Clip in and improve your form with these 5 spin shoes
Experts share their top picks, plus what to look for in fit and feel
Tiem Slipstream Indoor Cycling Shoe
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$135.00
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Spin shoes are specifically made for exercising on an indoor exercise bike. These shoes have a stiff, hard-soled bottom that supports the foot’s arches and transfers power more effectively from your foot into the pedal stroke, says Jules Peckinpah, a senior master instructor and manager of training at CycleBar.
The soles of these shoes typically have a slot for a cycling cleat. When you slide that cleat into a compatible bike pedal, you’re connected to the bike, or “clipped-in.” Being clipped-in changes the feel of the exercise, letting you activate your muscles not only while pushing the pedals down, but while pulling your feet up, activating the calves, hamstring, glutes and quads, says Peckinpah. Being clipped in can also be safer when pedaling at a fast cadence, as your feet won’t accidentally slip off or slide around the pedals, says Alexa Arent, a senior spin instructor at Spin City Massapequa (Arent is also an associate producer for NBC Commerce Studios).
We spoke with spin instructors to better understand how spin shoes can change your experience while cycling indoors. Using their advice as a guideline, we chose shoes based on the following criteria:
Our top picks come from expert-recommended, cycling-specific brands like Tiem and Shimano, as well as other cycling brands like Giro and Peloton.
Peckinpah has owned over a dozen cycling shoes throughout her career and has loved every pair of Shimano shoes she’s used. She finds these C100s snug and comfortable. The upper is made of a breathable mesh, with additional cutouts for ventilation on the bottom of the shoe, according to the brand. They have one long strap that criss-crosses across the shoe for tightening, and are compatible with both two-bolt and three-bolt cleats (cleats are sold separately).
Sizes offered: 8.5-14 men’s, 5-9 women’s, including half sizes | Cleat type: SPD and Delta/SPD-SL | Fastening system: hook and loop strap
Arent recommends these cycling shoes for anyone spinning more than once a week. The bottoms are stiff and tough while the upper is breathable and comfortable. The shoes also do a good job turning your effort into speed on the bike, says Arent. Plus, they look similar to normal street shoes compared to other cycling shoes. They are a bit easier to walk in if you want to grab a cup of coffee after your workout class, as the bottoms have some grip, the cleat is slightly recessed, and there is enough cushion in the shoe to keep your feet comfortable.
This shoe is only compatible with two-bolt SPD cleats.
Sizes offered: 8-13 men’s, 5-12 women’s, including half sizes | Cleat type: SPD | Fastening system: hook and loop strap
NBC Select video producer Josh Rios cycles three to four times a week, and prefers these cycling shoes. They are sleek and simple, with a hook and loop strap across the top of the upper. The key feature is the stiff soles, which, although require some breaking in, offer great support across the foot — Rios never gets arch pain, even when doing intense intervals.
The shoes are compatible with two-bolt SPD cleats and three-bolt Delta/SPD-SL cleats.
Sizes offered: 5-12.5 men’s, 6.5-15.5 women’s, including half sizes | Cleat type: SPD and Delta/SPD-SL | Fastening system: hook and loop strap
Many clip-in outdoor cycling shoes can be used on indoor exercise bikes since they use the same cleats. These road cycling shoes have a stiff bottom plus two and three-bolt compatibility. The shoes use a Boa dial fastener — you loosen and tighten the fit by rotating the dial. This is easy to adjust while riding in my experience with other cycling shoes that have Boa fasteners.
The Giro Cadets have a breathable upper, but these are still outdoor shoes — they may be warm compared to indoor shoes, especially models with large mesh sections like the Shimano SH-IC100.
Sizes offered: 6.5-15 men’s, 5-10.5 women’s, including half sizes | Cleat type: SPD and Delta/SPD-SL | Fastening system: Boa dials
If you regularly use a Peloton exercise bike, you may want to pair it with the brand’s own cycling shoe to match the aesthetic. These shoes have two hook and loop straps and one ratcheting clip to make fine adjustments to the fit and feel, according to the brand. They come with three-bolt Delta cleats included.
The shoes are not offered in many half-sizes. If you fall between sizes or have a wider foot, Peloton recommends sizing up.
Sizes offered: 3-13.5 men’s, 5-15.5 women’s, few half sizes | Cleat type: Delta/SPD-SL | Fastening system: hook and loop straps
Moving from flat shoes to clip-in spin shoes can completely change your riding experience, according to our experts. At the same time, a shoe that’s too tight, stiff or stuffy can make a ride worse. Our experts highlighted a few things to keep in mind as you shop.
Like a good pair of running shoes, the best spin shoes have to fit your foot well. They should fit snugly, but not so tight that your toes do not have room to expand or wiggle during the ride, says Peckinpah. They should be firm in the heel area, with little movement or rolling inside the shoe, says Mary Wolff, a fitness trainer at Obé Fitness, an online training platform.
If you are between sizes, Arent recommends going up a half size rather than down, as most shoes have straps or some other mechanism to tighten them.
Most spin shoes do not come with cleats. Check what type of cleat your (or your gym’s) bike uses and choose a shoe that will fit that pedal. Cleats are sold by a variety of brands, but Shimano SPD cleats and Look Delta cleats are some of the most popular.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including guides to running shoes, fitness trackers and workout headphones. To better understand the intricacies of spin shoes, I spoke with fitness trainers and instructors and got their recommendations. I also researched highly rated spin shoes online, and spoke with NBC Select staffers who spin or cycle regularly.
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