The best shoes for road cycling are typically light, stiff, and clipless (meaning you clip into your pedals). But that all depends on what your goals are and where you are in your cycling journey. If you’re just starting out, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with riding a road bike in your tennis shoes, but you will sacrifice some efficiency. Stiff, flat-soled shoes made specifically for cycling can be a great choice if you're just starting out. However, if you're looking to ride far, fast, or both, then you'll likely opt for a road cycling specific clipless shoe. Road bike shoes can be designed to use 2- or 3-bolt cleats that clip into a corresponding pedal. The sole of the shoe will be made of a hard material that is specially designed for the most power transfer between you and your pedals. That doesn't make them the best shoes for walking - but they'll certainly get you into that coffee shop for a mid-ride caffeine and pastry fix!

Mountain bike-specific shoes are made for great power transfer, durability, and traction off-the-bike. Though not quite as stiff as road cycling shoes, mountain bike shoes have a stiff sole to provide a solid platform when pedaling and standing on the pedals while descending. The big difference in mountain bike shoes is they are made to withstand a wide range of conditions: mud, dust, rocks and roots. Sometimes, it's just not possible to ride a section of trail, so mountain bike shoes also have to be grippy and comfortable enough to handle walking over rough terrain. You can choose flat mountain bike shoes (for use with flat pedals) or clipless mountain bike shoes (for use with pedals you can clip into) based on your goals and riding level. For more information on how to choose between clipless and flats, read on!