Should You Buy Spin Shoes?

Jun 4

Jun 4 Should You Buy Spin Shoes?

If you find yourself frequently clipping in at spin studios in your neighborhood you have likely considered the possibility of investing in your own pair of shoes versus renting them from the studio. Before you hit “Purchase” on Amazon, here are a couple things to consider.

How much does it cost to rent shoes at your favorite studio?

Most studios charge around $2-3 a pair to rent shoes BUT there are a few who let you borrow those suckers for free!

CycleBar - FREE
Soulcycle - $3
RYDE - $2

Note – Studios including OffRoad, LavaBarre and most gym cycling classes allow you to wear regular tennis shoes. If those are your go-to places and you don't mind shoving your sneakers into the pedals, then no need to add a pair of cycling shoes to your wardrobe. (Pro Tip – Speaking as someone who has literally had to have themselves cut from a bike, make sure your shoe laces are short or tucked in to your shoes if you ride in sneakers!)

How frequently do you go to class?

From our quick math, spin shoes are worth it if you go to over 30 spin classes. That averages to 2-3 classes a month for a year.

So, if you’re clipping in at least once a week, then you’ll definitely break even by investing in cycling shoes.

Some other things to consider

Hygiene – Studios spray shoes clean between each class, BUT if you’ve been on the receiving end of still-damp shoes before a class, a dry pair of your own can look mighty appealing.

Carrying your shoes – Consider your routine before/after spin class. Are you the kind of person who will forget to throw your shoes in your bag before you head out for work in the morning?

Buying Spin/Cycling Shoes

If you do the quick math and decide that investing in shoes makes sense for you, there are two main types of cleats to choose from -- recessed (SPD) or non-recessed (LOOK Delta) cleats. You can easily tell the difference between the two -- SPD cleats have two holes and LOOK Delta cleats have three holes in a triangle shape.

If you will only use your shoes in boutique spin studios, get shoes compatible with “Look Delta” cleats. All the major studios (Flywheel, Soulcycle, etc.) use these cleats. Peloton bikes use this type of cleat as well. Expert advice from my spin instructor at Ryde is that Delta cleats are great for feeling more powerful on the bike.

The other option is SPD cleats. These are also compatible with most spin studio bikes (you just have to flip the pedal around) as well as road cycling bikes -- so they're great if you’re taking your cycling practice outside the dimly lit studio. Because SPD cleats can be used on road bikes, you’ll find that these are easier to walk around in and more closely resemble regular shoes. However, you may not feel the same “power factor” as you do with Delta cleats.

If you're commitment-phobic, don't worry! Most of the cycling shoes we found have holes to be compatible with either Delta or SPD cleats so you can always switch them out if you find that you prefer one over the other.

Whichever you cleat you choose, get them put on your shoes by a professional! Most bike stores will do this free of charge. (We called around and Big Wheel Bikes and BicycleSPACE are happy to do this free of charge. Call before you go because some places like Trek Bicycle in Clarendon do charge a fee.) Your local spin studio can help you tighten them but it’s recommended to have a bike shop do the initial heavy lifting.

Now, get to shopping! Here are some of our stylish (and affordable - under $100) recommendations. Be sure to check sites like Backcountry for deals depending on current Amazon prices.

For the ladies -- these Giro Techne Shoes are super cute, come in a variety of colors, AND are compatible with either cleat (I got the gray ones for my sister for Christmas and she loves them!). I’ve also heard INCREDIBLE things from Soulcycle-obsessed Instagram friends about TIEM spin shoes, which are compatible with SPD clips, and am planning to grab this brand for myself!
For the fellas -- these Shimano shoes are sexy but only compatible with SPD - so they're great the indoor and outdoor cycling enthusiast. These Giro Treble II's have a similar look and price but are compatible with BOTH cleat styles.
Bike Cleats are under $15 -- whether you're going with LOOK Delta or SPD.
OR you can grab a pair of shoes with cleats already attached. I have this brand which offers a variety of colors. The cleats coming pre-attached is a total game changer!
If you’re interested in Peloton… You can get $100 off accessories (read: spin shoes) with code “UMS4F9” when you purchase a Peloton Bike or Bike+. If you’re making that bigger investment - make sure to use that code for shoes so that you’re only paying $25 total for shoes!