These Cycling Shoes Feature a Unique Design That Makes Walking Around Way Easier

I'm just going to get this off my chest now—I don't like spin class. That may be a point of contention for any indoor cycling devotees, but I would much prefer to take a barre or strength class any day of the week.

There are a number of things I don't like about spin, but it's mostly the fact that I have to wash my hair afterward. In addition to that (important) factor, I hate that the minute you put on the requisite clip-in shoes, you have to hobble around the studio in the manner of someone who has just broken a pinky toe. We're already exiting the studio dripping in sweat, so why must we add insult to injury by having to awkwardly limp out? (

Not to sound *too* dramatic, but when I got a pair of TIEM Slipstream Indoor Cycling Spin Shoes (Buy It, $130, amazon.com), everything changed. The Slipstream is a cycling shoe that looks and feels like your favorite pair of sneakers, thanks to the breathable mesh toe box, which is unlike the hard, inflexible structure of a typical cycling shoe. The whole shoe is designed for comfort, slipping on and off super easily and buckling with a single-strap, velcro closure system—which comes in handy when I'm dashing into class right as it starts, trying to get my shoes on while adjusting my bike.

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The feature that makes this cycling shoe a total game-changer, though, is the recessed SPD cleat assembly. That means the part where you clip into your bike's pedals isn't sticking out of the shoe, allowing you to walk around as if you were wearing any other sneaker. The entire design of the shoe is such that you (or anyone else) wouldn't even notice it was a spin shoe unless it was flipped over.

Not only is this shoe functional, but it also happens to be one of the best looking gym shoes I've seen, cycling or otherwise. It comes in a range of colors, including black floral, merlot, and classic black, white, and navy. It's also worth noting that you'll want to size down half a size from your regular shoe size to ensure a cozy fit on the bike. And, as with most spin shoes, you will need to buy SPD cleats separately. (

These indoor cycling shoes will definitely elevate your gym look—and now that I think about it, I'm not sure if I've actually started to like spin class or if I'm just more motivated to go, thanks to the stylish TIEM Slipstreams.