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A spin class offers a plethora of benefits when it comes to your fitness and your cycling performance. You get energetic instructors, solid workouts and playlists, and a chance to ride in comfort when the freezing temps of winter hit. But no matter why you turn to your spin bike class, you want to squeeze every watt out of your ride with distraction-free, indoor-specific gear.
“Wearing the right clothing for class is so, so important,” says Garner Pilat, former spin instructor and performance coach for the fitness app, Future. “If you’re having to hike up your bottoms throughout a ride or don’t feel stable in your shoes, you’ll be more worried about those little annoyances than the workout itself. You want to feel comfortable and confident in your skin before you even break a sweat, and the right picks and materials will help you focus on what’s really important: the workout and having fun.”
The Stuff You Need
While feeling good in your clothing is key for a positive spin-class workout, what’s even more important are the shoes that connect you with the bike. Once you have all that figured out, it’s the little things—the accessories—that put the final touch on your experience. Here’s what to look for:
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Apparel
When things heat up in the saddle, the materials you are wearing become even more important. It’s one thing to wear athleisure to and from the studio, but cotton fabric in particular holds water, making it harder for you to regulate your temperature during class. Instead, look for items that are made up of a mix of spandex, nylon, and polyester.
While you may lean into a fully padded cycling short for comfort during outdoor miles, your personal preference might change for studio classes. Oftentimes, instructors will have the class standing just as much as sitting, so your bottom will be less sore. While both options (chamois vs. non-padded) work inside, studios will often have cushioned saddles or seat covers for riders looking for a little extra comfort without having to don a chamois. And you won’t have to think twice about running a few post-workout errands in your gear.
Shoes
Since your shoes are a key point of contact with the bike, they’re also one of the most important pieces of gear. You want a pair that has a stiff sole (so you can transfer all your power into the pedals), room for your toes, secure closures, and a cleat that won’t tweak your natural alignment—bonus points for something you can actually walk around the studio in without slipping and falling.
Accessories
Little extras, like the perfect tote or towel, make a big difference to keep you comfortable during—or on your way to and from—a spin class.
How We Selected What to Wear to Spin Class
Every piece of apparel and gear on this list has been hand-picked by our test editors (including one who is a spin instructor), based on our own experience riding in studio and indoor settings. To confirm and support our findings, we research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and designers, and use our own experience using this gear to determine the best options. Not all the products are tested, but the ones we do have experience with we’ve spent many hours using during indoor workouts. The stuff we didn’t use, we chose based on our experience with similar products and technology. Taking into consideration performance, value, comfort, quality, and aesthetics, we came up with this list of the best gear for spin class and divided the products into three categories—apparel, shoes, and accessories—to make your search even easier.
Spin Class Apparel
Velocio Luxe Leggings
These provide almost all the comfort of premium bib tights while letting you skip the chamois for an indoor class. The lightly compressive tights are made from the material Velocio designed for its Luxe bib line, a 38-percent-Lycra compression fabric offering exceptional muscle support and a soft, comfortable fit. The tights feature subtle stitching along the leg and laser-cut hems at the ankle for a lightweight, barely there feel against your skin. They do run a bit small, so we suggest ordering one size bigger than the sizing guide dictates when purchasing.
Rapha Indoor Training T-Shirt
Made with a gradient knit structure, this breezy top is a breathable option for hot indoor training sessions. The fabric wicks moisture away from your skin, keeping you drier and more comfortable as you ride. The shirt strikes a great balance between flowy and fitted; it stays out of the way and doesn’t bunch up, is loose enough to allow some airflow, and is longer in the back for extra coverage. Also available in a women’s version.
Lululemon Men’s T.H.E. Short with Nulux Liner
If padded shorts aren’t your thing but you’d still appreciate a little support, the T.H.E. Shorts offer a full, compressive liner beneath a light, loose shell. A drawstring at the waist lets you adjust fit, a discreet hip pocket is big enough for small items you want to keep close to your body, and there’s a phone pocket on the outer left leg of the compression layer. The low-profile, sweat-wicking fabric cuts down on bulk while allowing you to focus on your intervals. Flat-stitched seams are smooth against your skin, and super-wicking inner-thigh patches keep you dry to avoid chafing.
Pearl Izumi Women’s Wander Crop Bike Tights
The gentle compression and sweat-wicking properties of these unpadded tights outlasts the workout—they won’t get soggy or saggy halfway through class. They have deep, triangle-shaped pockets on either side along your quads, as well as a rear waistband pocket for smaller items. The wide waistband is flattering and comfortable, and while the tights (particularly the fabric itself) feel a bit stiff when you’re slipping them on, they fit comfortably snug and stay put without restricting the range of motion you need for spin class.
Louis Garneau Men’s Optimum 2 Short
Louis Garneau Optimum 2 Short - Men's
Louis Garneau Optimum 2 Short - Men's
These padded shorts offer the comfort of a chamois pad without the added bulk of bib straps. Grippy thigh bands at the hem keep the shorts in place, and the light, breathable fabric is ideal for a steamy indoor workout. The Optimums are a great value option if you’re curious about riding in padded shorts and need an intro piece.
Pearl Izumi Attack Short
The Attack Shorts are buttery soft and super stretchy and have a moisture-wicking chamois, making them a great option if you’re interested in padded spin shorts. The wide waistband sits comfortably at your waist, but doesn’t squeeze hard enough to give you a muffin top, so you can confidently ditch your sweaty top when the instructor turns up the intensity. The 8-inch inseam protects your legs from chafing on the saddle, but is short enough to still be flattering.
Athleta Ultimate Stash Pocket 9” Short
The Ultimate Stash Pocket shorts are high-waisted and made of Athleta’s high-tech compressive, wicking material that will keep you comfortable and dry through the whole workout. The SuperSonic material is made from recycled nylon but maintains a flexible, nonrestrictive quality that still offers support. The 9-inch inseam also hits a little lower on the thigh and helps to eliminate chafing between your legs and the saddle, but note: These shorts are unpadded. The side pockets are ideal for carrying small items or your phone.
Spin Class Shoes
Tiem Slipstream Indoor Bike Shoes
Tucked into the sole of these seemingly normal running shoes is an attachment point that allows you to screw in the Shimano SPD cleats (not included—get yours here) that most spin bike pedals are compatible with. The mesh upper is breathable, and the single-strap hook-and-loop closure ensures a snug fit and eliminates any issues with laces getting caught in the bike. Tiem recommends choosing a half size down from your normal athletic shoe size for a secure, optimal fit.
Tommaso Roma Men’s Cycling Shoes
Similar to the Tiem option, these clip-in shoes also function as regular walking shoes, but for half the price. Great for walking around the studio before and after class, these shoes have a recessed cleat attachment point to keep the metal out of your way. The soles are durable and comfortable, ready to take on a commute or outdoor ride as well. The lace-up system allows for a customizable fit, and the Velcro strap across the top helps snug the shoe to your heel for maximum power transfer during class.
Shimano IC5 Women’s Indoor Cycling Shoes
Shimano IC5 Indoor Cycling Shoes
These indoor-specific cycling shoes are compatible with Shimano SPD-style cleats and pedals (not included). The soles are rubberized with a recessed nook for the cleat to attach, so you can walk around easily. The upper is made of a breathable, lightweight mesh and secures to your foot with a BOA dial. A reinforced plate in the sole allows for efficient power transfer and comfortable pedaling.
Nike SuperRep Cycle
nike Nike SuperRep Cycle Women's Indoor Cycling Shoes
Indoor cycling classes often demand riders to move laterally in ways they wouldn’t on the road or trail. At those times, the SuperRep Cycles provides the most support, thanks to the nontraditional placement of the hook-and-loop closure. And the modest stretch in the upper allows for a bit of lateral movement, the type that could cause you to unclip in a shoe. The wire mesh cutouts in the sole also offer a noticeable cooling breeze through the toe, and they feel like running shoes—snug but not constricting—with a sole that’s stiff enough to prevent your feet from cramping. Also available in men’s.
Spin Class Accessories
Asics Illusion Headband
This two-inch-wide headband is made with seamless construction and comes in a range of fun, bright colors. Thanks to silicone gripper lines on the inside, it will stay in place while wicking sweat off your forehead. The headband is made of stretchy nylon and Spandex, and is machine washable too.
S’well Stainless Steel Water Bottle
S'well S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The S’well bottle’s triple-walled construction will keep your water icy cold for 24 hours, or your pre-workout coffee hot for 12—so you can actually prep it the night before your early morning workout. The bottles are made of BPA-free stainless steel that is difficult to dent, and the multi-wall construction keeps the exterior wall condensation free, so it won’t slip out of your hands when you reach down for a sip mid-class.
The North Face Base Camp Duffle
The North Face The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Small
The North Face The North Face Base Camp Duffel - Small
Stuff this trendy duffel with everything you need for your workout and beyond. The bag is made of recycled materials and has a water-resistant finish so it protects your gear from any spills or weather. The main zipper compartment can hold your clothing, snacks, water bottle, and whatever else you need to tote around, while a mesh pocket on the flap can hold your wallet or other small belongings. The duffel also has detachable and adjustable shoulder straps if you prefer to carry it like a backpack.
Swiftwick Aspire Zero Sock
These low-profile, high-compression socks will keep your feet comfy and happy through the entire workout, even if you’re in borrowed studio shoes. They’re made with nylon, Olefin (their proprietary moisture-moving fiber), and a little bit of Spandex for a super sweat-wicking, supportive experience that hugs your feet to help reduce fatigue. The socks have airflow channels on the upper and a mesh bottom for maximum cooling, and are made in the U.S.A.
Mission Original Cooling Towel
If you purchase only one accessory from this list, let it be this one. When your sweat is dripping off your face and arms with nowhere to go but all over the bike and floor, a sweat towel is your saving grace. This one from Mission in particular will also cool you down to help you regulate your body temperature in a hot, sweaty class.
Emily Abbate is a freelance writer, certified fitness trainer, and host of the podcast Hurdle. You can find her work in GQ, Shape, Runner’s World, and other health and fitness publications.
