As a cyclist, the wrong choice of footwear can disassemble months and months of hard training in a flash. All that hard work and countless hours of saddle time might leave you with the power of Tadej Pogacar or Sam Bennett's sprint, but an ill-fitting pair of shoes and the pain will return you to earth faster than you can undo your Boa dials. In contrast, the best cycling shoes will combine maximum comfort with ultimate stiffness to help harness your power and ensure that every last watt goes through the pedals and isn't lost to flex.
For many riders in the Tour de France, sponsors obligations mean the choice is restricted to that of a single brand. Jumbo-Visma and Team Sunweb for example are sponsored by Shimano, likewise Deceuninck-QuickStep and Bora-Hansgrohe with Specialized. These riders can be left in a difficult position if their sponsor's shoes don't fit quite right; upset their sponsors by wearing a competitor's shoes, or please the sponsors while risking the pain.
In such instances, it's not uncommon to spot riders wearing 'de-badged' shoes; essentially wearing a competitor's shoes with either the name removed or hidden by overshoes. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Occasionally, if your sponsors are really supportive they'll give you a hand, just like Gaerne did for Tim Wellens last year. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Other teams (such as Ineos Grenadiers) remain sponsor-free in this regard, allowing their riders to pick and choose their shoes. For this reason, it's been a common sight over the years to see Geraint Thomas sporting Fizik next to Chris Froome in Sidis. It would be unsurprising for the team to be unable to obtain a shoe sponsorship deal, so it's more likely that Dave Brailsford's men have chalked this up as a 'marginal gain'.
One great thing about cycling is that - even if you're as rubbish as me - you can ride on the same roads as your heroes, you can use the same bike, don the same kit and wear the same shoes. Good luck turning up to Wembley in your finest England kit and having a kick about, or knocking on the door of the United Center and shooting some hoops in your Bulls kit. Not happening.
So as with our recent sunglasses roundup, here you'll find a selection of riders from this year's Tour de France, their choice of footwear (sponsor correct or otherwise), and we'll give you clues on where you can get them at the best price, so that you too, can wear Sagan's shoes or Kristoff's kicks.
Disclaimer: this isn't Like Mike, and although new shoes make you feel great and morale watts are absolutely a thing, you probably won't get a 400w FTP as soon as you put them on. Sorry.
Specialized S-Works 7 Deceuninck-QuickStep is heavily kitted out by Specialized, including everything from bikes and wheels to helmets and shoes. On the latter, Specialized doesn't shy away from high-end options, and many consider its S-Works 7 shoes to be the best on the market. They're super stiff, competitively light, and once you've broken them in, they are unbelievably comfortable. It's perhaps unsurprising then that, just like the majority of his team, Alaphilippe uses them. But if £360 is too cheap for you, try Michael Mørkøv's S-Works Exos shoes, which will set you back around £450.
Shimano S-Phyre RC901 (custom) Bennett, like the majority of his Jumbo-Visma team, is wearing Shimano's S-Phyre RC901 shoes, even though the brand has recently launched newer versions in the RC902 - as seen worn by Wout Van Aert. If you want Bennett's exact shoe design, you'll have to get in touch with his artist girlfriend Caitlin Fielder, who custom paints shoes for many of the WorldTour riders.
Bontrager (unreleased) Unfortunately for anyone wishing to replicate Porte's footwear choice, the Tasmanian is wearing a pair of shoes that are yet to be officially launched by his team's sponsor Bontrager. The shoes are based upon the Bontrager XXX Road shoes, but with amendments that take heed from the old XXX LE shoes (such as the mesh instep). Bontrager has a history of creating 'one-off' shoes for its sponsored pros, so we don't know for sure whether Bontrager will ever launch the shoes to the public. Given Porte isn't the only one using them we expect they will, but if you can't wait, the XXX Road shoes are available already.
Sidi Shot Mitchelton Scott is a team without a shoe sponsor, leaving Yates to choose his footwear at will and he's decided in favour of Sidi Shot shoes. With a range of adjustability and a reputation for being immediately comfortable, the Briton's choice of footwear is matched by riders such as Rigoberto Uran, Chris Froome and Stage 13 winner Dani Martínez.
Rapha Pro Team Powerweave Powless' EF Pro Cycling team is technically sponsored by Rapha who supplies the team's stylish pink and blue kit, however, while we're not privy to the details of the agreement, it seems as though there's an acceptance when it comes to shoes. Powless is wearing Rapha Pro Team Powerweave shoes, but as mentioned above, Uran and Martinez are in Sidi and Hugh Carthy is in Shimano.
The Powerweave shoes are currently a road-only shoe, but gravel-riders rejoice, it looks like a gravel version is on its way.
Mavic Comete Ultimate If your pockets are really (...really really) deep, then look no further than the Mavic Comete Ultimate shoes being ridden by Dan Martin. They are made in two parts, with an internal bootie and an external exoshell. They're really lightweight, they're super comfortable, but they're £630 ($770) a pair. Better get saving.
Giro Imperial Pinot's Groupama-FDJ team is sponsored by Giro for their shoes and helmets, and from the extensive Giro cycling shoes range, the Frenchman has opted for the Imperials. In our Giro Imperial review, our tech editor gave them a healthy four out of five stars. They're not the most budget-friendly shoes available with an RRP of $425.00, but you didn't expect a Tour de France GC contender to be wearing the budget option, did you?
Fizik Infinito R1 Arkea Samsic don't have a footwear sponsor, so likely borne out of his time at Movistar, the Colombian's choice of footwear is the Fizik Infinito R1. In our recent Fizik Infinito R1 shoes review, we rated them at four stars and Quintana is far from alone in his choice. Geraint Thomas, and much of the Fizik-sponsored Movistar team have opted for the same.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews.
On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.
