What Shoes Do I Need for Peloton?

If you’re new to Peloton, you may be wondering what shoes you need for your bike. While some people do ride in sneakers or running shoes, others prefer cycling shoes. If you want to get the most out of your Peloton experience, cycling shoes are a good investment. Here’s everything you need to know about them!!

Why Do You Need Cycling Shoes?

If you’re just starting out on the bike, you may not feel like investing in cycling shoes is necessary. After all, you can always ride in your running sneakers, right? Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work that way. If you want to get a full-body workout from Peloton, you need cycling shoes.

The cleats on these shoes give you something to connect with the pedals under the bike. Without them, your feet will slip around and make it impossible to keep up with the pace of the ride. Unfortunately, running sneakers don’t have the right kind of sole for this purpose. Cycling shoes also protect your feet from the pressure of your body weight being repeatedly applied to them.

What’s Special About Cycling Shoes?

When you’re just starting out on a bike, it can be difficult to find a good position for your feet in terms of efficiency and comfort. This is where cycling shoes come into play. Cycling shoes have a stiff sole that’s much like a ski boot. This stiff sole provides the right kind of angle for your feet to pedal efficiently and comfortably.

The soles also come with clips or cleats, which you attach to your pedals. The clips allow you to put the ball of your foot over the pedal (the front half) while keeping your heel on the backpedal (the back half). These kinds of soles can be used on either indoor bikes or outdoor bikes.

What Are the Different Shoe Styles?

There are basically three styles of cycling shoes: road, mountain, and casual. How do they compare? Let’s break them down!

Road Shoes:

Road shoes provide the most power for your pedaling because the stiff soles are closer to the pedal. They are designed for use on indoor bikes or outside on smooth roads, but not on mountain roads where there’s more uneven terrain. While road shoes are very stiff, they are also lightweight because of their construction.

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Mountain Shoes:

These shoes offer the most versatile option. They are designed for use on both indoor and outdoor biking, so you get the best of both worlds. Mountain shoes are built like road shoes, but they have some extra tread on the sole to provide some traction when your foot is in any position other than straightforward (which is usually the case).

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Casual Shoes:

As their name implies, casual shoes aren’t designed for use on the bike at all. Casual shoes are meant to be worn as regular everyday footwear. Since they don’t have a stiff sole or attached cleats, it’s not safe to wear them on a stationary bike.

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What Types of Shoes Are Best?

There are so many types of cycling shoes on the market that it can be a bit overwhelming to choose just one. Of course, if you’re committed to getting a great workout from Peloton, your options are limited to road shoes and mountain shoes, but there are still plenty of designs to choose from.

Here’s an overview of some of the things you might want to consider when buying cycling shoes.

Price:

Cycling shoes are more expensive than most other types of athletic footwear, but the good news is that you get what you pay for. If you’re on a tight budget, you can get away with wearing running sneakers or casual shoes on Peloton–just know that your experience will not be as good.

Comfort:

You should consider comfort a top priority when shopping for cycling shoes. After all, you’re going to be wearing them for at least 45 minutes or more every day, so if they don’t fit well, you’ll end up with foot issues. Look for a shoe that fits well and isn’t too tight or too loose. If you need help finding the right fit, ask a bike shop employee who’s trained to advise on cycling shoes.

Style:

Yes, style matters! Cycling shoes come in all sorts of colors and styles these days with no limits on the imagination. You can find just about anything that suits your personality, and your feet will thank you as well as look good.

Weather:

Generally, cycling shoes work best in dry weather conditions. If it’s raining, snowing, or otherwise wet outside, look for a shoe that’s been treated to keep water from seeping through to your foot. You should also consider what kind of pedals you’re using. If you’ve got full-platform pedals, it doesn’t matter if your shoes are wet–there’s nothing to get inside.

What Kind of Pedals Do You Have?

This is an important factor. If you’re new to Peloton, then you need to buy the kit that comes with the machine; this kit requires you to buy special shoes with cleats that attach to the pedal. If you already own a pair of cycling shoes, it doesn’t matter if they have cleats or not because the Peloton kit comes with plastic straps and toe cages for your convenience.

What Else Can You Do?

Now that we’ve covered everything there is to know about cycling shoes, there’s one more thing you need to know: there are alternatives to buying a pair of new cycling shoes. Since Peloton is great for working out indoors during the winter or when it’s raining outside, some other options can keep your feet warm and dry while still allowing you to get a good workout in on Peloton:

1. Regular Socks:

If your shoes are comfortable and fit well, then you can opt to wear regular socks rather than cycling booties or cycling socks. Make sure that the thickness of your shoe doesn’t cause discomfort, and if you’re going to try this option, make sure that the floor isn’t slippery (take a pad with you to put down on the floor so your feet don’t slip).

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2. Cycling Booties:

This is a great way to keep your feet warm without having to buy cycling shoes. These booties are easy to attach and detach, so you can just pop them off when you’re ready for your workout. If this is an option you’re considering, be sure to purchase a pair that fits well and works with your pedals.

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3. Cycling Socks:

This is the perfect option for those who want to use their shoes and still keep their feet dry and warm during cold weather. These socks attach securely and shouldn’t move around while you’re cycling (but if they do, you can always fasten them to your leg with a hair clip).

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Remember:

No matter what type of shoes you use or choose, make sure to purchase something that fits well and is comfortable. If your feet are in pain after every workout, it’s time to either invest in a pair of new cycling shoes or try a new strategy.

Good luck!