Growing up in a second-generation bike shop, I witnessed firsthand the evolution of cycling shoes. Over the years, I’ve tested countless pairs—from nylon and magnesium soles to today’s gold standard: carbon fibre outsoles. Driven by a passion for peak performance and a fascination with cycling biomechanics, I’ve explored various enhancements, including off-the-shelf and custom footbeds, always searching for the next breakthrough.

The reality is that no cycling shoe on the market is designed for an individual’s unique foot shape. Instead, they’re built to accommodate a wide range of feet, resulting in a fit that’s imperfect for everyone and leaving potential comfort, performance, and efficiency untapped. While “custom” shoes exist, they often fall short of true personalization. However, technological advancements are ushering in a revolutionary approach to cycling footwear that could redefine the industry.

Traditional cycling shoes primarily focus on supporting the foot’s plantar (bottom) surface, particularly the arch, to improve vertical tracking of the femur and minimize lateral movement. While moderately effective, this approach addresses only part of the problem. Research shows that force and leverage are maximized at two key points of the pedal stroke—3 o’clock and 9 o’clock—while inefficiencies occur at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock due to the foot lifting away from the shoe’s interior. Conventional shoes, with their soft and unsupported uppers, fail to counteract this loss of power.

A Utah-based company, Lore, may have found the solution. By focusing on supporting the dorsal (top) of the foot, their innovative design prevents foot lift and creates two additional points of leverage during the pedal stroke. This transforms the foot into a true extension of the crank, maximizing power transfer. Imagine a pedal wrench tightening the axle at the top of the stroke—this is the kind of efficiency their design aims to achieve.

For this concept to work without sacrificing comfort, the shoe must fit perfectly. Lore uses 3D printing technology to create shoes tailored with precision to each rider’s foot, accurate to within 0.5mm. Their design includes three “power pads” positioned strategically on the dorsal side: one on the upper lateral side, one on the upper medial side, and a smaller pad on the lower medial dorsal area. The placement of these pads is critical for both comfort and effectiveness.

The LoreTwo, their latest model, continues this custom approach. It offers a perfect fit for each foot, including adjustments for asymmetry, and even positions cleat bolt holes with precision. As someone with a right foot ¾ of an inch shorter than my left, I’ve faced challenges finding comfortable footwear. My experience with custom hockey skates, designed using 3D scanning, showed me the transformative impact of a true custom fit—making me eager to try Lore’s shoes.

I received my pair a month ago and have so far tested them on the trainer. While I plan to provide a more comprehensive review after outdoor rides, my initial impressions have been promising.

Fitment:

As advertised, the LoreTwo shoes are built using 3D scans of each foot, resulting in a precise and tailored fit. They feel comfortably snug, with zero void space anywhere. Putting them on, however, is more challenging than any other cycling shoes I’ve tried. You need to spread apart the two larger power panels to slide your feet in. This difficulty largely stems from the “mid-cut” design, which rises higher on the ankle than traditional cycling shoes. While this design enhances dorsal support and mechanical advantage, it could be a drawback for triathletes, as it might slow down transition times. That said, the performance gains might outweigh the extra effort.

Once on, the support is immediate and striking. The shoes strike a unique balance between stiff and plush: the stiffness comes from the rigid 3D-printed shell, while the plush feel comes from the snug hold of the power panels. Instead of standard BOA dials, Lore uses ATOP ratchets, which provide the stronger hold needed to secure the foot and keep the power panels snug. Initially, the fit can feel suffocating, but over time I’ve adapted and now appreciate the locked-in sensation.

Dialing Them In:

The cleat holes are positioned to bisect the longitudinal distance between my unique 1st and 5th metatarsal bones. Lore recommends starting with the cleats aligned with the arrows on the sole of the shoe, as this positioning complements the shoe’s design. While there’s a trend toward more rearward or midfoot cleat positions in traditional shoes, the LoreTwo’s design emphasizes forward cleat placement, creating a longer lever arm and greater engagement during the pedal stroke.

During my first ride, I experimented with cleat positioning and quickly realized my saddle height felt off—it was too high. This was likely due to the lower stack height of the LoreTwo, which places the foot closer to the pedal axle. I adjusted my saddle and noticed an improvement.

I also encountered a pressure point on the cuboid bone of my left foot. Fortunately, Lore includes three types of power panels—Main (neutral), IN (snugger hold), and OUT (looser hold). Swapping the left lateral panel for the OUT option relieved the pressure completely. The shoes also come with two arch support options, one for high arches and one for low. I opted for the low arch version, which matched my anatomy perfectly. Additionally, Lore provides optional 1st metatarsal head pads that can be adhered to the interior for added support, though I haven’t needed them yet. Overall, the fit feels secure, supportive, and adaptable.

Mechanical Feedback:

The most notable takeaway is the connected feel these shoes provide. It feels as if I’m encouraged to pedal with more plantar flexion, reducing the need to dorsiflex at the bottom of the stroke. Thanks to the dorsal support, I can carry significantly more force over the top of the stroke. The sensation is like having a new leverage point—something traditional arch support alone doesn’t provide.

I tested another pair of shoes to mimic this newfound pedaling style, but the difference was stark. My foot felt unsupported, and replicating the motion was far more difficult. I suspect the LoreTwo’s dorsal support prevents the arch from collapsing, which has a chain-reaction effect: less pronation and a reduction in my knees tracking inward toward the top tube.

For years, my right vastus medialis muscle has felt overused after rides, likely from compensating for poor support. With the LoreTwo, that discomfort is gone. I’m drawing a strong correlation between the enhanced support and this improvement, as the muscle now plays a reduced role in stabilizing my knee.

Performance:

I’m not the strongest rider out there—far from it! But like everyone, I have my threshold. I’ve been comparing the LoreTwo to my two other go-to cycling shoes, riding at specific intensities and durations to assess the differences. Most of my focus has been on threshold efforts, and what I’ve noticed is intriguing: riding at and above threshold feels easier and more sustainable.

While I can’t say definitively that the two additional points of leverage Lore claims are responsible, I’m convinced this isn’t just placebo. Larger sample sizes and outdoor rides will provide more conclusive data, including wattage and heart rate comparisons. According to the team at Lore, the performance benefits are even more pronounced when riding outdoors, so I’m excited to explore that further.

For now, these are my initial impressions, and I’m eager to see how the LoreTwo performs during extended testing, especially when I take them outdoors and experience their full potential on the road.