Finally, cycling shoes that won’t squish your toes! The Strong Feet Athletics Leviathan is the first cycling shoe on the market with a truly anatomical shape to them. But do they hold up to standard cycling shoes? We recruited the help of a triathlete to put them to the test on an Ironman!
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Cycling shoe specs, but foot-shaped.
- Comfortable straight out of the box.
- Functional for serious cyclers.
- Wide, roomy fit. If you’re used to sizing up in your cycling shoes, you won’t need to in these.
- Heavier than other brands, but not noticeable on the bike.
Meet Strong Feet Athletics
Strong Feet Athletics is the first brand to make truly foot-shaped cycling shoes. They have one model so far – the Leviathan 1.0. It is available in sizes EU 36-48 (women’s and men’s sizes).
The unidirectional carbon sole has a flat, zero-drop shape and works with SPD, SPD-SL, Look-type, and Delta 3-hole style cleats and pedals.
How they compare to other cycling shoes
What makes the Strong Feet Athletics Leviathan different?
They have a wide anatomically shaped toe box so that your toes aren’t squished while you’re cycling. Functionally, this doesn’t detract from the performance aspects of the shoes and only stands to make you more comfortable both during and after your cycling.
Our tester trained for and completed an Ironman in the new Leviathan 1.0, and here is what she has to say about them.
My Leviathan Review
by Heather
It has been a goal of mine since high school to complete an Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.6 mile run). After being blessed with an amazing coach and lots of family support, I completed my first Ironman in fall of 2024. I liked it so much that I’ve continued to train. Each one is a culmination of everything I have worked for over years and years. I’m in the 40-44 year old age group and also a mom of three, full-time professor, and counselor – so there is no time for missteps. Every piece of gear I use to train for Ironman has to earn its place.
But after completing the Ironman Wisconsin last fall (my 2nd Ironman) in traditional cycling shoes, I was dealing with what I thought was a strained hamstring. I have been wearing foot-shaped shoes elsewhere in my life and training, and thought that the excessively narrow cycling shoes might be causing me issues. So I started looking for an option that would be kinder to my body.
Enter Strong Feet Athletics Leviathan. I first started wearing them in December 2025 when I was riding four days a week in my basement on the trainer to prepare for the 2026 season. At the time, a size 38 was the smallest available. They were a little too big, but I liked them so much that I wore them anyway until Tyler (the owner and founder) sent me one of the first pairs of size 37s in January 2026.
Did they help?
Running has always been my passion, so during every triathlon event I am always thinking about not over biking and cooking my legs for the run. The run is where I prove my durability as an athlete, so I had been wondering if my legs would feel better off the bike if my feet were not smooshed into a pair of narrow shoes for 6+ hours before running a marathon. I’ve run in Altra Running shoes for years, so I was curious whether a foot-shaped cycling shoe would help me feel better.
After hundreds of training miles, countless trainer rides, and a full Ironman build, I am super happy with the Leviathan. Easily one of the best gear decisions ever! They disappear while I’m riding, and every time I hop off the bike in these shoes my legs feel ready to go. I always joke that I feel like a rocket heading out onto the run, and that’s exactly how I want to feel.
And last month I complete the inaugural Ironman Jacksonville – my third full Ironman – wearing the Leviathans. I earned 5th in my age group and had my fastest 112 mile bike ride ever wearing these shoes. More importantly to me, I also had an amazing 26.2 mile run off my bike! I cannot wait to see where these shoes take me next.
What I love about them
What I love most about the Leviathans is that, for the first time, I feel like I’m riding in cycling shoes that actually fit my feet. For years, I bought cycling shoes a couple sizes too big because I couldn’t stand the “smooshed foot” feeling. The tradeoff was that my feet had more room, but they also moved around more than I liked and would cause hot spots on the outside of my feet.
The Leviathans solved that problem. The foot-shaped toe box gives my toes plenty of room without sacrificing a secure fit. Since switching, I haven’t dealt with the foot cramps, numbness, or hot spots I occasionally experienced in traditional cycling shoes, even during long trainer rides and Ironman race day. They did not require breaking in, I could wear them right out of the box!
I also love the dial system. The shoes are quick and easy to get on and off in transition, easy to tighten the shoes while riding, and because there are no laces, I never worry about anything coming untied on the bike.
What I don’t like about them
No shoe is perfect, and if I were purchasing these the same way I have purchased every other cycling shoe over the years, there are a few things I would mention. Although being someone who really values the wide toe box, the things I am about to mention are not a deal breaker for me.
- Coming from Giro shoes, I do miss having some fun color options. The neutral color of the Leviathans goes with everything, but from a purely aesthetic standpoint, there are days I miss my bright pink cycling shoes.
- Functionally, I love the dial system for tightening the shoes, but one thing I would change is the ability to loosen them incrementally. Right now, when you release the dial, the shoe loosens all at once rather than allowing for small adjustments.
- The shoes were a little slippery to walk in when they were brand new, although that improved once the bottoms got a little wear on them.
- They are also heavier than my previous cycling shoes. The tradeoff is worth it for me because of the comfort and fit, but if I were designing my dream Ironman racing shoe, I would love to see a lighter version.
- Finally, Jacksonville was hot, humid, and wet. My feet stayed damp for most of the race after the swim. I can’t say for certain that my previous shoes would have dried any faster, but the Leviathans do not seem quite as breathable as some of the more race-focused cycling shoes I have used in the past. For everyday training, that isn’t something I notice much, but during a long, hot Ironman it was noticeable.
That said, none of these things would keep me from buying them again. The comfort, fit, and elimination of foot numbness and cramping far outweigh the few minor drawbacks for me.
Sizing & Fit type
- Runs roomy for a cycling shoe, but true to conventional EU sizing. I was used to sizing up, but don’t need to as much in these. There is a very detailed size chart here.
- Wide to extra wide toe box.
- Square shape.
- Overall roomy, high volume fit.
For my foot shape, the Leviathans fit much better than traditional cycling shoes because of the roomy, foot-shaped toe box. I normally wear a size 36 in everyday shoes and have historically bought cycling shoes in a size 38 just to avoid the “smooshed foot” feeling. The Leviathans are the first cycling shoes that have really given my toes room to spread naturally without my foot feeling cramped.
I do think they run roomy. I started with a size 38 because that was the smallest available at the time, but it was larger than I wanted. Once I switched to a size 37, the fit was much better. If they ever make a size 36, I would love to try them out to see how they fit.
Because the shoes are roomy on me, I typically have the dials tightened almost all the way down. Occasionally that creates a little pressure on the top of my foot, especially during longer rides, but it hasn’t been enough to outweigh the benefits of the overall fit.
Overall, I’d say the sizing is slightly generous, especially compared to many traditional cycling shoes that tend to run narrow and small. For athletes with wider feet or those who have struggled to find enough room in the toe box, that will likely be a welcome change.
