Are Peloton Shoes True to Size? (Tips & Alternatives)


Do Peloton Shoes Run Small

Because everyone’s feet are different, finding suitable footwear can be tricky. That goes for footwear meant for formal events, everyday activities, or exercising. When you buy shoes, you expect them to be true to size, but sometimes this isn’t the case. Any shoe could fit snugly, feel too small or tight, or be bigger than expected, even if you think you have chosen the correct size based on what you already have at home. This comes down to the various designs and materials used by each individual brand. So, is Peloton one of the companies that provides shoes that will fit true to size?

Peloton shoes do typically run true to size. However, people with very wide feet tend to suffer the most when it comes to Peloton shoes running small. These customers could size up, but it’s important to properly measure the foot and follow the size chart, as an ill-fitting pair will impact performance levels. Luckily, Peloton shoes come in half sizes.

Let’s take a look at whether Peloton shoes run true to size, how to measure your foot size, and whether you should size up or down. Ready to dig in?

Do Peloton Shoes Run True to Size?

The ideal fit of a Peloton shoe should be one where the foot feels snug, without any tightness. Some breathing space is essential for the feet as well because they would otherwise rapidly overheat and become sweaty. If this happens regularly, it can lead to fungal infection outbreaks on your feet and toenails.

Image Credit: onepeloton.com

Most customers are happy with their Peloton shoe purchases, but for those who can’t find the ideal fitting shoes, they can buy Peloton compatible shoes rather than Peloton branded shoes. If you choose this option, then it is vital to ensure that the Peloton compatible shoes can accommodate the Peloton toe clips.

The general consensus regarding Peloton shoes is that they keep their shape well and look new for longer compared to other cycling footwear. They also are not known for loosening too much as they get used over time. The velcro straps and the ratchet clip are great additions when it comes to adjusting the tightness of the shoe, and this does help secure the shoe to the foot if it is a bit on the larger side. The straps also help keep the tongue in position and prevent it from slipping, which is a common problem with other Peloton compatible shoes.

Peloton Shoes Size Chart

Image Credit: leahingram.com

Proper fitting cycling shoes such as Peloton shoes are vitally important. Poorly fitting shoes can cause blisters and cuts, especially if worn while doing something active. A shoe that fits correctly should mold snugly onto the foot, much like a tennis shoe or a running sneaker. There should also be plenty of wriggle room for your toes, but not so much that the shoe continuously moves around.

Peloton has made sizes 4 through 12 for females, and 7 through 13.5 for males. They do offer half sizes throughout the ranges for both men and women. Many customers find these half sizes a godsend! In fact, they can often be the difference between a customer making a Peloton shoe purchase and searching for a Peloton compatible brand instead.

As for children, there are unfortunately no appropriate shoe sizes available. This may be confusing considering Peloton does offer family classes. However, within these classes, there is actually an emphasis on floor exercises and workouts that the whole family can enjoy. Bikes and treadmills are only used in classes designed for adults.

Peloton exercises are not recommended for very young children, and this age group is naturally highly active on their own anyway because they have large amounts of energy to burn. However, young teens could do some light bike exercises, and they may be able to find shoe sizes that would fit them and enable them to do short cycling sessions.

How to Measure Your Foot Size

Getting the correct foot measurements is vital, especially if you choose to buy footwear online instead of in-store, where the staff can take foot measurements. Buying shoes without having an accurate idea of your foot size will only result in buying and returning them continuously until you get things right. So here are some tips for measuring your own feet accurately to prevent this from happening!

  1. Get a large piece of tracing paper long and wide enough to accommodate your entire foot. It could be a little awkward to get an accurate tracing yourself, so if you have trouble bending down, then you could get someone else to help and do the drawing around the foot for you. If they get down low, they should be able to get an accurate tracing.
  2. Calculate the length of the foot by measuring the distance from the big toe to the back of the heel.
  3. Measure the width of your foot, as well.
  4. Compare the sizes of footwear available with your own foot measurements. This can help you find the shoe that will provide you with the best fit, not only in foot size but also in foot width.

Foot size charts can also be informative when it comes to discovering whether you have a narrow foot shape or a wide foot. Peloton shoes and other cycling footwear cater for both foot shapes. After you have followed the steps listed above, you will have a much easier time purchasing a shoe that is highly likely to fit and be comfortable with no need for any returns. Getting the length of the fit right, only to discover that a shoe is too narrow, is a common mistake, and this method should eradicate this problem.

How Should Peloton Shoes Fit?

A Peloton shoe is worn during vigorous exercise, and while you can get away without a perfect-fitting formal shoe that may be worn only for special occasions, the same does not apply to Peloton shoes. In fact, poorly fitting Peloton shoes can be a disaster for your feet, and this also applies to any other athletic footwear you exercise in.

While formal shoes may rub against your ankle bone or squash your toes, any injuries that might occur will form gradually. If a Peloton shoe is not the right size, the effects of the ill-fitting shoes can be experienced far quicker because of the intense activity they are put through.

The ideal fit of a Peloton shoe should give the sensation that your foot is being well supported, and there shouldn’t be any pressure points building on any part of the foot. Of course, your feet should feel cushioned and snug, but a perfectly fitting Peloton shoe should also allow for plenty of room for the toes to be able to move around.

The heel of the foot should also feel like it is being cradled without any painful pressure building up in the foot arch or the heel itself. Furthermore, the ankle should not be surrounded by padding, allowing for free movement here as you power down on the pedals.

Image Credit: tomsguide.com

 

Should You Go Up or Down a Size with Peloton Shoes?

If you take the plunge and buy a pair of Peloton shoes only to discover that they do not fit how they should, or the size is just slightly out from being a perfect fit, then there are certain things you should consider that will help you get it right the next time around. The fact that there are half sizes makes altering slight misjudgments that much simpler.

Downsizing and upsizing also depend on personal experience, as there are a few who think that Peloton shoes run small, while others have an entirely different experience with the same product and think Peloton shoes run true to size.

If you wear half-size shoes, then it is best to size up when you buy your Peloton shoes as you have a greater chance of getting a snug fit than if you had sized down. Downsizing could result in a shoe that feels overly tight, even before the Velcro straps and the ratchet strap have been applied.

There should be enough room to move and spread your toes rather than no room for maneuver at all. Having your feet too tightly packed into a shoe can create blisters and pressure sores that could eventually turn into open wounds.

If, on the other hand, your foot has too much space and feels like it is going to break free from the shoe, or you feel the shoe moving around even after being secured with the clips and straps, then sizing down is the obvious route to take.

Tips for Finding Comfortable Cycling Shoes

When searching for comfortable cycling shoes, it is always helpful to do some research first, rather than making a quick purchase. Reading customer reviews of certain cycling shoes can paint a picture of the overall quality of a product and the satisfaction levels of those who have already tested the shoes out.

Getting the correct shoe for the size and shape of your foot is also vital. This can help you avoid tightness and the development of pressure points, blisters, cuts, and friction sores. Narrow shoes can be incredibly uncomfortable, as they can squeeze the foot too tightly and affect circulation to the toes.

On the other hand, loose shoes can be a hazard. There can be a risk of them falling off, even when they are clipped onto the pedals. This may lead to injuries that can put you out of action until you heal. So accurate sizing and shoe style are vital to a successful and comfortable cycling shoe purchase.

You can cycle in any shoes if you wish, but they need to be able to be clipped securely into the pedals for ultimate comfort. The problem with a standard gym or training shoe is that they have too much ankle support, and the sole and heel are way too bendy for spin bike workouts. Because of this, comfort, as well as performance, can be compromised.

For the ultimate cycling shoe comfort, you should side with shoes that have rigid soles that allow you to comfortably apply the maximum pressure upwards and downwards on the pedals without feeling any pain on the soles of your feet. Rigid-based cycling shoes keep their shape no matter how intense the spin class you take turns out to be, and the support they offer means that your feet remain flat and do not bend.

Can I Wear Other Shoes When Riding a Peloton Bike?

The best shoes to wear when riding a Peloton bike are those that are compatible with the Delta Cleats. This means that you can wear other shoes to Peloton spin classes, and they do not have to be Peloton branded footwear as long as they accommodate the Delta Cleats.

The best way to check this is to flip the shoe and examine the heel. If there is a triangle of holes, you have purchased 3-bolt spinning shoes that can accommodate the Peloton Delta Cleats.

It is always best to choose Velcro straps and ratchet buckles instead of lace-up shoes for Peloton spin classes because there is no danger of the laces coming undone during a spin class and getting tangled within the frame of the pedals. It is also easier to quickly tighten and loosen the Velcro straps to get the best fit, too.

Women have narrower heels and smaller feet than men and therefore need shallower cycling shoes. This should all be taken into account when choosing alternative Peloton footwear.

Shoes such as the Giro Apeckx II Cycling Shoe are a great example of a shoe designed for both sexes, and it has the required build to make a suitable alternative to Peloton shoes. It is also a cheaper option and supports the Peloton Delta Cleats.

Image Credit: Outdoor Gear Lab

Another shoe that can be worn when completing a Peloton workout is the Cycling Deal Universal Cleat Cycling Shoes. These are also suitable for both 2-bolt and 3-bolt requiring pedal systems.

Image Credit: Amazon

There is some flexibility in the choice of shoes that can be worn when looking for a Peloton cycling shoe substitute, and some suitable footwear is kinder to your wallet, as well.

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