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Guide
Cycling Shoes
Your pedal decides first: SPD pedals need a shoe with a 2-bolt mount; road pedals such as Shimano SPD-SL or Look Kéo need a 3-bolt one.
Key points
- Pedal first: 2-bolt for SPD, 3-bolt for SPD-SL and Kéo.
- The stiffer the sole, the harder it is to walk in.
- Tighten cleat bolts to 5 to 6 Nm on Shimano.
Which shoe for which ride?
| Use | Choice | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Road, racing, long rides | ChoiceRoad shoe (3-bolt) | LimitThe cleat sticks out. Walking only for short stretches. |
| Cross-country, fast rides | ChoiceXC shoe (2-bolt) | LimitHard on long walks and hike-a-bike sections. |
| Trails, descents, bike parks with clipless pedals | ChoiceTrail and enduro shoe (2-bolt) | LimitLess direct uphill than an XC shoe. |
| Gravel, commuting, bike touring | ChoiceGravel and touring shoe (2-bolt) | LimitTouring shoes feel less direct on the pedals. |
| Trails, bike parks, everyday riding | ChoiceFlat pedal shoe | LimitNo clipless pedals, no pulling up. |
Types compared
Road shoe
For road, racing and long rides.
- Advantage: Stiff sole, direct power transfer
- Drawback: Cleat sticks out, hard to walk in
XC shoe (2-bolt for SPD)
For cross-country and fast off-road rides.
- Advantage: Stiff like a road shoe
- Drawback: Hard on long walks
Gravel and touring shoe (2-bolt for SPD)
For gravel, commuting and tours with walking breaks.
- Advantage: Rubber sole, easy to walk in
- Drawback: Less direct than a road shoe
What to check before you buy
| Question | In short | Why |
|---|---|---|
| What do 2-bolt and 3-bolt mean? | In shortSPD or SPD-SL, Kéo | WhyThe 2-bolt mount takes the small metal SPD cleat, recessed into the sole. The 3-bolt mount takes the large cleats for Shimano SPD-SL and Look Kéo, which stick out under the sole. |
| How stiff should the sole be? | In shortShimano: levels 2 to 12 | WhyShimano rates its shoes from 2 (soft) to 12 (stiff). Road racing shoes sit at 10 to 12, enduro shoes at 6 to 7, flat pedal shoes at 2 to 3. Other brands use other scales. |
| How much float does the cleat need? | In short0° to 9° | WhyFloat is the angle your heel can turn while clipped in. Shimano SPD-SL: yellow 6°, blue 2°, red 0°. Look Kéo: grey 4.5°, red 9°. More float forgives setup errors. |
| BOA, Velcro or laces? | In shortDial, strap, laces | WhyA BOA dial tightens or loosens in small steps, even while riding. Velcro straps close quickly and easily. Laces are mostly found on flat pedal and casual shoes. |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need clipless pedals as a beginner?
No. Flat pedal shoes with a soft rubber sole hold well on pins, and you can get off the pedal at any time.
Can I walk well in road cycling shoes?
Only for short stretches. The 3-bolt cleat sticks out under the sole, you walk unsteadily and it wears faster on tarmac.
Do MTB shoes work on a road bike?
Yes, if you use SPD pedals on your road bike. Many riders do this for gravel and commuting, because the recessed cleat lets them walk normally.
What helps against cold, wet feet on the bike?
In autumn and spring, overshoes over your cycling shoes are often enough. They keep out wind and rain.
Last updated: October 2026
What for?
Road bike
Choose a road shoe with a 3-bolt mount for SPD-SL or Kéo pedals. The sole is stiff, Shimano level 10 to 12 for racing. You can only walk short stretches in it.
- 3-bolt
- Stiff sole
- BOA or Velcro
Mountain bike
For clipless pedals, choose an MTB shoe with a 2-bolt SPD mount and treaded sole. For cross-country it can be stiff; for trail and enduro softer, around Shimano level 6 to 7.
- 2-bolt for SPD
- Treaded sole
- Toe cap
Gravel, tours
Choose a shoe with a 2-bolt SPD mount: the cleat is recessed, so you walk almost normally. Shimano rates gravel shoes around level 10, touring shoes 4 to 5.
- 2-bolt
- Recessed cleat
- Rubber sole
Cold, rain
Pull overshoes over your cycling shoes: they keep out wind and rain. For frost and long winter rides there are dedicated winter cycling shoes with lining and membrane.
- Over your cycling shoe
- Wind and rain
- In frost: winter shoes
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