Road Bike Shoes

Our advice? Start with the sole. It’s where the magic happens - the right sole can lead to a smooth-as-silk riding sensation, whilst the wrong one can feel crippling over time. Northwave gets it right with every model. From carbon to nylon, you’ll get a sole that distributes pressure evenly. Although more affordable, nylon-soled models are not as rigid or light as carbon, meaning you won’t quite get the full transmission of power to pedals. If you’re racing, we recommend carbon soles - look at models such as Extreme GT 3, the Mistral Plus and the Revolution 3. Next up is fastening. Northwave offers a great selection of bike shoe closing systems (X-Dial®, velcro or good-old, tried and true laces) so you can find the system that suits you best. Also key is the temperature of your feet. You want them feeling just-right, no matter what the conditions. For a summer road bike shoe, look for great ventilation that will minimise moisture build-up. At the opposite time of year, it’s crucial to keep feet warm. Northwave really sets the standards for a winter road cycling shoe, with some models featuring water-resistant GORE-TEX® membrane and extra insulation to encourage dryness and warmth. For the best road cycling shoes in Australia, choose Northwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put mountain bike cleats on road shoes?

Whilst you can probably do this in some instances, we do not recommend it. MTB and road bike pedals are intrinsically different, and you're just compromising the performance and longevity if you try to figuratively make a square peg fit a round hole.

Do road bike shoes come with cleats?

No - you can expect to receive cleats when you purchase pedals, not shoes.

How should road cycling shoes fit?

You don't want your feet to have plenty of space in a road bike shoe. They need to fit snugly and feel secure and supported. Allow for approximately 1.5cm between the tip of your big toe and the shoe. Why not check out our bike shoe fit guide for more detailed information.

How to unclip road bike shoes?

This is the kind of thing that becomes second nature over time but might feel a little awkward or unusual the first few tries. Just push your foot down on the pedal and move your heel away from the bike, as if you're taking it from 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock. You will feel it release as you go. We recommend getting a feel for this whilst stationary on the bike and holding onto something. Then graduate to perhaps trying this whilst moving (but on a soft surface like a football over).