The best Spin shoes for studio and home cycling

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Quick Links: The The best Spin shoes to buy now

Select publisher: Nike SuperRep Cycle 2

Budget Spin shoe: Shimano SH-RP

The best for Peloton: Peloton Cycling Shoes

Great for beginners: Specialized Torch 1.0 cycling shoes

Great for walking: Tiem Slipstream

Velcro closure: Pearl Izumi Quest Studio

Clips included: Tommaso Strada Indoor Cycling Shoes

Indoor cycling is here to stay. Since the pandemic, spinning has become a practical workout for experienced athletes and casuals alike. Whether you are just starting out on an indoor bike or are a seasoned spinner, we recommend investing in some of the best spin shoes before your next workout.

Now that we're back in spin studio classes, we think it's especially important to get your own spin shoes. No one wants sweaty, ill-fitting rentals from the studio, and if you're wearing the same pair on your bike at home during quarantine, it's probably time for a replacement (regular riders should replace their spin shoes every year or so, as clip mechanisms wear with use).

Read on for some of the best spin shoes and tips for choosing the right pair.

What are the best Spin Bike Shoes?

If you want to improve your performance and get a better workout, the best spin shoes can help you do just that. Here are some of our favorites to buy right now.

1. Nike SuperRep Cycle 2

Designed specifically for indoor cycling, Nike's SuperRep Cycle 2 is the best spin shoe for most riders. The shoes deal with ventilation better than most with mesh uppers and vents in the soles for airflow to the bottom of your feet (this can't be found in most road bike shoes). This translates into comfortable breathing throughout your workout. The SuperReps also feature a three-hole design and, in classic Nike style, the SuperReps are some of the sleekest spin shoes out there, available in two bold colorways as well as soft black.

2. Shimano SH-RP

You can get a great pair of shoes without breaking the bank. these budget-friendly RPs from Shimano prove it. The outsole is made of durable synthetic leather with vents on the sides and mesh on the toe for airflow. Double velcro strap is easy to lift and remove or make mid-ride tightness adjustments. You also get excellent power transfer thanks to the fiberglass reinforced soles and the mounts work with either two or three bolt systems.

3. Peloton Cycling Shoes

If you just use a Peloton bike at home, the brand's shoes are (unsurprisingly) a great choice. Peloton-compatible Delta cleats are also included, making it easy to start riding right away. The kicks are very light and breathable thanks to mesh ventilation throughout the upper. Amazon customers are happy, overall, saying the shoes feel very comfortable.

4. Specialized Torch 1.0 cycling shoes

If you're just into indoor cycling, these Torch 1.0s (also from Specialized) is a great choice. You get advanced components like a BOA dial closure, great ergonomics to encourage proper form, and three-bolt adjustment for Delta cleats. They are slightly less stiff than the more pointed shoes, which is great as you get a feel for cycling shoes and riding in general. In addition, they are not very expensive.

5. Time Slipstream

While wearing most cycling shoes, it is very difficult to walk around the studio, to and from your car or just to the bathroom. These Slipstream cycling shoes from Tiem aim to fix that. You'll notice right away that they look like sneakers, not spin shoes, but they also feel a lot like sneakers when you're off the bike. The studs (which are SPD compatible) are recessed into a rubber outsole so they don't click when you walk. When you're ready to ride, a stiff EVA midsole ensures plenty of power transfer. However, they are not the stiffest shoes, so we recommend that serious riders choose a different pair.

For children, please note that these are women's shoes. Many men use (and love) them, but be sure to go up two sizes.

6. Pearl Izumi Quest Studio

Another great spin shoe is the Pearl Izumi Quest. SoulCycle actually partnered with Pearl Izumi to create their comfortable branded rentals, so if you like them, you'll probably like the Quests, too.

Designed for indoor use, the Quests focus heavily on breathability and moisture control. The upper is an anti-microbial mesh and the sole features ventilation holes for airflow throughout. They also do a great job of minimizing sweat with a closed cell foam lining. Compatible with three-bolt systems and two-bolt SPD cleats, you should be ready for any class or home bike. Plus, we love the triple velcro straps: they're comfortable and easy to adjust, especially if you want less pressure in certain areas.

7. Tommaso Strada Indoor Cycling Shoes

Most cycling shoes require you to buy your own cleats separately, but these Tommaso Stradas come with Delta Cleats, allowing you to get on a Peloton bike straight away. Apart from the included clips, the shoes are still very stable. They feature a fiberglass-reinforced sole that retains energy with each pedal, as well as moisture-wicking linings and plenty of ventilation to reduce sweat and blisters.

Are indoor cycling shoes worth it?

Specialized cycling shoes sometimes seem unnecessary to beginners, especially when toe clips are available. But the truth is, the best spin shoes make a big difference.

When you're firmly attached to your bike's pedals with stiff cycling shoes, you can transfer much more power to the bike throughout the pedal stroke. When you push down, the stiffness of the sole helps transfer all that power from your feet to the pedal. And when you rip the pedals up, your hamstrings come into play. With sneakers, you only exert force in pushing off, and much of that energy is lost in the absorption of your shoes.

In other words, the best indoor spin shoes not only help you go faster, but also lead to a better workout.

How to choose the best Spin shoes

Just like the best stationary bikes, you'll want to do some research to find the best spin shoes for your needs. Below are some things to consider when purchasing.

Compatibility: Most indoor bikes have either an SPD clip system (with two bolts) or a Look Delta system (with three bolts). Peloton bikes, for example, use a Delta system, while bikes at SoulCycle studios have pedals with SPD clips on one side and a Delta system on the other. If you know what kind of bike you'll be riding, be sure to get shoes that support the correct cleat system. Screens are sold separately from the shoes, but not all shoes support both types of grills.

Comfort: The main difference between indoor and outdoor cycling shoes is comfort. While outdoor shoes need protection from the weather, the best spin shoes are light and breathable, which is due to the lack of gas. They should also be tight all over to avoid chafing in any areas.

Closure: Most spin shoes have either a Boa or velcro closure. Boa closures replace laces with cables that are tightened using a knob, allowing for micro-adjustment settings and a comfortable fit. Velcro straps can sometimes be lighter and also allow you to make some areas looser than others (for example, you can make the toe area looser than the upper leg). Some shoes also use a combination of a Boa system closure and a velcro strap near the toe.

How we chose the best Spin Bike shoes

To make this list, we put the spin bike shoes to the test on a variety of rides, seeing how they fared on everything from interval training to long rides to easy recovery sessions. We noted pain points throughout the ride, if any, as well as the moisture level and odor of our feet after the ride. After testing ourselves, we compared our experiences with those of experts and customers to see which were the best spin bike shoes overall.