You don't need a special shoe to ride a bike, but biking shoes can make long-distance travel more comfortable and effective. Bike shoes provide more stable contact between your feet and a bike's pedals. The design of biking shoes, including stiff soles with no padding, make them unsuitable for walking, though, so pack a pair of regular athletic shoes on bike journeys.
Road Shoes
Bike shoes, with prices ranging from $50 to more than $200, vary in style depending on whether you plan to cycle on paved roads, mountain trails or in off-road conditions such as mud or sand. Shoes suitable for long-distance biking on roads include those with lightweight materials and sufficient ventilation. The upper part of a road shoe looks similar to a warm-weather running shoe. The sleek, lean soles keep your feet close to the pedals. Some models include a small rubber pad on the soles to provide traction on short walks.
Mountain Bike Shoes
Mountain bike shoes are designed with high-performance needs in mind. They are heavier and steadier than a standard road shoe. Mountain shoes may feature a recessed cleat that makes it possible to run in them should you encounter a situation -- an angry animal, for instance -- that makes it necessary for you to abandon your bike in search of safety. You can purchase mountain bike shoes with extra insulation for travel in cold weather. The soles of a mountain bike shoe may include a sticky rubber sole to improve your pedal grip. Mountain bike shoes may also include clips and toe studs to facilitate traction.
Off-Road Cycling Shoes
If you enjoy off-road cycling in soil, grass or sand, choose a shoe with a softer sole than you'll find on a road riding shoe. Although stiffer than normal walking shoes, off-road biking shoes look similar to everyday casual shoes. They also provide a similar, comfortably snug fit. They do not slip on your feet the way stiffer mountain and road bike shoes will. Off-road cycling shoes include a high grip and lower-level slot for cleats. Off-road cycling shoes may include shoelaces, but the laces may be concealed under the shoe's tongue. This helps protect the laces against damage from mud.
Considerations
Some shoes allow you to clip your shoes to your bike pedals; you press your shoe over the bike pedal to secure proper placement and twist your foot to detach it from the pedal. Choose a shoe with cleats that precisely fit your bike's pedals. To help ensure proper alignment between shoe and pedal, bring your bike or a picture of its pedals with you when shopping for bike shoes. But, if your cycle has platform pedals or flat pedals, choose shoes with sticky, stiff, flat soles without cleats.
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