Do women need women-specific cycling shoes?

Cycling podiatrist Mick Habgood, who has worked with Team GB, the Japanese and US track teams, and EF Pro Cycling since 2013, argues that shoe fit is determined by foot shape rather than gender-specific labeling. He emphasizes that the foot is the rider's only constant contact point with the bike 100% of the time, making proper shoe fit critical to performance. The article explores whether female cyclists should prioritize women-specific shoes or shop across all available models to find the best anatomical fit.