The best shoes for Peloton will make you more efficient on the pedals, whether you clip into a Peloton bike or another model.
But to clip in or not? Clipping in helps maximize efficiency and power output, improves lower body alignment and reduces impact on your knees. So yes, we think it's totally worth it. On that basis, we've chosen models that clip into the best exercise bikes, Peloton bikes and the best Peloton alternatives.
Each model below gets a nod from our fitness desk. During our vigorous testing, we looked at comfort, support, breathability and clip systems across brands such as Peloton, Shimano, Rapha and Nike.
Our top pick is the Shimano RC1 spin shoe; we found the shoe breathable, comfortable, and easy to wear.
If you're a cycling novice, finding the best cycling shoe for you might seem confusing. Remember to check out our "How to Choose" and Q&A sections if you're unsure what to look for or need some hints to help you along. We know what you wear on your feet matters, so we always put the best brands to the test before writing any of our guides.
The quick list
After riding for a few months with several models, we think the best indoor cycling shoes overall and under $100 are the Shimano RC1. These shoes are lightweight and feature synthetic leather uppers with mesh texture.
The Shimano IC1 cycling shoes are like wearing slippers. The Velcro wrap around fastening makes these shoes seriously comfortable, and super easy to adjust, although sadly, you can't make micro adjustments when clipped in as easily as you can with a boa system.
The Venzo cycling shoes are Delta and SPD clip compatible; if you order the shoes with the former, the clips come bundled, but for SPD cleats, you’ll have to purchase them separately. The shoes are quick-drying with highly breathable mesh.
The Nike SuperRep cycling shoes feature an adjustable hook-and-loop strap allowing you to adjust how tight you want your shoes. They are also lightweight, have breathable vents, and are compatible with both Delta and SPD clips.
The Tommaso Pista and Men’s Strada cycling shoes are more expensive than most, but they come with the clips of your choice already installed. Even better, these shoes work with both Delta and SPD clips, so you’re not locked into using a Peloton bike.
Best shoes for Peloton overall
After riding for a few months with a number of models, we think the best indoor cycling shoes overall are the Shimano RC1. It's a reasonably priced spin shoe that comes in both mens and women's models. These shoes are lightweight and feature synthetic leather uppers with mesh texture to promote a comfortable fit. They also have three durable hook-and-loop straps across the top of the feet for easy wear and removal.
During our time, we found them to be breathable, comfortable, and easy to wear. They were light but not overly stiff, and three Velcro straps made it easy to get the fit I wanted. Unlike Peloton’s shoes, Shimano’s shoes don’t include clips, which must be purchased separately for $20. The RC1s are designed for Delta cleats, but you can also purchase an adapter so they'll work with SPD cleats, too.
Read our full Shimano RC1 spin shoe review.
Best shoes for Peloton for beginners
The best way to describe the Shimano IC1 cycling shoes would be to say they are like riding your Peloton wearing slippers. The velcro wrap around fastening makes these shoes seriously comfortable, and super easy to adjust, although you can't make micro adjustments when clipped in as easily as you can with a boa system.
The shoes have a stiffness level of six on Shimano's scale, which goes up to 12. This makes them soft and comfortable, but our tester found they weren't firm enough when he was trying to do an FTP test, or harder efforts.
Compatible with two and three bolt cleat systems, these are a comfortable pair of shoes to buy if you're cycling indoors, but more advanced cyclists might want to opt for something firmer.
Best shoes for Peloton for comfort
The Venzo cycling shoes are compatible with both Delta and SPD clips; if you order the shoes with the former, the clips come bundled, but if you want SPD cleats, you’ll have to purchase them separately.
Both the men’s and women's shoes feature quick-drying, highly-breathable mesh and synthetic upper and have a low-cut construction for a light, fast fit and feel. We wore these shoes for a month, and they fit perfectly; it felt like my feet were molded to the shoe. These shoes come with three velcro straps; the shoes’ tongue is attached to the middle strap, which helps keep it from sliding down while riding, an issue we had with the Tommasos. While not quite as comfortable as the Shimano RC1s, the Venzos quickly became one of our favorite pairs.
Read our full Venzo cycling shoe review.
Best shoes for Peloton by Nike
This past spring, Nike came out with the Nike SuperRep cycling shoes, which feature an adjustable hook-and-loop strap allowing you to adjust how tight you want your shoes to fit. The Nike SuperRep shoes are lightweight, have breathable vents, and are compatible with both Delta and SPD clips; like many other spin shoes, you have to purchase the clips separately.
While available in both men’s and women’s sizes, Nike’s shoes received the most mixed reviews out of all brands highlighted in this article. As with other spin shoes, Nike’s also tend to run small; most reviews say to size up. One reviewer stated “They are comfortable, flexible and are easy to clip in and out of.” However, another made a point to say “I attached my delta cleats and did a 5 min ride. My feet were aching. These shoes do not have enough support. I could feel the pedal.”
To potentially save some money on these cycling shoes and other Nike products, be sure to check out our Nike discount codes for the latest savings and deals.
Read our full Nike SuperRep cycling shoe review.
Best shoes for Peloton for dual clip
The Tommaso Pista and Men’s Strada cycling shoes are more expensive than most of their competitors, but they come with the clips of your choice already installed. Even better, these shoes work with both Delta and SPD clips, so you’re not locked into using a Peloton bike.
Both the men’s and women's shoes feature well ventilated mesh portions to help cool your feet. Three Velcro straps ensured the shoes were snug, though we found that the tongue would slip down into the shoe, not matter how much we tightened the straps. The tongue also lacks cushioning. Tommaso recommends riders to order their usual size as they fit true to size, though some buyers found they had to order a larger model.
Read our full Tommaso Pista cycling shoe review.
Best shoes for Peloton
Not surprisingly, the best Peloton shoes overall are those made by Peloton itself, but these spin shoes can be used on other exercise bikes, too. These lightweight, breathable upper and mesh vent Peloton shoes feature a ratchet clip and velcro straps. If you plan on purchasing these shoes with your new bike, Peloton will deliver your shoes with your bike so you’ll have them in time for that first ride.
Peloton shoes tend to run true to size; we like that they come with the clips, but you'll have to attach them yourself. We found these shoes to be very well made — they felt like they were built to last. We also liked that the tongue stayed in place while riding. However, at $125 for the pair, they're a bit on the pricey side. But if you're buying them with your Peloton, you can't beat the convenience.
Peloton has recently released a new, more expensive pair of cycling shoes, the Peloton Altos, which have a single velcro strap to make it easier to get the shoes on and off.
Read our full Peloton cycling shoe review.
Best shoes for Peloton for looks
Concerned about your feet complimenting your style while you ride? The Tiem Slipstream spin shoes look more like a pair of traditional sneakers, and feature mesh to allow your feet to breathe throughout your ride and are lightweight. A perk of wearing these sneaker-like shoes is that you can walk in them outside of the class with the clips attached, unlike traditional cycling shoes. And, they’re available in six colors.
While the Tiems are compatible with SPD clips, if you want to use them with a Peloton, you’ll need to change the pedals on your bike, which is another add-on expense. TIEM recommends customers to size down half a size of what you wear for your regular shoes.
Read our full TIEM Slipstream cycling shoe review.
Q&A
What are the best shoes to wear with a Peloton?
When purchasing shoes to go along with your Peloton or exercise bike, comfort and convenience are two of the most important factors. Most spin shoes are made to be lightweight and have a Velcro strap for easy and fast wear and removal; you don’t want to have to stop mid-workout to tie your shoe.
Just as important is clip compatibility. At the bottom of a spin shoe is a metal clip that locks your foot into the bike’s pedals; this clip is typically screwed in so that you can remove it and attach it to a new pair of shoes when your current pair wears out.
Spin shoes are typically compatible with the SPD Clip (2-Bolt System) or the Delta Clip (3-Bolt System). Better spin shoes can fit either clip. Either way, find out if the spin shoe you’re buying will work with the clip compatible with your exercise bike.
For example, Peloton bikes come with Delta-compatible pedals, so unless you want to replace the pedals on your bike, you’ll want to find shoes that work with Delta clips. Note that most cycling shoes do not come with clips, so be prepared to purchase them separately and attach them to your shoes. Here’s how to attach a clip to your cycling shoe. We've also reviewed the Venzo 3-in-1 pedals which allow you to switch between both systems, so you should always be able to work out in a way that suits you.
The best spin shoes also have ratchet clips, Velcro straps, laces, or a combination. Laces are more traditional but ratchet clips are far more popular on newer models as they provide a very secure fit. You'll also need to consider sole stiffness, materials, designs and budget.
What are the best budget shoes for Peloton?
Our overall top pick and budget option are the same model, which is the Shimano RC1 spin shoe, retailing at under $100. Depending on your budget, you can also pick up cycling shoes for less, although we recommend doing your homework on the material to ensure your shoe lasts.
How much should I spend on indoor cycling shoes?
Spin shoe prices range from around $50 to $140; high-end brands include Nike and TIEM, while budget options include the Vitatalpa brand which is most suitable for someone just starting on their bike. Higher-priced shoes are often more durable and made with lighter materials, making them more breathable. As mentioned, most cycling shoes do not come with clips, so expect to budget an additional $10-$20 for your purchase.
Do cycling shoes make a difference?
As we mentioned, although you can use regular exercise shoes to cycle, clipping in helps to improve power output and cadence efficiency on the pedals. Without a fixed shoe, your foot is more likely to slip or put undue pressure on your ankles, which could negatively impact your cycling efforts.
Finding the best shoes for Peloton could take a few tries, so always ensure the shoe fits comfortably rather than pressing into your foot.
Should spin shoes be tight or loose?
You'll need a stiff and supportive fit for your bike to secure your feet as you cycle without pulling or pushing your feet around. However, your shoe shouldn't pinch, so be sure to leave around 1.5cm between your big toe and the end of the shoe.
