Shoe Boxers

I post a lot about bike riding, mainly because I am an avid bicycle rider myself and enjoy sharing with the readers of Shoe Boxers the latest and greatest in great, affordable and practical bicycling shoes. The latest ones, I actually own and want to bring forth the pros and cons of these shoes. Here are the ones I have both owned and liked or have owned and taken back, because they failed.

1. Louis Garneau CFS-150: These bike shoes are made for men, but at times you can find a great man’s bike shoe for women that deliver the best in comfort and breathable sole that it doesn’t matter if they are for men. Well, these shoes are definitely made for a man’s foot. I picked these up thinking they would keep my feet cool during rides with their mesh and holes throughout the shoe. They are heat molded to your feet to give the perfect fit. They not only didn’t deliver the way I was hoping for they also caused blisters to form on my heels. They were quickly returned. My husband tried them as well and they gave blisters on his foot as well and he said they were too stiff. We tried remolding them to our feet once again and still the same results on both of us.

2. Westwater Mary Jane’s : These shoes are the best. I have made them my favorite biking shoe and I only paid $65 for them from Teva. They slip on and slip off easy, but offer comfort and protection while riding. They have a mesh that is stretchable and allows air to flow through while riding. They are in a Mary Jane style with the strap that goes over the top of the foot and just under the ankle. The heel area is open and a strap goes across that back of the heel and is attached to the sole of the shoe. These are a must have for even a beginner bike rider. For good men’s bike shoes, try the Commuter Clip less Sandals by Keen.

Bike riding is one of the things my husband and I absolutely love. We load up our son, who is five and the dog who only weighs about 40 lbs. in the bike trailer and we take off for hours. We sometimes pack a lunch and ride to a park here in our county that is about a 45 minute ride and have lunch. One of the things we have found is that not just any shoe will do for hours and hours of riding. Here are a few bike shoes that we have either owned or have friends who own them and swear by them.

• Rocket 7 Bike Shoes: These shoes are for serious cyclist and even newbie’s. They are handmade in the USA and form to your specific foot shape. They are great for long rides and don’t cause the foot to ache after a few miles of riding.

• Adidas Adistar Ultra: Made in China with a carbon laminated with foam core. The sole is comfortable and a sturdy buckles to keep the shoe on your foot during hard rides.

• DMT Flash: Shoe is made in Bosnia and has carbon laminate. Has vent holes all through the shoe to allow it to breathe.

• Shimano SH-R300: This shoe is a shiny silver color with a stiff sole that is comfortable yet efficient during your ride. The come vacuum molded to fit any foot shape.

• Sidi Genius 6.6 Carbon: This shoe has “bike tour” color type coloring about the shoe in line green, red, black and even silver. Buckle closure along the side and Velcro straps along the top. These shoes are heat vacuumed to form around you upper and insole.

• Sidi: Nothing fits champions like Sidi. The only one 100% European brand of cycling shoe left in the USA market. The only bike shoe that pro-bikers and casual riders alike still wear. They are quality made and last for millions and millions of rides.

• Altrec: close to being the best all-around outdoor sporting goods site on the Web. Their site offers lots of good information and has a wonderful inventory of items. They offer cycling apparel and accessories, but no bikes. The site is getting better all the time. They are currently offering free shipping on most orders.

• Pearl Izumi: M3 mountain bike shoes provide the comfort of a cushioned EVA midsole and near-custom fit. Aggressive, tacky tread. 360-degree reflectivity. Nylon I-beam rigid. Made with quality materials to provide the utmost comfort and quality construction so the shoe will last for many rides ahead.

• Team Cyclist: is the largest cycling Factory Direct mail-order company in the world. The advantage that you have in shopping with Team Cyclist is that you will have available to you the largest selection of products in our entire industry.

• Terri Cycling Shoes: Started in 1985 and have continued to lead the way in women’s biking apparel and women’s biking gear, including shoes. They want women to have fun cycling. They make things that fit better, look better, perform better and make for happier riding occasions.

Finding biking shoes is easier than you think. Most bicycling outlets and retailers will carry awesome brands in shoes, but hopefully with this guide you will know to choose the ride shoe for your ride. Your bike isn’t the only thing that needs tender loving care, your feet are the work-horses behind what makes your bike even operate correctly. Take care of them and reward them and yourself with the right kind of shoes.