Strong Feet Athletics: The First Wide Toe Box Cycling Shoes

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Cycling shoes have come a long way – but until now, there hasn’t been a real option for those of us who value natural foot shape and toe freedom. Strong Feet Athletics is the first brand to tackle that challenge head-on with their barefoot-inspired wide toe box cycling shoes.

To put them to the test, we teamed up with Neža Patricija, a passionate barefoot shoe wearer and accomplished endurance athlete. After several months of riding, racing, and even crashing in them (yes, that happened), she shared her honest experience.

Meet the Tester

Neža Patricija is no stranger to endurance sports. She’s a mom, a long-time athlete, and has crossed the finish line of Ironman 70.3 events eight times. This year, she’s preparing for the 300 km Istria300 road cycling race.

Since transitioning to barefoot footwear two years ago, she’s worn only natural, foot-shaped shoes – except on the bike. Until now.

“I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to solve the issue of cycling shoes, since I’ve only been wearing barefoot shoes for the past two years. So I was really happy to finally try barefoot cycling shoes.”

Fit & Sizing

The first thing Neža Patricija noticed? The toe box is truly wide.

“There’s so much space in the front – like, seriously a lot of room!”

👉 The wide toe box allows your toes to spread naturally, one of the key benefits of barefoot shoes, and it’s one of the main reasons people look for alternatives to traditional cycling shoes.

She tested size 40, but later shared that her foot length is actually 24.5 cm and width 9 cm. The shoes felt too big overall, especially around the ankle:

“I should have gone one size smaller. They’re quite roomy around the ankle, and while they’re usable, the fit isn’t ideal.”

A few important sizing notes from us:

  • When she first provided her foot measurement, she estimated her length at 25 cm, which turned out to be inaccurate.
  • According to Strong Feet Athletics’ size chart, both 24.5 cm and 25 cm fall within size 39 – but since 25 cm is at the upper limit for that size, they likely chose size 40 instead.
  • However, Neža Patricija has narrow, low-volume feet, so the extra space, especially around the ankle, made the shoes feel too big.

If your feet are wider or higher volume, you’ll likely fill out the shoe much better. But if you’re on the narrower side, the fit may feel looser unless sized correctly.

No matter your foot type, we strongly recommend:

Sizing tip:

If you’re at the upper limit of the recommended size in the chart and have wide, high-volume feet, consider sizing up.
If you have narrow, low-volume feet, it’s safer to stick with the size the chart recommends.

Comfort on Long Rides

This is where the wide toe box really shines.

“I didn’t get any numbness on long rides – something I used to struggle with. It makes a big difference, especially climbing. The power distribution through the forefoot feels completely different. Really, really nice.”

The shoes kept her comfortable even on rides over 4 hours, which she hadn’t experienced in regular cycling shoes.

Cyclist resting with feet up on a bench, wearing Strong Feet Athletics wide toe box cycling shoes, overlooking a scenic mountain landscape under a bright blue sky.

Most cycling shoes squeeze the toes together and offer minimal space in the forefoot, leading to discomfort or numbness, especially on long rides. Strong Feet Athletics changes that with a design that finally prioritizes toe splay and natural alignment, making them a great option if you’ve been looking for wide toe box cycling shoes that don’t squeeze your toes.

Materials & Weight

This is where Neža Patricija had some mixed feelings.

“They’re definitely heavier than typical road cycling shoes. I think a lot of that comes from the thick foam used in the upper and the beefier sole.”

For most barefoot wearers, the trade-off for natural shape is worth it – but performance-focused cyclists may find the extra weight noticeable.

One real downside she found was in wet weather:

They soak up a lot of water when it rains and take ages to dry. The foam upper really holds onto moisture.”

Durability

“They even got tested in a crash. The side that hit the asphalt got damaged pretty quickly.”

This isn’t uncommon with softer uppers, especially when foam is involved – but worth noting if you’re tough on gear or ride in varied conditions.

Final Thoughts on These Wide Toe Box Cycling Shoes

Strong Feet Athletics has done what no one else has – created cycling shoes with a wide toe box that actually allow your toes to spread. While these cycling shoes aren’t barefoot in the traditional sense, they embrace core barefoot shoe principles like natural shape and zero drop. For riders who prioritize natural foot shape, they’re a big step forward.

They’re not perfect: they’re heavier than standard cycling shoes, not ideal in the rain, and sizing needs careful attention. But for barefoot shoe lovers who ride, this is the first real option worth getting excited about.

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