Last Updated on 20 January 2026 by Cycloscope
The best bikepacking shoes for cycle touring.
Clipless SPD, flat pedal, lightweight for long-distance bike tours and adventure cycling for all budgets.
The right bike touring shoes can prevent fatigue, blisters, and make your bikepacking trips comfortable, fun, and safe.
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How we compile our gear guides: during the almost 10 years of cycloscope.net our team personally tested dozens of similar pieces of gear. For what we can't test personally, we involve other people in the cycling community to give their feedback and opinion about gear they have used. Our decade-long experience in bicycle touring enables us to find the key cons and pros of every product we mention.
We’ll start by comparing the best bikepacking shoes and then dive into the buying guide. Read on!
The best shoes for cycle touring + bikepacking in a nutshell
3 Best flat pedal shoes for bicycle touring
5 Best SPD Clipless shoes for bikepacking
- Shimano Men’s SH-EX500 Shoes
- Fizik Terra X4 Powerstrap Shoes
- Copal BOA Precision Fit Cycling Shoes
- MAAP x QUOC Gran Tourer XC
- Shimano Men’s SH-ET501 Touring Flat Shoes
The 8 best touring cycling and bikepacking shoes
1. Five Ten Freerider Contact Flat Shoes – EDITOR’S PICK!
The Five Ten Freerider Contact is a flat pedal shoe built for touring riders who value grip, comfort, and durability.
It features a sticky Stealth rubber sole for confident pedal contact, a slightly stiffer midsole to support long days in the saddle, and a reinforced upper for toe and side protection. The laced closure system allows a secure fit, while the shoe remains comfortable for short walks or errands off the bike.
PROS: excellent pedal grip, durable construction, comfortable for long rides.
CONS: slightly less stiff than SPD touring shoes, laces can loosen on rough terrain.
Who is this for?
Touring riders and bikepackers who prefer flat pedals and want a shoe that balances grip and comfort on long journeys.
2. Giro Tracker Shoe Men’s
The Giro Tracker Shoe is a flat‑pedal touring shoe designed for riders who want pedal confidence and comfort on long adventure rides. It combines a lightweight, breathable upper with a flat profile that places the foot closer to the pedal, improving contact and control without excess bulk. The Tack Rubber outsole grips flat pedal pins with confidence, while the dual‑layer EVA midsole absorbs shock and adds comfort when you’re off the bike.
A BOA® L6 dial with stainless steel laces offers quick micro‑adjustment and a secure fit, making it easy to dial in comfort for long days on the saddle. The Tracker is breathable and comfortable enough for extended touring, yet doesn’t sacrifice performance when the terrain gets rough.
PROS: secure BOA fit, grippy pedal traction, lightweight and breathable.
CONS: flat‑only design (no SPD), not as stiff as dedicated clipless touring shoes.
Who is this for?
The Giro Tracker is ideal for touring and adventure riders who prefer flat pedals and want a shoe that balances pedal grip, comfort, and off‑bike walkability.
3. Five Ten Kestrel Lace Shoes
It is quite hard to beat this pair when it comes to performance and comfort.
The Five Ten Kestrel Lace is a premium flat pedal touring shoe designed for long bikepacking trips.
It uses Stealth S1 rubber for superior grip, a moderately stiff midsole for efficient pedaling, and a reinforced toe box for protection. The lace system allows micro-adjustments, and the shoe provides comfort both on the bike and during short walks.
PROS: excellent grip, durable for multi-day tours, comfortable footbed.
CONS: heavier than minimalist flat shoes, laces may loosen on very rough terrain.
Who is this for?
Flat pedal enthusiasts seeking a high-quality, long-lasting touring shoe for demanding rides and multi-day bikepacking adventures.
5 Best SPD Clipless shoes for bikepacking
And here we come to the cleat bikepacking shoes, we selected 9 of them – from the most versatile to more performance-oriented, from cheap to high-end.
1. Shimano Men’s SH-EX500 Shoes
The Shimano SH‑EX500 Touring SPD Shoes are versatile adventure cycling shoes that blend the comfort of a hiking shoe with the performance of a clip‑in SPD design. Built for long days in the saddle and varied terrain, they offer the ULTREAD EX rubber outsole with a rugged tread for secure off‑bike grip and stable footing on slippery surfaces.
The lightweight mesh and synthetic upper keep feet cool and comfortable over extended rides, while the speed‑lace closure with instep strap ensures a secure, adjustable fit on the go. An EVA‑layered midsole absorbs heel impacts during hikes or walks, and the SPD‑compatible cleat pocket positions neatly at midfoot for casual pedaling comfort.
PROS: grippy outsole for off‑bike traction, breathable and lightweight construction, secure speed‑lace fit.
CONS: not as stiff as race‑oriented cycling shoes, cleats can click when walking.
Who is this for?
These shoes are ideal for bikepackers and touring riders who want comfortable, all‑around SPD shoes that perform well on‑bike and walk comfortably off‑bike without sacrificing traction or support.
Fizik Terra X4 Powerstrap Shoes
The Fizik Terra X4 is a versatile touring shoe with moderate stiffness and excellent walkability.
It features a nylon outsole with rubber tread for mixed terrain, a Powerstrap closure system for secure fit, and a breathable upper with reinforced toe protection. Ideal for long gravel rides or light off-road touring, the shoe balances pedaling efficiency with comfort.
PROS: secure fit, good mixed-terrain traction, comfortable for walking.
CONS: not as stiff as carbon-soled shoes, ventilation limited in hot weather.
Who is this for?
Touring riders and gravel enthusiasts who need a reliable shoe for long rides that includes occasional off-bike walking or portaging.
Copal BOA Precision Fit Cycling Shoes
The Louis Garneau Copal BOA Precision Fit Cycling Shoes are a versatile choice for tourers and gravel riders who want a secure, customizable fit without the stiffness of high‑end race shoes.
These shoes use a BOA® Fit System for micro‑adjustments that lock in comfort across long rides. The sole combines moderate stiffness for efficient pedaling with a rubber tread that offers reliable traction during short off‑bike walks or campsite chores. The upper is durable yet breathable, making these shoes well-suited to multi‑day trips and varied terrain.
PROS: precise BOA fit, comfortable over long distances, versatile grip on pedals and walking surfaces.
CONS: not as stiff as carbon‑soled performance models, mid‑range price.
Who is this for?
The Copal BOA Precision Fit Cycling Shoes are ideal for touring cyclists and bikepackers seeking a dependable, everyday touring shoe that blends comfort and pedaling efficiency for long days in the saddle.
MAAP x QUOC Gran Tourer XC
The MAAP x QUOC Gran Tourer XC is a premium off-road touring shoe combining efficiency and comfort.
It features a carbon composite sole for maximum power transfer, a durable rubber tread for off-bike traction, and a reinforced upper for durability. Dual BOA dials provide precise adjustment for long days in the saddle.
PROS: maximum efficiency, excellent off-bike grip, highly durable.
CONS: premium price, stiff sole limits walking comfort.
Who is this for?
Touring and adventure riders who want a high-performance shoe that excels on gravel and mixed terrain with minimal compromise.
Shimano Men’s SH-ET501 Touring Flat Shoes
The Shimano SH‑ET501 Touring Flat Shoes are designed for riders who want a comfortable and capable flat‑pedal shoe for long‑distance touring and bikepacking without the commitment of clipless systems.
These shoes use a semi‑rigid Power Transfer Blade midsole that improves pedaling efficiency while maintaining comfort when off the bike, and the adaptive rubber outsole provides confident grip on a variety of flat pedals, even in wet conditions.
The speed‑lacing system ensures quick, secure fit adjustments on the fly, and the lightweight, breathable mesh upper keeps feet cool during long days in the saddle. The shoe’s design offers a bit more volume in the forefoot to allow comfortable flex when walking or hike‑a‑bike sections.
PROS: reliable pedal grip, efficient power transfer, comfortable walking performance.
CONS: not as stiff as dedicated clipless touring shoes.
Who is this for?
The Shimano SH‑ET501 Touring Flat Shoes are ideal for touring and bikepacking riders who prefer flat pedals but still want a shoe that can handle long rides, mixed terrain, and plenty of off‑bike walking without compromise.
Why are shoes important when traveling by bike
our feet on the pedals are one of the three main points of contact with your bike—the others being your hands on the handlebars and your seat on the saddle. Having a solid, stable connection with your pedals can dramatically improve how you handle your bike, especially when it’s loaded or you’re tackling rough, off-road bikepacking trails.
Without proper grip—whether from SPD clips or a high-quality flat shoe paired with a wide pedal—you risk losing contact with the pedals. And that can quickly turn into a nasty fall and, unfortunately, a call to your bike touring insurance.
The right touring shoes, combined with the right pedals, give you confidence to ride even the toughest trails.
But comfort is just as important as safety. Your feet are some of the most sensitive parts of your body, and even minor discomfort can become a major annoyance on a long ride.
Bike touring shoes should be comfortable, breathable, warm, and ideally waterproof or water-resistant. And don’t forget proper cycling socks—there’s nothing worse than riding with cold, wet feet.
Bikepacking shoes VS Touring bike shoes VS MTB shoes. What’s the difference?
Right now, there’s nothing on the market specifically sold as a bikepacking shoe. You’ll find plenty of mountain bike shoes, and a few products marketed as cycle touring shoes—but nothing labeled strictly for bikepacking.
The reason is simple: bikepacking is usually done over a shorter timeframe compared to cycle touring, and most of that time is spent on the bike. That’s why more performance-oriented shoes often make the most sense for bikepacking.
Cycle touring, on the other hand, usually involves covering long distances and spending a lot of time off the bike. In that context, hybrid shoes or flat pedals tend to be the go-to choices.
Mountain bike shoes come in all shapes and sizes—and that’s exactly where we’ll be looking for the best options for bikepackers. Most mountain bike shoes work great for different styles of bicycle touring and bikepacking.
Flat pedal shoes VS clipless SPD shoes for cycle touring and bikepacking
The debate between flat pedals and SPD mountain bike shoes is practically eternal—and, in the end, it usually comes down to personal preference.
SPD clipless pedals and shoes lock your feet to the bike, providing a solid connection and allowing you to pull up on the pedals as well as push down (though in practice, the upward pull doesn’t always make a huge difference).
The downsides of SPD shoes are worth considering:
- You have to clip in and out every time you put a foot on the ground.
- They’re not ideal for walking off the bike.
Do women need female-specific cycling shoes?
Women don’t really need to buy women’s cycling shoes. As with bikes, the differences are often minimal, and more like a market selling point than an actual specificity.
Basically, women’s cycling shoes are a bit narrower than men’s/unisex options and come in smaller sizes.
So if you need a small size, that might be when you’ll need to resort to buying women’s bikepacking shoes.
What to look for when buying the best bike touring shoes in 2026
Should you consider weight?
Lightweight shoes require less energy to rotate them around when pedaling, so you can ride faster… see how that sounds. Just foolish.
A few grams in your shoes are not going to make a difference, unless for pros in an indoor circuit.
Closure system
Numerous retention systems can provide a comfortable and secure fit.
- BOA dials and ratchet (my favorite)
- Velcro (can get old and stop sticking tightly)
- Shoelaces (can interfere with cranks)
- Velcro and lace mix (more secure but overly complex)
Some shoes have combined two of the above systems for a more personalized and tailored fit. I personally favor BOA dials or Velcro.
Durability and Sole Stiffness
The outsole of most shoes is made from rubber, nylon, or carbon fiber. These materials differ in terms of applications and performance.
Carbon fiber is stiff; therefore, ideal for cross-country-style MTB shoes but not for bikepacking or gravel bike touring.
Rubber provides a better grip on the bike, and it’s more comfortable. Nylon is not stiff, but it’s more durable and offers reliable comfort.
FAQs about touring and bikepacking shoes
Are there shoes specifically made for bikepacking?
Currently, there aren’t any shoes marketed exclusively as “bikepacking shoes.” Most riders use mountain bike shoes, hybrid touring shoes, or flat pedal shoes depending on their riding style and terrain.
Should I choose SPD clipless shoes or flat pedals for bikepacking?
It depends on personal preference. SPD shoes provide a secure connection to the pedals and allow for upward pulling on the pedal stroke, which can improve efficiency. Flat pedals are easier for walking and allow for more freedom to move your feet.
Can I use mountain bike shoes for long-distance cycle touring?
Yes, but keep in mind that long tours often involve walking or hiking with your shoes. Hybrid shoes or flat pedal shoes tend to be more comfortable off the bike.
Check also
> Best Cycling Socks for Quality and Performance
> Gravel Bike Shoes: 9 Best Cycling SPD Shoes for Gravel Riding
> 7 Best Flat Pedal MTB Shoes: Sturdy, Waterproof, & for all Budgets
> 10 Best Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes: SPD Cleats for MTB
> The 12 Best Cycling Overshoes: Waterproof Shoe Covers for Winter
> The Best Insurance Plans for Cycle Touring & Bikepacking – AXA, Allianz, WorldNomads & More