To really get the full Peloton experience you will need a set of cycling shoes. However, pelotons brand of cycling shoes are priced at $125, so we researched the market to find the best budget-friendly cycling shoes that will be a perfect fit for the Peloton bike. Let’s take a look!
After hours of research, surveying customer reviews & testing, we have selected the Tiebao Cycling Shoes as our Editor’s best overall pick, we have also listed our top 6 favorite budget-friendly options below each providing its own unique strengths. So without further ado let’s take a look at the list!
Best Cheap Shoes For Peloton Bike
| # | Shoe | Verdict | Gender | Closure System |
| 1 | Tiebao Cycling Shoes | Best Overall | Men & Women | triple hook loop straps |
| 2 | Hiland Indoor Spinning Shoes | Best For Wide Feet | Men & Women | Three strap velcro |
| 3 | SANYES Men’s Cycling Shoes | Best Fit | Men | Boa closure system |
| 4 | ZOL Fondo Cycling Shoes | Great for Breathability | Men & Women | The strap velcro closure system |
| 5 | Venzo Cycling Shoes | lightweight option | Men | hook-and-loop closure system |
| 6 | Gavin Elite Road Cycling Shoe | versatile | Men & Women | Ratchet Buckle with 2 velcro straps |
Best Cheap Shoes For Peloton Bike:
Tiebao Cycling Shoes – Best Overall
First up on the list is the Tiebao cycling shoes, crafted with a High-density synthetic nanometre fiber and mesh upper offers lightweight components with added comfort.
The Tiebao is also designed with a perforated insole which drains sweat from intense sessions, reducing any irritations from hot & sweaty feet.
Additionally, the closure system features a simple triple hook loop straps for a secure comfortable hold.
The outsole features a double injection fiberglass outsole offering stiffness for greater pedaling power & pedaling efficiency.
Key Features:
- fiberglass outsole offers greater pedaling efficiency
- perforated insole drains sweat
- triple hook loop straps closure system
- High-density synthetic nanometre fiber upper
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Durable closure system
- designed for both men & women
- perforated insole reduces sweat
- Available in 3 different colors
Cons:
- Men may have to go a size up since the shoe does run on the smaller side
Hiland Indoor Spinning Cycling Shoes Wide Version for Men Women – Best For Wide Feet
Next up on the list is the widely popular Hiland Indoor cycling shoe. The upper is crafted from a highly breathable synthetic leather mesh, designed to be breathable & quick-drying, thus reducing irritations often experienced from sweaty feet.
As for the closure system the Hiland is designed with an ergonomic three strap velcro system, velcro closure systems simplicity offer durability, & provide a firm comfortable hold during your cycling sessions.
As for performance, the Hiland features a nylon outsole, offering stiffness for efficiency & greater pedaling power.
Key Features:
- Compatible with both 3 holes system and 2 holes system (Look Delta Compatible)
- Ventilated microfiber uppers
- Stiff nylon sole
- Three-strap velcro closure system
- the shoe weighs 1.35 LB (630 g) per pair
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Stiff sole for performance
- simple closure system offers durability
- Breathable & quick drying reduces irritations experienced from sweaty feet
- Designed for both men & women
- Available in 2 different colors
Cons:
- None that we can find
SANYES Men’s Cycling Shoes – Best Fit
The Sanyes cycling shoes is a unisex option & is available in 10 different colors. They are compatible with 2 & 3hole cleats, this allows you to use these shoes with look delta compatible pedals as well as SPD pedals.
It features a Boa closure system offering increments of adjustments allowing you to achieve the perfect fit.
Additionally, it’s crafted with a nylon outsole for added stiffness allowing for enhanced pedal power & efficiency.
Key Features:
- Boa closure system offer increments of adjustments
- Compatible with 2 hole & 3-hole cleats
- Nylon outsole for added stiffness
- large mesh inserts with ultrathin reinforced material for added breathability
Pros:
- Allows for increments of adjustment for the perfect fit
- Breathable
- 2-hole & 3-hole compatibility offer versatility
- Budget-friendly
- Unisex
Cons:
- None that we can find
ZOL Fondo Road and Indoor Cycling Shoes – Best For Breathability
Next on the list is the Zol Fondo, these shoes are crafted from a synthetic leather material with perforated holes for added breathability reducing any irritations that come with heat & sweat while cycling. Additionally it features drainage holes in the outsole to eliminate sweat keeping your feet dry at all times during your session.
The shoes effectively stay in place during intense sessions thanks to its three velcro strap closure system allowing you to go all out on your sessions without the worry of your shoes moving around.
As for the outsole these shoes are designed with a fiberglass-injected nylon sole offering pedaling efficiency & comfort.
Key Features:
- 3 velcro strap closure system keeps shoes in place
- fiberglass-injected nylon sole for performance
- drainage holes in the outsole eliminate sweat
- Designed with Synthetic Leather with perforated holes for breathability
Pros:
- breathable
- keeps feet dry while riding
- shoes stay in place
- available in 3 different colors
Cons:
- Size may run on the smaller side
Venzo Cycling Shoes – Lightweight Option
Next, we have the Venzo cycling shoe, these shoes are specifically designed for triathlons however their features of enhanced comfort, breathability & performance make it a great fit for the peloton bike.
It features a high-breathable synthetic upper with mesh keeping your feet dry at all times while riding. The closure system consists of a hook-and-loop closure system, offering reliable hold during intense sessions.
Key Features:
- high-breathable synthetic upper
- hook-and-loop closure system offers a reliable hold
- Compatible with every road bike cleat on the market
- Low-cut construction offers an overall lighter shoe
Pros:
- Breathable
- Budget-friendly
- lightweight
- comfortable
Cons:
- None that we could find
Gavin Elite Road Cycling Shoe – Versatile
The Gavin Elite is a unisex option, crafted with a Synthetic microfiber leather with a breathable mesh that helps keep your feet cool & dry while riding.
The outsole features a Nylon fiberglass for added stiffness allowing for greater pedaling power & efficiency. Additionally, the outsole features air-flow vents enhancing airflow to your feet while riding, this reduces any irritation one may experience from heat & sweat.
The closure system features 2 velcro straps for added hold, equipped with a Micro-adjustable buckle allowing for a more precise fit & an overall comfortable feel.
The Gavin elite is compatible with 2 & 3 bolt cleats, allowing you to use the Peloton with its existing pedals as well as with SPD pedals if you decide to switch.
Key Features:
- Nylon fiberglass outsole offers greater pedal efficiency
- adjustable buckle with 2 velcro straps for a precise fit and a reliable hold
- Synthetic microfiber leather upper with breathable mesh
- 2 & 3 bolt cleat compatibility
Pros:
- Breathable
- Budget-friendly
- Unisex
- allows for a comfortable fit
Cons:
- Ratchet Buckles aren’t as durable as velcro closure systems
Buyer’s Guide: What To Look For In Peloton Shoes
Cycling shoes nowadays come with so many features, that you can get lost in the mix quite easily.
So in order to help you select the best shoes for your needs, we will highlight the main features to look out for & some you may want to consider depending on your needs.
Fit
When it comes to cycling shoes fit always comes first, not all cycling shoes fit the same some are designed to be wider while others are designed to be more narrow.
It would help a lot to try the shoes before purchasing. However, we understand that it may not be convenient for everyone so the second-best option is to measure your foot length & with. The width is very important since depending on your wide size and the width of the shoe you may need to opt for a size up or consider a wider option.
Shoe Type
There are different types of cycling shoes in the market some with a 2-hole cleat design & some with a 3-hole cleat design. The peloton bike uses Look Delta pedals which are compatible with 3-hole design shoes. So it’s important to check whether or not your shoes are compatible with peloton before purchasing.
Sole Materials
The outsole is one of the main components of your cycling shoe, as the material of your outsole determines the stiffness level of your shoe which has an impact on performance.
There are a few different materials often used on cycling shoe outsoles, Carbon fiber is one of the best materials and is often featured on most high-end cycling shoe. Budget cycling shoes are usually made with plastic outsoles which still offer great performance benefits but aren’t as stiff as carbon fiber.
A stiff sole reduces the loss of energy which is experienced when the shoe bends or twists on each stroke. Therefore Stiffer soles offer greater power transfer and efficiency by eliminating energy loss from the shoe bending.
However very stiff shoes can be quite uncomfortable for most riders, plastic or carbon composite (a combination of plastic & carbon) offers performance befits at a budget price while maintaining its comfort.
Upper Materials
The upper material of a cycling shoe is important for comfort & ventilation. Some materials such as leather conform to the shape of your feet & provide a more natural fit. Other materials such as leather are great for offering lightweight benefits but may not be as comfortable.
A shoe with proper ventilation is crucial for the peloton bike since you will have many intense sessions, you want to minimize any discomfort you may experience during these intense sessions such as heat & sweat which can cause various discomforts as well as increase the chances of blisters. So a well-ventilated shoe will definitely make a massive difference.
Closure Systems
Cycling shoes offer various different closure systems, the range includes BOA dials, Velcro straps, ratchet buckles & laces.
BOA Dials are often featured in high-end shoes and offer the most increments for adjustment offering a more precise fit. One of our recommended shoes the SANYES Men’s Cycling Shoes provide this feature at a budget-friendly price.
Ratchet Buckles are another great option for adjustability however they don’t offer increments of adjustments as Boa dials, they do still, however, allow for a great fit.
Velcro Straps do not offer precise adjustability as Boa dials & ratchet buckles however they are the most durable closure system available, they offer a reliable hold & are simple to adjust.
Laces are the lightest closure system when it comes to cycling shoes however they do get in the way since they can come undone fairly easily especially during intense sessions. So they’re not the most practical out of the 4 options.
Related Questions:
1. What Shoes Are Compatible With Peloton Bike?
The peloton bike is equipped with Look delta pedals, so it would require any cycling shoe with a 3-hole design that is compatible with Look Delta pedals.
2. Can I Wear Regular Shoes Occasionally With My Peloton Bike?
Yes, however the issue with regular shoes is that they might slip when riding & you won’t be getting much work on your hamstring since your unable to pull on the upstroke. However, what you can do is add toe clips to your pedal this allows you to wear casual shoes and still maintain pedal efficiency since you can pull on the upstroke.
There are many pedals in the market nowadays that come with a dual option allowing you to ride with cycling shoes on one side & toe clips on the other side, this also allows other members of the family to ride without requiring cycling shoes.