Boardman Road Cycle Shoes review

Boardman is deservedly renowned for its well-priced bikes, especially in the UK – and it has brought the same care and attention to detail to its entry-level Road Cycle Shoes.

The price is affordable, but these shoes have the same features as much more expensive rivals, with no obvious spec, component or construction short cuts apparent.

The cheaper price is most apparent in their weight, but that's unlikely to be a deal-breaker for most.

Boardman Road Cycle Shoes spec and details

The Road Cycle Shoes don’t have the carbon sole of the brand's more expensive Carbon shoes, but despite their bargain price and look, they ride like much more expensive shoes.

Yes, they’re a little heavier, but even when I was trying to be aware of the 50g or so per shoe extra weight over the lightest shoes in this price bracket, I couldn’t.

It’s also good to see that, even at this price, Boardman manages to spec both a forefoot Velcro strap and an Atop dial closure, which helps with comfort and an adjustable, secure fit.

Boardman Road Cycle Shoes performance

These are some of the least expensive ‘serious’ cycling shoes you can buy – but when I look at them, examine them, fit them and wear them, I could easily mistake them for a pair of £100 shoes.

The glass-fibre reinforced sole isn’t as stiff as the carbon soles on their sibling shoes or the Van Rysel RoadR 900s, but it feels similar to those on most other shoes at this price – in other words, stiff, but not too stiff.

It’s also one of the few shoes that comes with both a two-bolt and a three-bolt fitting, though unlike a mountain-bike specific shoe, the SPD cleat will be proud rather than recessed in a deep rubber sole.

This makes it awkward to walk on and means the cleat will be more prone to wear when you’re walking.

With Look (and similar) cleats, walking isn’t too tricky, and the reasonably sized toe and heel bumpers help. That said, unlike with Boardman’s carbon shoes, the bumpers aren’t replaceable.

The combination of the single Atop dial and Velcro strap is a winning one, which is why it’s so popular on entry-level cycling shoes.

It enables you to easily achieve a secure and comfortable fit that’s suitable for sprinting efforts and leisure rides alike. The application of both on this shoe is no different.

The synthetic leather upper is par for the course, as you’ll find on most shoes under £100 or so, but the rest of the shoe has all the features you’d look for in pricier rivals: a reinforced heel, vents along both sides and a mesh top panel.

The well-padded tongue keeps things nice and comfortable, you can’t feel the Atop wires when you tighten them and there’s a good-sized reflective flash on the heel (which I'd like to see on all road shoes, especially understated black ones).

The construction quality looks unimpeachable too.

I found these an absolute treat to wear, with a feel belying their modest price. Even on warm days and tough rides, there were no hotspots, and the vented upper, tongue and impressively vented sole – six front panels and three rear – kept my feet feeling fresh.

While the insole isn’t as thick or supportive as some of the best road cycling shoes, there's a little more shape to the arch than you’ll find on most.

Boardman Road Cycle Shoes bottom line

As with its value-oriented bikes and carbon shoes, Boardman has nailed it with the entry-level Road Cycle Shoes.

Yes, they’re a little on the heavy side, on paper, but I’d argue you don’t notice that when you're riding in them.

They’re well made, comfortable, adjustable and have all the features you really need. And all at an extremely appealing price.