Should I purchase cycling shoes?

Indoor cycling is an excellent workout with motivating instruction, upbeat music, and a combination of resistance and positions, all of which leave you feeling great afterwards. If you’ve been to a handful of classes (or more!), you’ve probably noticed that many of your fellow riders have upped their footwear game and aren’t wearing sneakers anymore. Maybe you’ve seen them do a funny-looking foot wiggle before class, or heard the satisfying “click” as they clip in next to you. Perhaps you’ve even asked a neighbor or your instructor what shoes they’re wearing! If you have, you’ll know that many riders choose to invest in cycling shoes to wear to class.

So now you’re wondering, is it worth it? Should you buy your own cycling shoes? How do they work? What are the benefits? 

There are two main components that make cycling shoes different from regular sneakers. First, they have metal cleats on the bottom that clip into the pedals of the bike. Second, they have a more solid sole than regular sneakers, usually reinforced with a sturdy plastic. Both of these elements allow you to get more power out of each pedal stroke.

As you become a more confident rider you’ll want to begin to focus on both the downstroke and the upstroke when you pedal, creating a full, smooth circle each time your foot goes around. Being clipped in allows you to use your strength more efficiently on the upstroke, tapping into your calves, hamstrings, and quads.

As for the second element, having a solid-bottomed sole allows for more stability in your pedal strokes, especially when you get up out of the saddle. Many riders notice a stark shift in their ability to get up out of the saddle with confidence once they have cycling shoes on because they feel like they have more control! Power, efficiency, and confidence all lead to a better ride and will help you become a stronger rider that much faster.

There are a variety of cycling shoes available (a quick Google search brings up over 99 million results!). No one shoe is best, it just depends on your budget and style preferences. Depending on the brand and style, indoor cycling shoes can range from $75 - $150. Regardless of the style you choose, one important thing to consider is the placement of the metal cleat. Shoes that were made for outdoor cycling often have cleats that protrude from the sole of the shoe, making them a little clunky and unbalanced to walk around in. If you’re planning to use the shoes mainly in the studio, it will be important to look for recessed cleats (that is, cleats that tuck up into the sole somehow) so that you don’t have to worry about balancing off the bike!

Many outdoor cycling companies have created shoes specifically for indoor riding, so if you’re more of a cycling enthusiast you can look to one of those trusted brands (such as Shimano or Pearl iZumi). There are also other brands that make only indoor cycling shoes, such as TIEM.

The TIEM Slipstream shoe wears like a sneaker, has a recessed cleat, and comes in a variety of fun colors. That’s the shoe you’ll see most often on our Triangle Foundry instructors. Triangle Foundry is a TIEM retailer, so you can check out that option right in the studio! 

As you know, cycling is a great workout! No matter what’s on your feet, if you are putting in the effort and giving your all, you’re going to leave class feeling sweaty and accomplished. That said, there are some nice benefits to wearing cycling shoes while you ride. If you know that you love to cycle and you’re going to stick with it, we recommend making the investment!

Take the time to shop around and find a pair of shoes that works for your budget, and feel free to ask any of your Triangle Foundry instructors for help getting the shoes set up and/or getting clipped into your bike for the first time (and the second and the third…. Basically until you feel comfortable!).