We are mainly talking about road shoes here.
Shoes may be the most difficult part of a bike. Since it is the part where the body and the bicycle come into contact, it is necessary to match it firmly.
Bad mood.
There are various types of shoes, but if you compare the differences...
sole (sole)
Nylon-based plastic types and recently carbon are also increasing.
Carbon is light and does not bend at all, so power is transmitted directly. It's thin and close to the pedal, so it feels stable when you step on it.
On the other hand, it seems that there are times when it is hard and the soles of the feet hurt.
Even carbon that does not bend does not deform in the direction of input, like Pearl and Time 2006, but responds to ankle shake.
Some have a twist in the direction of rotation so that it can be done.
When there is pain in the sole of the foot, it seems that it often comes from the Achilles tendon, and in that case these shoes may be effective.
Plastic tends to deform (bend) a little, so it may be easy to use, especially for beginners.
A type that partially sandwiches carbon, such as SIDI, is this type.
I feel that Prasol is good at absorbing vibrations.
Considering this point, I think that more and more manufacturers are releasing two types of plastic and carbon.
There are various types of warped soles, and recently straight ones have increased. I personally like it slightly warped.
cleat hole
There is a hole in the sole for attaching the cleat, and this position is also different for each manufacturer. There seems to be a lot of depth these days.
There are many good things that importers can propose to manufacturers. This is an important part, so choose carefully.
upper
the part that shapes the shoe
Leather was the mainstream in the past, but synthetic leather has increased recently. The width of the shape also varies, some are narrow and some are too wide.
It can be said that shoes that fit firmly to the toe.
If the internal seams are not smooth, it will rub off if worn for a long time, so be careful.
It is not good for the click part to hit when the foot is fixed.
A wide range of types has also increased.
How to stop
Magic or click to stop is the mainstream
Magic is weak against rain, so it's good to tighten it occasionally. It's also nice to be able to make fine adjustments.
The click type is hard to loosen and rarely returns. However, it is complicated to readjust when you want to loosen it.
how to choose
A first-time user chooses the same feeling as ordinary shoes and fails.
Basically, there should be no extra gaps between the front and back of the legs.
If there is too much slack in this area, the pedals, the fixed sole, and the soles of the feet will rub against each other, making it difficult to apply force and sometimes causing the shoes to slip.
Be careful as it puts a lot of strain on your joints.
It's a good idea to check the width, especially the little toe side of the foot, for pressure.
People with high insteps should choose a wide type.
The size of the left and right feet is different, so it's good to wear them on the left and right.
Stand up for a moment and see if your toes are bent.
No matter how expensive or cheap the model is, if you think that it fits your feet basically, there are few mistakes.
If you are unsure about the size, I think it would be better to run a little smaller.
The type with a heel pad is always thin, so it's just right.
It is important for people who are replacing cleats to choose cleats that are not significantly different from their current cleats.
If you really prefer a larger size, it's okay to choose based on your senses, but if possible, it's better to find something that fits.