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.

HOW TO CHOOSE A CYCLING SHOES

 HOW TO CHOOSE A CYCLING SHOES

Choosing a CYCLING SHOES based on the closure system?

Unfortunately this mode of selection has become a classic among a very high percentage of cyclists.

In this post we will try to remedy it, and give you tools so that from this moment you can make a full-fledged assessment of the material to be selected.

- HOW TO CHOOSE A CYCLING SHOES AND PRODUCTS

Before going into categorizing the multiple options on the market, and analyzing details, we believe that these 3 sections are important.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MODEL FOR OUR TYPE OF CYCLING


Running 10 km on foot with basketball boots is not the best option.

The same thing happens here, if you want you can, but comfort and performance will be affected. Everything is invented in the age of super specialization.

So you will find a different shoe for each and every one of the existing cycling modalities.

Road, Triathlon, Enduro, CrossCountry, All Mountain, Downhill, BMX, Track, ...

CHOOSE THE SNEAKER ACCORDING TO SEX


If they give you the option, why are you going to avoid it?

Continuing with the super specialization, the vast majority of manufacturers have a specific collection for men, and another for women.

The difference is in the LAST.

Remember: if you are a woman, a men's shoe in your size will NEVER fit you as well as a women's one; they have a different shape.

And the price is the same.

CHOOSE THE CORRECT SNEAKER SIZE

Once we have identified the model that best suits the type of cycling we practice, we select the size that suits our feet.

In principle, it should match the shoe size that we usually wear; but you have to make some preliminary assessments:
- The sole (even the softest version) is extremely rigid compared to normal footwear, which does not allow the foot to deform ...
- The closure system is designed so that the shoe fits like a second skin, and our feet expand in summer, and shrink in winter.
- Both toe and heel are specially reinforced to facilitate energy transfer. This, once again, makes it difficult for the footwear to adapt to the foot (especially in high-level models).
From our experience, it is to take a size slightly larger than that used in normal footwear, in this way you will not have discomfort when the foot expands due to the heat and to wear thick socks in the cold season.

WHAT THE SOLE IS LIKE IN CYCLING SHOES


If there is a differentiating element in cycling shoes, it is without a doubt the sole.

ROAD SHOES
For road shoes it is essential to choose a sole with good stiffness.
The materials used to provide this rigidity (which ensures a total transfer of force to the pedal) are NAYLON and CARBONO.
To find out which sole we should use, there are tables of RIGIDITY INDEX, which in manufacturers such as BONTRAGER ranges from 6 for the softest sole to 14 for the most rigid.

MTB SHOES
In the case of shoes for field bikes or MTB, we will find 3 well differentiated products.
- The shoes that are (literally) road shoes, but with a studded sole. Oriented to raw performance.
- Those that are conceived from trekking footwear. Intended for recreational cyclists.
- Those that are developed based on the concept of skate shoes. Thinking about the most extreme disciplines such as DH, BMX and Jumping.
The manufacturers have resorted to collaborations with specialists in maximum grip tires such as VIBRAN or MICHELIN, and they offer soles with studs, or flat sole in the case of those specifically for platform pedals, with exceptional grip levels.

TYPES OF CLOSURE ON CYCLING SHOES


Currently we will find up to 4 closure systems:

BOA: it is nothing more than a rotor that winds a kevlar cord; the fit provided is brutal.
RATCHET or Micrometric: this system consists of a lever that advances a toothed plastic strip, for each lever movement one or more clicks of the strip are adjusted. To release it, it is provided with a button.
VELCROS: it is a very easy and fast system. But it does not allow adjustment of the above systems. It is the preferred system for triathletes.
LACES: At this point it may sound like something anachronistic. But the whole "cycling culture" movement has brought about its resurrection, and it has come with improvements. The models that close by laces, allow an even better adjustment than the previous ones to everyone's surprise.

OTHER DETAILS ON THE CYCLING SHOES


Typical impact areas with some type of anti-abrasion reinforcement.
Ventilation grilles located in the areas less exposed to impacts.
Soles with the possibility of inserting rubber to walk (road), and steel studs as in soccer shoes, in the toe, in MTB ones.
Lasts designed by ergonomic study.
Anti-slip heel lining.
Anti-bacterial and ergonomic insoles.
Specific models for low temperatures

SPECIFIC ROAD SHOES
 



Pedaling on the road is a cyclical activity, that is to say: we repeat the same movement millions of times, and apart from traffic, we will not find many interferences on our way that force us to do other types of movements.

The important thing is the quality of the pedaling, and the use / economy of our energy.

Therefore road shoes are designed with an objective axis.

Keys:

Aerodynamics.
Pedal force transmission.
Good support to the foot.

SPECIFIC MTB SHOES


If on the road we can maintain a controlled pedaling cadence, and there is hardly any interference, when we ride an MTB we go to the opposite pole.

It is almost impossible to maintain a constant cadence (unless you roll on forest tracks), there are many steps, crevices, descents, ascents, etc. that interfere with our rhythm and also force us to maneuver with other muscle groups, and sometimes it is necessary to dismount and overcome on foot climbs, descents or excessively dangerous areas.

 

Therefore the MTB shoes have adapted to those requirements.

Keys:

Rubber studs sole.
Anti-abrasion protection zones.
Toe and heel with reinforcements to avoid impacts.


SPECIFIC TRIATHLON SNEAKERS


When transitioning from water to bike, or bike to foot, the last thing you want to do is struggle with your shoes for 5 minutes to fit.

Keys:

Puller on the heel.
Wider opening to fit the foot.
Quick closure with velcro.
Very stiff sole.

SPECIFIC SNEAKERS FOR EXTREME DISCIPLINES


When you practice a type of cycling in which you constantly fly several meters, make violent turns with included skidding, or lower blocks of stone or cut dirt of several meters ... you prefer that your feet are not connected to the pedals.

Keys:

Rubber outsole without studs, specially designed to use platform pedals with small spikes that dig into the rubber.
Anti-abrasion reinforcements in the most exposed areas: toe, heel, outer side.
Air chamber designed to absorb impacts when we hit a "shoe" in a fall.
Some type of support to collect the laces, and prevent them from getting caught in the transmission.