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This article includes women’s best indoor cycling shoes from all price ranges. I selected them based on hundreds of customer reviews who have mostly positive experiences with them and in-depth market research.
You can use these shoes with spin and stationary bikes like Peloton and also for indoor cycling at home. Remember, you must ensure their cleats are compatible with the indoor bike you want to exercise on.
These shoes stand out from the rest:
- The best budget indoor cycling shoes for women are WOFADA cycling shoes. They are compatible with 2 and 3-hole cleats like SPD or LOOK Delta. The Delta cleats are included.
- The best indoor cycling shoes for women overall are the TIEM Slipstream (also available at rei.com). Although they are only compatible with 2-bolt cleats, they look elegant and are suitable for walking and cross-training.
- The best indoor cycling shoes for women with narrow and medium feet are the Tommaso Venezia. They are like TIEM Slipstream, but with shoelaces and are narrower.
You can also use non cycling shoes for cycling or road cycling shoes for your spinning classes. However, they may not be as comfortable and well-ventilated as dedicated indoor cycling shoes.
If all this info is too confusing for you, don’t worry. I will explain everything you need to know below.
Let’s dive in.
What Are the Best Indoor Cycling Shoes for Women?
The best indoor cycling shoes for women are those that fit you (shape, width, and size-wise) and you like their design. They should be well-ventilated so your feet won’t overheat and you won’t feel like they are burning. And last but not least, they should be compatible with the cleat type of indoor bike you will use. You can learn more in my buyer’s guide.
TIEM Slipstream (Best Indoor Cycling Shoes for Women Overall)
Main Features
- Suitable for women with medium to wide feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2-hole (SPD)
- Cleats are not included
- Fastening system: Velcro strap
- Ideal for walking and other sports (rowing machine, lifting, etc.)
- Available in attractive colors
TIEM Slipstream are one of the most stylish indoor cycling shoes on this list (and on the market). They look almost like sneakers but have a 2-bolt slot for SPD cleats. This means they are not compatible with 3-bolt cleats like LOOK Delta used on Peloton.
Their biggest benefit is they allow easy walkability thanks to the recessed cleats. So you can combine multiple sports like spinning, rowing, lifting, etc. They run a little wide, so if you have narrow feet, check out Tommaso Venezia.
Also available at rei.com and competitivecyclist.com
WOFADA/Venzo Shoes (Best Budget Indoor Cycling Shoes for Women)
Main Features
- Suitable for women with medium to wide feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL…)
- Cleats (compatible with Peloton bikes) are included
- Fastening system: 3 velcro straps
- Available in plenty of colors
- Great for beginners
WOFADA and Venzo cycling shoes are basically the same but just have different brand tags. I recommend choosing WOFADA because they are cheaper and available in more colors.
Thanks to their affordable price, they are suitable for beginners and people on a tight budget. Additionally, the cleats are included, so you don’t have to buy them separately.
They are among the most popular Peloton shoes and an excellent alternative to the original ones. Although they have a mesh upper, their ventilation is not the best. However, they will get the job done.
TIP: You might also be interested in the best indoor cycling shoes for wide feet.
Tommaso Venezia
Main Features
- Suitable for women with narrow to medium feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2-hole (SPD)
- Cleats are not included
- Fastening system: Shoelaces
- Ideal for walking and other sports (rowing machine, lifting, etc.)
Tommaso Capri is similar to TIEM Slipstream but use shoelaces instead of Velcro. They also have recessed cleats, making them suitable for walking and doing other sports.
These, however, are suitable for women with narrow to medium feet as they don’t have as much space in the toe room. It’s a shame they are not available in more colors.
Tommaso Capri
Main Features
- Suitable for women with medium to wide feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2-hole (SPD)
- Cleats are included and preinstalled
- Fastening system: Shoelaces
- Ideal for walking and other sports (rowing machine, lifting, etc.)
Tommaso Capri are like the TIEM Slipstream but use shoelaces and have the cleats preinstalled. Their SPD cleats are recessed, so they are suitable for walking. You can also do other sports without slipping or walking like a penguin.
They tend to run wide, but thanks to the shoelaces, you can tighten them to suit medium feet too. Eventually, check out Tommaso Venezia, which are more suitable for narrow and medium feet.
Nike SuperRep
Main Features
- Suitable for women with narrow to medium feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL…)
- Cleats are not included
- Fastening system: 2 velcro straps
- Sleek design
- They run small
Nike SuperRep are one of the coolest-looking shoes on this list because they are inspired by Nike’s soccer shoes. They offer compatibility with 2 and 3-bolt cleats, making them suitable for Peloton and spinning bikes with SPD pedals.
Their most significant disadvantage is that the SPD cleats are only compatible with an included adaptor. It makes the entire stack a little higher, so adjust the seat height accordingly (increase it by a few millimeters).
They run small, so I recommend choosing at least half a size up for a proper fit. If you prefer wearing thicker socks, don’t hesitate to choose an entire size up.
PEARL IZUMI Vesta Studio
Main Features
- Suitable for women with medium to wide feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2-hole (SPD)
- Cleats are not included
- Fastening system: Velcro strap
- Ideal for walking and other sports (rowing machine, lifting, etc.)
PEARL IZUMI Vesta Studio shoes are like the Tommaso Capri and TIEM Slipstream. These have one large velcro strap over the instep, ensuring quick but not as flexible fastening.
Thanks to the recessed SPD cleats, they are ideal for walking, cross-training, etc. Although they look bulky and warm, they have a mesh upper that improves their ventilation.
Remember, they are not suitable for women with narrow feet.
Also available at rei.com and competitivecyclist.com
Tommaso Pista Aria Elite
Main Features
- Suitable for women with narrow to medium feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL…)
- Cleats are included
- Fastening system: BOA dial
- Modern looking
- Well-ventilated
Tommaso Pista Aria Elite are modern-looking indoor/road cycling shoes suitable for indoors and outdoors. Their upper is perforated to provide better breathability indoors and in hot weather. You won’t feel like your feet are burning when pedaling.
You can equip them with SPD or LOOK Delta-style cleats. This means you can use them with Peloton, spin bikes, or your road bike. You will also appreciate they have a BOA dial, making fastening a matter of turning a dial.
They are suitable for women with narrow to medium feet.
OutdoorMaster Shoes
Main Features
- Suitable for women with narrow to medium feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL…)
- 3-bolt cleats are included but not compatible with Peloton
- Fastening system: 3 Velcro straps
- Affordable
- Available in plenty of colors
These Outdoormaster indoor/road cycling shoes are like the WOFADA shoes but suitable for narrow to medium feet. They provide a good price-value ratio. They come with cleats, have good ventilation, and are available in multiple sizes.
However, based on people’s experience, the 2-bolt cleats (SPD) don’t hold tight, so I recommend using them with 3-bolt cleats instead. Remember that the included cleats are not compatible with Peloton.
Giro Cadet
Main Features
- Suitable for women with narrow feet
- Cleats compatibility (learn more): 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL…)
- Cleats are not included
- Fastening system: BOA dial and Velcro strap
- Lightweight
- Breathable
If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, check out Giro Cadet. These lightweight and breathable shoes are great for indoor or outdoor cycling in hot weather. Their upper is perforated (with hundreds of tiny holes), providing better airflow.
You can use them with 2 or 3-bolt cleats, but I recommend using them with 3-bolt cleats like LOOK Delta or Shimano SPD-SL. Of course, it depends on what pedals your spin bike has.
They are pretty narrow, so I recommend them for women with narrow feet.
| Indoor Cycling Shoes | For | Cleats compatibility | Price Range | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIEM Slipstream | Medium to wide feet | 2-hole (SPD) | $$$ | Check Price Check Price (rei.com) |
| WOFADA Cycling Shoes | Medium to wide feet | 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL...) | $ | Check Price |
| Venzo Wide Shoes | Medium to wide feet | 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL...) | $$ | Check Price |
| Tommaso Venezia | Narrow to medium feet | 2-hole (SPD) | $$ | Check Price |
| Tommaso Capri | Medium to wide feet | 2-hole (SPD) | $$ | Check Price |
| Nike SuperRep Women | Narrow to medium feet | 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL...) | $$$ | Check Price |
| PEARL IZUMI Vesta Studio | Medium to wide feet | 2-hole (SPD) | $$$ | Check Price Check Price Check Price (rei.com) |
| MEBIKE Shoes | Narrow to medium feet | 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL...) | $ | Check Price |
| Tommaso Pista Aria Elite | Narrow to medium feet | 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL...) | $$ | Check Price |
| OutdoorMaster Shoes | Narrow to medium feet | 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL...) | $ | Check Price |
| Giro Cadet | Narrow feet | 2 and 3-hole (SPD, LOOK Delta, SPD-SL...) | $$$ | Check Price |
My Verdict
When choosing indoor cycling shoes, consider their width to maximize your riding comfort and avoid numb toes. For more info, read my guide below.
You can’t go wrong with any of the shoes in this article. But the following indoor cycling shoes stand out from the rest:
- TIEM Slipstream (also available at rei.com) are the best overall for their sleek design, build quality and comfort.
- WOFADA cycling shoes are the best budget. They are ideal for beginners looking for shoes with 2 and 3-bolt cleat compatibility and who use them with Peloton, for example.
- Tommaso Venezia will allow you to walk and also do other sports, thanks to the rubber soles and recessed SPD cleats.
How to Choose the Best Women’s Indoor Cycling Shoes?
Let me explain something before you buy a new pair of indoor cycling shoes. You can also use non-cycling shoes and road cycling shoes for indoor cycling. Depending on the shoe, they probably won’t be as comfortable due to the worse ventilation. However, the most important thing to consider is:
Pedal & Cleat Type Compatibility
Depending on the indoor bike you will use and its pedals, you must choose compatible shoes and cleats. Cycling shoes are available in 2, 3, or 4-bolt-hole configurations.
The most common MTB shoe configuration is a 2-hole. These are compatible with SPD cleats, which are often recessed.
Indoor and road cycling shoes usually have a 3-hole configuration (see the picture below). This allows you to attach LOOK Delta cleats compatible with indoor bike pedals on Peloton. However, these cleats are not recessed and make walking uncomfortable.
And finally, some shoes are compatible with 2-bolt and 3-bolt configurations, so you can equip them with SPD or LOOK Delta cleats (or any other 3-bolt cleats). Remember, their SPD cleats won’t be recessed because the soles of these shoes are flat (like road cycling shoes).
Some spin bikes use toe cages (for standard shoes like sneakers) on one side and an SPD clipless mechanism on the other.
To use the SPD clipless side, you must buy shoes with a 2-hole configuration to attach SPD cleats. Buy 3-hole configuration shoes for Peloton (LOOK Delta cleats).
Fastening System
There are four main types of fastening systems used on indoor cycling shoes: Velcro straps, laces, ratchet buckles, and BOA dials (or their alternatives).
See the following table for their pros and cons.
| Type of Fastening System | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Velcro straps | • They are cheap and you can fasten them while riding. • They are not as prone to damage when crashing as ratchet buckles or dials. | • They don’t provide you with as precise and comfortable fastening as BOA dials. |
| Laces | • They look cool. • They provide you with effective fastening. • It is the lightest fastening system. | • It takes time to tie them. • It is almost impossible to tie them while riding. |
| Ratchet buckles | • You can fasten them while riding. • They provide you with relatively effective fastening. | • They are heavier compared to other types of fastening systems. • They are prone to damage when crashing. • The buckles are hard to replace. |
| Dials¹ | • Quick, effective, and precise fastening also while riding. • They are easy to replace. • They are lightweight. | • They are more expensive compared to other fastening systems. • They are prone to damage when crashing. |
¹BOA, Sidi Tecno Push, and other alternatives
Comfort, Fit & Ventilation
Indoor cycling shoes must provide comfort, fit, and sufficient ventilation. It’s always better to try them in person to ensure you buy the right size and fit. If you shop online, make sure you measure your foot before you order the selected size.
Check out reviews from other customers to see if the shoes are ‘true to size’ or ‘run too small/big.’ Then, choose the right size accordingly.
TIP: Use cycling insoles to improve arch support and increase riding comfort.
Sole Stiffness
Indoor cycling shoes don’t have as stiff soles as road cycling shoes. This is because they should allow you to walk more easily.
The stiffer the shoes, the more effective the power transfer, but the less comfortable walking.
This mainly applies to indoor cycling shoes with rubber soles, which, thanks to the recessed cleats, are also suitable for other sports.
Riders who experience painful or inflamed balls of their feet (metatarsalgia) or lack of oxygenation of the toes due to blood shortage (ischemia) should be careful when using stiff shoes. This study showed that shoes with carbon soles increase peak plantar pressure, which may aggravate these foot conditions.
Every bike shoe manufacturer uses its shoe stiffness index. Unfortunately, they are not easily comparable.
Indoor Cycling Shoes FAQ
Preview picture credit: Tommaso
This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please contact me.
