So, you've done your first few Soul cycle spin classes and confirmed that it's something you are really interested in? The next and possibly most important step is to grab one of the best soul cycle shoes!
Who in their right minds would want to wear someone else's dirty sock?
Absolutely no one!
The truth is that renting indoor cycling shoes worn by many strangers and their sweaty feet is the same as wearing their dirty socks. Furthermore, you can't truly enjoy indoor cycling without your own personally selected indoor cycling shoes. So, of course, the next most important thing to do is to get your own compatible spin shoes for SoulCycle, Peloton or any other spin class!
The challenge now comes from figuring out what spin shoes are the best option to use on a soul cycle. On your own, finding the right shoe might be a little tricky. But we've put together this shortlist of the Best SoulCycle bike shoes to make it easier for you.
Best SoulCycles Shoes
Here are the best spin shoes for your next spin class:
- Fizik R5 Cycling Shoe
- TIEM Slipstream Cycling Shoes for SoulCycle
- ZOL Predator Spin Class Shoes
- Tommaso Pista Women's Indoor cycling shoes
- Venzo Men's or Women's Cycling Shoes
- SHIMANO SH-IC500 Spin Class Ready Cycling Shoe
- Gavin MTB Mesh
- Santic Cycling Shoes
- Tommaso Strada 100 Bike Shoes
- Giro Men's Cycling Shoes
These are the best shoes for Soulcycle available right now. They offer the best comfort, style, and affordability than shoes provided at your spin class studios.
Check out the reviews below:
Fizik R5 - Most Stylish Spin Class Shoe for Men
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If you want a indoor cycling shoe that will definitely turn some heads while you join Soulcycle classes, the Fizik R5 is the top choice. Moreover, style isn't the only good thing about this shoe as it has all the perks you would expect a good cycling shoe for SoulCycle to feature.
The Fizik R5 is rated highly by cyclists and spin class goers for many reasons. It comes in seven (7) stylish colors and is fully compatible with the Look delta cleat system on SoulCycle bikes or Peloton bikes. This shoe provides a good balance between style and comfort with its Powerstraps or BOA IP1-B dial that will securely hold your feet in place. Moreover, when their closure system is paired with Fizik's MicroTex upper and carbon-reinforced nylon outsole, you get a shoe that fits like a glove.
With the Fizik R5, you will be able to maximize your efforts during spin classes and get almost double the results you would get from a lower quality shoe.
Reasons to Buy
TIEM Slipstream - Best Soul Shoes for Women in Comfort
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For women, the TIEM slipstream provides maximum comfort and style and is an excellent soul cycle compatible shoes. It comes in 7 distinct colors and features a slip-on design. The TIEM slipstream sports a recessed SPD cleat design that makes walking around the studio in them a breeze, unlike other cleated shoes.
Moreover, it features a breathable mesh toe box that will help keep your feet cool while you are powering through your classes. It also rocks a single strap closure that makes putting on and taking off this shoe very easy. However, do note that this shoe does not come with SPD cleats, so you will need to purchase a set along with them. You also don't need to worry about whether they work on SoulCycle bikes as soul spin bikes are also compatible with SPD cleats.
Reasons to Buy
ZOL Predator SoulCycle Spin Shoes - Best Budget Option
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While this shoe is the best budget spin class shoe for SoulCycle, it doesn't lack anything in quality. The ZOL Predator features carbon fiber velcro straps that will securely wrap your feet up and maximize your cycling performance. Moreover, since it is also a MTB shoe that you can also use in SoulCycle classes, you are getting a really good bang for your buck if you buy this shoe.
The ZOL Predator uses SPD compatible cleats and sports fiberglass-injected nylon soles. Moreover, it has a mesh leather front, carbon fiber heel cup, and perforated insoles. All in all, this shoe comes together as a very comfortable spin shoe that truly offers great value for money.
Reasons to Buy
Tommaso Pista - Best Women Spin Class Shoes
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The Tommaso Pista shoe is one of the best-rated budget peloton shoes for women to wear to spin classes. This shoe features dual cleat compatibility for SPD or Look Delta cleats so you can use either side of the pedals on the SoulCycle bike or use the delta cleats for the peloton bike. Moreover, Tommaso Pista offers great comfort thanks to the durable synthetic leather upper and low profile velcro straps.
We loved that the Tommaso also provides a 2-year warranty on these shoes so you can definitely buy with confidence. Everything about this shoe is worth loving, and you do get a few color options, so finding a pair that matches your style is easy.
Reasons to Buy
Pearl Izumi Spin Class Shoes
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Pearl Izumi's are one of the best-rated women's spin class shoes online. It is very stylish and offers very good comfort. Moreover, thanks to the breathable upper sole, it dramatically reduces the typical foot hot spots of other spin shoes. The Izumi's are compatible with both SPD so that it will work on both SoulCycle and Peloton bikes if you swap the pedals.
These indoor cycling shoes also feature an Anti-microbial upper mesh that helps resist the bacteria that cause odor and fungus. So you won't have to worry about having a smelly spin shoe after a few months. Moreover, it has added ventilation holes in the sole to allow more air to flow through the indoor cycling shoes while you spin.
Overall, the Pearl Izumi's indoor cycling shoes are excellent spinning shoes that we highly recommend for almost any spin class.
Reasons to Buy
Venzo Men's or Women's indoor cycling shoes
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The Venzo Cycling shoe is a great option that we know you will be interested in checking out. It comes with a pair of Look ARC Delta cleats so it will fit perfectly on Soulcycle Bikes. Moreover, it is compatible with SPD, SPD-SL, and Look Keo pedals.
The design of these indoor cycling shoes doesn't lack anything either as it features a breathable mesh upper that provides good comfort for your feet. Additionally, it has three (3) velcro straps that secure your feet and get in and out of the shoe very easily. Overall, we recommend this cycling shoe, and you won't regret giving this one a shot.
Reasons to Buy
Tommaso Venezia Women’s Spin Class
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The Venezia is a very good budget spin class cycling shoe. It features recessed cleats that make it very comfortable to walk around in at the studio. However, it is only compatible with SPD cleats but will still work just fine with Soulcycle studios. Also, note that the cleats are not included with these indoor cycling shoes, so you will have to purchase them separately.
The Venezia cycling shoe features a regular sneaker design with lace instead of velcro straps. Thankfully, it does offer the same snug fit and even more impressive comfort than some of the other spin shoes. It is built to last and will offer just the same performance as some of the other shoes.
Moreover, if you want a cycling shoe that isn't just for spinning, then this one will definitely satisfy. You can easily use it on a road bike or any bike with pedals that support SPD cleats.
Reasons to Buy
Gavin MTB Mesh Spin Cycling Shoes
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These indoor cycling shoes are an excellent multi-purpose option for anyone looking for a spin class shoe and MTB shoe in one. They look great and feature a carbon fiber design with a breathable mesh upper. This means that the Gaven MTB cycling shoe will allow air to flow through the shoe and keep your feet cool while you are spinning in class.
Moreover, these shoes also include perforated insoles that will allow sweat to dry quickly after your sessions. This cycling shoe is SPD compatible, so it will fit the SoulCycle bike pedals. However, the cleats are sold separately, so if you decide to go with this cycling shoe, make sure you get the cleats too.
Reasons to Buy
SHIMANO SH-IC500 Soulcycle Shoes
Everyone knows and loves Shimano indoor cycling shoes! And if you ask any of the spin class instructors which spin shoes they recommend the most, then you'll definitely hear lots of praises for Shimano's. The Shimano SH-IC500 is a very good cycling shoe for spin classes. It features compatibility for SPD cleats; however, you will need to purchase the cleats separately.
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The design of these indoor cycling shoes is very stylish since it's a shoe for women. It features a breathable sock mesh upper that will provide great airflow for intense cycling classes. Moreover, the BOA L6 dial makes it easy to put on and tighten the shoe to your feet.
Additionally, this Shimano cycling shoe, like other models from Shimano, offers excellent power transfer from your feet to the pedals. This shoe provides great cycling performance thanks to the full-length reinforced plate. You will find walking around in it comfortable, too, as it features a full-length rubber sole.
Reasons to Buy
Santic Cycling Shoes - Best Budget Men's Shoes
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The Santic Cycling Spin Shoes is a versatile option that will definitely turn some heads if you get it. It is very affordable and features all the right perks to make it onto this list. They feature Look Delta compatibility, which makes them great spin class shoes for Soul Cycle.
The Santic cycling shoes sports a stylish nano/camouflage design. Moreover, it comes in three distinct colors that really stand out. Internally, you get spin shoes that offers just enough comfort and a breathable upper with air holes that target all the hotspots of your foot. It also includes two (2) velcro straps and one precision buckle so you can firmly secure it to your feet.
Reasons to Buy
Tommaso Strada 100 - Compatible Shoes for Peloton
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The Tommaso Strada is another highly rated spin class ready cycling shoes. It is dual cleat compatible with Look Delta and SPD cleats. Moreover, this cycling shoe includes a pair of cleats of your choice. So you can safely grab a pair of Tommaso Stradas and know that it will work with your studio class bikes.
Tommaso Strada features a very comfortable build with three (3) velcro straps and a breathable upper. Tommaso also offers a two (2) years warranty for the Strada 100. Additionally, these spin shoes feature reinforced soles that provide enough stiffness to efficiently maximize power transfer.
Reasons to Buy
Louis Garneau Multi Air Flex II Bike Shoes
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The Lous Garneau Multi Air Flex II is an excellent option for persons with medium or wide feet. It features SPD compatibility and will work with SoulCycle. This shoe comes with four (4) color variations and looks pretty good overall.
It features three (3) velcro straps and a breathable upper like most other spin shoes listed. Internally, you get a ventilated EVA insole, which helps prevent your feet from overheating. Additionally, it has deep treads that will ensure that the cleats aren't scraping the ground while you walk around the studio.
Reasons to Buy
Giro Techne Cycling Shoes
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The last spin class shoe that will work in Soulcycle classes or Peloton classes is the Giro Mens Cycling shoes. This shoe is very stylish and comes with three stunning color selections. Moreover, it offers both SPD and Look delta compatibility.
This pair of cycling shoes is also very comfortable and will support your foot throughout your spin class. It features a breathable microfiber mesh upper that will allow adequate airflow. Moreover, the three (3) strap closer will enable you to fit the shoe quickly and provides a snug closure that will allow you to efficiently transfer power.
Reasons to Buy
A Word of Caution:
Each shoe on the list is compatible with peloton bikes, however, you'll need to also look here for the best SPD pedals replacements for the Peloton for them to work right away. Otherwise only go with the spin shoes that use Look Delta Cleats.
FAQ - What to Know before Buying Spin Shoes?
If you're wondering if you really need to buy a spin shoe, you'll now get your answer.
How expensive is it to rent Cycling Shoes at your Studio Class?
Renting soulcycle shoes upfront isn't very expensive. Most studios rent cycling shoes for around $3, so it is fairly affordable if you only do it a few times a year. However, once you see where you start taking multiple classes a month for a few months, then it becomes expensive to keep renting spin shoes.
If you do the math, a very good quality spin class shoe costs about $100. And if you opt to take spin classes once per week for an entire year, that's $144 by the end of a year. If you buy your own spin shoe, you end up saving money at the end of the day.
Moreover, you won't have to worry about the hygiene factor in renting cycling shoes.
What kind of cleats does SoulCycle use?
SoulCycle bikes use both spin shoes with cleats that are SPD and Look Delta compatible. Since it allows both SPD and Look Delta cleats, you can have a wider pool of shoe options to choose from to find one you love. Any shoe from the list above will work just fine for your Soul Cycle class.
For the peloton bike, it only uses Look Delta cleats. However, some gyms may have a dual pedal setup that supports both SPD and Look Delta.
Do SoulCycle shoes work on peloton?
Not all SoulCycle spin shoes work on Peloton bikes. Peloton bikes require Look Delta compatible cleats while SoulCycle offers compatibility for both SPD and Look Delta cleats. However, if you decide to go to peloton studios, you will most likely find that they have pedals that accept both SPD and Look Delta cleats like SoulCycle.
Wrapping Up
It is much cheaper and hygienic to buy your own Soulcycle cycling shoes. You will save far more money doing so and will get a shoe that perfectly suits your needs. Our top recommendations for men are the Fizik R5 and the TIEM Slipstream for women.
If you decide to go for another shoe that isn't listed above, here is a quick checklist that you can use to make sure you are only getting the best.
Buyers Guide for Spin Class Shoes
Cleat Compatibility
Spin classes all use different types of cleats for their bikes, so it is important to know which type of cleat system your spin class cycling shoes needs to have beforehand. We've listed the type of cleats used by each class below:
SPD and Look Delta Compatible
SoulCycle, CYC, and Equinox spin classes offer compatibility for Look Delta and SPD cleats. So as long as you get indoor cycling shoes that offer either or both cleat type, you can take these classes.
SPD Only
Lifetime Fitness, 24HR Fitness, Cyclebar, and Crunch classes use only SPD cleats.
Look Delta cycling shoes Only
Both Flywheel and Peloton studio classes only use indoor cycling shoes that are Look Delta Compatible.
Comfort
When buying a spin class shoe, you need to ensure that it offers enough comfort as most classes last at least 30 mins. Without comfortable spin cycling shoes, you won't be able to enjoy the classes or perform well enough to keep up with your instructor.
As such, we recommend paying attention to the shoe size charts, and the comfort features that the shoe you choose offers.
Features
Having a shoe with stiff soles, precision straps, or BOA dials can make a world of difference in your spin class performance. Without indoor cycling shoes that offer good features that allow excellent power transfer to the pedals, you will be wasting a lot of energy to keep up.
Last Updated on October 14, 2023 by Daniel White