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A good pair of cycling specific shoes will help you to be more efficient, stand out, and enjoy your favourite rides even more. In this article we have put together 10 best cycling shoes for men under $200 in 2021.
We also have articles where we feature other cycling shoes in case you want to check them out as well:
6 Best Road Cycling Shoes for Men Under $100 in 2021
7 Best Road Cycling Shoes for Women in 2021
Introduction
More often than not when talking about cycling specific shoes we refer to the ones you clip in to bike pedals. Clipping in ensures that your feet are in an ideal cycling position and makes your pedal strokes more efficient.
In this article we have put together 10 best road cycling shoes for men under $200. While shortlisting these 10 we focused on the highest quality within a $200 price tag. Our list includes the best mid and high-end range options to choose from.
If you are not sure what to look for in a pair of cycling specific shoes then check out our cycling shoes buyers guide. It has a lot of useful information and will make your buying process much smoother and faster.
1. Shimano RC701 Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Carbon fiber
- Upper Material: Synthetic artificial leather
- Closure System: Boa L6 Dial
- Weight (1 shoe): 256 g (size 43 EU)
Positives
- Very stiff carbon sole
- Great fit
- Very good ventilation
- Extremely lightweight
- Come with a Boa closure system
Negatives
- Price is slightly over $200
Shimano RC701 road cycling shoe is one of the best high-end shoes you can get for the price. It offers all of the premium performance features and would be an ideal option for performance and comfort focused cyclists alike.
The upper part of the shoe is made of synthetic artificial leather. This fabric is more breathable and durable than, for example, real leather and in addition, it keeps more comfortable temperatures. They fit naturally and even provide an ergonomic position for your feet due to Shimano’s Dynalast technology. Shimano also offers a wider version of these shoes for those with wider feet.
The sole is made of carbon fiber, which is one of the stiffest materials out there and it ensures maximum power transfer. Also, these shoes come with a Boa L6 Dial closure system allowing you to do even the slightest adjustments quickly and on the go.
Overall, Shimano RC701 road shoe offers all of the premium features and would be an ideal choice for a performance focused cyclist, however, they do cost slightly over $200.
2. Giro Empire ACC Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Carbon fiber
- Upper Material: Microfiber
- Closure System: Laces
- Weight (1 shoe): 215 g (size 42.5 EU)
Positives
- One of the lightest shoes at this price point
- Very stiff carbon sole
- Very natural and comfortable fit
- Old-fashioned look
Negatives
- Laces are a bit harder to adjust than, for example, Boa closure system
Giro’s Empire ACC road cycling shoe is a great option for many cyclists because of its weight and performance features.
Giro used microfiber material called Evofiber on the upper part of the shoe. This fabric consists of mesh and microfiber and is very comfortable to wear, ensures air flow, easy to clean, dries out quickly and makes these shoes very light.
The sole is made of carbon fiber, which is one of the stiffest materials out there and it ensures maximum power transfer. Also, these shoes come with a laces closure system, which is very light and have a nice old-fashioned look, but you can’t adjust them on the go and they require more hassle than Boa, for example.
Last, but not least, Giro Empire shoes are one of the lightest in our review. One shoe (size 42.5) weighs 215 grams while, for example, Shimano RC701 (size 42) weighs 245 grams.
Overall, a pair of Empire ACC would make you very happy as long as you are okay with laces.
3. Fizik Tempo R5 Overcurve Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Carbon reinforced nylon
- Upper Material: Microtex
- Closure System: Boa IP1 dial and a Velcro strap
- Weight (1 shoe): 280 g (size 42 EU)
Positives
- Waterproof upper material
- Affordable price
- Boa closure system
- Nice look and various colors to choose from
Negatives
- Does not have the stiffest sole
Fizik’s Tempo R5 Overcurve road cycling shoe is a nice choice for short and the longest distance rides alike.
Fizik used Microtex fabric on the upper part of the shoe. This fabric is very lightweight, easy to clean, breathable and waterproof.
The sole is made of carbon reinforced nylon, which is not the stiffest material, but it does offer a bit more comfort. Also, these shoes come with a Boa IP1 dial and a velcro strap closure system. With this closure system you will be able to find the most comfortable fit. Also, these shoes are very stylish (subjective opinion) and come in various colors and sizes to choose from.
Overall, Fizik Tempo R5 Overcurve is an affordable and reliable pair of road cycling shoes, however, you would need to settle for a nylon sole instead of a carbon one.
4. Spiuk Aldama Carbon Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Carbon fiber
- Upper Material: Synthetic
- Closure System: Boa
- Weight (1 shoe): 233 g (size 42 EU)
Positives
- Very lightweight,
- Great look and variety of colors
- Stiff carbon sole
- Boa asymmetrical closure system
- Very good price to quality ratio
Negatives
- We advise to go a size up to your regular shoes and double check sizing with a retailer
Spiuk’s Aldama Carbon road cycling shoes are one of the best options for the price because it combines great look, comfortable fit and premium performance features.
To construct the upper part of the shoe Spiuk used synthetic. The fabric and used design ensures comfortable fit and great racing and long-distance performance. In addition, these shoes are very well ventilated and would not overheat even during the warmest days.
The sole is made of carbon fiber, which is one of the stiffest materials out there and it ensures maximum power transfer and efficiency. Also, these shoes come with a Boa closure system allowing you to find an ideal fit and perform even the slightest adjustments on the go.
We also like the offered colors and the overall look of these shoes. They will definitely get you noticed.
Overall, Spiuk’s Aldama Carbon road cycling shoes offer all of the premium features, are performance oriented, comfortable and great looking at the same time.
5. Gaerne Carbon G. Tornado Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Carbon
- Upper Material: Microfibre
- Closure System: Boa L6
- Weight (1 shoe): 273g (size 43 EU)
Positives
- Very stiff sole (10 out of 12 on Gaerne’s scale)
- Great ventilation
- Boa closure system
- Great look (subjective)
Negatives
- Fit could be tricky as they are Ideal for narrower feet
Gaerne’s Carbon G. Tornado road cycling shoes are all about performance, fitness and would be perfect for training sessions and racing.
To construct the upper part of the shoe Gaerne used microfibre material and ‘Comfort-Fit’ tongue to make them very comfortable and performance focused. Also, the material is perforated making these shoes breathable so your feet will not overheat even during warm days.
The sole is made of carbon fiber 10 out of 12 stiffness index, which is a very high stiffness level and ensures maximum power transfer from legs to pedals. Also, these shoes come with a single L6 Boa closure system allowing you to easily do needed adjustments quickly and on the go.
Overall, Gaerne’s Carbon G. Tornado road shoes offer all of the premium features and would be ideal for performance and racing focused cyclists.
6. Northwave Storm Carbon Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Morph Carbon 12 AAS
- Upper Material: Synthetic and mesh
- Closure System: Boa combined with hook-and-loop strap
- Weight (1 shoe): 297 g (size 43 EU)
Positives
- Carbon sole (very stiff)
- Synthetic lightweight fabric
- BOA closure system
- Great look (subjective opinion)
Negatives
- A bit heavy for the price
Northwave’s Storm road cycling shoes would be perfect for cyclists that are looking for high performance features and comfort.
The upper part of the shoes is made up of synthetic fabric and mesh which offers a high level of breathability. In addition, the anatomical arch support® technology makes these shoes very comfortable to wear and fit naturally.
The sole is made of carbon 12 AAS, which is one of the stiffest soles out there and ensures maximum power is transferred directly to the pedals. Also, these shoes come with a Boa closure system and a strap.
The design is very nice and even a bit unusual so you will definitely stand out wearing these.
Overall, Northwave’s Storm road shoe offers a lot of high-end features and is a worthy candidate to consider, however, it is a bit heavier than some of the other cycling shoes in this review. If you are looking for the lightest option the better go for Giro Empire ACC.
7. Bontrager Circuit Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Nylon and fiberglass
- Upper Material: Polyurethane, nylon and polyester
- Closure System: Boa L6 and strap
- Weight (1 shoe): 310 g (size 43 EU)
Positives
- Could be used for both road and MTB cycling
- Boa closure system
- Affordable price
Negatives
- Heavier than some other shoes on our list
- MTB usage required buying a separate mounting plates
Bontrager’s Circuit road cycling shoe would be a perfect choice if you are looking for a versatile pair that can be used both for road cycling and mountain biking. However, keep in mind that for mountain biking you would need to purchase separate 2-bolt mounting plates.
These shoes come with Bontrager’s inForm Race – a roomier design but still focused on performance. The upper layer consists of various fabrics such as polyurethane, nylon, and polyester.
The sole is made of nylon and fiberglass and overall has a stiffness index of 7 (out of 14). This is a decent level of stiffness for an entry/mid-range pair. Also, Bontrager’s Circuit comes with a BOA closure system and a strap.
Overall, Bontrager’s Circuit road shoes are affordable and of good quality, but they are quite heavy and you don’t get the best performance features. If MTB compatibility is not an important factor then we would suggest going for Fizik Tempo R5 Overcurve or a more expensive option if your budget can handle it.
8. Pearl Izumi Men's Attack Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Carbon fiber
- Upper Material: Seamless mesh
- Closure System: Boa L6
- Weight (1 shoe): 308 g (size 43 EU)
Positives
- Could be used for both road and MTB cycling
- Boa closure system
- Carbon sole
- A lot of high-end features at this price
Negatives
- Not the best look (subjective opinion)
- Heavier than some other options at this price
Pearl Izumi’s Attack road cycling shoe offers a lot of high-end features for the price and thus should be considered especially if MTB compatibility is a big factor for you.
To construct the upper part of the shoe Pearl Izumi used Bonded Seamless Upper technology and mesh fabric to create a one piece upper material and achieve a more comfortable fit. Also, the material is perforated making these shoes breathable and comfortable to wear during warmer days.
The sole is made of carbon fiber, which is one of the stiffest materials out there and it ensures maximum power transfer. Also, these shoes come with a Boa L6 Dial closure system allowing you to do even the slightest adjustments.
Overall, Pearl Izumi Men’s Attack Road road shoe offers all of the premium features and would be an ideal choice for many, however, it is not the lightest pair. To give you some context, 1 shoe (size 42) weighs 308 grams while Giro Empire ACC same size weighs around 215 grams.
9. Specialized Torch 2.0 Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Carbon fiber
- Upper Material: Mesh and TPU
- Closure System: Boa IP1 and velcro strap
- Weight (1 shoe): 235 g (size 42 EU)
Positives
- Great price to quality ratio
- Stiff carbon sole
- Very lightweight
- BOA closure system
Negatives
- A bit heavy for the price
Specialized’s Torch 2.0 road cycling shoe is all about comfort and performance and would be a great choice for cyclists with wider feet and those who prefer more room in the toe box area.
To construct the upper part of the shoe Specialized used mesh and TPU to create a sock-like feel with more wiggle room. Also, the material is perforated making these shoes breathable.
The sole is made of carbon fiber 7.0 stiffness index (a moderate stiffness level). Also, these shoes come with a single Boa closure system allowing you to perform needed adjustments quickly and easily.
Overall, Specialized’s Torch 2.0 road shoe offers all of the premium features and would be an ideal choice for cyclists with wider feet and those who like a roomier fit.
10. Scott Road Vertec Boa Road Shoes
- Sole Material: Carbon fiber
- Upper Material: Microfibre and mesh
- Closure System: Boa IP-1 dial and hook-and-loop strap
- Weight (1 shoe): 275 g (size 42 EU)
Positives
- Very well designed stiff carbon sole with special power zone (reduces joint strain)
- Comfortable race fit
- Boa closure system
Negatives
- Limited color choice (grey/yellow)
- Slightly more expensive than some of the similar options
Scott’s Road Vertec Boa road cycling shoes are all about finding a perfect balance between comfort and performance.
To construct the upper part of the shoe Scott used microfiber and mesh fabrics. The fit is designed to be like a second skin and the fit to provide a more performance oriented position.
The sole is made of carbon fiber that rates 9 out of 10 on Scott’s stiffness index. In addition, Scott created a power zone on the sole that ensures maximum stiffness where needed and some flexibility around the arch and heel to reduce joint strain. Also, these shoes come with a single Boa closure system and a velcro strap allowing you to easily do needed adjustments.
Scott’s Road Vertec Boa road cycling shoes offer all of the premium features and are very performance and racing focused. They are slightly more expensive than, for example, Specialized’s Torch 2.0 and, unfortunately, offer a limited color choice.
CONCLUSION
Finding the perfect pair of cycling shoes can be overwhelming, but it is worth spending the time and choosing an option that you will be happy with. In this article, we put together the best men’s cycling shoes to consider in 2021 under $200. These are the best mid to high-end pairs that would be perfect for more mature cyclists who want to stand out and get only the best quality.
We hope you found this article helpful. Stay healthy, happy and active.
Why should you trust us?
In order to feature and review any products on our website we do extensive research, read user feedback, carefully review forum threads, look at search trends, brand popularity, try to actually use and test as many products as possible ourselves, and evaluate other factors depending on the product category. By doing extensive research and incorporating it with our own experience we are able to shortlist only a handful of products out of thousands of options.
We want to bring value to our readers and help them find answers to questions and buy the most appropriate cycling products. Brands and cycling professionals always try to innovate and improve to get the best possible outcome. Unfortunately, innovations and product improvements these days result only in marginal gains, but the price increase for these gains is not equally proportional. In economics, this behavior is defined as “diminishing returns”. Knowing this we focus on featuring the best value for the money products that are affordable, but at the same time have a lot to offer. We don’t want our visitors to overspend on something they will not benefit from.
