Biking Footwear

Wearing good cycling shoes can improve both your comfort and your performance. Choosing the biking footwear that matches the style of riding you do is the first step.
 
Price is also a factor in choosing biking footwear. While certain types and brands of cycling shoes are more expensive, they often provide extra comfort and functionality. This means that it is sometimes worthwhile to put in a little extra money - the investment can pay off in added enjoyment of cycling.
 
If your style is just casual riding, then your best bet is to buy recreational biking shoes that don't work with a pedal system. If you do mountain biking, you can choose a clipless system or mountain bike shoes with toe clips.
 

Toe Clips

Toe clip systems have a clip on the pedal that holds your shoe in place. The advantage of this system is that they are easy to get in and out of. Also, they're inexpensive. The downside is that your shoe isn't as engaged with the pedal, so they do not work as efficiently and you lose power.

Clipless Systems

Clipless systems work by attaching cleats on your shoes to bindings on your bike's pedals. Clipless bicycle shoes give you a lot more power because they help you to pedal more efficiently. They take time to learn to use, though. If you go with this system, be sure to choose shoes and pedals that are compatible with one another. Not all systems are.
 
Clipless systems give you better performance, but toe clips give you the advantage of being able to get off your bicycle more easily. When you're mountain biking, you tend to have to get on and off the pedals a lot, and a clipless system helps with that.
 
If you do road biking, a clipless system is the best choice. With road biking you won't need to get on and off the pedals as much as with mountain biking. Also, clipless bicycle shoes give you much more power transfer.

Spinning Class Footwear

Believe it or not, some bicycle shoes are made specifically for spinning classes. Designed to be comfortable in the hot, humid environment of fitness centers, these shoes have the characteristics of road shoes, but are lighter and emphasize coolness and are very breathable.
 
A few other tips for biking footwear shopping are:
  • Tread pattern is important for mountain biking because you'll need good traction to hike up steep slopes that can't be biked on.
  • Look for stiff soles and choose the kind of closure that suits you best. Laces, buckle closures and Velcro are all available.
Take the time to try on several different pairs of bicycle shoes. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The extra time you put in will pay off in terms of greater comfort. When trying on shoes, remember that they should fit a little bit tighter than everyday shoes. Try them on with the type of socks you'll be wearing when you're bicycling.
 
Resource
 
REI (n.d.). How to Choose Cycle Shoes. Retrieved January 14, 2008, from the REI Web site.