Spinning is an excellent choice if you’re searching for a low-impact aerobic exercise that you can perform in any weather. According to our experts, using a dedicated indoor cycling or spin shoe can result in the best workout, even if you can wear any type of shoe when riding an indoor exercise bike. This is due to the fact that these shoes physically clip, or slot, into the bike pedals, which dramatically changes how your body moves and how the ride feels.
We interviewed fitness instructors to learn how these shoes impact your training, how they should fit, and which ones they suggest in order to help you select the best indoor cycling and spin shoes.
GO Ahead and SkipWhat are the top spin shoes for 2025? How can I buy spin shoes? Why should I trust NBC Select?
Selected.
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Expert-pickShimano SH-IC100 Cycling Shoe
$undefined$100.00Amazon
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Runner-upTiem Slipstream Indoor Cycling Shoe
$undefined$135.00Tiem
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Best budgetShimano SH-RP101 Cycling Shoe
$undefined$64.00Amazon
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Related
Training shoes vs. running shoes: What s the difference?
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What are spin shoes?
Spin shoes are designed especially for using an indoor exercise cycle for workout. Jules Peckinpah, a senior master instructor and manager of training at CycleBar, claims that the hard-soled, rigid bottom of these shoes supports the arches of the foot and better transmits force from the foot into the pedal stroke.
These shoes usually feature a slot for a cycling cleat on the soles. You are clipped-in, or attached to the bike, when you slide that cleat into a matching bike pedal. Clipping in alters the exercise’s feel by enabling you to engage your muscles while pulling your feet up as well as pressing the pedals down, which works your calves, hamstrings, glutes, and quadriceps, according to Peckinpah. According to Alexa Arent, a senior spin teacher at Spin City Massapequa (Arent is also an associate producer for NBC Commerce Studios), it can also be safer to be clipped in when riding at a fast cadence because your feet won’t unintentionally come off or slide around the pedals.
How we picked the best spin shoes
To learn more about how spin shoes might enhance your indoor riding experience, we chatted with spin instructors. Following their recommendations, we selected shoes according to the following standards:
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Fit:
Indoor cycling shoes should fit snug, according to our experts, with little movement or rolling of your foot inside the shoe. Our recommendations come in a range of men s and women s sizes, so you can find your ideal fit. -
Fastening system
: Almost all of our top picks have hook and loop straps that make adjusting the fit fast and easy, even while riding. -
Compatibility:
Check what type of cleat your bike s pedals use they will take either a parallel, two-bolt cleat (SPD) or a triangle-shaped, three-bolt cleat (Delta/SPD-SL). Most of our top picks are compatible with both types of cleats. Spin shoes don t typically come with cleats, so you ll have to buy the right cleat for your bike separately.
The best spin shoes in 2025
Our top choices are from cycling-specific companies like Shimano and Tiem, which are suggested by experts, as well as other cycling brands like Peloton and Giro.
Expert-pick:
Shimano Unisex SH-IC100 Cycling Shoe
Men s Shimano SH-IC100 Cycling Shoe
- Highly breathable
- Dual cleat compatibility
- Nothing at this time
Throughout her career, Peckinpah has had more than a dozen pairs of Shimano cycling shoes, and she has always enjoyed them. These C100s are snug and comfortable for her. According to the brand, the upper is composed of breathable mesh, and the bottom of the shoe has extra ventilation cutouts. They fit both two-bolt and three-bolt cleats (cleats are supplied separately) and include a single long strap that crisscrosses across the shoe for tightening.
Offerings include half sizes in sizes 8.5–14 for men and 5–9 for women. Closure types include SPD and Delta/SPD-SL. Hook and loop straps are used for fastening.
Runner-up:
Tiem Men s Slipstream Indoor Cycling Shoe
Men’s Tiem Slipstream Indoor Cycling Shoe
Tiem Women s Slipstream Indoor Cycling Shoe
Tiem Women s Slipstream Indoor Cycling Shoe
- Street-style aesthetic
- Balanced comfort and stiffness
- Nothing at this time
For everyone who spins more than once a week, Arent suggests these cycling shoes. The upper is pleasant and airy, while the bottoms are strong and rigid. According to Arent, the shoes also effectively convert your effort into speed when riding a bike. In comparison to other bicycle shoes, they also have a comparable appearance to regular street shoes. Because the cleat is slightly recessed, the bottoms have some grip, and the shoe has enough cushion to keep your feet comfy, they are a little simpler to walk in if you want to grab a cup of coffee after your fitness class.
Only SPD cleats with two bolts are suitable with this shoe.
There are half sizes available in sizes 8–13 for men and 5–12 for women. The clasp type is SPD, and the fastening method is hook and loop strap.
Best budget:
Shimano Unisex SH-RP101 Cycling Shoe
Shimano Unisex SH-RP101 Cycling Shoe
- Competitive price
- Dual cleat compatibility
- Break-in time
Josh Rios, a video producer for NBC Select, likes to ride his bike three or four times a week and wears these shoes. With a hook-and-loop strap across the top of the upper, they are elegant and uncomplicated. The main characteristic is the rigid soles, which provide excellent foot support even though they take some getting used to. Even when performing vigorous intervals, Rios never has arch pain.
Both three-bolt Delta/SPD-SL cleats and two-bolt SPD cleats are compatible with the shoes.
Men’s sizes 5–12.5, women’s sizes 6.5–15.5 (including half sizes) | Fastening mechanism: hook and loop strap | Type of clasp: SPD and Delta/SPD-SL
For indoor and outdoor riding:
Giro Men’s Cadet Cycling Shoe
Men s Giro Cadet Cycling Shoe
Giro Women’s Cadet Cycling Shoe
Women s Giro Cadet Cycling Shoe
- For indoor and outdoor cycling
- Dual cleat compatibility
- Pricey
Since they both use the same cleats, many clip-in outdoor cycling shoes may be used on indoor exercise bikes. These road cycling shoes are compatible with two and three bolts and feature a strong bottom. The shoes have a Boa dial fastener, which you may turn to tighten or relax the fit. Based on my experience with other cycling shoes with Boa fastening, this is simple to modify while riding.
The Giro Cadets feature a permeable upper, but since they are still outdoor shoes, they might be warmer than indoor shoes—especially the Shimano SH-IC100 and other models with wide mesh areas.
Men’s sizes 6.5–15 and women’s sizes 5–10.5, including half sizes, are available. Boa dials are the fastening system. The clear types are SPD and Delta/SPD-SL.
For Peloton lovers:
Peloton Unisex Cycling Shoe
Unisex Peloton Cycling Shoe
- Made for Peloton bikes
- Adjustable fit
- Only Delta/SPD-SL compatible
To match the style, you might wish to wear a Peloton exercise bike with the brand’s own cycling shoe if you use one frequently. The firm claims that these shoes contain one ratcheting clip and two hook-and-loop straps for fine-tuning the fit and feel. Delta cleats with three bolts are included with them.
Few half-sizes of the shoes are available. Peloton advises sizing up if you have a broader foot or are in between sizes.
Available sizes include 3–13.5 men’s, 5–15.5 women’s, and a few half sizes. The type of clasp is Delta/SPD-SL, and the fastening method is hook and loop straps.
How to shop for spin shoes
According to our experts, switching from flat shoes to clip-in spin shoes can drastically alter your riding experience. However, a shoe that is overly stuffy, stiff, or tight can make the ride worse. A few tips for shoppers were highlighted by our specialists.
Proper fit is essential
The greatest spin shoes must fit your foot properly, just like a decent pair of running shoes. According to Peckinpah, they should fit snugly without preventing your toes from expanding or wriggling while you’re riding. According to Mary Wolff, a fitness trainer at Ob Fitness, an online training platform, they should be firm in the heel area and have minimal rolling or movement inside the shoe.
Since most shoes include straps or some other way to tighten them, Arent advises going up a half size if you are in between sizes rather than down.
Don t forget the cleats
Cleats are not typically included with spin shoes. Choose a shoe that fits the pedal on your cycle (or the bike at the gym) by finding out what kind of cleat it uses. Many brands sell cleats, but among of the most well-liked ones are Shimano SPD cleats and Look Delta cleats.
Frequently asked questions
Our experts say it takes some practice to clip in and off of an exercise bike. Peckinpah advises asking the teacher for assistance before the commencement of an in-person lesson.
The metal plate on the bottom of the shoe must line up with the corresponding holes in the pedal in order to clip in. Then, Wolff advises, thrust forward and down. Holding down the resistance knob on many indoor cycling bikes activates the brake feature, which keeps the pedals in position and facilitates clipping in and out, according to Peckinham.
Just twist your heel away from the bike and shift your foot to the side to unclip from a pedal.
A high-quality pair of spin shoes has a long lifespan. Peckinpah, who rides between two and five times a week, usually replaces her shoes every two years, when she feels the arch support starting to lax.
Tightening the bolts on the cleats and adjusting their placement should be done more regularly, about once a month.
Meet our experts
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.
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Jules Peckinpah
is a senior master instructor and manager of training atCycleBar
, an indoor cycling studio with locations nationwide.
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Alexa Arent
is a senior instructor atSpin City Massapequa
. (Arent is also the leadership coordinator for Commerce at NBC News.)
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Mary Wolff
is a fitness trainer atOb Fitness
, a digital training platform.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am areporterat NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including guides torunning shoes,fitness trackersandworkout 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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