Can Indoor Cycling Shoes Be Used Outdoors?
Are you looking to take your cycling skills from the indoors to the great outdoors?
If so, it’s important to know whether indoor cycling shoes can be used on outdoor terrain.
Indoor cycling shoes have gained in popularity due to their ability to provide comfort, power, and form while riding a bike trainer or exercise bike inside.
But what happens when you want to transition outside?
Can these same shoes offer you the same benefits when you hit the pavement or trails?
Let’s explore the pros and cons of using indoor cycling shoes outdoors and find out if they’re right for your ride.
What Are Indoor Cycling Shoes?
Indoor cycling shoes are designed for use on stationary exercise bikes and spin classes.
They have specific features that make them different from regular sports-style or mountain bike shoes.
The cleats, soles, vents, fastenings, insoles, and uppers of these specialized shoes all serve a purpose to help you get the most out of your cycling class workout.
The cleats of indoor cycling shoes are often set in either three-hole (Delta) or two-hole (SPD) designs.
A three-hole design allows for more stability when pedaling and is typically used with pedals that come with spinning bikes.
Two-hole cleat systems work better with traditional road biking pedals and can also be found on some indoor cycling shoes.
Some models also use a hook-and-loop closure system, while others rely on velcro straps.
Can I Use Indoor Cycling Shoes For Outdoor Rides?
Indoor cycling shoes are not designed to be used outdoors.
They tend to be less stiff than road cycling shoes, so they’re more comfortable when pedaling indoors.
Indoor cycling shoes don’t provide as much support when riding on uneven terrain or long distances.
If you’re planning on using your indoor cycling shoes outdoors, look for models with more flexible soles that can handle the rough ground and long rides.
It’s important to keep in mind that even if you do choose an appropriate pair of footwear for outdoor rides, it may still take some time to adjust to them.
Your feet will need some time to get used to different surfaces than what they were accustomed to indoors.
Indoor Vs. Road Cycling Shoes
Yes, there are definite differences between indoor and road cycling shoes.
In general, the primary difference comes down to the sole of each type of shoe.
Indoor cycling shoes tend to have a smooth sole with minimal tread, while road cycling shoes usually feature more aggressive lugs or treads for better traction on outdoor terrain.
Here is a list of key features when comparing indoor-road cycling footwear:
- Weight – Indoor cycling shoes are typically heavier than road cycling shoes. However, it’s lighter than mountain bike shoes.
- Firmness & Support – Road shoes tend to be firmer than those designed for indoor use due to the need for increased power transfer and stability over longer distances.
- Closure System – Most indoor cycling shoes have velcro closures or hook-and-loop straps while most road models go with ratcheting buckles, dials/boas or some combination thereof.
- Sole Design – Indoor soles typically feature smoother materials with minimal tread whereas road models often include stiffer carbon fiber outsoles as well as more aggressive lugs (or cleats) for better grip on wet surfaces.
When To Use Indoor Cycling Shoes
While regular gym shoes are great for many aerobic activities, indoor cycling shoes are designed to provide maximum power transfer to the pedals and can help you get a more intense workout.
They will help you stay in the saddle longer, increase your cadence and power output, and allow you to perform advanced techniques like standing climbs.
Why You Should Use Indoor Cycling Shoes For Your Cycling Classes
There are several differences between indoor and outdoor cycling shoes.
Below, we will explain the differences and why indoor cycling shoes is superior for your indoor cycling classes.
Pedal Comfort
Pedal comfort is a crucial aspect of indoor cycling, as it can have a major impact on the overall experience.
To start, the pedals located on most indoor bikes are designed to accommodate riders using toe cages or SPD spin shoes, which feature a flat design.
The key benefit of this flat design is the hard, smooth bottom it provides through an indoor cycling shoe’s firm sole.
While outdoor cycling shoes usually feature a semi-flexible sole, this increased stiffness in an indoor shoe provides much more comfort to riders than those without a stiff sole.
Better Riding Form
Having the right form when cycling is essential to prevent injuries and maximize performance.
Indoor cycling shoes were engineered to offer more benefits than just performance gains; they offer the rider better riding form too!
The support, comfort, and structure of an indoor cycling shoe all contribute to better riding form.
First and foremost, this improved form reduces injuries over long rides as the body is in a stable, comfortable, and supported position.
A snug fit another great benefit of an indoor cycling shoe allows for proper positioning of the foot and ankle, which when combined with a rigid sole ensures stability throughout the pedal stroke.
The advantage became even clearer when focusing on knee health since it is part of a kinetic chain.
Better body positioning significantly decreases the risks of knee damage over long rides.
Pedal Power
Indoor cycling shoes are designed to provide the rider with the opportunity to accurately transfer their energy directly into their pedal stroke.
With these specialized shoes, you can do a 360-degree pedal stroke through the ability to push and pull as they move up and down on the pedals.
This enables cyclists to engage more muscles than a traditional shoe would, providing a fuller and more rounded experience.
This “push and pull” motion allows them to take advantage of the upward momentum provided by indoor cycling shoes which helps maximize their workout performance.
Without this upward pull, they won’t be able to get as much benefit from their exercise routine as one would if wearing clips attached to their bike pedals.
Investing in an interior cycling shoe is an essential part of maximizing one’s power output for any cyclist looking for improved results from their biking endeavors.
Tread
When it comes to indoor cycling, having the right tread is key.
A complete level of traction and cushioning on the sole can make or break your spin class experience.
Since trainer bike pedals are flat, indoor cycling shoes are engineered to provide strong grip and slip resistance for improved stability.
This adds more protection from potential injury if you’re transitioning quickly between pedals too quickly.
Sole
The sole of an indoor cycling shoe can make a big difference when you’re riding.
Generally, the sole of an indoor cycling shoe is more rigid than one made for outdoor use.
Materials that make up an indoor cycling shoe’s sole determine its level of flexibility and overall cost.
Plastic soles are found to be the most affordable as well as the most flexible option while a higher-end choice is carbon fiber soles, which provide the stiffest sole but also come at a greater expense.
In terms of performance, depending on your budget and desired level of rigidity, you will have several different choices available when choosing your sole.
Fiberglass is in between plastic and carbon fiber in terms of both cost and flexibility, making it another reasonable option for riders looking for something more affordable yet slightly less flexible than carbon fiber.
Weight
Compared to outdoor road biking shoes, indoor cycling shoes are typically a little bit lighter, weighing in at around 400 grams.
This is due to the types of materials that indoor cycling shoes often use for their construction.
Often, carbon fiber soles are used in order to give the shoes additional strength and lightness.
Additionally, indoor cycling shoes have cleat systems that are designed specifically for stationary bikes so they don’t add unnecessary weight that comes with pedals used on mountain bikes or regular outdoor bicycles.
The lighter weight of these specialized indoor cycling shoes helps make them more efficient while riding an exercise bike or spinning class as every ounce matters when it comes to energy output and pedaling performance.
Although slightly heavier than your everyday running shoe, you can enjoy the benefits of state-of-the-art lightweight technology with indoor cycling options such as reinforced toe boxes and heat moldable construction without sacrificing any performance gains.
Breathability
Indoor shoes are designed with great breathability to keep the feet cool during a ride, as compared to outdoor shoes which often trade breathability for water resistance.
Indoor shoes usually feature mesh panels located throughout the shoe’s design for proper ventilation, allowing your feet to stay cool and comfortable despite the intense workout of cycling.
Outdoor shoes provide some breathability but their primary purpose is more concerned with keeping the rider’s foot dry from the elements such as rain, wind, and mud, rather than optimal cooling like what is found in indoor cycling shoes.
Many outdoor cyclists choose to wear thicker socks for insulation and protection of their feet against outside elements.
This also allows less airflow and can make riders exceptionally hot which defeats one of the main purposes of good breathability: comfort.
Is There A Significant Impact On Bike Trainer Outcomes When Using Cycling Shoes?
Cycling shoes are designed to offer enhanced stability and power when pedaling, which can make a huge difference in bike trainer results.
They provide more support for your feet while allowing you to get the most out of each pedal stroke.
As such, they can help improve overall performance on a bike trainer.
The main benefit offered by cycling shoes is that it increases your efficiency while pedaling.
By having stiffer soles than regular running or walking shoes, they allow you to transfer more energy from your legs into the pedals.
This means that you will be able to expend less effort with every revolution of the crank arms, resulting in better times and faster speeds during training sessions.
Using clip-in shoes helps you grip firmly onto trainers’ flat platforms; this improves strength output as well as responsiveness when accelerating quickly or standing up on hills.
When you connected your indoor bike to Zwift, you will want to ensure you stay motivated and always top the leaderboard, won’t you?
Can I Use Regular Sports Shoes To Ride An Indoor Trainer?
Riding an indoor trainer or exercise bike with a regular sports shoe can be done, but it’s not ideal.
The long tail of the cleat built into cycling shoes helps to secure your foot and provide better power transfer from your legs to the pedals.
Regular shoes don’t have this feature, so you may find pedaling more difficult than if you were wearing specialized cycle shoes.
It might even make the ride uncomfortable if you’re trying to move quickly or go on a long journey.
Using regular shoes also means that there is less grip between your feet and the pedals, which could cause slippage while pedaling.
This could lead to potential injuries such as knee pain due to incorrect alignment during movement.
Things To Consider When Buying A Pair Of Indoor Cycling Shoes
Before you purchase a pair of indoor cycling shoes, it’s important to remember that these shoes are not designed for outdoor use.
Though they may be able to take some wear and tear outdoors, their primary purpose is for use in the controlled environment of an indoor bike trainer.
Before deciding to purchase an indoor cycling shoe, it is important to consider what type of pedal system they will be used on.
Most gym settings use SPD clips, and it’s necessary to confirm that the shoes bought don’t include a different style of the cleat.
The Venzo Men’s Indoor Cycling Shoes for Peloton is a great choice for diverse activities such as road riding commuting, touring, and spin class.
The superior versatility of the Venzo Indoor Cycling Shoes allows one to have a great fit no matter what their pedal type may be.
The lightweight upper isn’t overly stiff at high torques and remains breathable allowing your feet to remain comfortable throughout your training session.
An extended sole is made from a hard rubber composite that offers great grip and power transfer while preventing unwanted slip or slippage when cycling heavily at intense speeds.
Tommaso Pista Women’s Indoor Cycling Shoe is a good choice for female indoor cyclists.
Tommaso Pista was designed with one goal in mind: to provide the best performance and value for indoor cycling class riders at an unbeatable price.
No matter the pedal system your class uses, the Pista is compatible with both cleats, making it a great choice.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, indoor cycling shoes can be used outdoors with some modifications.
When deciding to make this transition, it’s important to consider the cost and safety of doing so.
Indoor cycling shoes are typically cheaper than traditional outdoor cycling shoes, but they may not offer the same level of protection as those specifically designed for outdoor use.
I recommend replacing your indoor cycling shoes every six months or so in order to ensure their durability and effectiveness when used outdoors.
Additionally, you should look into purchasing a pair that is specifically designed for outdoor riding if possible.
With these considerations in mind, you’re sure to get the most out of your investment while also ensuring your own safety on the road.
