You can bike faster and with greater efficiency with a pair of cycling shoes. Specialized biking shoes clip on to the bike pedals--attaching your foot to the pedal. With your foot secured to the pedal, you can not only push down on the pedal, but also pull up on it during your upstroke. An article in the journal "American Family Physician" notes that properly fitting cycling shoes can help prevent foot and ankle injuries. To reap the benefits cycling shoes provide, make sure you get a pair that fits you correctly.
Step 1
Find a selection of cycling shoes to try on. Go to your local cycling store to find different styles and sizes.
Step 2
Determine your foot size. Measure your foot size or use your standard shoe size as a starting point.
Step 3
Try on the cycling shoes.
Step 4
Feel the length. Press your finger down at the end of the shoe to check the shoe's length. Properly fitting cycling shoes leave a little bit of room between your toes and the front of the shoe.
Step 5
Check the width. Feel across your forefoot to determine if the shoe is comfortably snug, which is what you want.
Step 6
Inspect your heel. Move the back of the shoe up and down to make sure the heel is secure but not so tight that it pinches your foot.
Step 7
Clip in to your bike and test the shoe. Ride for a few minutes to know how the shoe feels in action and determine if the shoe fits you properly.
Step 8
Try on additional models. The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine advises trying on multiple models and sizes to compare their fit and feel.
Tips and Warnings
- The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine advises paying special attention to the forefoot fit because that is the most common place to experience pain and discomfort.
- Clipping in to and off of your pedals takes practice. Failing to clip out when you stop will result in you falling over, and is very common when you first switch to biking shoes.
Member Comments