Whether you’re a beginner cyclist or a road racing veteran, choosing the right footwear can be challenging. Wide, narrow, or regular – you’re probably overwhelmed by the sheer number of bike shoe styles coming your way. What are the best road bike shoes for wide feet, anyway?
When you have wide feet, figuring out what type of footwear stays comfortable throughout the day can be a painful feat. Poorly fitting footwear can cause calluses, corns, blisters, bruises, and bunions. Pleasing to the eye, most footwear you wear on the regular was never meant to be worn for hours on end.
Sneakers are typically a favorite for people with wide feet because they’re made with plenty of wiggle room, a soft, stretchy upper, and similar features that promise to get you through the day pain and pressure-free. Sneakers are a great option to consider most of the time, but not for road cycling.
Cycling shoes, or bike road shoes, vary based on whether you plan on using them on an indoor bike, a road bike, or a mountain bike. Whatever your personal preference might be, most cycling shoes come with stiff soles and cleat mounts that allow you to “clip in” to the bike.
Where does the problem for wide-footed people arise? Cycling shoes are on the tighter end of the spectrum because they’re meant to wrap around your feet, align your posture, and allow you to distribute your weight evenly across your feet. Cycling shoes for wide feet aren’t common – but they do exist.
What to look out for in road bike shoes for wide feet?
When shopping for the best footwear for wide feet, you’re going to need a wide toe box, a soft, stretchy upper, and plenty of padding to keep you comfortable and supported without rubbing on your toes. We know that sounds great, but that’s not something you can get from a road bike shoe – sort of.
Don’t worry, we’re not saying that road bike shoes can’t be comfortable, that’s for sure. Road bike shoes can (and need to) provide you with everything you need to be consistent with your workouts and to reach whatever workout goals you’ve set for yourself.
With that in mind, fit, stiffness, adjustability, ventilation, comfort, and durability are all road bike shoe must-haves. When you’re trying to get your hands on the best road bike shoes for wide feet, you’re overlooking the importance of all these boxes – and that’s what needs to change.
A good fit can’t (and shouldn’t) be compromised. Whether they’re regular or wide, you need to be able to wiggle your toes, slip them on and off with ease when necessary, and wear them for hours on end without pain and pressure. Road bike shoes need to be stiff, but not uncomfortable.
Adjustability plays a huge part, too, because you need to be able to tighten or loosen your road bike shoes to your liking. A lace-up system, Velcro straps, and a BOA system are the most common types of road bike shoe closures and they’re all equally successful.
Without further ado, we’ve rounded up our top picks of the best road bike shoes for wide feet to get you started!
Our top picks for the best road bike shoes for wide feet
1. Giro Cadet Road Cycling Shoe
Giro Cadet Road Cycling shoes are great for both outdoor and indoor cycling thanks to their adjustability, breathability, and lightweight materials. Stylish and comfy, these road bike shoes are made with both a Velcro strap and a BOA dial fastening system.
Whichever of the two you opt for, both allow for easy adjustability and make it easy to get the shoes on and off. We do need to mention that these road bike shoes run a little small, but that’s not something that should sway you the other way.
Wide-footed people need to get the right measurements and they’re good to go. With a carbon-reinforced outsole, a stiff sole, and a mesh upper, you can count on these road bike shoes to get you where you need to be.
2. S-Works Torch Road Shoe
We know that breaking the bank on a pair of cycling shoes might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the S-Works Torch Road shoes are worth your while for a reason.
Where do we even start? S-Works Torch Road shoes are the newer version of the brand’s previous bestseller and they’re equipped with a myriad of features and functions that promise to get you through your workout with ease.
Crafted with a new carbon base plate, a heel cup, and a mesh upper, as well as the removal of the velcro strap and new BOA cable routing, we can’t find anything wrong with S-Works road bike shoes.
3. Venzo Cycling Shoe
Venzo Cycling shoes might not be your first pick, but they’re a great starting point for beginner cyclists who find the world of cycling shoes intimidating and irritating.
With strange fastening systems and curious cleat compatibility, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information you’re supposed to take in. Not to worry, Venzo Cycling shoes are still some of the best road bike shoes for wide feet.
Affordably priced, well-fitting, and lightweight, they’re appropriate for both outdoor and indoor cycling. They’re made with plenty of padding that promises to keep your feet happy and healthy. They fit true-to-size, but we do urge you to try them on before you purchase them – better safe than sorry, right?
4. SoulCycle x Pearl Izumi Legend 2.0 Cycling Shoes
When you’re ready to invest in the best road bike shoes for wide feet, you might want to consider SoulCycle x Pearl Izumi Legend 2.0 Cycling Shoes. We know they’re extravagant, but they’re guaranteed to draw attention and turn heads – even when you’re wearing them in your own backyard.
SoulCycle x Pearl Izumi Legend 2.0 Cycling Shoes are equipped with a perfect balance between padding and stability which might be why they’re great for both outdoor and indoor cycling.
They’re easy to adjust, super comfortable, and easy to clip in and out of a bike. They’re made with a BOA dial fastening system which makes it easy to adjust the shoes’ tightness before and during rides.
5. Shimano S-Phyre Shoe
Shimano S-Phyre shoes are perfect for the summer. Whether you’re planning on getting started with cycling during the summer or you’re worried about your feet getting sweaty and soggy when the temperatures rise, we recommend checking out Shimano S-Phyre shoes.
They’re made from regular synthetic microfibre but they’re heavily perforated to promote ventilation. They’re lightweight, breathable, and padded for comfort. They’re equipped with a sturdy external heel cup lined with a fabric similar to a cat’s tongue to prevent heel slippage in use.
With all that and more, there’s no wonder that these bike road shoes are a favorite among cyclists of all ages. They definitely deserve a place on our list of the best road bike shoes for wide feet!
6. Giro Stylus Road Cycling Shoe
Giro Stylus Road Cycling shoes are great for cold weather outdoor rides because they’re made with power transfer and less ventilation than other options. Whenever you’re thinking of cycling outside during fall or winter, remember to put on your trusty Giro Stylus Riad Cycling shoes.
We wouldn’t say they’re the best road bike shoes for wide feet, but they’re equipped with a roomy toe box, a one-piece upper with enough give to accommodate some foot swelling during the ride, and three Velcro straps that make it easy to adjust the tightness.
Supportive and snug, they’re a solid option to consider.
7. Sidi Shot 2 Road Shoe
Beautifully crafted, Sidi Shot 2 Road shoes are an ideal choice for anyone looking for a high-quality build with a performance feel. Whether you cycle every day of the week or you’re more of a weekend cyclist, you’re going to appreciate the features and functions that come with these bad boys.
We can’t help but rave about the multiple vents on the upper that ensure you don’t overheat, sweat, or get soggy feet after you’re done with the ride.
We do need to mention that Sidi Shot 2 Road shoes are on the expensive end of the spectrum and that you might need to spend a little more than you planned – but they’re worth your while.
8. Rapha Pro Team Shoe
Stylish and thoughtfully designed, Rapha Pro Team shoes are a sight for sore eyes. We’re aware that appearance doesn’t affect performance, but you might be taken aback by some of the styles we mentioned beforehand. Rapha Pro Team shoes, on the other hand, deserve a place in the spotlight.
With a carbon sole stiff enough to rival the more established shoe brands, these road bike shoes are high-quality, hard-wearing, and supportive. Wide-feet-friendly, Rapha Pro Team shoes are made with a woven Powerweave fabric upper that allows airflow and wraps around your feet for a comfortable fit.
9. Lake CX 302 Extra Wide Shoes
With an extra-wide forefoot, Lake CX 302 Extra Wide shoes are guaranteed to accommodate your feet and make you feel like you’re walking on clouds.
When compared to some of the most popular, prominent road bike shoes, Lake CX 302 Extra Wide Shoes offer 15mm of additional volume at the ball of the foot.
Supportive, protective, and comfortable, you can count on these road bike shoes to keep you on your toes all day long. Crafted with a full carbon fiber sole, dual BOA Li2 dials, and bright colors, you might want to keep an eye on these cycling shoes.
