Most people who go to the gym, or exercise in general, have a favorite pair of shoes they wear. Some people like to wear sneakers, some like to wear running shoes and some like to wear cross trainers.
But what kind of shoe is best for indoor spinning? Is there a shoe that is better than all the others? Or are they all equally good? This article will explore all of these questions and more!
Best Shoes For Indoor Spinning
The Best Spin Shoes to Take Your Riding to the Next Level
WHETHER YOU’RE RIDING A PELOTON AT HOME OR HITTING THE SADDLE AT THE GYM, THESE EXPERT RECOMMENDATIONS WILL HELP YOU GET MORE OUT OF EVERY WORKOUT.
Spin shoes are essential to having a great ride whether you’re in a studio or on an at-home bike. Over the past two years, the at-home riding experience has taken the world by (pandemic-necessitated) storm with leaders in the industry like Peloton, SoulCycle, and many others releasing new stationary bikes. Whether you’ve invested in your own bike or are back in person at your favorite studio, picking the right spin shoe can be the difference between getting lost in the music and energy of your class or being distracted by a shoe that is not secure to your pedal or a shoe that just doesn’t feel good.
With so many options and styles, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here, we’ve included eight of our top recommendations for men’s and women’s indoor cycling shoes, as well as what you should know before purchasing your next pair.
What to Look for in a Spin Shoe
Although some road cycling shoes are indoor-compatible, spinning shoes are optimized for hot, sweaty workouts devoid of a natural breeze to cool you down. Look for an ultra-breathable shoe with a stiff sole; the stiffer the shoe, the more power you’ll transfer to the pedals to crank up your on-the-bike intensity. For some people, the ideal indoor cycling shoe is more walkable than a traditional outdoor option (think: smaller, inset cleat), so that when you’re moving from bike to locker room (or to your own bathroom at home), you’re not slipping around or risking injury. Some brands make options with more flexible soles (including rubber), but with those, you could lose some of the power transfer on the bike, which is worth keeping in mind.
You should also consider cleat and pedal compatibility. Depending on what bike you’re clipping into, there are two common cleat-pedal combinations: SPD (two-bolt) and Delta (three-bolt). Popular bikes like the Peloton come stock with Delta-compatible clip-in pedals. You could swap the pedals if you’d rather use an SPD-friendly shoe, but that’s another conversation. When shopping for Delta cleats, you should avoid zero-float options. Float allows a little bit of movement when the cleat is clicked into the pedal, which is better for indoor riding especially when clipping in and out of the bike. The float cleats from Look are colored red (good), and the zero-float cleats are black (bad). Most knockoff cleats follow the same color scheme.
Check your bike’s specs before purchasing shoes and cleats, which are not typically included in your shoe purchase. For example, the SoulCycle at-home bike comes stock with one pedal that’s both SPD- and Delta-compatible. Delta cleats are larger and might be harder to walk around in off the bike, whereas SPD cleats are a little smaller and are often inset on the shoe, making them easier to walk on. You can get more info on clipless pedals and cleats here.
A note on sex-specific spin shoes: Some indoor cycling shoes are marketed specifically toward men and women, but in our experience, you can wear any shoe that suits your needs and style. Just be sure to adjust your sizing, especially if the shoe lists European sizing (this handy shoe size calculator can help).
How We Evaluated
As the indoor cycling industry continues to grow at home and in-person, the need for a great spin shoe grows too. The differentiators in shoe quality and shoe type are vast. As an indoor cycling instructor with Mad Dogg, CycleBar, and Spinning certifications, I have worn many spin shoes in assorted styles, with different functionalities, and at various price points. In addition to relying on my personal experiences, I sought recommendations from other instructors, such as Angela Manuel-Davis, co-founder of spinning and fitness studio AARMY, and Katie Breathitt, operations director of Union Three Studio in Tampa, Florida.
1
Best Overall
SHIMANO SH-RP100
pros
- Affordable
cons
- Runs small
If you’re not looking to break the bank on your next pair of shoes, this is a great place to start. Shimano is a quality cycling brand, and reviewers praise the heel cup for its comfortable, secure fit.
Key Specs
Sizes | 5-12.5 |
---|---|
Closure | Double straps |
Cleat Compatibility | SPD and SPD-SL (3-hole) |
2
Best Nike Cycling Shoes
NIKE SUPERREP CYCLE
pros
- Attractive design
cons
- Runs small—size up by a half- or full-size
If you’re a swoosh loyalist, you’ll be excited to try their best indoor-friendly model to date. The SuperRep are available in a handful of colors; we’re partial to the sleek white. Customers report the shoe runs a tad small and suggest sizing up a half- or full-size.
Key Specs
Sizes | 5–12 (W), 6–14 (M) |
---|---|
Closure | Double straps |
Cleat Compatibility | SPD and Delta |
3
Best Dial Fit Spin Shoes
SPECIALIZED TORCH 1.0 ROAD SHOES
pros
- Great quality
- Various color options
cons
- Runs small
The Boa lacing system on this shoe guarantees a perfect fit, ideal for both out-of-the-saddle jogs and intense, heavy climbs. Plus, it comes in some funky colorways to suit every style.
Key Specs
Sizes | EU 36–49 |
---|---|
Closure | Boa dial with single strap |
Cleat Compatability | Delta |
4
Breathable Mesh Construction
SHIMANO IC2 INDOOR CYCLING SHOE
pros
- Cross-strap design for fast adjustments
cons
- Minimal style options
This Shimano mesh-topped indoor cycling shoe breathes well and conveniently adjusts with its cross-strap closure system. Underfoot, a full-length plate ensures proper power transfer on your rides.
Key Specs
Sizes | EU 36–48 |
---|---|
Closure | Single cross-strap |
Cleat Compatibility | SPD |
5
Muli-Use Spin Shoe
TIEM SLIPSTREAM
pros
- Stylish
- Can be worn during casual outings
cons
- Not as stiff as some models for less power transfer on the bike
- Pricey
If you want a cycling shoe that looks identical to your favorite walking shoe, this is it. The women’s-only Slipstream is ideal for someone who travels to and from cycling classes often and doesn’t want to lug around an extra pair of shoes. The downside? They’ll transfer less power than stiffer alternatives and are only compatible with SPD cleats.
Key Specs
Sizes | 6–11 |
---|---|
Closure | Single cross-strap |
Cleat Combatibility | SPD |
6
Best For Beginners
PEARL IZUMI QUEST ROAD
pros
- Reasonably priced
- Sleek look
cons
- Runs small
If you’re just getting your feet wet with indoor cycling, this is a great shoe for you. The Quest provides simple styling and nothing overdone, so you can strap in and start pedaling. The velcro straps make the fit easily customizable. Plus, the quality shoe comes at a great price point from a leader in the cycling industry. If you decide spinning isn’t your speed, you won’t have invested too much.
Key Specs
Sizes | EU 36–43 (W), EU 39–52 (M) |
---|---|
Closure | Triple straps |
Cleat Combatibility | SPD and Delta |
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
7
Best for Peloton Owners
PELOTON CYCLING SHOES
pros
- Quick ratchet clip allows for quick tightening and micro-adjustments
- Cleats included
cons
- Pricey
With two Velcro straps across the midfoot and a ratchet clip toward the ankle, this Peloton-branded pick will keep your foot in place during fast sprints and steep climbs. These come with cleats, which will usually run you about $15 to $25.
Key Specs
Sizes | 5–12 in women’s, 7–13.5 in men’s |
---|---|
Closure | Triple straps |
Cleat Compatibility | Look Delta |
8
Best Lace-Up Spin Shoes
PEARL IZUMI TOUR ROAD
pros
- Compatible with SPD and Delta cleats
- Breathable upper
cons
- Pricey
This lace-up option is ideal for those looking for a customizable fit (think: wider feet, fallen arches, or even bunions). Featuring a stiff carbon plate at the ball of the foot, you can rely on this shoe to transfer maximum power as the miles tick by.
Key Specs
Sizes | EU 40–49 |
---|---|
Closure | Laces |
Cleat Compatibility | SPD and Delta |