Cycling is a good hobby, especially because it encourages you to be physically-active, and hence, it could inevitably lead into an abundance of health benefits. From weight loss to improving cardiovascular health, among others, its advantages can surely convince you to give it a shot. If you are interested, you need to be well-prepared in order to prioritize your comfort. With this, one of the most important would be investing in the right footwear. Are you wondering how should cycling shoes fit? Or maybe, are you thinking about what factors should be taken into account to help you pick the right cycling shoes? Keep on reading and weÔÇÖll share with you some insights that can prove to be valuable.
How Should Cycling Shoes Fit
The most important thing that you should remember is to make sure that it is not too tight. This is basically because cycling can lead into the swelling of your feet. This means that its size will also increase, and hence, if the shoe is too small, you will most likely suffer from discomfort. It would be best to have a half to an inch of allowance, providing the foot with more room if it expands as a result of cycling.
The following are some of the steps that you should be doing in order to properly fit your cycling shoes:
- Start with considering the bike that you will be using. If you are using a mountain bike, the best option would be footwear that is integrated with recessed cleats, which will also be good for short-distance walking. On the other hand, if you are using a road bike, protruding cleats will be better as it can provide greater comfort when worn during races.
- When visiting a shop to fit new shoes, it would be best to do it in the afternoon. This is the time wherein your foot is at its largest, making sure that you will be buying a pair with a size that is bigger than your normal.
- Make sure to also try different types of shoes and see which one has the size that you are most comfortable with. The sole is still rigid, so expect that you will be able to feel stiffness.
- Once you have worn the shoes, stand up. There should be an allowance between the toe and the end of the shoe. If you can freely wiggle your toe within the shoe, this means that the size is too big.
- Start walking with the shoes on. Again, it must not feel too tight. If you are feeling that your movements are restricted, this is an obvious indication that the shoe is too small for your feet.
- Sit on a bench and start mimicking motion when pedaling. This will let you see how the shoe fits when you are moving. If all is well, this is an obvious sign that you have finally found the right pair.
Other Factors to Consider
It is not enough that you consider how should cycling shoes fit. While size is indeed one of the most important considerations, it is not the only thing that matters. To be able to increase the likelihood of finding the best, make sure that the following factors will be taken into consideration.
- Choose the right fastening system. Generally speaking, you have to choose from dials, laces, ratchets, and Velcro. Most of the shoes, especially the budget-friendly options, have Velcro straps. They are lightweight and they can make sure that your foot is secured regardless of the movement. In the case of high-end models, however, they have dials, which are also known to be the most secured from the three.
- Look at the sole. The most important thing that should be considered would be the stiffness of the sole, which means that it should not be prone to bending. This means that when you are pedaling, the shoe will be able to retain its shape, and hence, minimizing the possibility of hurting your foot.
- Find the right material. This is going to have an impact on the price of the shoe that you will purchase. Leather is an excellent choice because of its glove-like fit and pleasing looks.
- Your comfort should be top priority. This would bring us back to the importance of choosing the right material. See to it that it encourages proper air circulation to keep the feet dry and comfortable.
- Consider tour budget. At the end of the day, for most people, price will be the most important consideration. Set your budget beforehand, which will make it easier to narrow down the possibilities. However, do not buy a cycling shoe only because it is cheap, especially if quality is being compromised. It should be seen as an investment, which is why you should not hesitate to spend more for better quality.
