Whether cycling indoors or outdoors, your shoes cannot cross your mind at all, if you have a perfect fit, or will be on your mind during each pedal. Wearing a shoe that does not fit properly can do more than cause discomfort, you may experience blisters, knee pain or arch pain from a poor fitting cycling shoe.
Arch Pain
The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine recommends purchasing a cycling shoe that has a stable shank. The shank provides support between the heel and the ball of the foot. Your arch may collapse if you do not have a solid shank to help transfer the power from your foot to the bike pedal. This may lead to pain or burning in your arch or to tendon problems.
Knee Pain
If you select a shoe that has ridges or ribs on the sole, or if you use a shoe with cleats on the sole, you may not be able to move your foot in a side to side motion when pedaling. This lack of movement, can lead to a misalignment in your knees, feet and pedals, which can result in knee pain, swelling or clicking, and should be examined by a doctor.
Numbness
A long cycling ride may result in numbness or tingling in your toes if you are not wearing proper fitting cycling shoes. According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, this numbness is caused by restricting blood flow to a nerve between your second and third, or third and fourth toes. To alleviate this discomfort, select a wider shoe, or loosen your shoe laces.
Cold Feet
Your cycling shoes should be changed with weather conditions just as you would change your every day shoes. You would not wear sandals in 3 feet of snow, nor should you wear thin cycling shoes in the middle of winter. Cold, wet feet will make your ride uncomfortable and possible decrease your duration. You can choose to purchase shoes designed for winter riding that are insulated and will cover your ankles, or you can purchase shoe coverings that slide on over your cycling shoes.
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