• Do you need light comfortable shoes or shoes that offer maximum protection?
• Do you want the shoes only while driving or walking as well?
• Do you need clipless pedals?
Once you have answers to the questions above, you will have a clear idea about the kind of shoes you need. To make the choice easier for you, let's take a look at different types of shoes available:
Downhill Shoes:
Downhill shoes are good for those who prefer heavier, durable shoe with a strong protection. These shoes have a hard, flat sole with cleats buried. The Downhill mountain bike shoes are a good choice for outdoor activities. For many riders one of the possible disadvantages Downhill shoes over other models is its weight. There are also some light versions of the shoes available that includes a mesh upper with leather panels and simple strap closures to make it easier without compromising much on protection.
Racing Cleats:
Ideal for cross-country riding and racing performance, the racing studs designed specifically for cycling. The shoes are easy with hard plastic soles and solid top shell. They either have velcro straps to tighten the shoe, or hook and loop closures. These shoes are made of high quality materials such as rubber compounds and carbon polymers and therefore they are usually expensive as compared with the other mountain shoes. These shoes are not suitable for walking and only designed for cycling, and for those seeking a strong ankle support.
Flat soles:
Flat sole shoes are a good choice for people seeking many other activated beyond cycling. These shoes have flat soles and are not fitted with clamp plates. If you go to the mountain trip where pedal traction is important, you can find several varieties of mountain bike shoes that are designed with sticky rubber soles that are used in climbing shoes.So, now you can show your set of requirements and can easily assess which shoes match your riding style and offer the most ankle support you need.
