Do Mountain Bike Shoes Make A Difference

Mountain bike shoes are an important part of the biking experience. They provide a more comfortable and safer ride. However, not all mountain bike shoes are created equal. Different types of mountain bike shoes offer different features and benefits. This is why it is important to know what type of riding you will be doing before you buy your shoe.

The best way to find the right shoe for you is to start by looking at your budget. There are many different types of mountain bike shoes on the market, so there will be something that fits within your price range. Once you have established a budget, it’s time to look at what type of riding you will be doing most often and what features are most important for those types of rides.

Do bike shoes make a difference?

“We found no difference in performance between less stiff and stiffer road cycling shoe soles during short uphill sprints in recreational/competitive cyclists,” concluded lead researcher Rodger Kram.^[1]

What type of shoe is best for MTB?

If riding flat pedals, the best choice is to wear flat soled shoes designed for mountain biking. These have very stiff soles, and a tacky rubber sole which allows the metal pins in the pedals to bite in, providing incredible levels of grip even through very rough terrain.^[2]

Do lighter cycling shoes make a difference?

If you want to get faster without training, get lighter shoes. Lighter weight shoes also feel faster on the bike, which provides a huge mental advantage. Or, more precisely in our experience, heavier shoes can feel really heavy and provide a distinct mental disadvantage when you’re already struggling up a hill.^[3]

What is the difference between MTB and road cleats?

A proper road shoe has a stiff sole all the way to the tip of the toe giving a more stable base, whereas in most MTB shoes the carbon or nylon stops just ahead of the cleat to allow the sole to bend slightly at that point, to aid walking as often required in MTBing.^[4]

Can I use MTB shoes on a road bike?

Simply put, do not use road bike shoes for mountain biking, and while it is possible to use MTB shoes for road biking, it’s not recommended. Use shoes that are fit for purpose for comfort and performance.^[5]

How big of a difference do cycling shoes make?

Stiff soled cycling shoes outperform regular sneakers during all-out sprints: 10% more power output with cycling shoes compared to regular shoes (even less with a stiffer soled rubber shoe)^[6]

Do vans work for mountain biking?

Yes, Vans shoes can be used for mountain biking. These shoes are comfortable enough for you to actually have a good ride when you are out mountain biking as Vans shoes are quite sturdy and flexible. Vans shoes are made with soles that are supposed to be effective at gripping the surface of skateboards.^[7]

Can I use hiking shoes for mountain biking?

You can use hiking shoes for mountain biking, that’s because hiking shoes are versatile enough that they fit most of the demands of mountain biking. But, for more advanced mountain bikers, it is best to go for mountain bike shoes that were specifically made for performance.^[8]

What do mountain bikers wear on their feet?

Clipless shoes look like road cycling shoes but will have a recessed cleat and a chunky tread to allow the rider to walk a little more normally. Other riders opt to ride with ‘flat’ shoes and pedals, where the pedals have a rough-textured surface and ‘pins’ that project outward to grip the shoes.^[9]

Are more expensive cycling shoes worth it?

If you plan on riding for an extended period, and especially during warmer conditions, a shoe made from pliable and breathable material is vital for your lasting comfort. As such, more expensive shoes tend to be more comfortable and breathable than cheaper ones.^[10]

How much faster do bike shoes make you?

Clipless pedal systems provide approximately 10% more maximum power output during short periods (<30 seconds) of all-out sprints and steep climbing, compared to flat pedals.^[11]

How much of a difference do cleats make?

But an outdoor sprint test showed that clipped in cycling shoes increased maximum power in a sprint by an average of 16.6 per cent over the trainer/flat pedal combo, while toe clips and straps added 9.7 per cent, so if you’re riding harder you’ll probably find a benefit from using cycling shoes and clipless pedals.^[12]