The best indoor cycling shoes make it comfortable to ride your bike indoors, regardless of whether you're using a smart trainer or need a pair of shoes for spin classes.
When it comes to winter weather, indoor cycling on a smart trainer or smart bike can be an effective adjunct to outdoor riding and racing on an indoor cycling app. If you're into spinning, you'll probably choose to ride a less technical exercise bike.
Quick list: Best indoor cycling shoes
Features a stiff enough sole for whatever you want to do, BOA dials, the ability to mount both types of cleats, and usability both indoors and outdoors pretty much covers every need you can think of, all at a reasonable price.
The Adidas Tempo shoe offers a composite nylon sole that's not too stiff to be comfortable indoors, paired with a mesh upper that's secured via a BOA dial for good adjustability.
The Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave is a top-shelf outdoor cycling shoe appropriate for the hardest sprints you can throw at it. It’s also so airy that it feels like nothing, and the big straps make it fast to get in and out of.
The Shimano SH-IC501 is so comfortable and walkable that it’s barely distinguishable between a regular shoe and an indoor cycling shoe.
If you want a shoe that will do indoor, outdoor and everything in between, then a shoe like the Fizik Tempo Beat will fit the bill. They strike a great balance of reasonable cost, accessible stiffness, comfort, and ability to deal with indoor heat.
The Pearl Izumi Quest Road shoe has vents in the sole, a mesh upper and both two and three bolt drillings, making it versatile and good for hotter sessions, although the velcro straps can snag on clothing.
Last updated January 2026 We replaced the Adidas Road Boa shoes with the Tempo 3 model, as the Road Boa is now not available from Adidas. The Tempo 3 mesh upper is well-suited to indoor riding. We also replaced the Best spin class shoe option, switching out the discontinued Nike SuperRep Cycle 2 Next Nature model for the excellent Shimano SH-IC501
Best indoor cycling shoes
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Best overall indoor cycling shoe
The Giro Cadet shoe straddles the line between indoor-specific and outdoor usability. Although Giro markets the shoe as being for outdoor riding, it's unusual for an outdoor shoe to support both a 2-bolt and 3-bolt cleat. That feature adds weight, but you get to pick the kind of pedals you use, something that isn't always true with indoor cycling.
The lack of built-up lugs on the sole means that in most cases, you will want to use a 3-bolt cleat. In this case, it will be the more walkable solution. The advantage here is that should your needs change, you aren't stuck needing new shoes.
As nice as that flexibility is, that's not the only reason the Giro Cadet takes the prize for the best indoor cycling shoes. Instead, it's really about how middle-of-the-road these shoes are. The carbon-reinforced nylon sole makes these a more affordable choice, but they aren't so flexible that you'll find yourself annoyed when the intensity shoots up. You've also got a highly vented upper with plenty of structure to keep your foot in place and BOA dials that pop to release your foot at the end of an intense workout. Unfortunately, those BOA dials do lack dual-direction micro-adjustments, likely as a way to further keep control costs.
Best budget indoor cycling shoes
There are a lot of indoor cycling shoes with relatively reasonable prices. The Tempo is Adidas's lightweight cycling shoe, with a mesh upper to help keep your feet cooler and a single BIA dial adjuster that's two-way adjustable.
Adidas uses the same base plate in all the brand's cycling shoes. It is a fairly soft option that's aimed at casual cyclists, so if Zwift racing is your focus, you will probably want to look elsewhere.
The big defining features of these are that they feature a BOA dial for closure, and the mesh upper increases breathability and comfort for hot indoor workouts. The one thing to keep an eye on is that the upturned toe reduces the overall volume of the fit. If you are close to the line between two sizes, go up.
Best indoor cycling shoes for e-racing
The Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave is another outdoor shoe, but this time it's a top-of-the-line option. What makes it a good choice indoors is that it's also the shoe Fizik positions for the hottest summer days. Although almost all modern cycling shoes use different types of synthetic uppers, Aeroweave takes that a step further. The material doesn't resemble leather or fabric of any kind and is instead obviously thin plastic threads woven together. The weave is wide open, allowing tons of airflow while also easily conforming to the shape of your foot without any stretch. It works well on hot summer rides, but it's also great indoors.
The way Fizik handles the closure is another unique feature. Instead of the gold standard BOA dial, the brand has a system called Powerstrap. It might seem like a pair of big, wide straps that aren't all that high-tech, but in reality, it's very fast to adjust, or get in and out of, plus it's lightweight. The wide straps are also great at locking your foot down with no pressure points. The updated colours with contrasting straps pop too.
The real jewel of these shoes is the carbon sole. In my experience, there's no other situation where I want a stiffer base than when I'm racing on Zwift. Outside, I generally ride longer distances and want a bit of forgiveness, but indoors, the longest races are around an hour. I want a stiff and responsive base to handle high watts in short bursts, and the Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave delivers.
There are wider fitting shoes in Fizik's range; these are a little on the narrow side. If you need a wider shoe, I would suggest looking at the top-line Vega Carbon model.
Read more details in my full Fizik Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave road shoes review.
Best indoor cycling shoes for spin class and Peloton users
The Shimano SH-IC501 Indoor Cycling Shoe is a good option if you are a casual indoor cyclist who is looking for a comfortable shoe, although its disadvantage is a very soft base that is almost completely rubberised.
The nylon plate is so flexible that it will bend enough for a natural gait, and there's no way you'll slip with the amount of traction you've got. Using a 2-bolt system also means a recessed cleat, so even the cleat isn't able to contribute to a slip.
Shimano uses a poppable L6 BOA dial to tighten the sock-like upper, then adds an "eco-friendly, chemical-free treatment" to limit bacterial growth. If you are looking for a casual option that's easy to walk in and easy to toss in your gym bag, these are an excellent choice and look stylish too.
If you're not averse to Velcro straps or just prefer them, Shimano also sells the SH-IC100, a more affordable, good-quality model.
Best dual purpose indoor cycling shoes
I lean towards the simulation style of indoor riding. I race or free ride on Zwift and do intervals in TrainerRoad instead of participating in spin classes. In the context of that kind of riding, I'm happy to use outdoor shoes inside, but I tend to prefer whatever gravel shoes I'm testing rather than road shoes. The reason is pretty simple: you get a stiff enough plate for efforts, but it's easy to walk through my kitchen to my trainer setup. The Fizik Tempo Beat makes the list by combining SPD cleat fitment and excellent walkability.
The colourful tread is particularly unusual compared to other cycling shoes, both indoor and out. It's a lot smoother and rounded, more akin to a trainer, while still integrating the pontoons on each side of the cleat for stability. The same is true for the flexible, but not too flexible, nylon base plate. Combined, you end up with a great option for walking around your house or spin gym before and after an indoor ride, but also enough capability to handle a day of off-road riding outside or commuting.
I think indoor cycling shoes are best when they are comfortable and do a good job of handling high heat. The Beat's fabric upper does both of those things, plus it's soft to the touch. Laces aren't as quick to fit and adjust as a BOA, but they do a good job of retention and complement the overall look of the Tempo Beats. Finally, the upper and sole combine to give a clean, less serious aesthetic that is pretty refreshing alongside the more serious-looking options.
Read more in our Fizik Tempo Beat shoe review.
Best indoor cycling shoes for high heat
There are two different types of Pearl Izumi Quest shoes, and they are almost exactly the same. The shoe was originally developed for studio use, but it seems to be going through a reinvention with a new label focusing on outdoor use as well. I'd consider these indoor cycling shoes, but the redesign is a net positive anyway. There's no price increase, but the base has a new design that calls out a "carbon fibre forefoot insert."
That kind of thing is always a little hard to quantify, and I don't have direct experience with the older version. What I can tell you is that the new version is stiffer than many of the indoor-specific shoes. Whether that means it makes sense to use outside or not is debatable, but it does add usability for indoor intensity. It also continues to retain dual 2-bolt and 3-bolt compatibility, so you can decide what works best for you.
On top of that, the old heat management features are still there. Unlike many inexpensive cycling shoe base plates, Pearl Izumi has big mesh-covered vents at both the front and rear of the Quest shoes. Then, up top, there's almost more ventilated area than not.
The one place where the inexpensive nature of these shoes comes through is in the closure system. Three velcro straps are quick enough, but it's not a premium look or feel, even though it's not terrible to use. Just make sure you keep an eye on what clothes you toss in the bag with these, as it's easy to snag things.
Best premium pick
For e-racers looking for the best power transfer, a comfortable fit and great ventilation, apart from the shoe's price, it's hard to look past the S-Works Torch.
The sole is the stiffest Specialized offers, so there's great power transfer, and the two metal BOA dials make adjustment easy. But beyond that, Specialized's Body Geometry technology, wider toe box and half sizes make for a comfortable fit, while the well-perforated upper and tongue give you the ventilation you need for hard indoor efforts.
Body Geometry improves the shoe's biomechanical efficiency and reduces pressure points, both important for e-racers, and you can spec custom footbeds for even greater comfort, if needed.
Being a pro-level shoe, there's nothing to stop you from riding outdoors with the Specialized S-Works Torch either, as you'll read in our review.
How to choose the best indoor cycling shoes
Here's what we think you need to consider when choosing the best indoor cycling shoes for your riding:
- What sort of indoor cycling are you doing? More relaxed Spin-style classes don't require the same level of tech as racing indoors, and you may be more comfortable with a softer sole.
- How hot is your indoor space? Better ventilated shoes with mesh uppers will keep you cooler if you're training in the house or a warmer room.
- How much walking do you need to do? Walking is a lot easier in most shoes designed for recessed two-bolt cleats than those for three-bolt cleats. Factor this in if walking easily is important for you.
- What sort of pedals do you use? Allied to the last point, if you have pedals already, you'll need to choose shoes to match. If not, two-bolt may be the way to go. Either way, make sure your pedal system and shoes are compatible.
- What sort of closures? The choice is between BOA-style dials, velcro or laces. Velcro is usually cheaper but can snag on clothing when carried.
- What do you want to pay? If you want high tech and stiff soles, you'll usually need to pay for it. Decide on your budget first.
Everything you need to know about the best indoor cycling shoes
Which type of cleat do I need?
For the most part, road shoes are designed to work with clipless pedals with a three-bolt mounting system, and mountain bike shoes use a two-bolt setup. If you're looking to get shoes for a spin class or something like a Peloton bike, all spin bikes have pedals that work with two-hole SPD cleats, while some will also have a Look Delta pedal on the underside.
Your road bike will already have pedals fitted to the cranks, but if you're putting together a dedicated indoor setup, it might be worth looking at a pair of MTB or gravel shoes. With lugs designed for scampering up steep inclines and over rocks and roots, gravel shoes have considerably more traction than road shoes. That's a feature you are likely going to appreciate if you've ever tried to run to the bathroom mid-workout or had to run to be ready for a Zwift race. Tiles and hard floors require caution when wearing three-bolt road-specific shoes, and a 2-bolt off-road shoe is a nice thing to have.
However, if you're not setting up from scratch, you'll simply need to ensure your shoes can accept the cleats that are compatible with your pedals. If you're unsure, go for shoes that accept both styles, like the Giro Cadet.
Some riders prefer flat pedals. That opens up a lot more shoe options, including trainers, but in general, they're likely to be less efficient, and your foot comfort may suffer on longer, harder efforts.
Which sole material is best?
It's well established that carbon-soled shoes are stiffer and lighter than their nylon or carbon-reinforced cousins. However, when you're spinning on the trainer, weight is hardly a consideration, but comfort should be.
The vast majority of us can't flex the board-stiff carbon plate usually found on the best cycling shoes. Shoes that are too stiff can cause undue stress on knees and ankles – especially when the bike is essentially bolted to the floor, as is the case on most turbo trainers. A small degree of flex vastly improves comfort and helps alleviate overuse injuries without sacrificing much, if any, power transfer or efficiency.
Nylon soles on offer today are plenty rigid enough to make for efficient power transfer, but, with a bit more flex than their carbon counterparts, they can offer improved comfort and don't leave quite as big a dent in your wallet. During long indoor sessions, you're not moving around on the bike the way you do riding outside, and so some areas that otherwise wouldn't bother you can get a bit irritated – which is something less-rigid shoes can sometimes help with.
For the more performance-oriented cyclists or riders who are regularly racing on Zwift, a carbon sole may be preferable to help transfer every last watt. If you tend to be completing a hard workout every time you swing a leg over a bike indoors, a stiffer performance shoe may be the correct option, and we have a couple listed above.
How do I stop my feet from overheating when cycling indoors?
Riding inside is a sweaty proposition at the best of times, and the airflow that keeps your feet cool as you spin down the road is, of course, gone. A shoe that relies on pin-prick perforations, therefore, is going to become a sauna.
To keep your little piggies from getting hot, look for shoes that have lots of mesh and an open design, and then use a good, strong fan to keep your body cool. Thinner cycling socks will also help. The less heat your body needs to expel, the less heat it will send to your extremities.
How do we test?
For me, indoor cycling is just one more way I keep myself fit and ready for the next big adventure. Sometimes I ride indoors because of limited daylight, sometimes because I want to be very specific with my training, and sometimes I'm testing products. Whatever the reasons, I ride inside a lot.
All that time riding inside means I have a lot of opportunities to test different shoes and find the best indoor cycling shoes. I start by optimising for myself, then I put myself in other people's "shoes". My preference is a gravel shoe that's stiff enough to handle e-racing, but I've also included options for a wide range of different needs. At the end of the day, I've tried a lot of shoes for indoor cycling, and these are the choices I think make the most sense for most people.
Meet the reviewer
I'm based in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, although I prefer riding in dry weather to wet. I've been writing about bike tech for years and love riding, whether that's an outdoor epic or when testing the best indoor cycling equipment and clothing for Cyclingnews, which has been a huge growth area over the last few years.
