With your feet doing most of the work on the bike, a comfortable set of kicks can make or break your ride. If your feet aren’t comfortable, nothing will be, so the best women's cycling shoes should not only fit well but deliver efficient power transfer so that your energy isn't wasted. That's why it's important to invest in the best cycling shoes for your budget, and to consider women's specific shoes if you find that unisex ones don't offer the comfort you need.
Choosing the perfect pair of women's road shoes can be a tricky thing, especially since feet come in all shapes and sizes, not to mention the fact that women's feet on average tend to be shaped slightly differently from men's. Women's specific shoes will be constructed around a women's specific 'foot last' (the mould around which shoes are shaped), which takes into account the variation in foot anatomy between the sexes and ergonomically tailors the shoes to fit better to women’s feet.
Comparing materials, arch heights, widths and closure systems can be quite a minefield, only then to also factor in weight and price (often hand in hand), so to make this process easier for you, we've rounded up our picks of the best women's cycling shoes for road use and answered some FAQs at the bottom of this article.
Best women’s cycling shoes you can buy today
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The Scott Road Comp Boa Lady Shoe may be a bit of a mouthful but it's a great option for any woman who's just getting into road cycling and wants to explore the advantages of clipping in with stiff soles and efficient power transfer.
They make great summer shoes, thanks to the myriad of ventilation points, leaving your feet feeling airy and cool on descents. Their breathability and heat-shedding also makes them a great option for the turbo trainer in winter.
We found these shoes to be super versatile, comfortable, effective and user-friendly, plus they're excellent value for money.
Bont is undoubtedly the shoe of choice for wide-footed riders in the pro ranks. The shoe has an unyielding sole, arguably the stiffest on the market, and it extends in length to form part of the heel cup, creating a mono piece that holds its shape.
The shoe comes in five width options including wide and double-wide. At first the upper might feel cumbersome, but it’s designed to be heat-moulded around your foot so you have all the benefits of the stiff upper without any of the painful complications that come with it.
All Bont shoes are handmade, as a bit of a warning, meaning there can be small size discrepancies and setting up cleats from one pair to another can take some extra time.
One of our male reviewers tested the Bont Vaypor S and came away thoroughly impressed by what it offers as a complete shoe.
Shimano has created a shoe that fits almost everybody with its RC3. The stiff fibreglass sole and very tight heel cup with anti-slip liner mean a lot of extra drive and power on the upstroke.
The centrally placed Boa offers a system with a single ratchet that covers the entire shoe. The cleat plate offers a large range of adjustability for placement, and the synthetic leather upper doesn’t stretch too much.
For the narrow-footed, the Shimano RC3 may be a little too wide in the mid-section, but they should be a great fit for anyone with a standard to almost-wide foot shape.
Read what our male reviewer thought of the Shimano RC3 road shoes.
Colours: Black, Grey/Black, Blue/Yellow, Purple/Blue, Movistar Edition Blue
Sizes: EU 37-48
Women's specific?: No
Reasons to buy
+
Excellent breathability
+
Firm heel cup prevents slipping
+
Good arch support
Reasons to avoid
-
On the narrow side
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Forward cleat position
Fizik delivers again on the Infinito R1 knit, the fabric version of its much loved Infinito R1. We found the woven material to be really comfortable after a few rides to break it in, allowing for maximum flexibility and breathability in the front areas of the foot.
The area on the top of the foot and the double Boa closures create the support system needed, whilst an ultra-rigid heel cup holds everything in place. The sole is highly stiff, unidirectional and full carbon. The only downsides were they run on the narrower side and the cleat holes are positioned further forward than most, but it's a great option for slender-footed individuals. The inset around the front of the ankle takes some breaking in as well.
These shoes are built to be a performance racing shoe, and a great option for those who ride in hot summer weather.
Read the full lowdown about what makes the Fizik Infinito R1 Knit road shoes such a good option.
Bontrager, Trek’s in-house components and finishings brand delivers great value for money with the Velocis. One of our favourite aspects of the shoe was the combination of one Boa with one velcro strap, giving the advantages of the Boa system, with the price point of a velcro system.
The material is easy to clean, and the carbon / fibreglass composite sole offers a good range of adjustability with cleat placement. We did find that they fit a tiny bit on the snug side through the met-head area (where the toes start) so if you have wider feet, go up a half-size. The toe box was round and spacious though, letting our little ones have a wiggle even after getting hot.
The Velocis are a great mid-range option if you’re looking for the benefits of the Boa system without breaking the bank.
(Image credit: Giro)
Giro Empire
A retro-looking shoe that offers excellent fit and arch support
Specifications
Weight: 215g
Colours: Black, White
Sizes: EU 36-43
Women's specific?: Yes
Reasons to buy
+
Super low-profile sole (6.5mm)
+
Lightweight at 215g
+
Soft and supple comfortable fit
Reasons to avoid
-
Laces make them slow to put on
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Hard to adjust while riding
For some true classic styling, look no further than the Giro Empire women’s shoes. This lace-up shoe pairs a retro feel with a super soft and supple upper, which although leather-like, is fully microfibre and lightweight.
These shoes are fully comfortable from the first ride, a somewhat rare occurrence as normally it takes a few weeks to break in shoes. A great feature we noticed is they come with three different instep and arch support inserts that fit under the insole. Having a low, medium and high arch support insert means that no custom footbeds are required, and everything you need is in the box.
The shoe is quite flat across the sole, so your toes aren’t lifted and you can achieve a great pedal stroke with power through the whole rotation. The Giro Empire is a great choice if you have a bit of patience. Compared to similar shoes, they take longer to put on and properly tighten up. Alternatively, if you want to try Giro shoes with a Boa system, opt for the Regime, which shares all of these fit features but forgoes laces for the ratchet system.
(Image credit: Northwave)
Northwave Jet 2 Road Shoes
The best value for your first road shoe
Specifications
Weight: 263g
Colours: Black, Yellow, White
Sizes: EU 36-48
Women's specific?: No
Reasons to buy
+
Budget-friendly pricing
+
Flexibility with cleat fitting
Reasons to avoid
-
SPD compatibility requires an adapter to be purchased separately
Northwave crafts shoes with over 20 years’ experience, which is why we trusted it with a true entry-level road shoe. The Jet 2 Shoe offers the versatility of a road pedal (three-bolt) and MTB (two-bolt) systems.
They are a good option for wider feet and designed for comfort and breathability. While they might sacrifice a bit on the performance side, the two velcro straps ensure a snug fit.
It may not be as elegant or micro-adjustable as a Boa or ratchet system, but a great option for those just starting in road cycling and wanting to try cleat shoes without a massive investment.
(Image credit: Specialized)
Specialized S-Works 7
The high-end splurge for all out bling on the feet
Specifications
Weight: 224g
Colours: Red/ Blue, Black, White, Yellow, Purple, Red/ Black
Sizes: EU 36-49 plus 3 widths
Women's specific?: No
Reasons to buy
+
Superior fit and comfort
+
Lightweight at 224g
+
Top-end Boa closure
Reasons to avoid
-
Very expensive
Expect only the best from Specialized in its S-Works line. The S-Works 7 shoe is a full performance road shoe built from top to tail with ergonomics, power and comfort in mind.
The stiff sole features a very straight mid-line to the tip, which immediately gives the feeling of better and more direct power transfer. This is the direction modern shoe design is going in. Because the sole is straight through the middle of the foot, less of the arch hangs over it, offering great support and meaning the upper takes on less of the support role.
We found the shoe thoroughly supportive, with a toe box that was just big enough. If you have larger toes for your foot size, check out the wide-fit option, although the space through the met head was generous. With Specialized’s proprietary Boa system the dual-way dial tightens and loosens with the same type of movement.
We found these shoes to be smooth and efficient from the first wear, with Specialized living up to its reputation of top-quality products.
How to choose the best women’s cycling shoes
Are cycling shoes gender-specific?
Not always, but some brands do offer women's specific cycling shoes. These are made using a women's specific 'foot last', a mould around which the show is constructed, and this will be ergonomically designed for women's foot shapes.
While all bodies are different, dimensions data suggests that on average, women tend to have shorter and narrower feet. Their shape is slightly different as well, so it's not always a case of offering smaller sizes with the same proportions.
If you have trouble wearing unisex shoes, it may be that a women's specific design will work better for you.
What's the best material for cycling shoes to be made from?
Shoes come in two families of material: leather and synthetic leather, sometimes with knit fabric technology added into the mix. Opt for a knit shoe for superior breathability and lightness, leather for a material that will naturally mould and adapt to your feet, and synthetic leather for a smooth, durable and easily cleanable surface.
What size cycling shoes do I need?
We can’t stress enough how important this is, especially as sizing can vary greatly between brands, and often isn’t reflected in what you might wear in casual shoes. You want your shoes to be snug, but still giving your toes enough room to wiggle and some space for your sole and arch to breath, without cramping up.
Remember your feet swell as you get hot, so if a shoe is snug when trying it on in a shop, it will only be tighter on the road. If you have the option to order two sizes and return one if ordering online, this can be a safe option, and don’t hesitate to reach out to customer service for sizing help.
What's the difference between the different closure systems?
The closure system is how the shoe will stay on your foot. In this guide you can see there are a few standard options: laces, velcro, Boa dials and the Sidi system which is similar to Boa. The Boa will give you the best tightness and small secure adjustments, but as a warning, if they break they are expensive to replace and may leave you without shoes for a while. Velcro is a great low-price and low-maintenance option that offers security and stability without the high price tag. Lace-ups that can be seen on the Giro Empires (and dhb shoes) are great for comfort, retro style and low profile functionality that never breaks, but can be tricky to adjust to the correct tightness.
How do I check for cleat adjustment?
When you look at the sole of your shoe, look for a shoe that offers some degree of adjustability in where you place your cleat, to ensure you have the correct setup and cleat placement for efficient power transfer. This can vary greatly among different shoes and different feet, so adjustability is key.
How long should cycling shoes last?
If you are investing in an expensive pair of shoes, you want to make sure they are going to last a good few seasons in the pedals. Check for which parts are replaceable, and do know that the more expensive shoes tend to be better constructed and longer-lasting.
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Mildred joined as Reviews Writer for Cyclingnews and BikePerfect in December 2020. She loves all forms of cycling from long-distance audax to daily errand-running by bike, and does almost everything on two wheels, including moving house, and started out her cycling career working in a bike shop. For the past five years she's volunteered at The Bristol Bike Project as a mechanic and session coordinator, and now sits on its board of directors.
Since then she's gone on to write for a multitude of cycling publications, including Bikeradar, Cycling Plus, Singletrack, Red Bull, Cycling UK and Total Women's Cycling. She's dedicated to providing more coverage of women's specific cycling tech, elevating under-represented voices in the sport, and making cycling more accessible overall.
