.
Why we love it: The Latch features standout, impressive vibration damping. “I was impressed with how this shoe absorbed bumps and vibrations I normally feel in the pedal,” one tester reported. The midsole strikes a smart balance between stiffness and flexibility, and its low weight adds to the ride feel without compromising walkability.
Should you buy it? If you want a high-performing flat pedal shoe that's comfortable, light, and tuned for trail efficiency, the Giro Latch is an excellent pick. However, its slightly warm upper and lack of burly protection mean it's not ideal for downhill days. For most trail riders, though, the Latch hits a sweet spot.
Who it is best for: The Ride Concepts Livewire is ideal for trail and all-mountain riders who want a versatile flat shoe with solid grip and dependable protection. Its medium-volume fit suits a wide range of feet, and its walkability makes it great for riders who regularly hop on and off the bike.
Why we love it: This model features Rubber Kinetics outsole for reliable grip on bumpy trails and a mid-stiff sole that balances pedaling efficiency with off-bike comfort. “I was pleased with the protection this model offers, with molded toe and heel construction and D30 inserts that help absorb impact,” said our lead tester. It's a well-rounded package that performs well across various trail conditions.
Should you buy it? This comfortable, durable, and protective flat pedal shoe is reasonably priced. Just be aware that it's heavier, and its power transfer is less efficient than lighter, stiffer models. For most riders, these tradeoffs are worth it.
Who it is best for: The Specialized 2FO Roost Clip is perfect for riders seeking an affordable, all-around clipless shoe that delivers solid performance for trail and technical riding, as long as it's not full-blown downhill. Its casual look also makes it a good choice for those who want something low-key off the bike.
Why we love it: This shoe punches above its price point with a sole that provides excellent grip and comfort. “It keeps my feet happy whether on the pedals or walking my bike,” said one tester. We also appreciated the impressive pedal-position adjustability — rare in an affordable shoe — and the power transfer exceeded expectations for a lace-up.
Should you buy it? If you're looking for value and versatility, the Roost Clip is a compelling choice. Just be aware of its relaxed fit — “some riders will want a tighter feel,” our lead tester noted — which can cause minor foot movement in technical sections. Still, for most riders, the Roost Clip is an excellent all-arounder that saves money without sacrificing much performance.
Our testing team is comprised of certified mountain bike guides, champion road cyclists, bike designers, and guidebook authors, who are passionate about every facet of biking.
Arthur Richardson: I live and breathe bikes. I grew up riding road bikes in Northern California, where I also worked in a bike shop during college and for several years after. Through this lifelong passion, I've accumulated a solid knowledge base on all things biking and put it to use as lead tester for men's cycling shoes. I now live in the bike hub of Bellingham, Washington, and if anyone has a question related to road bikes, I likely have an opinion about it.
Tara Reddinger-Adams: I head the women's biking reviews for GearLab, and I draw on my experience as a professional mountain bike guide, coach, and avid rider to find and recommend the best bike gear for fellow female cyclists. In 2016, I received certifications in a Bicycle Instructor Certification Program (BICP) Level I and Professional Mountain Bike Instructor (PMBI) Level I. Since then, I have started my own business, guiding and coaching hundreds of clients across the US, and I have leveled up to BICP Level II and PMBI Level II “Air” certifications.
Pat Donahue: I have been riding bikes my whole life and have dipped my toes in everything from downhill and enduro races to full-day endurance rides. I have worked stints as Senior Mountain Bike Editor at OutdoorGearLab, and today, I co-own a local bike shop in South Lake Tahoe and continue to head up the testing for men's mountain bike shoes.
Feeling locked in with the right shoes can provide a sense of confidence when tackling tricky features.
Credit: Jake Pritchett
How We Tested
If you add up the years we've each spent biking, our testing team here at OutdoorGearLab has collectively spent a few hundred years riding bikes. We use this wealth of experience to create objective, rigorous testing processes for each bike shoe review. We buy every shoe ourselves, accepting zero company handouts, to ensure a bias-free assessment, and then we use and abuse each one in several different environments. We take them from the misty coastal roads of California to the dry slickrock of the Utah desert, to ensure every product's best and worst qualities are unearthed.
General scoring metrics include durability, weight, performance, and comfort, but each type of biking has unique demands for the rider's shoe, so each category has additional unique metrics to help you objectively find the best pair of biking shoes for your needs.
Testing flat pedal shoes on tight turns.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How to Pick the Best Bike Shoes
Your feet are the only parts of your body that make contact with the pedals of a bike, where all the power transition happens, and biking footwear is one of the most crucial elements of any setup. Whether you're a mountain biker or a road biker, quality bike shoes that fit you correctly are just as important as which bike you buy. Fortunately, a bike shoe is a much more affordable piece of equipment to purchase or upgrade, but it still doesn't hurt to do a little research before buying a new pair.
There are many different types of bike shoes but finding the right option for you isn't as daunting as you might think.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Clips, Clipless or Flat Pedals
For those newer to cycling or mountain biking, one of the biggest points of confusion is figuring out the difference between clips and clipless, flat biking pedals and flat shoes (understandably). Until the 1890s, bike pedals were all what we would consider flats today. A flat platform pedal that can be used with any shoe, without attaching the rider to the bike. In the 1890s, pedal toe straps/clips became an option for cyclists, which allowed the rider to secure their feet to the pedal with a toe cage and straps. Designs varied, but most clipped pedals were unreliable at best. In more intense pedaling, the rider's feet might slip out, but during a crash, their feet might stay attached. As a remedy, the “clipless” pedal was developed. This style has a cleat on the bottom of the shoe that locks into the bike pedal, making toe cages (clips) unnecessary. These clipless pedals were initially dangerous in a crash since they didn't release easily, but as designs improved over time, getting into and out of the pedals has become simpler. Today, it involves a simple step-down motion to get in, and a heel twist/pivot to get out. Spring innovations allow for shoe release in a tumble.
Many people are swapping over to clipless pedals, even for mountain biking, for the added security and power transfer efficiency.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
Present-day clipless bike pedals and shoes are the only option we recommend for serious road cyclists. For mountain biking, you can choose to use flat (platform) bike shoes/pedals or clipless ones. While you can still buy toe clip pedals from a few manufacturers, we recommend using clipless or flats for any biking to maximize performance and safety. It's also important to note that multiple types of clipless pedals are available, and you will need to make sure the cleat on your bike shoes matches the ones on your pedals.
Modern-day clipless bike shoes and pedals offer an unparalleled way to connect to your bike. Clipless systems range from trimmed down “egg beater” pedals to hybrid offerings like this one that still offer a platform that's reminiscent of flats.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Cycling Shoes
Cycling, or road bike shoes, are lightweight and extremely aerodynamic compared to the relatively clunky mountain bike options. They offer the greatest pedaling efficiency and frequently incorporate a stiff carbon fiber sole. Entirely carbon outsoles are the highest performing, but they're also typically the most expensive, so a hybrid of nylon and carbon can be an excellent compromise between performance and value. The cleat in the shoe's forefoot protrudes from the sole, further aiding efficiency and a level of pedaling power found only in this category of bike shoes. Cycling shoes also generally use lighterweight synthetic materials for the upper, which provides better breathability.
Road bike shoes prioritize aerodynamics and performance, making them the sleekest and lightest of all the bike shoe categories.
Credit: Ryan Baham
Unlike mountain biking flats, cycling shoes are not designed to be worn off the bike. The hard pads that improve the outsole's durability offer minimal traction, and the protruding cleat in the forefoot makes for a very awkward stride. Walking around in cycling shoes sounds like tap-dancing on the pavement. If you're utilizing a road bike as a commuter, we recommend keeping a pair of normal shoes at the office or in your backpack. While it's possible to use cycling shoes for mountain biking, we generally discourage this unless you focus on cross-country riding, where you rarely have to dismount.
Whether a road cyclist or a downhill mountain biker, there's an excellent option for you and your feet.
Credit: Andrew Crook
Mountain Bike Clipless Shoes
Clipless mountain bike shoes serve the same general purpose. Compared to flats, they offer better pedaling power/efficiency and better maneuverability over, around, or through most features you'll encounter on the trail. However, when you're attached to your pedal, you need to be more exact with your shoe fit, as any unnecessary space (or improper sizing) can encourage more rubbing/blistering. While good pedaling technique involves minimal upward pull on the pedal, we all do it, so your shoe needs to fit your pedal stroke in multiple directions.
Mountain bike clipless offerings are many riders' preferred shoe/pedal system due the feel of being more connected to the bike and superior pedaling/power transfer.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Clipless mountain bike shoe designs fall into a few different sub-categories. Cyclists more oriented to racing and cross-country rides may prefer a slimmer, road bike-esque shoe with less rubber. These are frequently the lightest shoes in the category, but they can be less friendly for taking a hike-a-bike on the trail. Should you go out to dinner or a brewery after a ride, these shoes also don't fit in as easily. The other common subclass of mountain bike shoes is the more casual, downhill-friendly design. These look similar to flats, featuring the same wider shape and sticky rubber, but have an insert for cleats in the forefoot. When used with wider clipless pedals, they offer more stability for technical downhill riding.
Mountain bike shoes feature many different types of soles and last shapes. Some clipless models are more akin to road bike shoes in their narrow profile, while flat shoes have a wider platform and sticky rubber to help you grip the pedal.
Avid mountain bikers are split between riding clipless or flats (arguably more riders are in the clipless camp), but if you're new to the sport, consider starting on flats as you can more easily hop off your bike as you learn the basics. While any clipless system will ultimately release in a crash, that release will not necessarily happen immediately, and you might be attached for a second longer than you'd like. You can choose to start learning on clipless pedals, but you can anticipate a steeper learning curve.
If you're getting into mountain biking, clipless pedals/shoes take some getting used to- if you come up on a trail feature you can't just simply step off your bike, you have to do a heel twist and unlock your cleats first.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Flat Bike Shoes
Flat bike shoes are… flat. Completely. This type of shoe doesn't have cleats and can only be used with flat/platform pedals. They are the most versatile of any bike footwear genre, as they can be worn to hang around town as much as on the trail. Typically, these shoes have a flat, wide bottom to maximize surface area on a flat pedal and are made with a sticky rubber to better grip the pedal. In fact, the material is similar to the rubber used in approach/climbing shoes, where traction is essential for performance and safety. Without cleats and with excellent rubber, these shoes are much more walkable if you come up on a technical section of a trail you don't want to ride or are sessioning a feature and want to run laps.
Mountain bike flats, when paired with the right-sized pedal, can still allow riders to connect to each pedal stroke.
Credit: Tara Reddinger-Adams
Mountain bike flats reduce pedaling efficiency compared to clipless, but matching the dimensions of your pedal to fit the forefoot of your bike shoe can significantly improve your pedal stroke and downhill performance. If you are just getting into mountain biking, these are an excellent option, as you can hop off your bike quickly. Mountain bike flats are also a great option for commuters and casual, recreational cyclists in an urban environment who want a more protective shoe for biking but still want the aesthetics of a more normal-looking shoe.
Mountain bike flats sport a more casual look while also making walking and hiking more comfortable.
Credit: Campbell Steers
Conclusion
Whether you're an avid road cyclist or a budding mountain biker, there's an excellent bike shoe for you and your budget. The shoes highlighted in this article are all award-winning models in their respective categories and have earned their place as the top options. We encourage you to pedal through this page and ride to the in-depth category reviews to find the right companion for your biking feet.
—Arthur Richardson, Tara Reddinger-Adams, and Pat Donahue
