The dhb Dorica Carbon Road Shoe incorporates a full carbon 3K weave sole into the popular dhb Dorica Road Shoe. This is the same one used in the dhb Aeron shoe collection, offering a significant increase in stiffness while still maintaining a decent mix of stiffness and comfort for all-day riding. Because laces provide many ways to alter tension across the foot, this form of shoe is popular among cyclists of all types, from sporty riders to world-tour riders. They enable you to "tailor" the fit to your specific needs.

The traditional 'oxford style' opening with seven eyelets provides these shoes plenty of flexibility, allowing you to open or shut them according to your foot shape. Midway down the shoe, an elastic lace retainer keeps things secure and clean, ensuring they don't get trapped in your chain rings. For warmer weather riding, perforated holes on the top of the shoe promote breathability. The perforated tongue also aids airflow and contours to the top of the foot for enhanced comfort when the laces are fastened.

The shoe's upper is more durable, preventing it from impact with the terrain or the bike. The top is made of a soft microfibre that will mold to the shape of your foot because it is not rigid or heavy. For those chilly weather rides, the toe-box width has been enlarged to allow a little larger forefoot or a thicker pair of socks. Whatever you bike through, the black inner mesh fabric will appear pristine.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sizes: 39-48
• Colours: 1
• Weight: 255g (size 44)

REASONS TO BUY

• Carbon sole
• Lace closure for exacting fit
• Comfortable for long rides
• Lightweight shoe

REASONS TO AVOID

• Heel cup needs tightening
• Colour choice limited

BUY NOW: wiggle.co.uk/dhb-dorica-carbon-road-shoe

When it comes to cycling shoes, Specialized is a global leader. The American firm is best known for its S-Works 7 shoes, which sell for a whopping £370. The Torch 1.0 is an attempt by the makers of the huge red 'S' branded gear and bikes to bring the essentials of Specialized's shoe offering to a much more affordable pricing point: £99. The Torch 1.0 benefits from trickle-down technologies, such as data and research from the company's Body Geometry division, which studies the human body and how it interacts with the bike.

The sole, on the other hand, is not as rigid, and a few corners have been cut along the way to reduce the price. They put these shoes up against four other sub-£100 kicks, and the only pair the Torch 1.0s couldn't beat were the dhb Doricas, which Wiggle's in-house brand could offer with a carbon sole for the same price. If you prefer a Boa dial to laces and want a bit more flex from a nylon plate, these are a great option.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sizes: 36-49
• Colours: 6
• Weight: 242g (size 40)

REASONS TO BUY

• Stiff sole
• Good looking aesthetics
• Boa closure

REASONS TO AVOID

• Heel support lacking
• Low support insole

BUY NOW: bike24.com/p2361347.html

With top-tier performance road shoes costing well over £2,000, £3,000, and, in the case of the Specialized S-Works Exos, £4,000, it's reasonable to think that lower-cost options will be a significant sacrifice. The Cube RD Sydrix Pro shoes are less than half the price of top-tier road shoes, proving that good things may come in far smaller financial packages. The glass fibre bottoms of the Cube RD Sydrix Pro road shoes are more than acceptable in terms of stiffness, scoring a 9 out of a potential 10 on Cube's ranking index. A man-made upper sits on top of the sole.

It isn't as flexible as leather, but its stiffness provides a snug grip on my foot without being excessively compressive or producing pinch spots. The Boa-like ATop dial closes the Cube RD Sydrix Pro shoes. The cable-based retention system is ideal for a precise fit and is simple to modify on the fly, which is one of my pet peeves with lace-up cycling shoes. The shoe won the weight watchers competition with only one dial, saving a few grams over its more expensive brother, with the EU size 39 weighing in at 234g each shoe on my scales.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sizes: 38-48
• Colours: 1
• Weight: 234g (size 39)

REASONS TO BUY

• Plenty stiff soles despite lack of carbon
• Comfortable, supportive fit

REASONS TO AVOID

• No choice of colour
• Limited ventilation

BUY NOW: bike24.com/p2300026.html

Shimano has trickled down the technology from its top-of-the-line S-Phyre, which is listed below as another superb, albeit more expensive, cycling shoe, to create a nice balance of low cost and high performance. One of the BOA dials has been replaced with a Velcro strap to cut the price, and the dials are the L6 kind, which only ratchets tighter, as opposed to the IP1 dials on the S-Phyre, which allow you to loosen the tension in 1mm increments. This has not, however, come at the expense of usefulness.

These shoes were really comfortable, with no hotspots occurring after extended rides outside or indoors. The many perforations that sprinkle the upper have a noticeable cooling effect. Of course, whether the high breathability of these shoes is a positive or bad thing will depend on when and where you ride. There are many sizes and fit variations for men and women, as well as wider fit versions, but only two colors are offered in each range: white or Shimano blue (as seen) for men and white or navy blue for women.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sizes: 35-50
• Colours: 4
• Weight: 275g (size 45)

REASONS TO BUY

• Adequate stiffness for multi-hour rides
• Simple, single BOA retention
  
• Good looking aesthetics
• Broad size range including wide fit

REASONS TO AVOID

• Fiddly to get tongue to sit comfortably

BUY NOW: ebay.co.uk/itm/363700877605

The Vaypor S model, like the rest of the line, features the brand's proprietary shoe last, which offers improved anatomical support. Of course, the sole is made of carbon. They found it to be stiff but not uncomfortable after several hours of riding. 'wide fit' shoes had a roomier toe box than most, and the sole, like that of other Bont shoes, can be heat moulded for a custom fit - however tester found them comfortable right out of the box. The closure mechanism consists of two UP1 Boa dials, with a Durolite upper over the top of the foot. They found a comfortable fit that was simple to alter.

The reinforced toe and heel were sturdy, and while the design may divide opinion, these shoes provide good power transmission and comfort in one package. Although they gave these the highest grade when they first saw them, they still stand out as more comfortable than the Specialized S-Works 7 shoes, and because they can create a really unique bespoke shoe, they truly stand out against other similar priced options, such as the Shimano S-Phyre SH-RC 902. All you have to do is be open-minded about appearances and focus on the beauty within.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Size : EUR 36 - 50
• Colours: 6
• Weight: 230g (size tbc)

REASONS TO BUY

• Adjustability of fit/ heat mouldable
• Wide fit
• Sole stiffness
• Comfortable on long rides

REASONS TO AVOID

• Chunky looks

BUY NOW: bontcycling.com/products/vaypor-s

The Giro Imperial road shoe was the first time the brand used dual Boa retention on a pair of tarmac-fairing shoes when it was released. With two IP1 reels and the brand's WorldTour-stiff Easton SLX2 carbon sole, the resulting shoe is what many have been clamoring for for some time, positioning it squarely as a contender for the greatest cycling shoes.

The Imperial was designed to extract every last watt from each pedal stroke, but it was also quite expensive; luckily, Giro has parlayed some of the technologies that set these shoes distinct into a more budget-friendly option, the Regime. The Synchwire, thermal-laminated Teijin TPU upper, which inherits its design from the Imperial, is the Regime's best feature. The material is made up of monofilament mesh, which is nonstretch, breathable, and supple, and is covered in TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) to add structure and stability.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Size : Women's EUR 36 - 43 Men's 39 - 50
• Colours: 3
• Weight: 230g (size tbc)

REASONS TO BUY

• High end features in a mid-priced shoe
  

REASONS TO AVOID

• Empty List

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B08HDR4JN4

With its low profile design and sole stiffness rating at the top of Shimano's own ranking, the Shimano S-Phyre SH-RC902 has no doubts about its racing capabilities. While this amount of rigidity may turn some people off and make them question the comfort, rest assured that while sprinting and climbing provide the most benefit, they do so at the expense of comfort. Shoe stiffness ratings are not uniform, with the top-of-the-line Bontrager shoe scoring 14 out of 14 and Fizik scoring 10 out of 10 in their own internal rankings.

Shimano grades the RC9 carbon sole as level 12 and describes it as "rigid and responsive." However, the capacity of the shoe to be comfortable as well as harness pedal power is critical, and they excel in this area. The Li2 Boa double dial system is the newest and smallest from the well-known closure company, and it nestles as close to the side of the shoe as possible. When you consider the broad toe box, this does help to reduce the overall profile of these performance shoes. However, getting the wrap over design just right when putting them on can be difficult and takes some practice.

They are, without a question, a thoughtful choice at this price point, but when compared to their rivals at a comparable price, they stand out with amazing elements like the undersole ventilation. If you're prepared to spend the money, this is one of the best cycling shoes available.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sizes: 36-48
• Colours: 4
• Weight: Not specified

REASONS TO BUY

• Wide toe bo
• Adjustability of fitVenting for food breathability
  
• Low profile Boa closures

REASONS TO AVOID

• Tricky to get fit right

BUY NOW: wiggle.co.uk/shimano-rc9-spd-sl-s-phyre-road-shoes-rc902

Lightweight shoes, once relegated to the sole use of the professional peloton, are becoming more popular among riders wishing to shed a few kilos from their total cycling setup. While the Specialized S-Works EXOS 99's incredible nano weight was confined to just 500 pairs of the sub-100 gram shoe, the Pearl Izumi PRO Air shoes are available to everybody and only weigh 51 grams per shoe.

The ultra-lightweight sneakers have a full carbon sole, a laminate-coated mesh upper, and a lace-up clasp, all of which add up to a minimal weight on the scales. The ultimate result is footwear that is not only light, but also extremely rigid and breathable. The performance of the Pro Air sneakers has not been compromised by sticking to the essentials of construction. They found them to have a fantastic ride feel, balancing stiffness, support, and comfort. However, while they appreciate the laces helping to keep weight down, they did prevent on-the-go adjustments.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sizes: EUR 39-49
• Colour : Black only
• Weight: 150g (Size 42)

REASONS TO BUY

• Uber lightweight
• High breathability

REASONS TO AVOID

• Only available in black
• Laces mean no mid-ride adjustability

BUY NOW: pearlizumi.com/products/pro-air-15182101

Extremely light, firm, and comfy. The Giro Imperial is on Editor's Choice list because it has the potential to be one of the best race shoes ever made. The Easton EC90 carbon sole is as firm as any other on the market, with Boa dials for more convenience and better adjustment. The cost of high-end bicycle shoes continues to rise. The new £375 Giro Imperial is a good example. It's Giro's most expensive option to date, though not quite at the level of the Mavic Comete Ultimate shoe. What justifies its exorbitant price?

The Giro Imperial shoe is exceptionally light, starting at 440g per pair in size 42.5. For fit adjustment, Giro has chosen two Boa IP1 dials. They're a quality product from Boa, with 1mm tightening and loosening increments and easy release by elevating the dial. As a result, you may fine-tune the uppers' fit on the fly. Giro was one of the first companies to advocate for the return of laces on their shoes, which reduced weight but sacrificed on-the-fly adjustment.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sizes : 39-48
• Colours: 4
• Weight: 220g (size 42.5)

REASONS TO BUY

• Stiff without discomfort
• Tuneable footbeds
• Lots of mesh in uppers
• Durable construction

REASONS TO AVOID

• A bit too airy for all but summer riding?

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B08PW9KXTH

Many of its road cycling shoes come in ordinary, wide, and extra-wide widths, and its signature feature is heat-mouldable carbon inserts that, in theory, provide the ideal cocoon. The CX403 road cycling shoes (yes, the name is misleading, and no, they aren't cyclocross shoes) are top-of-the-line, with plenty of carbon inlays. If you're looking for a race shoe, Toplist recommend them, but if you're looking for more of an all-arounder, Toplist wouldn't recommend them.

The Lake CX403 shoes may be heat moulded, which is a common feature on cycling shoes. They're more of a race shoe than an all-arounder, and they found them to be a little stiff and low volume for everyday use. The uppers are made up of a blend of soft leather and rigid carbon fiber to provide both comfort and support. They're simple to mould at home or at a dealer, and you can do it numerous times, making them an excellent option if your feet aren't the right shape for off-the-shelf cycling shoes.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Sizes : 39-50
• Colours: 4
• Weight: 315g (size 39.5)

REASONS TO BUY

• Heat mouldable
• Very stiff
• Wide fit options available

REASONS TO AVOID

• Can be uncomfortable if you make changes
• Not as light as other shoes at this price

BUY NOW: lakecycling.com/products/cx-403