The Best Spin Shoes For Under $150

Much like any other sport or activity you do, you want to make sure that you’re going to be comfortable while doing it. You wouldn’t play football with tennis shoes, nor would you go for a walk in high heels (well, if you can and not have your feet screaming out in pain—then major respect!), so why would you wear just any old sneaker to go to spin class or cycling?

Spin shoes are designed with a stiffer sole to give you a more efficient transfer of energy while your pedaling.

Do you remember when you were younger and you would pedal so much on your bike, your feet would slip off the pedal from time to time? Spin bike shoes are also usually paired with a pedal that is going to hold your feet to the bike so that doesn’t happen. The clipless shoe pedal combinations can give you maximum control without losing too much energy while pedaling.

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What To Look For When Searching For The Best Spin Shoes

So now that you see the benefits of having specific shoes for spin class or any kind of cycling, the real key here is to know what you’re looking for.

First off, the bottom of cycling shoes will feature either two or three holes that will enable you to attach a cleat, which is what you’ll need to secure your foot to the pedal. This particular combination, shoe-cleat-pedal, is often called a clipless pedal system. In most instances, cleats and shoes will be sold separately so that you can find the right cleat to fit your (or the gym) bike’s pedals.

Next, the sole of the shoe is going to be stiff and the way the shoe will be secured to your foot is most commonly by a series of two or three Velcro straps. These will make sure your foot is held securely inside the shoe.

The Fit Of The Shoe

When you are trying on your shoes, they should be comfortable the moment you put them on. Keep in mind that most spin shoes use European sizing, so you’ll want to look up your shoe size on a conversion chart, and sometimes you have to go up or down a size until you find a shoe where you have enough wiggle room in the front to wiggle your toes.

The kind of socks you wear is also going to be important! You’ll want to choose a pair that has a reinforced heel and toe, but also made of a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric.

The Best Indoor Spin Shoes To Consider

Now that you know what to look for when choosing spin shoes and how they should fit, let’s look at four pairs of popular spin shoes that range between $60 to $130—depending on the size you need.

Women’s Giro Riela Bike Shoe

If you’re looking for a spin shoe that can go from a spin class to a rugged trail, than this shoe should be right up your alley. Giro is known for creating comfortable spin shoes that don’t fall short in support. These shoes are made from a high grade synthetic upper and uses three wide Velcro straps so you can get the best fit for your foot.

Notable features of the Women’s Giro Riela Bike Shoe include:

When looking at the reviews for the product, 86{03fe369a611c4e80588ced8a973d3c372d609f4e140b6b3fdb226759df416ee4} of customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said how little their feet hurt after an intense spin class. Customers have said that they now look forward to spin class because they “make cycling so much easier.” One customer said that she was used to have a difficult time in “position 2 and 3” before wearing these shoes.

Now, she is able to and even went so far as to calling them “magical.” Customers do recommend that you size up for the best fit. Of the remaining 14{03fe369a611c4e80588ced8a973d3c372d609f4e140b6b3fdb226759df416ee4} of customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was about the sizing. These customers felt that the sizing was too far off from normal sizing, which was a disappointment. One customer felt that you may even have to go up 2 sizes!

Shimano Women's SH-WR35 Road Shoes

Although these shoes are designed for touring, recreational, and urban cyclers, they can still be used for spin class. These shoes are lightweight and give you the performance you would expect while riding, but they also give you the convenience you’d expect of a walking shoe.

The midsole features a rigid fiberglass-reinforced plate that will increase the transfer of power while pedaling. The rubber outsole is flexible and features recessed cleats that allows these shoes to go from riding shoes to walking shoes.

Notable features of the Shimano Women's SH-WR35 Road Shoes include:

When looking at the reviews for the product, 82{03fe369a611c4e80588ced8a973d3c372d609f4e140b6b3fdb226759df416ee4} of customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said they were thankful for the recessed cleats because they could walk from the spin room to the locker room with no problem. Customers also like that the toe box of these shoes were wider than other spin shoes they’ve tried. Customers have said that when they went to install the cleats, it was quick and effortless.

Of the remaining 18{03fe369a611c4e80588ced8a973d3c372d609f4e140b6b3fdb226759df416ee4} of customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was that the sizing on these shoes were way off. One customer said they had to return the shoe for another that was 2 sizes larger, despite following the sizing chart. One customer said that they felt the shoe had a very high instep, which made it uncomfortable for them to use. Another customer said these shoes are better for only spin class and not for “serious bikers.”

Men’s Giro Treble II Bike Shoe

These men’s spin shoes are clean, modern, and versatile. The shoe features an upper that is made from a synthetic material and it has three straps that will allow you to adjust the shoe so you get the best possible fit—which is something you’ll want if you’re going on a long ride. The stiff, nylon injected outsole uses a new Universal Cleat Mounting system that is able to accommodate two and three bolt cleat systems.

Notable features of the Men’s Giro Treble II Bike Shoe include:

When looking at the reviews for the product, 89{03fe369a611c4e80588ced8a973d3c372d609f4e140b6b3fdb226759df416ee4} of customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said these shoes are comparable to the comfort you would expect from a shoe two or three times the price. Customers report that the Velcro closures help them get the right fit and they especially like how much room there is in the toe box. Customers said they liked that these shoes were lightweight and very comfortable to wear.

Of the remaining 11{03fe369a611c4e80588ced8a973d3c372d609f4e140b6b3fdb226759df416ee4} of customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was that the shoe fit wider than they would have liked. One customer pointed out that although the shoe is comfortable, they didn’t like the clip connection and felt that “it was unacceptable.” Another complaint a customer had was that there is no “grip” when you’re walking in these shoes.

Men’s Shimano SHR065 All Around Sport Shoe

For another option of a spin shoe for men, these shoes give you incredible versatility. You can wear these on long training rides or tours, spin class, or a relaxed ride around the neighborhood. These shoes give you all the comfort you’re looking for without sacrificing efficiency while you’re pedaling. The air intake/exhaust system you’ll find in these shoes offers consistent ventilation, so your foot won’t become too hot while riding.

Notable features of the Men’s Shimano SHR065 All Around Sport Shoe include:

When looking at the reviews for the product, 85{03fe369a611c4e80588ced8a973d3c372d609f4e140b6b3fdb226759df416ee4} of customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said these shoes offer great support while they are cycling. Customers felt the shoe was easy to get in and out of, and regardless of how long they were riding, they never experienced any discomfort with the shoe. Customers felt that this was a good entry level clipless shoe, perfect for anyone who is new to riding clipless.

Of the remaining 15{03fe369a611c4e80588ced8a973d3c372d609f4e140b6b3fdb226759df416ee4} of customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was that there wasn’t a recess in the shoe for the cleat, which meant they couldn’t walk around in the shoe very well—although we must remember, these types of shoes aren’t designed for walking.

Again, customers complained about the sizing of the shoe. Customers said that the shoe tend to run small. Also, customers felt that they didn’t offer the kind of support they really want for long term riding, but they are decent for spin classes.

Our Recommendation

Looking for the best spin shoes may feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re new it and you were under the impression that any old shoe would do. By wearing spin shoes, you can expect to have incredible transfer of power while pedaling, while still being comfortable while doing it. You’ll want to make sure that you know your European size, as most of these shoes go by those sizes.

When it comes to making a recommendation on which of these four spin shoes are the best? Well, in our opinion, they are all pretty good. They’ve received high ratings from the customers who have purchased them and they are all around the same price range. The only real notable complaint people have had about these shoes is the sizing, which they all seem to run small and you’d need to size up a half or a whole size, depending on the particular shoe.

As you begin looking at spin shoes, whether it is your first pair or if you’re looking to upgrade, you want to make sure that you’re choosing a shoe that is going to be comfortable but give you the support that you need. If style is your concern, you won’t find a short supply of stylish spin shoes because there are plenty of fashionable shoes available that seamlessly blend function and fashion.

With that said, if you are looking for a shoe that you don’t have to worry about changing out of right away after spin class and you can do a few errands in, then you may want to go with the Shimano SH-WR35 Road Shoes, as they have a recessed spot for the cleat. Whatever shoe you do decide to go with, you will notice a difference and be so glad you purchased the best spin shoes your money can buy.