The outsole, or outer bottom part of the shoe, varies based off of what type of riding you are doing. Some are very versatile and can be used in many different spinning activities, while some really are meant for just one type of rider. We spent some time and looked at each type of sole, road, mountain, and indoor to find what works best in a variety of situations. The need to change up your routine is very common and if you are going to make an investment in spin shoes why not make sure it can cover everything you want to try.

Road Shoes
Firmer than all other options, road shoes are built for speed. The cleat is typically sticking out from the outside of the shoemaking walking around the gym very difficult, but also give you amazing pressure distribution and power transfer.

Road Shoes are great on the street and also great for gym performance. Keeping you performing great and crushing goals, is what you will get with a great pair of road shoes. It will, however, be at the cost of walking normally through the gym.

Mountain Biking Shoes
The rubber sole of a mountain biking shoe draws great appeal to the world of indoor spin enthusiasts. The cleat is typically recessed, which makes walking in them much easier. They look more like a sneaker and will allow you to walk around the gym or home in your spin shoes. The problem with mountain bike shoes for spin class starts with added weight. Part of a great spin session is keeping your feet light and moving during the entire class. A heavy shoe may start off feeling great but after a few miles might feel like a brick on the end of your legs. Additionally, your stride will suffer. Power transfer is exceptionally important for long rides and it is diminished in a mountain biking shoe.

Durability and protection are part of what is considered in mountain biking shoes. This is because when you are riding trails you may encounter a variety of obstacles, such as haywire branches and fallen logs. You are much less likely to encounter these type of things in the gym and on the road.

Indoor Spin Shoes – Indoor spin shoes are a combination of road and mountain biking shoes. The most important piece is the cleat. If you go to the same gym all the time, then getting a cleat that will fit their pedals will save you time and money. If you gym hop, you need to look for a pair of spin shoes with cleats to fit a variety of pedals or do your research to find out why type of pedals your favorite places use. For top performance, a road shoe will give you the best power transfer and breathability. Lightweight and built with some of the most advanced technologies you will see how far a great pair of road shoes can really take you. You will also want to consider putting them on at your bike because they are difficult to walk in.
If spinning classes are only part of what you love at the gym a mountain bike shoe may be more advantageous for you. Great tread at the cost of weight, does make them very versatile in wear. They are easy to head to your next class or the locker room in and if you find yourself in a rush you can even wear them to your next stop.

When we think of comfort, really all we see is how our feet feel at the end of the day. This is important but realistically there is a lot more involved. When it comes to the comfort in a pair of spin shoes there are many things to consider.

Long courses can put a lot of pressure and stress on your feet. Pressure can lead to ingrown toenails, corns, bunions, and in general, painful feet. The correct support and even distribution of pressure will keep you pedaling day after day. Support of your arch and a hugging fit will help reduce pressure increase comfort.

Hot spots and blisters are another problem that will make your session end quickly. Something as small as what your laces go through can add pressure and leave to rubbing and discomfort. Soft loops are much more comfortable than metal rivets and can aid in the comfort of your feet. The hugging fit is also important here too, you don’t want spin shoes that are so tight your lacing system causes blisters or bruising.

Lastly, flexibility plays a part in the comfort of your spin shoes. Riding calls for a rigid shoe, but you do need some movement in the toe. If too rigid you may cause stress fractures and some flexibility in the upper is exponentially important.

There are quite a few closure systems within spin shoes and their brands. What works for one may cause pressure or pain for another. Many will tell you a two cam Boa closure is the best and while this type of closure is found in some of the highest rated spin shoes, it may not be for everyone.

Laces – When dealing in shoes we are all used to a set of shoelaces. On your favorite spin shoes, you may find standard laces to be lacking. Where your laces cross it may cause pressure and discomfort. Typically, if you tie your laces tight enough to hold your feet in place during a marathon spin session, you will be feeling some pain at the end.

Boa Lacing – Seen in different styles the Boa lacing tends to be a favorite. Easily adjustable and fast to adjust these closures cause very little pressure. The need to adjust on the fly can happen at any point during your class and stopping to fix an uncomfortable shoe is not okay. You will see a variety of Boa setups. Some of which include Velcro or hook and loop closures. Different features offer different levels of support and structure where you need it. Taking the time to find out where your feet need support or what areas cause you the most pressure will help you choose the best spin shoes.

Velcro Straps – Easy on and easy off secure Velcro closures have become the favorite of many spin enthusiasts. You can adjust Velcro easily to increase comfort. In addition, Velcro is durable and holds fast, keeping your feet locked in and feeling great after a long ride. Combining the security of Velcro with either a lacing or Boa closure system is certain to keep your feet supported and ready for the next adventure you decide to conquer.

No matter the closure system you choose, it’s important to make sure your feet aren’t moving around or lifting too much in your spin shoes. Secure feet lead to not only great rides but also improved performance. Moving shoes cause rubbing and can take you out of class for an extended period of time. We hope to help you avoid this by offering a variety of closure systems that rank well with users.

A good pair must have longevity. If you had to spend over $100 for a pair of shoes, the assumption is that they can last long enough to match the purchase price. There are, however, times (and only a few of them, fortunately) that you’ll get a pair which has been improperly manufactured; improper sewing here, lack of glue there, or quality control wasn’t doing the job at that time. This is not so much ‘buyer beware,’ as it is, ‘you should keep your receipt.’ You can get a pair of spin shoes that fit well and are tough. Just be prepared for those unfortunate mishaps when something goes wrong (manufacturer-wise).

Durability and toughness is a requirement when examining the best spin shoes. In addition, these are going to be worn most days during your workouts. As such, although style may come into play, it should not be the qualifying factor when considering your safety; nor, should it be considered above the importance of toughness and durability.

The last piece of criterion that we want to share with our readers today is all about the cost and the value. Simply put – this idea is measuring whether or not a product is priced right in comparison to the value it offers consumers.

We've looked at each option on our list to compare their price and durability or features. If a shoe is less expensive, but won't last you very long, the value is very low. We would never want to recommend that for you. A shoe that might be a little expensive, but will last for many many wears and will continue to give you great workouts then the price might be worth it.

We've ranked our options based on value so you can take a look at which we found to be the best value to better help you make your decision.