Experts recommend that you have exclusive shoes for cycling, and separate one for running. Both shoe types finely suit the kind of purpose they are built for. Cycling shoes will help you get the best out of bike rides as they are made to give you adequate stability, a locking balance against the pedals and they look cool too. While running shoes are great if you love to jog as they have adequate angle support and cushioning to keep you comfortable. However, if you are on a tight budget and you want shoes that are suitable for both cycling and running, there are certain brands that cater to this dire need. Check out the best non cycling shoes for cycling in this article.
Buying Guide
Now, we are going to guide you into buy the right pair that will give you that maximum bang for the buck. These shoes are well camouflaged with regular running shoes. Therefore, we are going to help you register which are the non-cycling shoes meant for cycling as they look quite like regular running shoes. Therefore, you do not end up buying an imposter. Its quite easy to separate non-cycling shoes made for both running and cycling. They have an upper layer with adequate ventilation. This adds to a breathable atmosphere for your feet so that it stays dry no matter how hard you push you push shoes of such unique variant. They also come with a moderately still sole that is very comfortable for you to walk on, but also delivers an added grip for cycling pedals. Some of them even come with recessed cleats. Now, how cool is that?! This keeps you from tap dancing all over the pavement making that annoying clickity-clack noise, while you jog with your new girlfriend. They also have a cool rugged design to them. You seamlessly blend into the streetstyle junkies without breaking a sweat. Therefore, you have a comfortable commuter shoe which also helps you pedal away on your bike.
Build Quality
Shoe manufacturers has invested greatly in developing non-cycling shoes which you can ride you bike on. When you go get a pair, you will notice that such shoes are non-clipless, but it still means that you can attach the shoes without any effort, on bike pedals and they will be adequately secured and well balanced. Furthermore, not only will you be able to put sufficient force down on to the pedal but also get power when you are pulling up. Therefore, it provides an opportunity to deliver adequate torque to the rear wheels and leave amateurs behind where belong.
Fitting Mechanism
For the overall look and feel, you will not find BOA dial systems on your non-cycling shoes. It is exactly what it says. They are built with lace attachments. Even though they are designed for both cycling and running, aesthetics is also based on the notion that they should fit the best of both worlds. And the best non-cycling bike shoes come at a very affordable price. Therefore do not expect top notch accessories but you can expect durable, but conventional materials in its make.
BOA dial systems are more a purpose driven bike shoe accessory. Therefore, you do not want people thinking you are wearing cycling shoes while you run about. That would look absurd!
Price Range
The best non-cycling shoes for cycling in the market today rang from $43 to $313. The ones we have shortlisted for you are some of the top-rated and most recommended shoes from experience users. Get one of the following we hand selected and are about to put forward just for you. Not only will they bring you a variety of purpose but also give you the best value for your hard-earned money. Brace yourselves to find out what we actually mean.
Image | Product | Features | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Running Shoes | Responsive ride Mesh upper build and partial bootie provide a bolstered feel Adequate flex zone and optimal fit | $$$ | |
 | Five Ten Freerider Pro | Lightweight, weather-resistant synthetic upper Crafted in USA Hard Rubber sole Breathable mesh lining | $$$ | |
 | Vans Old Skool Trainers | Cool aesthetics Mid 1960’s feel Waffle outsole More a fashion statement | $$$ | |
 | Tommaso Milano Men’s Comfort Shoes | Factory direct value Groundbreaking versatility Relaxed and comfortable PRECISION FIT | $$$ | |
 | Giro Rumble VR | Supportive fit Ultimate fit adjustment Powerful Pedaling Two-bolt cleat compatible | $$ | |
 | Pearl Izumi WX-alp | Advanced 3-layer composite upper delivers comfort and durability Bi-directional and Zonal closure wraps BOA IP1 dials | $$ | |
 | Five Ten Kestrel Pro | BOA Fit System Stealth C4 rubber EVA midsole carbon-infused nylon shank | $$ | |
 | Pearl Izumi X-Alp Flow | Light-weight Traditional Lace for comfort Dual Zonal Density Outsole | $$ | |
 | Vans Classic Slip-On | Grippy Sole Easy slip-on fit Superior comfort | $$ | |
 | New Balance Men's 510 V4 | ACTEVA Midsole AT TREAD Outsole Toe Protect | $ |
1. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Running Shoes
Nike, globally acclaimed is the top brand for athletes, and the Air Zoom Pegasus are designed to be the best shoes for both running and cycling. The design comes with a knitted mesh upper material that wrap your feel comfortable with added Flywire cables for optimal fit. Rubber soles harbor adequate Air Zoom throughout the design for maximum comfort with a waffle piston sole design for adequate traction on the pedals.
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2. Five Ten Freerider Pro
Five Ten, a subsidiary of Adidas, are make some of the greatest on and off wheel shoes. They are extremely resistant to dust and are one of the most durable choices on the list. The construction has a toe box for added protection and a replaceable Ortholite Sock liner. The outsole is made from rubber giving it a bubble-like pattern and feel.
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3. Vans Old Skool Trainers
The Vans old school trainers is what we can tell you as the coolest choice we have on the list. Its aesthetics is backed up by a rubber sole and a very rugged build. Today, it still remains as the primary choice for casual sport footwear. The construction is designed to fit both genders and comes with variety of colors to get your filthy hands on, but the colors will still survive whatever you put it through. It comes with waffle rubber soles for excellent grip on bike pedals and phenomenal traction. Casual looks, but a lot under the hood.
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4. Tommaso Milano Men’s Comfort Shoes
The Tommaso Milano is a really overpowered pair that delivers maximum versatility and durability at the price being offered. It is really a steal when you consider the cushion interior padding, flexible yet tough sole construction, with an added shank for you to attach cleats for clipless bike rides. The build consists of synthetic materials with a lace tightening closure and a well-ventilated mesh tongue.
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5. Giro Rumble Vr MTB Shoes
Not only do they look awesome, but they are also designed to stand out of the crowd. The Rumble VR are SPD commuter footwear with a grippy Vibram outsole with a recessed bottom compartment for cleats. The pre-installed shank allows you to delivery maximum torque to the rear bike wheels with maximum comfort and optimal fit. You can even use the pair for off-road bike rides as it comes with nylon plats for precise power transfer to the pedals. This is only because of the stainless steel hardware and the Vibram Ecostem rubber traction lug on the outsole for unparalleled balance and stability the second you need them.
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6. Pear Izumi WX-Alp Elevate
This is the perfect shoe if you are planning to use them for bike rides. The design also has scouting lines, hike-a-bike compartments and massive bursts of force on technical climbs. Its made from super versatile and performance oriented Vibram outsole that enable greater traction on the pedals and on the ground. The added BOA IP1 dials is there to keep your feet snug and prevent the feeling of different tightening levels between the pair. Other than that these are also SPD compatible and delivery a comfortable experience on any adventure.
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7. Five Ten Kestrel Pro
Following the original Kestrel Boa, the Five Ten is the second iteration. This includes upgrades such as a Velcro Strap to minimize the effects of hot spots that are often a problem with BOA dials. It is built on a stiffer sole with Stealth C4 outsole. Therefore, expect to have a lot of grip and great balance when you try it on for the first time. You will be blown away how comfortable it is despite its rugged look. If you are still not satisfied, there is an added bonus such as the grippy heel cups that the shoe rests on that averts heel lift when you pedal hard
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8. Pearl Izumi X-Alp Flow
Pearl Izumi builds on the philosophy of durability and ruggedness. Their shoes are built to last the lifetime of the product. Do not let the price fool you as this is one of the top-contenders on the list. The X-Alp flow has contact padding in the midsole which adds to different ptters from toe to heel area. They have a chevron patern to give you more grip when you walk on rough terrains and a softer and grippier rubber at the ball of your foot. Therefore, you will be spoilt by the amount of grip it delivers while you pedal away.
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9. Vans Classic Slip-On
If you’ve come this far, it seems like you are really doing your homework on getting the best pair out there. There might be a tons of purpose specific choices of shoes that suit what they are made for, but its sometimes easy to forget that you always do not have to go high-tech. Even though Vans are specifically cycling shoes, they have some of the more important attributes of any footwear that are meant to work well on pedals; grippy and soft sole that will not slip. These are great for casual bike rides and urban commuting.
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10. New Balance Men's 510 V4
New Balance footwear are globally recognized as the ultimat choice for utility, and that they are built to beat the trail. Be it a casual commute, spinning classes at the gym, and a walk afterward, the 510 V4 will help you seamlessly blend onto different surface. It has a sneaker style-look with a recessed sole for cleats, but also flexible and flat enough for you to hop off your bike and go an evening jog.
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Final Words
There you have it; the finest non-cycling shoes for cycling you can buy today. Hopefully this guide will help you make an informed choice so that you do not regret buying something based on your best guess. If you ask us, we’d personally recommend you go for Five Ten Freerider Pro. This will give you the maximum value on every dollar spent, given its abundant features and being recognized as one of the most durable choice on the list. They’ll make you look super cool too.
You can also read: Best Road Cycling Shoes 2021