While the shoes of runners, footballers, tennis players and a whole host of other sports get pounded in the mud and dirt, the same can't really be said of cyclists' footwear. That's not to say that cycling shoes aren't important - as a contact point between rider and bike, they serve a vital function. But there's a new function that pro cyclists' shoes have grown to serve in the past few years: self expression.
Most of a pro rider's kit is strictly dictated by the team, but shoes are one area where it seems pretty much anything goes. Riders can use their shoes to exclaim their nationality, celebrate past success, send a message, be individual or just have a bit of fun.
Here we've collected together some of the wild and wonderful designs worn by riders over the past couple of years.
Photos by Andy Jones and Graham Watson
Laura Trott was sporting these flowery Nalini shoes at the Track World Cup in London
More flowery goodness from Laura Trott, this time SIDIs
Yanto Barker's shoes, Jersey International Road Race 2014
Yanto Barker's union flag Bont shoes in action during the Jersey International Road Race 2014
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Adam Blythe can usually be relied upon to wear something out of the ordinary
French track sprinter Francois Pervis reminds his rivals of his world records and world champion status
manchester track world cup, track world cup, world cup, track racing, uci, sir chris hoy, victoria pendleton, ross edgar, wendy houvenaghel, jason kenny, jess varnish, becky james, team gb, team sky+hd, sky team, british cycling, manchester velodrom
Sir Chris Hoy is not one to show off: he's went for a subtle personalised look in these Bont shoes for the 2009 Manchester World Cup
Ben Swift's overshoes, Tour of Britain 2011, stage two (cancelled)
Okay, they aren't shoes, but Ben Swift's shoe covers offer a patriotic flavour
Mark Cavendish's shoe, British road race national championships 2011
Nike sponsored athlete Mark Cavendish also goes for classy black with his trademark signature
Wendy Houvenaghel's shoes, British Track National Championships 2011
Wendy Houvenaghel's colourful Lake footwear from 2011
The shoes of Adam Hansen on stage three at the 2013 Giro d'Italia team presentation
(Image credit: Watson)
Pro rider Adam Hansen makes his own carbon shoes, said to be extremely lightweight
Adam Blythe's shoes, Spadger's 6 Day Night 2013
More unique style from Adam Blythe, this time from the Spadger's Six Day Night in 2013
bont, bont crono shoes, russian
Aerodynamic Bont shoes worn by the Russian team pursuit squad
Scotland shoes and socks, Commonwealth Games 2014, day one
Scottish shoe and sock combo from the Commonwealth Games
Sammy Sanchez shoes on stage one of the 2012 Dauphine-Libere
(Image credit: Watson)
2008 Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez's shoes on stage one of the 2012 Dauphine-Libere
These are well within the limit
(Image credit: Watson)
Philippe Gilbert's rainbow shoes worn during the 2013 Tour de France
David Millar shows off his personalised shoes before the start of Stage 3 of the 2014 Tirreno Adriatico
(Image credit: Watson)
David Millar wore a different pair of Fizik shoes for every race he took part in during his last season (2014). The shoes were then auctioned off for charity. These are from Tirreno-Adriatico
David Millar's shoes in the 2014 Dwars door Vlaanderen
(Image credit: Watson)
Eye-boggling design for Millar at Dwars door Vlaanderen
The shoes of David Millar in the 2014 G.P. Scheldprijs
(Image credit: Watson)
Is that fire? Millar's footwear for GP Scheldeprijs
David Millar's shoes on stage two of the 2014 Bayern Rundfahrt
(Image credit: Watson)
Millar goes for argyle during Bayern Rundfahrt
Adam Blythe on stage four of the 2012 Tour of Oman
(Image credit: Watson)
My eyes! The final word from Adam Blythe
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
'It's a surreal experience' - Meet the British teenager racing with his heroes
A closer look at the 'disruptive' Ribble Rebellion crit bike: part artwork, part race machine
