Road Cycling - Why Are Cycling Shoes So Ugly?

I hope this doesn't offend anyone who likes the look of most cycling shoes but I really don't like the looks of any of the cycling shoes that I've seen at my LBS and online. However, C'dale does have one mtb shoe that looks fairly normal.
Does anyone know of a company making cycling shoes (mtb or road) that look more like athletic shoes and less like they're going to be racing in the next Nascar Winston Cup Series?

It's function, not fashion. What does it matter if we continue to wear tight Lycra and those goofy helmets in public? Besides, racing shoes usually look like work shoes or boots.

Cycling shoes look nothing like auto racing shoes.

Do you wear lycra?

Adidas Minrett:

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/YS-AM.3.gif

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=84&subcategory=1041&brand=&sku=16131&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Mountain%20Shoes

For starters.

And yes, there is a reason why they look like that.

Get some that look like regular athletic shoes and use them for a while. Then get a pair of real road shoes. Then you'll know why nobody makes road shoes that look like regular athletic shoes.

Own the look. Love it. Let the freak flag fly.

http://sidiusa.com/large/Ergo2Carb_Black_Black.jpg

I hope this doesn't offend anyone who likes the look of most cycling shoes



If anyone actually gets offended by that, they have deeper issues than just worries about shoes.

get those ugly Shimano sandals :P
http://stephenhucker.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Shimano-SH-SD65-Cycling-Sandal.jpg
i actually think cycling shoes look cool, especially SIDI's..they look much like their motorcycle boots.

casual shoes look really out of place on a sleek, streamlined machine like a bike. that's just my opinion, i could be wrong.

and for reference, this is more akin to the type of shoe you would see in the defunct winston cup series. (it's nextel cup now)
http://skillmanracingparts.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/x_hightop.jpg

I personally felt the same way when I was thinking about moving to clipless but after shopping aroud a little (after maybe a few weeks) I felt totally defferent. Now I really appreaciate the look of many of them, especially the sidi genuises.

I still think these look ugly however:
http://www.11afondo.com/images_prod/sidi%20t1.jpg


I mostly agree that: "It's function, not fashion". But really, if you don't feel comfortable in something that you intend to use a lot you're not going to use it a lot (see also: ugly but very efficient modern bikes with tonnes of decals and flames and whatnot vs. a beautiful vintage [or otherwise beautiful] less than 100% efficent bike that you love to own and ride).

It's function, not fashion. What does it matter if we continue to wear tight Lycra and those goofy helmets in public? Besides, racing shoes usually look like work shoes or boots.

Oh cmon man. Theres a reason why roadies spend many hours and dollars making sure the tape on their bike matches the seat that matches the jersey that matches the shoes that match their eye color. I seriously dont think there is another group of mostly male dominated athletes that care so much about what their gear looks like than cyclists. I cant remember how many times people have mentioned an ugly paint job on a frame on these forums. Sweet paint jobs make you go faster, right? Dork disk? Who cares if its functional! You gotta take that **** off!!! What, you want to flip your stem up just because your back hurts from being bent over too far? Sure it MAY be more functional, but look how sweet it is when its flipped down!!!

Haha ok enough of me being an ass. =)

Edit my post above to ditto subcultro. Just don't go too far with the fashion vs. functionality and become a fixie [if I used emoticons there would be one of those I'm mostly joking ones here].

They look awesome. Stop being ashamed of who you are.

get those ugly Shimano sandals :P
http://stephenhucker.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Shimano-SH-SD65-Cycling-Sandal.jpg
i actually think cycling shoes look cool, especially SIDI's..they look much like their motorcycle boots.


http://skillmanracingparts.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/x_hightop.jpg

These things just puzzle me. If I'm riding a bike, wearing sandals, I've never thought "gee, I wish I was clipped in."

Whenever I see these, I always think of how much it would hurt if my toes hit a branch, rock, etc. while riding.

Why are cycling shoes so ugly? To make everything from the ankles up look better by comparison.....

But you do have to admit the design departments of many road shoe mfgs. get out of hand at time. Colors, etc. It may be the best shoe made but I thought the Nike Lance in yellow was about as fugly as it gets.

Why are cycling shoes so ugly? To make everything from the ankles up look better by comparison.....


Now explain cycling shorts.

Get some that look like regular athletic shoes and use them for a while. Then get a pair of real road shoes. Then you'll know why nobody makes road shoes that look like regular athletic shoes.

Own the look. Love it. Let the freak flag fly.

http://sidiusa.com/large/Ergo2Carb_Black_Black.jpg

:beer:

I'm a mouse click away from getting a new pair of Sidis...want 'em so bad...

Now explain cycling shorts.

They rock.

Now explain cycling shorts.

What, you mean I'm the only one that looks hot in my shorts?

But you do have to admit the design departments of many road shoe mfgs. get out of hand at time. Colors, etc. It may be the best shoe made but I thought the Nike Lance in yellow was about as fugly as it gets.

I wear that shoe, and no arguments from me. I prefer to think of it as the "George Hincapie shoe" though.

My first pair of cycling shoes looked fairly normal. They were made by Diadora, and were cheap. I think the Cayman is what they were called. I wouldn't exactly call them a top-notch shoe by any means.

http://www.bicyclebuys.com/productimages/DICA.jpg

get those ugly Shimano sandals

These things just puzzle me.

One of my fellow club riders wears sandals. He can't wear regular cycling shoes because of foot issues. He's tried many brands & models, but finally gave up and sticks with these no matter what the weather. My toes get numb just looking at his sometime.

I like the addidas shoes that shakNbake posted - that's what I'm talking about - it looks like an athletic shoe. When I mentioned Nascar I was comparing ugly cycling shoes to those godawful paintjobs on the race cars. That's what they remind me of - a Nascar race car.
I'm not into the flashy lycra and matching color schemes either.

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/equip/06ShoeSportRoad_All_l.jpg

These are my current shoes. I think they look pretty good. In fact I would say I actually like the way they look. Would I wear them to the clubs? Probably not, but I definitely don't mind wearing them while cycling.

Get some that look like regular athletic shoes and use them for a while. Then get a pair of real road shoes. Then you'll know why nobody makes road shoes that look like regular athletic shoes.

Own the look. Love it. Let the freak flag fly.

http://sidiusa.com/large/Ergo2Carb_Black_Black.jpg

Sidi's rule...

What, you mean I'm the only one that looks hot in my shorts?
why do you think cycling apparel companies put the logos where they are on shorts and tights?

Agree with above posters that Sidi has done a good job creating some stylish shoes which, nevertheless, place function above all else. Since I much prefer blue to red, I went with these 5.5s:
http://www.intercycle.com/images/news/news_products/2006/sidi/Genius55Ht_250.jpg

They look they way they do so you won't be tempted to go bowling in them.:)

Wish I had got a pair of Sidi's . I say they look cool. Cycling shoes are designed with energy conservation in mind. Style is unimportant. What I like about my Look's, their color just by chance is the same as my club's colors.

Because of Phil Liggett's pronunciation "Leaky Gas", I just have to get some shorts with Liquigas plastered across the bum.

They look they way they do so you won't be tempted to go bowling in them.:)

It's actually a secret competion with bowling for Ugliest Obscure Sport Shoe honors. A tip of the cap if you will to the fact that neither attracts television viewers in the US.

Agree with above posters that Sidi has done a good job creating some stylish shoes which, nevertheless, place function above all else. Since I much prefer blue to red, I went with these 5.5s:
http://www.intercycle.com/images/news/news_products/2006/sidi/Genius55Ht_250.jpg

I went with the steels:
http://www.cykelcity.se/bilder/shop06/sidi-Genius5_SteelBlackBlue.jpg

because they were a steal at probikekit. Still waiting for them though, I'll have more of an opinion when I get them.

I'll have shoes where the fabric doesn't stretch when I ride thanks :)

Cycling shoes are hawt, I think I would look dorky with normal shoes on.

I wanted something simple so I got these:

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/20-4592-BLW-ANGLE.jpg

http://specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/equip/05ShoeSWorksRoad2_l.jpg

I like my s-works, though I do walk around all day in my adidas SPDs, and everyone says they had no idea they were bike shoes before I tell them

Marresi makes beautiful shoes. The Eroica (which I can't find anywhere) is the best shoe I've ever seen.

One of their shoes:
http://212.227.38.137/web/aktiv-radfahren//images/storypictures/857.jpg

Cheap, stiff as sin...and i think kinda sexy...that and they go well with my all black bike :D
http://www.bikesmart.com/products/SHUSHI_R151.jpg

http://sidiusa.com/large/Ergo2Carb_Black_Black.jpg

If anyone calls these ugly then I will step on them with my muddy PI MTB Vortex II's.:fight:

Why do you HAVE to buy Sidi's?

Marresi makes beautiful shoes. The Eroica (which I can't find anywhere) is the best shoe I've ever seen.

One of their shoes:
http://212.227.38.137/web/aktiv-radfahren//images/storypictures/857.jpg



Looks like a golf shoe.

Why do you HAVE to buy Sidi's?

YOU don't?

I went with the steels:
because they were a steal at probikekit. Still waiting for them though, I'll have more of an opinion when I get them.

Those steels are sharp, and were my second choice.

I also like those addidas above, as I've seen them on sale several times for under $100 -- but that photo of them makes them look like an odd shape, sort of long and low. So I was afraid to buy them without trying them on first.

function not fashion?

Then why the F*** did I spend all that money on a carbon bike when a steel utility bike will take me from point A to point B just fine?

Seriously If you ask that question you must not be a *real roadie. ;)

Cycling shoes are cool. Because I bike everywhere I end up wearing my Shimano MTB SPDs more than my normal shoes (yes, MTB shoes on a road bike).

Those Adidas SPD sneakers look pretty cool, if I spent more time with my feet on the ground than on pedals I might get some of those for commuting. They kind of look like they'd be awful to do anything more than ten or 20 miles in though, all stretchy and cushy.

Next pair I'm going to look for a deal on some Sidis - those are hot.

I personally felt the same way when I was thinking about moving to clipless but after shopping aroud a little (after maybe a few weeks) I felt totally defferent. Now I really appreaciate the look of many of them,

0010101101011011011011.......assimilation complete.....01001001011010101101010101010111110110

Why do you HAVE to buy Sidi's?

I got my first pair of Sidis about a year ago after decades of cycling. Best damn cycling shoes I've ever had. Forget it. They GOT me now. Sidi Carbon Genius shoes. Look great, fit great, etc.

Just bought the Sidi GTX Hydro Gore Tex winter shoe. Film @ 11 (that's 11º, I'll be riding tomorrow AM, first ride with the GTX shoe, I'll let you know how they work). Those winter shoes are buttfugly.

Because they would not be road shoes if they were not ugly...........

YOU don't?

I didn't .. and I feel so ... dirty ...

In my mind Sidi are beautiful.

I didn't .. and I feel so ... dirty ...

Well you should feel dirty. I feel dirty, too.

Cheap, stiff as sin...and i think kinda sexy...that and they go well with my all black bike :D
http://www.bikesmart.com/products/SHUSHI_R151.jpg

I think most the Shimano shoes are good looking and don't call to much attention to themselves. My first pair were these ugly blue things and lucky for me the bottoms started to peel away so they exchanged them for last years model which look a lot like the ones above. Which was good for me because my bike is red:) To bad they don't make the pair above anymore but the newer styles look pretty good. I'd like to get a pair of these.

http://www.probike.co.th/img_apparel/075182736ab.jpg