Favorite Spin Shoe Brands

[Miranda]

Hey Irulan ...

No, the "spin shoe" is really not a special type of shoe. I would say though there are some special things I would like the shoe to have, or do not need the shoe to have, versus a mtb shoe for outside trail use, or distance road riding...

Part of my ploy personally is that I was mixing up my outside pedal systems. Currently all spd mtb. My final plan is to have Look Keos on the road bike, eggbeaters on the mtb, and the spin bikes *mainly* use spd (very few have older style Look Delta pedals IF you are lucky enough to get your bike first).

With being certified to teach, I'm at the gym enough that having a dedicated pair of class shoes is worth not dealing with the cleat switch hassle, placement hassle of how things fit my outside bikes etc.

Using just my one pair of mtb shoe now isn't the best with doing more trail riding...
1) I come in wearing trail briars and dirt that indoor folks don't like (regardless of trying to clean up afterwards outside)
2) having ties and straps both for security inside is a waste of my energy to hook up because my feet are not working that hard
3) NOT having more strap security outside has proven hazardous in crashing
4) I used my mtb shoes w/my road bike when I only owned one pair... yikes, major numbness with the flexible mtb sole
5) I'd pay more $ for a rugged higher quality material on a trail shoe vs a spin shoe it's not needed... example: Specialized Rita's have a pretty stiff sole, but the upper fuzzy fabric would be trash in one ride, and not enough protection for my feet from rocks etc. (still nursing toe nail bed injuries for the next 6mos from my current pair softer Diadoras)... so a pretty good mtb spin shoe if they had fit me *drats*
6) thought about using cheap road shoes inside, but some walking during class is required for teaching, the recessed mtb cleat doesn't tear up the floor etc.

So I guess IMO a "spin shoe" just needs to be a less rugged mtb shoe. It could get away with being more mesh/vented etc. for the inside heat. Couple straps. Medium grade stiff sole, to low end (enough sole for an hour). Takes spd cleats. Umm, that's about it.

Oh, and actually fit my feet right. I've figured out all my shoes are too tight for my square toe box foot shape. Thus part of my cause of my neuroma, bleah. The Sidi Vigos were a nice shoe when I ordered them. The podiatrist put the whammy on Sidis for my neuroma... too pointed toes. So, I'm still shoe shopping.

[Irulan]

I can definitely see having a dedicated pair of shoes if you mix up pedal systems.

Everything I do is SPD so it's a non issue for me.

Thanks for explaining- I was having visions of indoor spinner folks running out to buy "special indoor" spinning shoes.

[greycoral]

The shoes I've seen advertised as "spin shoes" look more like tennis shoes, but have cleats on the bottom. They're usually mesh or well ventilated since it's hot inside. Not worth the money, in my opinion, they're still around $80 or so. Find a pair that is well ventilated that you can use both inside and outside the gym, that's what I did.

TE's site even has a couple models: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLK_IO3W.html and http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSN_WF21.html

[Miranda]

http://www.backcountry.com/store/SID...oe-Womens.html

OK, I don't know if the above link will work or not. This product is not on the main Sidi website to the date of this post. I found this on Backcountry. The Vigo is the indoor shoe deemed by Sidi. As we've discussed in this thread. This link is the new 2009 shoe I assume. White... for the trendy diva... and hold onto your pedal pups.... women's specific!

Well, I can't wear it regardless. Whaaaaa ...

But just thought I would add it in for those of you that can.