Best shoes for Peloton 2022: Cycling shoes to suit your bike

Whether you’re already a Peloton enthusiast or are just getting started on your journey, we’ve rounded up the best shoes for Peloton bikes. This handy guide provides all the pros and cons to both Peloton’s own branded shoes and compatible shoes from other brands. Live Science included enough options for every taste and budget. 

Peloton exercise bikes have become some of the most popular fitness machines for both spin workouts and Peloton’s own subscription-based training classes. If you’ve purchased or are purchasing a Peloton bike for the new year, make sure you’ve also invested in the perfect shoes so you can get the most out of your Peloton workouts. If you haven’t settled on the exercise bike that’s right for you, check out our compilation of the best exercise bikes on sale . 

Before shelling out hard-earned money, you’ll want to ensure you’ve found the best shoes for Peloton.And that’s no easy task, as there are so many options, with not all of them compatible with the pedals on Peloton exercise bikes. The best shoes for Peloton bikes must lock onto the pedals to connect you to the bike. 

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“The shoes will come with the holes pre-drilled into the sole – so there are three components, the shoe, the cleat, and the pedal – and you need to make sure they are compatible with each other,” Sam Yarwood told Live Science. Shoes of this type will bring you the benefits of security and comfort when you ride, while also ensuring that there is a direct power transfer into the bike, according to Yarwood.

The new year could be a great time to purchase Peloton shoes and any other gear you’ll need to meet your fitness goals this coming year. Check out our Peloton deals and discount codes page for the latest and best deals. And if you want to complete your home gym, Live Science also put together guides on home weights set deals and rowing machine deals.

Best shoes for Peloton bike

The Peloton shoes can be bought via the Peloton website, either as part of your bike purchase or on their own. 

Only available in black we’d love to see more variety when it comes to design and color, especially as there are so many other more vibrant brands. When you receive the shoes the Delta cleats (which attach to the pedals) aren’t already attached – although they are easy to screw into place.

Designed like classic bike shoes, the black shoes have two velcro straps and a third top ratchet clip, which means you can adjust the tightness of the shoe. The design also includes a breathable upper mesh design, while the tongue is attached to the last clip – which should help it stay in place while you’re riding. However, some may find the soles and the material used to be quite stiff, which some users may find noticeable when you’re riding. 

This is a basic three velcro strap bike shoe that does come complete with cleats that are compatible with SPD and Delta pedals.

This means that these shoes could be great for Peloton bike users. Designed with a highly-breathable mesh and synthetic upper, the textile lining of the shoe has a removable sock liner – so it should be easy to wash when you’ve had a long ride. 

The lightweight shoe also has a sloping heel and a low-cut construction around the back of the heel to allow for flexibility – but also keeps the foot feeling snug as you ride. The tongue of the shoe is also attached to the middle strap – a great add-on, meaning it doesn’t ride down when you get on the bike. Priced at just over $100, they aren’t the most budget-friendly, but they do have the cleats included, so you’re getting your money’s worth.  

Perfect for road cycling and for use on the Peloton, these shoes are designed to be light, breathable, and comfortable. 

The lightweight shoes have a stiff glass fibre sole, to allow for stability, while they also have a 3-bolt cleat compatibility. The upper material is made from synthetic leather, meaning they’re not too stiff and give your foot room to move around. Meanwhile, they also feature mesh – allowing your feet to breathe while sweating.

The shoe is finished off with three adjustable velcro straps that hold your foot in place. The only two cons are that the cleats have to be bought separately and attached to the bottom of the shoes by the user. Meanwhile, they also come up smaller than normal shoes – so be mindful that it’s best to order them in either a half or full size bigger. 

These Nike clip-on shoes have a quirky design and come in an array of fun colours – such as pink and green. 

Breathable and lightweight, down to the shoes perforated footbed, its synthetic and textile upper and lining means it adds to their comfort. Online reviews suggest that the shoes do seem to come up small, but once you have the right size they should hug your feet while also giving you room to move while you’re exercising.  

The shoe design also includes a cross-over velcro buckle, plus one that reaches over and supports the ankle – a plus when you’re out of the saddle and need extra support. Compatible with both Delta and SPD cleats, it means you have an option when using these shoes, however, they also have to be bought separately. At the higher end of the market, they’re just below the cost of the original Peloton shoes, but these do come with cleats.   

If you’ve got a bigger budget and want some seriously stylish shoes for your daily Peloton rides then these shoes could be just the ticket. 

Their style is a cross between running trainers and golf shoes – with their sculpted heel and their dotted hole design. Available in three colors, we love their silver design, which gives the shoes a real edge. Unlike most shoes, they have laces instead of velcro fastenings, with one velcro strap located at the bottom.

Inside, these shoes for Peloton have arch support and a wide toe box, making them perfect for anyone with wider feet. The heel also acts to keep your foot in place, so there’s no slipping as you change positions on the bike. Perfect for both the Peloton and road racing, these lightweight shoes have been used by professional cyclists for years. At over $200 they are the most expensive shoes on our list, so it’s an investment. 

These Giro Regime Cycling Shoes might be the right shoes for you if you don’t think your Peloton obsession is going to wane any time soon.

If you want to invest in a good quality pair of cycling shoes, then these Giro shoes not only look the part but are also designed for high comfort. Its unique shoe design is thanks to a one-piece Synchwire upper, which gives it a molded effect, but also keeps the shoe lightweight and allows airflow throughout it. 

There’s no velcro in sight with these shoes, instead, they rely on Twin BOA L6 dials, which help to adjust the laces. Inside the shoe, you’ll also find a 3D molded footbed with medium arch support – great for anyone who is prone to injury on the bike. Compatible with 3 bolt or pedal systems, they’re perfect for the Delta cleats, which Peloton uses. However, at over $200, they really are an investment, so you’ll have to be on your bike a lot to get the most out of them. 

We love the unique straps for these cycling shoes.

The two bottom straps act like laces and wrap around the bottom of the foot, keeping them as tight as you desire while the top velcro strap secures your instep. The white design with black straps also reminds us of golf or bowling shoes, with the breathable hole design on the sides made with a comfortable Microtex material. 

The bottom outsole of the shoes is made with R5 nylon – meaning they should feel comfortable while also remaining secure when you ride. The tongue of the shoe is also attached to the final strap so it stays in place as you ride. These aren’t the most expensive shoes on the market, coming in at just under $100. However, it’s worth noting that they come without cleats, so these will have to be purchased separately.

Coming in an array of colors, including metallic blue and green, these trainers are sure to get the attention of your fellow cyclists. 

Designed for road biking but also compatible for Peloton riders, they are a mid-range price, hovering slightly below the price of Peloton’s own shoes. They also have two velcro straps towards the bottom of the shoe and a top ratchet clip with a precision button, which allows you to adjust how tight you want the shoes around your ankle.    

The shoes also benefit from large-area ventilation holes on the side of the shoes for enhanced breathability and anti-slip material inside the shoes. Meanwhile, the heel has thickened protection to support the back of your foot when riding. The shoes don’t come with cleats, but with a three-holed delta design on the bottom of the shoe, they will be compatible with Delta or SPD cleats, which can be attached.

Specifically designed for track racing, these super high-tech stiff racing shoes are a little different from your standard cycling shoes. 

However, if you’re planning to do a little bit of both then these could be the perfect pair. Made with a carbon composite sole, this could make the shoes feel very stiff, but this should also equally make them great for track racing when you’re pedaling fast. 

The top of the shoe is made from a stretch-resistant microfibre, along with mesh that stops your feet from overheating. The shoes also benefit from both BOA dials, for the laces and velcro straps – meaning you can quickly make small adjustments mid-ride. At nearly $300 they are one of the most expensive shoes we’ve featured, so if you’re using them for both the Peloton and for racing they could be worth splashing out on. However, if you’re solely looking for the best shoes for Peloton, then you might be worth purchasing a different pair of shoes. 

How to choose the best shoes for Peloton

Whether you are looking for a pair of shoes for both your road bike and at-home spin bike, or you just snagged a great exercise bike deal on a  Peloton, there are many factors to consider when selecting the best shoes for your Peloton bike. Even so, at the top of the list should be comfort and price.

If you’re looking for a pair of bike shoes on a budget, you should still be looking at paying around $80 to $100, Yarwood told Live Science. The more advanced can cost as much as $300. However, all shoes, even the budget ones, should have a long life span.

“Even the budget options should last for a couple of years, cleats and heels can be changed or mended, but most shoes that are well made should last for at least a couple of years,” Yarwood said.

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When it comes to comfort, Yarwood points to a few key factors: “Breathability of the shoe is important if you’re using a bike indoors, so you don’t feel suffocated by them.” And for cycling shoes in particular, the sole should be really stiff and rigid: “Older cycling shoes used to be made out of leather, which gave no real support. These days they are made out of carbon — this type of material means they can’t be bent, so support your feet when you’re moving. You also need a relatively stiff upper and a very secure fastening system so when you’re pedaling your foot stays secure – when you are pushing and pulling during your pedal strokes.”

The fasteners on exercise bike shoes range from the standard three velcro ratchet fastenings to a BAO wire system. “BOA wire system locks are becoming more popular now with your more high-end shoes and they feel much more secure,” Yarwood said. “The cheaper models have a plastic ratchet fastening or velcro straps— which are fine, I used them for years to ride and they still feel secure.”

Lastly, Yarwood said, make sure the heel of your foot fits perfectly in the shoe: “You need the heel to be snug, but you don’t want to feel any real pressure points otherwise that could cause problems when you ride.”

The benefits of using the best shoes for Peloton

Clip-on shoes have been a staple for exercise bikes for years; and Peloton adapted this method to both their bikes and shoes to make sure users feel comfortable and secure when riding out of the saddle and at different speeds. 

The benefits of using these shoes, Yarwood explained, are twofold: They help you to transfer your power into the bike efficiently, and they are an added security. “The shoes are primarily a mask for your foot, meaning better power transfer from your legs into the pedals, which drive the bike.”

He added, “It’s more comfortable for your foot, which means you can enjoy your ride more, for longer and harder.”

Sarah is a freelance writer – writing across titles including Woman&Home, Fit&Well, The Independent, LiveScience, and the BBC in the UK. She covers a variety of subjects, including trends in beauty, business, and wellness – but her biggest passions are health and fitness. She can normally be found trying out the trendiest fitness class or interviewing an expert about the latest health trends.