Best indoor cycling shoes to buy in 2025

Adding indoor training to your exercise regimen can bring plenty of benefits, like the ability to ride all year around whatever the weather, and hone your form before the next big race with controlled workouts.

For that reason it’s a good idea to invest in a serious pair of indoor cycling shoes that you can save for these sessions, ones that you can keep nice and clean, while also delivering a good dose of breathability and ventilation.

We’ve put together some top indoor cycling shoe picks below. These have been chosen based on our own reviews, value for money, in-depth research and analysis of user reviews.

Best shoes for indoor cycling in 2025

DMT KR3

The DMT KR3 is a superbly ventilated road cycling shoe that’s perfect for long, summer rides. It fairs less well in winter and it would be a shame to expose such an expensive shoe to the winter elements anyway.

The sock-like upper that DMT calls knit technology provides the breathability and contributes to the low weight. And if you like a stiff carbon sole for turbo trainer workouts, the DMT KR3 will do a great job as an indoor cycling shoe. 

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Boardman Carbon

Although their ventilation and sole stiffness aren’t outstanding, the value for money of the Boardman Carbon is. Indeed they’re among the best road cycling shoes outright, not just in the budget cycling shoes category.

A full carbon sole for efficiency and comfort and twin dials for adjustability are usually reserved for much more expensive cycling shoes. 

Your feet probably won’t overheat because our tester found the breathability adequate for warm rides. 

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DMT KT1 Tri

The DMT KT1 Tri is a triathlon shoe well suited to indoor cycling because it’s supportive, stiff and very airy.

A single Boa dial in the lightweight, knitted upper keeps weight to a mere 240g (EU44.5) – clearly weight isn’t a concern indoors but the lack of bulk contributes to the KT1’s excellent breathability. 

Comfort is great too. The price is premium but by wearing them indoor and outdoors you’ll do lots of training for your money. 

Read our full DMT KT1 Tri review for more.

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Shimano TR9 SPD-SL

A snug but light upper, premium carbon composite sole and triathlon-friendly design mean the Shimano TR9 SPD-SL will double as excellent indoor cycling shoes.

Due to the perforated mesh of the upper and multitude of vents, your feets shouldn’t overheat during tough turbo sessions. 

The sturdy rubber heel tag helps to get the TR9 SPD-SL on and off quickly, making your indoor cycling more time efficient. Only you will be able to admire these striking, metallic blue shoes though.

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Fizik Transiro Hydra Aeroweave Carbon

Like many of the best triathlon bike shoes, the Fizik Transiro Hydra Aeroweave Carbon aren’t cheap, but by using the same shoes for indoor cycling and tri racing, you don’t have to buy an additional pair.

We reckon the Transiro Hydra Aeroweave Carbon are the best ventilated tri shoes we’ve tested, making them a wise choice for sweaty indoor sessions. They’re comfortable with and without socks, underlining the softness and smoothness of the mesh upper.

Fans of rigid carbon soles will also like the Transiro Hydra Aeroweave Carbon: its sole is the stiffest Fizik makes, according to its arbitary scale.

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Shimano IC1 Indoor Cycling Shoes

Designed with high performance in mind, this indoor cycling shoe from Shimano is packed with features to help give you a speedy workout.

It’s made with a cross strap on the mid section of the shoe to ensure you’re snugly strapped in, but Shimano says this doesn’t compromise on breathability, with a mesh material on the upper part of the shoe designed to help with ventilation.

The sole is also said to be stiff enough to help you transfer your power into the pedals, and the outsole has been reinforced to keep your form stable and consistent while you ride.

Nike Mens SuperRep Indoor Cycling Shoe

Keep your indoor cycling shoes safely strapped to your feet with these options from Nike, which feature hook and loop style straps so you can pedal at speed.

The SuperRep Cycle model is also said to help keep you cool as you ride thanks to the mesh placed at the top of the foot and the vents in the sole.

The shoe has been designed so you can slip your foot in and out easily once you’re done thanks to the wide opening. And the bottom of the shoe has been fixed with rubber to ensure you still have traction when you’re making your way to and from the bike.

Buy Mens SuperRep Indoor Cycling Shoe now from Nike

Fizik Powerstrap R5

Fizik has made this cycling shoe to last, with a sole that’s been reinforced with carbon nylon so you can ride with confidence.

The shoe itself utilises leather for additional ruggedness, with a universal fit that should suit a wide variety of foot shapes.

To keep the shoe strapped tightly yet comfortably to your feet while you ride there’s an adjustable Velcro wrap. This means it’s just as easy to remove when you’re done with your latest workout.

It also boasts a flat heel and a medium shoe width, while ventilation holes are included to help keep your feet cool.

DMT KR4 Road Shoes

Aiming to create a balance between high levels of comfort and performance, DMT have created an engineered knit structure that is said to be both lightweight and breathable, while providing all the support and ventilation you need for an intense session.

A nylon composite outsole completes the build, while sizes range from 37 to 48, with size 42 weighing 227g.

Adidas The Indoor Cycling Shoe

• Buy now from Adidas

If you’re looking for a colourful addition to your cycling kit, these indoor shoes from Adidas may be a good option.

Available in a range of colours that include Acid Red, Linen Green and Off White, they have a midsole made from fibreglass for added strength, with venting along the shoe to keep you cool when working hard.

Adidas says they’re also made with 50% recycled materials in a bid to combat plastic waste.

Buy The Indoor Cycling Shoe now from Adidas

Van Rysel Sport Cycling Shoes

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Made with a rigid nylon base to help maintain optimum efficiency, these cycling shoes from Van Rysel should see you through many intense turbo trainer sessions.

The heel has been reinforced for extra support. Van Rysel have also designed this shoe with plenty of ventilation in the form of two openings in the sole to let air flow through and ventilation holes on the upper.

Meanwhile, the interior mesh is made from a quick drying material to help keep you comfortable and encourage breathability as things heat up.

Fizik R1 Infinito Knit

If you’re looking to maximise your power transfer while you pedal, these cycling shoes from Fizik may be worth considering as they boast a carbon sole.

The brand says they’re made from a flexible yet durable knitted material on the top of the shoe which’ll give you all the support you need while letting the air flow through them, thanks to additional vents that help manage the moisture and control the temperature.

The top of the shoe features a Double Infinito IP1-B Boa closure system which basically means it’ll be clasped tightly around your feet, with dials on the side so you can make sure it fits perfectly.

Buyer’s guide to indoor cycling shoes

First and foremost, the shoes you use for indoor cycling should be comfortable and cool. If your road bike shoes or tri bike shoes tick these boxes, there’s no reason not to use these on the turbo. 

From a bike fit perspective, it makes sense to replicate your outdoor setup as closely as possible indoors, especially if you’re trying to improve your TT position. Therefore, while riding your best triathlon bike or best road bike, why not wear your race shoes as well. What’s more, the best tri bike shoes can be expensive, so by wearing them indoors too, you’ll get your money’s worth. 

But if you are looking for a pair of dedicated indoor cycling or a pair of tri or road shoes that’ll do double duties, here’s what to look for. 

Ventilation 

In a warm environment without a cooling breeze, your feet, like the rest of you, can get hot while cycling inside. And warmer feet tend to swell, potentially causing discomfort as they press against the confines of the shoe.

First, we’d recommend pointing an indoor cycling fan or open window at your lower half. Then look for a cycling shoe with a lightweight upper with plenty of holes to let air and sweat out: a combination of mesh and vents is ideal. Sole vents and holes in the tongue will also help.

Another tip is to wear the thinnest cycling socks you have. It’s probably best not to go sockless because your shoes will soon get sweaty. On that note, always let your indoor cycling shoes air out between rides. 

Closure mechanism

While outdoor cycling shoes close and tighten with laces, dials or Velcro, some specific indoor cycling shoes just slip on and off your foot. The idea is to reduce weight, air ventilation and make kitting up for indoor cycling quicker. The downside is that you might not be able to get them as tight as you like if the fit isn’t spot on.

Laces and dials are lighter and cooler than bulkier Velcro straps, but Velcro fastenings seen on high-end tri bike shoes are pretty lightweight. 

To really fine tune your fit, dual-directional Boa dials are the best, but most expensive option. 

Sole

The type of sole you prefer for pedalling inside will come down to personal preference. Some riders like stiff carbon for a responsive and supportive feel. But others will find the rigidity of full carbon too much when cycling in the fixed position of a turbo.

Obviously the weight advantage of carbon versus composite or nylon / glass fibre isn’t relevant when cycling on a stationary bike.    

As outlined above, whichever sole material you pick, make sure it has vents in it.