Keys to choosing a cycling shoe

 Keys to choosing a cycling shoe

More and more cyclists come to the consultation due to the appearance of pain and numbness in the feet. These problems can be due to various causes but in this post we are going to analyze how the type of shoe used when riding a bicycle can cause these problems.

We start with a fact that catches our attention and that is that, on a mountain bike, also known as mountainbike (MTB), there is not as much incidence of this type of pain. MTB shoes are less rigid than those used on the road, since on MTB, the terrain is more variable and, therefore, all the pressure is exerted with the same position on the pedals, which ends up causing these problems if the shoes are very stiff or narrow.

- Keys to choosing a cycling shoe and products

Therefore, to know what type of shoe we should use, there are several considerations that we must take into account to be able to do many kilometers, enjoy the exit and not suffer these discomforts. For this reason, we leave you 3 tips on how to choose the correct cycling shoe.

1. WIDTH OF THE SNEAKER
The cycling shoe must be as wide as our forefoot or even a little more, since, when we apply force on pedals, the forefoot widens. Therefore, if this margin exists, we can largely avoid the famous overheated foot.

A very simple check to know this is to remove the insole of the shoe and put our foot on it. If your foot sticks out, the shoe will be too narrow for you. It should also be taken into account that, in winter, a fatter sock is worn and that in summer the foot swells due to the heat.

In the article "How does heat affect your feet?" you can discover the reasons why this happens.

2. PROPER SIZE OF THE SNEAKER
Regarding the size, it is recommended that it be one more number, but it would be enough if the fingers did not touch the toe when pedaling. For this, the ideal is to try them on in the store, stand up and do a little force to see what happens inside the shoe and if it has a small space.

It is important that, especially in the toe area, the shoe has slack, since these parts of the foot must be tight, but not trapped. Also, pay particular attention to this as most riders use custom insoles for greater comfort and performance.

An expert should be advised on which cycling shoe you need to avoid problems since they are our companions for many kilometers.


3. TYPES OF CLOSURES
The functionality of a closure is to hold the foot perfectly, thus preventing it from moving inside the shoe. It should be noted that the adjustment has to be moderate in the instep, that is, it does not cause excess pressure in that area.

There are different closure systems, but the most widespread is BOA, since it holds the foot perfectly. However, this type of closure is not suitable for those cyclists who have a very hollow foot and a prominent instep. For athletes who have these physiological characteristics in the foot, it is better to opt for a closure that has two or three adjustment parts. In this way, more or less pressure can be applied depending on the area of ​​discomfort.

Ultimately, the type of shoe when cycling is a key factor since inappropriate footwear can cause ailments in the short and long term. For this reason, to be able to enjoy the bicycle and have a better performance, it is advisable to follow the keys set out in this article and ask a professional for advice.