There aren’t many better feelings after a hard spin studio session. The benefits of an indoor stationary bike will increase endurance, burning extra calories and fat, and toning your lower body muscles.
But, using trainers or running shoes simply won’t do for fast pedalling or for supporting your foot and ankle, putting you at risk of straining muscles. Where as, the right cycling shoe (or cleat), can make a positive impact on your comfort and pedal stroke efficiency.
In this guide, I’ll go over what to consider when picking your pair of indoor cycling shoe as well as review the best for both men and women.
Table of Contents
TLDR – Best Indoor Cycling Shoes For Women
Our top pick for the best indoor cycling shoes for women would have to be Tommaso’s Pista Cycling Shoes.
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TLDR – Best Indoor Cycling Shoes For Men
Santic’s Cycling Spin Shoes with Buckle is our pick for the best indoor cycling shoes for men.
What to Consider Before Buying Indoor Cycling Shoes
The right pair of spinning shoes can really make a difference in providing comfort and maximizing efficiency and safety during workouts. So it’s vital to know how to choose well.
Let’s start by factoring in these considerations.
Type of Indoor Shoes
It’s surprising to find out there really isn’t an established subcategory for indoor cycling shoes at the moment. If you look up indoor cycling shoes or spinning shoes, you’ll find a host of shoe selections that can be used for both indoor and outdoor cycling.
Most outdoor cycling shoes, when outfitted with a compatible cleat, can work just as well for indoor cycling. So a more important consideration to make would be identifying the type of pedal system your indoor bike employs.
Spinner bikes are generally compatible with Shimano SPD cleats, but there are some that are also compatible with Look Delta cleats.
Now, mountain bike shoes can withstand both outdoor and indoor riding rigors, and they’re generally compatible with SPD cleats. So fitting SPD cleats into your MTB shoes and clipping them into your spinner bike will be easy.
Since many stationary bikes also accept the large, plastic Look Delta cleats, where you can engage one side with SPD cleats while the other is supported by Look Delta cleats. These cleats are compatible with slick-soled Road shoes – and not MTB shoes.
Number of Cleats
As there are generally two types of pedaling systems commonly used, the Delta system and the SPD system, it’s best to check the facility where you do your spin classes or what your indoor spin bike requires before making a purchase.
Road shoes use three bolts to mount onto spin bikes while MTB shoes use two bolts to mount onto indoor bikes. You may find it useful to consider MTB shoes as they have lugs purposely designed for climbing up over rock faces and steep inclines, making traction a no-issue.
Sole
Cycling shoes typically have soles made of carbon or nylon. Carbon-soled shoes are lightweight but stiff, and if you’re using these shoes to train indoors, you’ll hardly need the board-stiff carbon plates on your shoes but will most likely prefer them to be flexible to enhance comfort.
Besides, shoes that are too stiff can cause stress on the knees and ankles – especially when you’re pedaling at top speed. Some flexibility will help prevent injuries from overuse without compromising power transfer or efficiency and performance.
Nylon soles are great options as they provide sufficient rigidity to maximize power transfer without sacrificing flexibility to enhance comfort. They’re quite reasonably priced, too, so that’s always a plus.
Soles of spinning shoes will usually be built with rubber, as well, to help provide traction and prevent slipping on slippery hardwood floors and to secure your foot to the pedals.
Ventilation
Compared to riding outdoors where the wind can help you cool down to some extent, riding your bike indoors usually will mean sweat everywhere – even your shoes. So you can prevent getting soggy feet by the end of every workout, look for shoes built with mesh material, and have an open design.
Type of Enclosure
Choose a pair that uses strap enclosures and avoid the ones that have laces. Straps, which could either be Velcro or ratchet closed, are safer and more convenient options.
You won’t be able to adjust your shoelaces once your shoes are clipped in, and, more often than not, they can come undone and tangle with the pedals of your indoor bike. Just do away with the hassle and the mess by getting strapped shoes and you’re good to go.
6 Best Shoes for Indoor Cycling
Let’s get right down to our list of recommendations so you can look through the best one that meets your specific needs.
1. Venzo Strapped Indoor Cycling Shoes for Men and Women
Key Features
- Shimano SPD & Look ARC Compatible
- High-quality cleats
- Soles are heat insulated
- Highly breathable mesh and synthetic rubber
- 3-strap enclosure
The first one in our list is a Venzo offering – a pair of 3-strap indoor cycling shoes that’s so versatile it combines comfort and performance extremely well.
Perfect for road cycling, commuting, touring, and indoor training, the cleat area of these shoes is compatible with every cleat type in the market today, including SPD-SL, SPD, Look, Crank Brother, Speedplay cleats.
The shoes itself are manufactured with quick-drying and highly breathable mesh and synthetic upper with a textile lining and removable sockliner. Its low-cut construction provides a light, snug fit and feel, and has a flexible forefoot and a running beveled heel.
It’s a great buy, too, as you get a pair of stylish shoes and a pair of Delta cleats with every purchase.
Pros
- Delta clips work perfectly on Peloton bikes
- Lightweight construction comfortable for indoor use
- Maximum compatibility feature makes it so versatile
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- May run small, ensure proper measurements
- No instructions on how to install cleats
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2. Tommaso Pista Women’s Cycling Shoes
Key Features
- Dual-cleat compatibility
- Durable synthetic leather upper
- Ventilated mesh portions
- Low-profile triple Velcro strap enclosures
- 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
This next one is a bestseller by Tommaso – the Pista spin-class ready model designed for women.
It’s purposely built for spin class and Peloton riders, so performance and comfort were topmost in considering the design.
The dual-cleat compatibility of this pair ensures it’ll work effortlessly on any indoor bike with many pedal systems.
The durable synthetic leather upper with reinforced toe box and breathable mesh inserts, plus the moisture-wicking breathable liners and ventilating air ports, guarantee superior comfortability.
It also comes with the cleats already installed on the shoes and with low-profile triple Velcro strap enclosures to make every session feel secure without compromising easy adjustability.
When you get the right gear, including the perfect shoes, you’ll find you’ll be able to make the most out of your workouts by riding for longer with highly efficient pedal strokes and maximum power transfer.
Pros
- High-quality with a comfortable fit
- No knee, leg, or foot pain after sessions owing to perfect alignment
- Shoes come with cleats already installed
Cons
- Screws may loosen with time, may have to tighten them extremely well
- May run small, may have to order one size bigger than usual
Last update on 2024-04-24 at 16:19 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. ZOL Predator MTB Mountain Bike and Indoor Cycling Shoes
Key Features
- Universal 2-bolt cleat compatibility with adjustment scale
- Built with heavy-duty material
- Highly breathable textile with a tongue center separation
- Triple strap enclosures
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
This next one on the list is Zol’s predator MTB indoor cycling shoes suitable for outdoor activities like mountain biking, but it’s also perfect for indoor fitness and spinning sessions.
The predator is manufactured with durable materials that ensure it lasts for a long time. Its breathable and durable textile that comes with a tongue center separation is the reason this pair is one of Zol’s best-selling MTB and indoor cycling shoes.
The 2-bolt cleats make it compatible for Look, SPD, Crank Brothers, and all other MTB shoe pedals, and comes with a bolt cleat adjustment scale with precise cleat measurements to maximize power transfer and improve performance.
Tread patterns designed in the soles of these shoes guarantee improved walkability, while the strap closures follow the natural anatomic shape of the foot to prevent avoidable hot spots and eliminate pressure from the instep.
To ensure stability and security, manufacturers built rubber into the front of the shoes for protection – all this aside from the triple strap closures.
Pros
- True to size, order your usual
- Ultra comfortable
- Excellent ventilation
- Walking in them is possible and comfortable
Cons
- May be too tight for wider feet, will need to break them in
- May be difficult to clip into bike
Last update on 2024-04-24 at 16:19 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. TIEM Slipstream – Indoor Cycling Spin Shoes
Key Features
- Compatible with 2-bolt SPD pedal system
- Soles made or rubber
- Durable nylon cycling shank underfoot
- Engineered mesh and athletic textile upper for ventilation
- Single-strap enclosure
I have to say this Tiem offering is a beautiful pair of indoor cycling shoes with its single strap slip-on design that comes in a wide range of colors fit for any woman’s style.
The cleats of this pair are compatible with two-bolt systems only and can’t be used on 3-bolt Delta cleats. Additionally, cleats are sold separately and don’t come with the purchase of this pair.
The upper part of the shoes are made of engineered mesh and athletic textile that allows your foot to breathe throughout a session.
The manufacturer recommends ordering a half size down if your usual size is between sizes.
Pros
- Can walk comfortably in them
- Stylish design
- Easy to install cleats
Cons
- Cleats are sold separately
- May not be as stiff as desired
Last update on 2024-04-24 at 16:19 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Santic Cycling Spin Shoes with Buckle
Key Features
- Thermoplastic rubber soles
- Upper material is made of PU
- Insole material made of TPR (lining: synthetic)
- Maximum compatibility
- Strap and clasp/buckle enclosure
Santic’s road bike/indoor spin shoes feature thermoplastic rubber soles with anti-slip wear resistance and a 3-hole Calta design.
Upper material is constructed with Nano high-mirror PU for durability, while its thickened heel cup offers maximum protection. Inner lining is anti-slip and wicks moisture effectively.
Santic’s cycling shoes are compatible with most pedal systems and cleat types, enabling you to use them in a spin class or just your home – wherever is most convenient for you.
Triple-Velcro strap enclosures provide easy adjustability during sessions with its handy magic bandage, and it also features a precision buckle/clasp at the top strap to add even more security when you’re pedaling in ultra-speed modes.
Pros
- Efficient ventilation
- Anti-slip wear resistance
- Excellent value for money
- Provides great arch and ankle support
Cons
- May run too big, check measurements carefully
6. Fizik R5 Road & Indoor Cycling Shoe Fit
Features
- Carbon-reinforced nylon soles
- All-road design
- Microtex upper and BOA IP1-B dial
- Tempo R5 powerstrap enclosure
- Asymmetrical and ergonomic construction
Last, but certainly not least, on this list is Fizik’s R5 road and indoor cycling shoes with carbon-reinforced nylon soles that offer an excellent balance between comfort and pedaling efficiency. It’s designed to offer maximum performance on all types of road and indoor cycling, too.
The upper material is made of Microtex material, making it a supple and snug fit yet firm, comfortable and durable to withstand rigorous workouts.
The Tempo R5 Velcro power strap enclosure of this pair wraps around the foot, contributing more to the snug fit, as it’s ergonomically designed to conform to the contours of the foot.
The form-fitting construction, timeless look, and versatile performance of this pair will leave you wanting nothing in terms of comfort and performance.
Pros
- Comfortable feel when worn
- Clean look with vibrant colors available
- Inner lining wicks moisture excellently
Cons
- Soles have no breathing holes
- May be difficult to position the cleats
- May be too narrow for ‘wide feet’, may have to break them in
Last update on 2024-04-24 at 19:20 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which Is Best?
We recommend you read though our buying guide in the first section of this post so you can learn more about what to consider when purchasing your first (or next) pair of indoor cycling shoes.
Just remember cycling indoors may be a completely different environment from riding outdoors as you’re exposed to a host of elements and dangers, but it’s still worth thinking about how rigorous workouts can cause just as much strain on your foot and leg muscles if you wear inappropriate footwear.
For us, our top pick in this list would have to be Tommaso Pista Women’s Cycling Shoes. It’s really comfortable, yet it does its job, enabling you to work to your heart’s content without complaint – the hard work then only can come from achieving your goals on the bike!
We also highly recommend Santic’s Cycling Spin Shoes with Buckle for Men. The material it’s made of top-par, highly durable material yet keeps comfort and performance in mind. When you head out to do your training sessions, you’ll never want to go without this pair again!
Last update on 2024-04-24 at 16:19 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
