The Peloton bike was revolutionary when it first came out. It managed to bring spin classes to your home. You no longer had to waste money signing up for spin classes that you could not attend due to a busy schedule.
You could bring the bike into your own home and ride it whenever you wanted. Moreover, you get plenty of workout videos through their monthly membership scheme.
When you buy a Peloton bike, you realize that you need special shoes to ride it. It is made in such a way that the pedals need shoes with clips on them to offer the necessary grip to provide the necessary power to pedal the stationary bike, especially on the upward pedal. You can use regular shoes, but the experience won’t be good.
Peloton offers their own shoes, but those will cost you about $125. You could also get cages installed on the pedals so you can ride the bike with regular shoes. However, the installation of the pedals will cost you money if you have your own Peloton. Because a Peloton itself costs north of $2,000, the numbers add up.
# | Image | Name | Material | Features | Men's or Women's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |   | Synthetic & breathable mesh upper | Great range of fit adjustment with secure hold thanks to Classic 3-strap design | Women's | |
2 |   | Stretch-resistant synthetic leather and mesh upper | Extra cushioned tongue for added comfort, durable hook & loop straps | Women's | |
3 |   | Xnetic Knit upper (nzlon core) | DWR-treated for water repellency and easy cleaning | Women's | |
4 |   | Synthetic upper, mesh lining & footbed | Ideal ergonomic position thanks to Shimano Dynalast®, Fiberglass-reinforced polyamide sole | Men's | |
5 |   | mesh and synthetic upper, Textile lining | Flexible forefoot, Low-cut construction, Quick-drying | Men's | |
6 |   | Synthetic leather and mesh upper | 100% Carbon fiber sole, with 4 drainage holes that help drain water and sweat | Men's |
If you ride at a spin class, then the bikes at your gym might already be fitted with cages, allowing you to ride with normal shoes. Alternatively, the gym might have spare cycling shoes that you can borrow for the session. However, both of these still leave you at somewhat of a disadvantage.
In case the gym doesn’t have all the Peloton bikes installed with cages, you may well find all the ones with cages occupied by the time you arrive at the gym and might have to wait. The same applies if the gym offers cycling shoes: you might find them all taken.
Even if you find a free pair every time, imagine the cumulative costs of renting out a pair every time you need to ride and compare that to the one-time fee of buying a pair that will serve you well for a long time to come.
Best Shoes for Women
1. Giro Techne Cycling - Best Under 100$
The Giro Techne Cycling shoes are meant to be versatile shoes, and that is what their parent company is known for.
The idea is that you get a pair of shoes which you can pretty much use on any cycling apparatus, whether it’s a Peloton or some other brand.
We will talk about this later, but there are different types of cleats that a spin bike can be compatible with. The idea behind the Giro Techne cycling shoes is that they should be compatible with any of them, which makes them a great bargain, especially because the price is under $100.
Now the thing about cycling shoes is that you want them to be as durable as possible. That means as little textile and mesh as possible. These shoes are made entirely out of nylon and synthetic material.
The upper part is made of synthetic material while nylon is injected in key areas to strengthen the shoe. You will notice that the straps are made of Velcro. That’s because you don’t want to waste time putting them on. They should be shoes you can easily put on and off while riding.
Also, the act of riding, especially when vigorous enough, is enough to make most laces come untied, especially if the knot used to tie them is particularly weak. Velcro performs much better under such conditions.
The insoles are die-cut and are made to conform to the foot for a perfect fit. You will also notice that the shoes have a very slender shape and seem to conform closely to the shape of the average foot.
They are also light. This is to make cycling easier so the cyclist mostly feels as though they had no shoes at all. They have the freedom that comes with being shoeless and none of the associated discomfort.
PROS
- Synthetic material makes them durable
- Extreme light weight makes them great for cycling
- Their Velcro straps make it easy to put on and off
CONS
- They run small, and you may have to buy shoes one or two sizes larger, just to get a good fit.
VERDICT
These are excellent shoes for women, excellently maintaining a feminine grace about them while providing a great cycling experience.
2. Shimano SH-RP2W Road
The Shimano SH-RP2W is another great example of versatility when it comes to stationary cycling shoes as it has compatibility with both double and triple bolt cleats.
It is also suitable for use in many scenarios, apart from spin cycling, such as actual cycling (entry-level) and general club activities.
This shoe is also a marvel of modern materials engineering, with a lot going into its design to ensure that it is not only strong and durable in the spin-cycle class, but also light and form-fitting.
The top is made of tough synthetic leather and mesh. These ensure that the shoe can withstand most forms of stress, such as the stretching and compression that come with intense cycling.
The upper part also comes with three hook and loop straps that are adjustable, allowing you to precisely fit the shoe to your foot and get a tight fit in for your cycling session. There is also an offset strap that helps to soften pressure points and a lightly padded collar for maximum comfort.
The lining on the inside is made of breathable fabric, and the insole is removable to strengthen the feel of comfort even further.
The outsole is made of nylon reinforced with glass fiber and the polyurethane lugs added to it help it to shed mud. All in all, it is a beautiful shoe for women for their spin cycling classes, and it is not only bound to turn pedals but also heads.
PROS
- Synthetic leather upper part makes shoe strong and durable
- Adjustable Velcro straps allow for a closer fit
- Nylon outsole is strong and has mud-shedding lugs to keep the shoes clean
CONS
- You may have to buy a size or two larger as the shoes tend to be tight or small
VERDICT
This shoe is a real eye turner and a great shoe for women who want something a little more versatile for both stationary cycling and actual cycling.
3. Giro Empire E70 Knit - Best for Wide Feet
These shoes are a Godsend for women with wide feet. Many women with wide feet complain about the fit when getting the narrower version with Velcro straps.
If the upper part of your foot is wide, then the strapping process can feel slightly uncomfortable for your foot.
The sides might also dig into your bones and make the whole cycling experience quite the ordeal. On the other hand, these shoes come with Empire laces, which allow you to get a fit that goes well with your shoes.
The upper part of the shoe is engineered with a special knit known as Xnetic knit. It is a breathable mesh that stretches and conforms to the shape of your foot, not only making your comfortable but also allowing your foot to breathe and remain dry.
A TPU support holds the mesh together. The support is skeletal and exists at only the bare minimum to maintain the light weight of the shoe.
The outsole itself is pretty strong as it is made of a carbon composite known as Easton EC70. This strong carbon composite, which is also used to make the toe guard protects your foot and offers a strong foundation on which the cleats sit. The hardware in which the cleats are fitted is made of steel and is easily replaceable.
On the inside, the footbed is made of EVA and offer medium support for the arch, which makes this shoe suitable for both people with flat feet and those with very medium arches. Those with exceptionally high arches might feel a bit of discomfort wearing them.
PROS
- Shoes are extremely lightweight due to bare minimum use of hardware in construction
- Shoes have Empire lacing and knit upper, which makes them suitable for people with wide feet
- The soles are especially durable due to a wise choice of materials
CONS
- The mesh upper may not be as durable as the rest of the shoe
VERDICT
This is a great shoe for women with wide feet, and the Empire laces make it remarkably comfortable.
Best Shoes for Men
1. Shimano SH-RP1 - Best Under 100$
And we’re back again with the Shimano. This time, it is a shoe for the men: the Shimano SH-RP1. Just like with the women’s version, this shoe is a model of versatility and materials engineering.
The top of the shoe is especially slept and has a low profile, giving the silhouette of the top a rather sleep and cool profile.
The material used in the upper part is synthetic leather and is highly durable. It also comes with adjustable straps, two of them, using the hook and loop mechanism to get the shoe to conform closely to the shape of your foot.
On the inside of the shoe, mesh has been used extensively in the lining. It also comes with a well-designed system to circulate air through the inside of the shoe. The whole point is to ensure that your feet breathe properly and therefore remain both cool and dry.
Another little detail is the Shimano Dynalast, which has been designed to help the foot when it is on the upstroke by keeping the foot in an ideal ergonomic position. That way, the upstroke is as smooth as the downstroke, and you don’t have to worry about getting your foot injured.
The sole is made of nylon reinforced with fiberglass for maximum strength and durability. The shoe itself is of medium width.
PROS
- Synthetic upper makes shoe strong and durable
- The Dynalast on the inside ensures your foot is protected from injury while cycling
- The fiberglass reinforced nylon outsole keeps the shoe durable, strong, and lightweight
CONS
- You may have to buy a size or two larger as expected sizes tend not to fit
- The shoe might be uncomfortable if you have an especially wide foot.
VERDICT
If your foot is in the middle of the park, then this is a great shoe for your cycling needs. Otherwise, if you have especially wide feet, you might want to get more specialized shoes.
2. Venzo Road SPD SL - Best for Wide Feet
The Venzo Road SPD SL is a particularly special shoe in the realm of spin cycling shoes. This particular pair of shoes goes a little ahead of what other shoes are doing with the conventional cleats.
It comes with full-fledged adaptors that you can attach to the Peloton bike and cycle with, making the whole experience a lot more comfortable, and a lot more interesting, than if you had standard cleats.
The most significant feature on this shoe is the award-winning full adaptor system that assists performance. As for the upper part of the shoe, it is made of a mix of synthetic leather and mesh. The mesh is highly breathable and adds to the comfort of the shoe. You’re not going to have to worry about smelly feet due to intense moisture or warmth.
As for the inside of the shoe, it comes with a removable sockliner, and a lining made out of textile. That ensures that your feet are comfortable. As for the outside, there is also a lot of thought that has been put into the construction of the shoe to make it fit for its purpose.
For example, the top has a low construction that makes it well streamlined, making it light and fast. It also has a highly flexible forefoot that allows you to flex your feet while cycling to have better ergonomics and reduce the chances of injury.
These shoes don’t just come with a pedaling adaptor either; they are also compatible with all sorts of pedaling systems, which makes it more than suitable for the Peloton bike.
PROS
- Extremely lightweight shoes due to the special design and choice of materials
- Comes with a full pedaling adaptor that makes it compatible with all pedaling systems, including the Peloton
- Mesh system keeps feet cool and dry
CONS
- You might have to buy a size or two larger as shoes tend to be smaller than normal American sizes
VERDICT
These are excellent shoes offering immense value for money. If you want a shoe you can use on any stationary cycle; then this is the perfect pair to buy.
3. Zol Peloton Carbon
The final shoe in our collection is the Zol Peloton Carbon, which is another very well-designed shoe.
The shoe might be a little on the pricier end, but considering the materials used and the excellent design, it’s worth the money.
For starters, the shoe is compatible with all types of cleats, including SPD-SL. It is also compatible with just about every road pedal out there, making it a great shoe in terms of versatility. It may not have a pedaling adaptor like the Venzo, but this shoe still kicks ass with what it has.
The sole is pretty strong as it is entirely made out of carbon fiber. It also comes with drainage soles that easily drain water and sweat. Now, while you’re unlikely to encounter water on a Peloton bike, sweat is undoubtedly something you will have to contend with.
The drainage holes ensure all of that sweat finds an escape and that your feet remain dry, cool, and fresh. Besides, if you ever decide to use these shoes on a road bike, then you will be happy to know that you don’t have to worry about riding in wet areas as the shoes have a way to take care of that.
On the upper side, we have synthetic leather and mesh. The leather keeps the shoes strong, light, and durable, while the mesh further helps to ensure that your feet indeed remain cool and dry. Interestingly, there aren’t any stitching fabric joints, which makes the shoes fit even better and feel more comfortable while being super lightweight.
As for fastening the shoe, there is a Rolkin lacing system in place couples with an adjustable hook and loop strap near the toe box. This gives you the best of both worlds with both lacing and strapping in place to ensure that your shoe has an excellent fit for pedaling. The heel, in turn, is made out of carbon fiber to make it more stable and secure to power the pedaling movement.
PROS
- Rolkin lacing system ensures an extra tight fit
- Drainage holes in outsole ensure water and sweat is drained away, keeping the shoe and your foot dry
- Carbon heel makes for greater security and stability
CONS
- You may have to buy a size or two larger as shoes are smaller than equivalent American sizes
VERDICT
These cool shoes offer lots of value for money and are worth getting to take your Peloton bike riding to the next level.
Our Buying Guide
1. Price
Let’s start with the price of the shoes. You want to use these shoes for a while, so you should altogether avoid the really cheap pairs. What you want is a decent pair that lasts long without costing too much. The sweet spot in this respect is the range between $80 and $100.
One of the things you should remember is that, for most of these shoes, the cleats are sold separately, which means you’ll spend an extra $20 or so. However, if you do enough digging on Amazon, you can find cleats that cost less than $20, though they will still likely cost more than $10.
2. Clips
At this point, you’re wondering what clips are in the context of cycling shoes. They are the little metal bits that you attach to the bottom of shoes. They are also known as cleats. There are two styles in this respect: the Delta and the SPD.
The type you get matters because the pedals on the stationary bike will be compatible with one or the other, but not both. It is, therefore, a good idea to get shoes that can fit all types of clips or cleats. Alternatively, you can find out what kind of clips your Peloton bike is compatible with and then get shoes meant for it.
There is no need to worry, however, as all of the shoes listed in this article are universally compatible with different pedaling systems, making them suitable for your Peloton bike and other stationary bikes as well.
3. Size
A lot of the spin shoe brands on the market employ European sizing standards, which are different from American ones. You should first consult a sizing chart to convert your sneaker size to its European equivalent. In fact, more often than not, you may need to buy a shoe the size or two larger to increase the chances that it will fit.
Spin shoes are notorious for their rigidity, which means your feet won’t break into them over time. If they hurt at the beginning, then they are likely to hurt the 100th time you wear them as well.
4. Replacement Frequency
So how often do you need to replace your Peloton riding shoes? Well, ideally you shouldn’t do it often, especially if you have bought good quality shoes and wear them immediately before and immediately after riding on the bike.
Remember that these shoes were made especially for use on the Peloton bike, so they won’t hold up as well in other places or for other purposes. If you only use them on the bike, then you won’t wear them down the same way you would wear down running shoes, and they will last much longer. The only parts that you may have to replace frequently, depending on the frequency of use, are the cleats.
Conclusion
And with that, we come to the end of our Peloton cycling shoes review. The shoes on this list should be a great starting point to find excellent shoes to make your Peloton cycling that much enjoyable. Just put them on, strap them up, and ride away!