It’s no secret that the at-home exercise bike market did gangbuster business over the past year — all you have to do is scroll through Instagram or Facebook to see all those shiny new Pelotons and NordicTracks. Call it the pandemic effect: With people still wary of shared gym space, the global home exercise bikes industry is estimated to reach $2.33 billion by 2027, growing 8.7% every year, according to an Allied Market Research report.
But you need more than just a machine for at-home workouts; you need the right gear to use it. And, in the case of indoor bicycles, the most crucial accessory is what you wear on your feet. There’s no one-size-fits-all indoor cycling shoe, though. Just like with any other kind of footwear, what works best for you is going to depend a lot on personal preference.
There is one important thing to keep in mind when you’re shopping: What cleats is your bike compatible with? There are two common types of cleats: the two-hold (or SPD) system and the three-hole (Delta) system. Certain bikes and certain shoes are formatted for one or the other, and you want to make sure the shoes you buy work with what your bike pedals are equipped for.
From testing these shoes on our own bikes and working with brands to learn about their latest offerings to checking out Amazon buyer reviews and other product round-ups, we assessed the most popular indoor cycling shoes that will make you feel comfortable and strong while you ride, whether you're at home or in a studio.
Ready to ride? See which one of the top 10 indoor cycling shoes works best for you.
Considering everyone and their mom bought a Peloton during the pandemic, you might as well go all-in and invest in the brand’s spin shoes, too. Even when used with a different at-home bike, you’ll appreciate the breathable upper and the mesh vent on the base. And everything you need to get set up to ride comes with the shoes: Delta cleats, hex key, washers, screws. It doesn’t get any easier.
Amazon reviewers love these Venzo cycling shoes, which are compatible with the Peloton bike and other machines and come with a set of Delta cleats.
Of the nearly 2,700 reviews, 90% of them are glowing — “I decided to give this shoe a chance and it was definitely worth it,” one buyer wrote. “They look and feel great.”
With a quick-drying breathable upper, low-cut construction, and removable sockliner, you’ll be set for indoor and outdoor rides.
A knit upper has become commonplace in running shoes, but cycling shoes? Not so much.
Giro brings that technology to the bike with a synthetic knit upper supported by a lightweight plastic skeletal system (don’t worry — there are extra reinforcements around the toe and heel for durability) compatible with three-hole cleats. The sock-like fit feels even more comfortable thanks to a footbed with adjustable arch support, and an anti-microbial fiber top sheet keeps everything from getting stinky.
Part of the fun of at-home workouts like Peloton are the fact that you can easily stack workouts: think 20 minutes of cycling, 10 minutes of core work on the floor, and another 15 minutes of cycling. When you’re doing that, though, you don’t want to waste time changing out your shoes between each segment.
Enter: the Slipstream, which could double as a standard sneaker with its breathable mesh toe box, slip-on construction, and single-strap closure system (all you need to do is add SPD cleats!).
Nike never disappoints on the style front, and these cycling shoes — a departure from the brand's typical athletic shoes — are no exception.
Secure your foot during even the fastest paces with adjustable hook-and-loop straps, and push off the stiff internal plate under your foot for maximum power and energy return (cleats aren't included, but the shoes are compatible with both standard types). Lightweight mesh helps keep the top of your foot cool, while vents on the sole let air flow in from below.
Go from your bike to the mat — or the locker room or on a post-workout coffee run — without tripping over your cleats in these versatile shoes. Not only are the two-hole cleat mounts recessed, but there’s extra room in the toe area to make walking around during or after your workout easier. There’s a breathable upper, a single strap for easy on and off, and enough stiffness in the shoe to help you power hard.
Shimano is a staple in the cycling world, and for good reason: They're comfy AF, no matter how far or fast you're riding. The slip-on IC2 was designed specifically for at-home and studio workouts, with a single strap crossing the middle of your foot to maximize stability and power output, and a durable reinforced mesh on the upper for breathability.
Unlike many of their road shoes, these have a recessed mount for SPD cleats, which means you won’t be slipping and sliding in them when you’re off the bike and walking to your fridge for a water refill.
Another stalwart cycling brand, Specialized doesn’t have an indoor-specific shoe — but these Torch 1.0 Road shoes, with a three-hole cleat mount, work just as well outside as they do in.
Just like in the brand’s high-end road shoes, the sole and footbeds are ergonomically designed and scientifically tested to boost power, increase efficiency, and reduce chance of injury by optimizing hip, knee, and foot alignment. And forget laces or Velcro; a high-tech Boa dial allows you to make minute adjustments for comfort as your ride, and snap free just as easily.
The one drawback of cycling indoors: You don’t get the benefits of a crosswind to keep your hard-working feet cool. These feature a perforated, deconstructed upper that won’t trap heat and allows for maximal ventilation, no matter what kind of airflow you’re working with.
Even if you are sweaty, there's no slippage once you're clipped in via the three-hole mount; secure laces and a forefoot velcro strap keep your foot exactly where it should be.
SoulCycle pioneered the idea of renting cycling shoes in a studio, but who wouldn’t rather have their own pair? The second iteration of the brand’s collaboration with Pearl Izumi (which still comes with cleats!) features a revamped upper that offers more breathability and better durability in the toe area. They also swapped the wide Velcro band for the more accessible Boa lacing system, which allows you to adjust on the go.
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