If you're going to splurge on one piece of gear, it should be your cycling shoes. The difference between a good pair and a cheaper option will come down to the materials used, overall weight, stiffness of the sole and adjustability of the upper—all of which play an important role in your comfort and performance on the bike.
While the best shoe for you will ultimately come down to personal preference and fit, we've taken three of the latest model road shoes and put them to the test to give you an idea of what to expect from the best of high-end cycling footwear.
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Upper: Lightweight microfiber with a low profile adjustable MR-1 ratcheting buckle closure. Offset D-ring straps at midfoot.
Outsole: Easton EC 90 unidirectional carbon fiber, replaceable heel pad.
Weight: 240 grams
The skinny: Of the shoes we tested, this one was definitely the lightest, and it was noticeable. Other than Giro's own Prolight SLX II that weigh in at a mere 205 grams, you'll be hard pressed to find many cycling shoes come in under the 240 gram mark of this shoe. The carbon sole was stiff and provided excellent power transfer to the pedals. The microfiber upper is easy to clean, which will keep your shoes looking new longer. On the downside, it isn't the most breathable on hot summer days. The buckle latches are well made, but the adjustability of the straps wasn't the best of the models we tested. But if you're looking for a race-ready shoe that's light and stiff, this one will do the trick admirably.
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Upper: Kangaroo leather on the heel and toe, nylon mesh on the sides; sailcloth straps; aluminum buckle.
Outsole: Carbon fiber
Weight: 253 grams
The skinny: The only noticeable differences between the R3 and the more expensive R1 are the use of kangaroo leather, which is used sparingly on the R3, and the carbon buckle that's replaced with an aluminum version. These differences don't take away from the quality of the shoe, which I found to be the best fitting and most comfortable for long hours in the saddle. The curve of the carbon sole has a way of contouring to the shape of your foot that isn't present in other models. The heel cup, arch and forefoot fit my foot much better than the flatter outsoles that are more of the norm, providing plenty of support. The mesh on the sides instead of the full kangaroo leather of the R1 made the shoe more breathable during the summer months, though mesh is harder to clean when dirty. The sailcloth straps were a nice touch too—extremely lightweight and more durable than the other models. Overall this is a shoe that will sacrifice a little in the weight department in favor of comfort, which makes the perfect option for long rides and races.
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Upper: Lightweight microfiber; 3D Nylon airmesh; BOA lacing system
Outsole: HMX carbon; stiffness index 10
Weight: 290 grams
The skinny: The new Premium from SCOTT is about as good as a racing shoe is going to get. The BOA lacing system provided the best overall adjustment, with two dials to customize the midfoot and upper separately. The forefoot bed was just wide enough to be roomy without feeling like it didn't fit. The microfiber material used was similar to the Giro Factor ACC, but the combination of the airmesh made the shoe more breathable on hot days. The HMX carbon outsole was the stiffest of all the shoes tested, and the power transfer to the pedals was noticeable. This model was the heaviest of the three, but it didn't feel that way on the bike. From an overall comfort and performance standpoint, this model was the best of both worlds.
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