Touring - cycling sandals

We are going on a bike tour this summer in Canada. I want to buy a pair of cycling sandals for more comfort while riding. I am looking at Shimano and the Lake. Does anyone know which is more comfortable, better, etc.?

I bought the Lake sandals but I've only used them 3 times and not on any long rides yet so I don't have much to tell you. I bought them because they were so much cheaper and I'm kind of cheap (or frugal we like to say).

They have been surprisingly comfortable for me on the 20 mile rides I've done so far and one thing I noticed on them that I think is different than the Shimano ones is the front area kind of curls up in front of your toes to protect them from getting hit. I think this is a good thing, but I don't really know. I kind of like having it there.

All the people I've talked to that have the Shimano sandals really like them so if you don't mind paying more, you can go that route.

Had the shimano ones for a few years and they are great for hot weather. Go for it!

Hi.

Mark Boyd and I worked together on an article called "Enjoying the warm rain splashing up on your feet while touring in sandals". This article discusses Shimano, Lake and Exustar sandals.

http://www.bicycletouring101.com/RidingInSandals.htm

I use Shimano sandals myself. I just purchased a second pair to put away for the day when my first pair wears out that's how much I like them. Combine them with a set of Goretex socks and you have very versatile footwear that handle lots of different weather conditions from sun to rain to snow (some icebikers wear sandals in the winter with appropriate layering).

One awesome feature of riding in warm weather in sandals is the great feeling of riding in the rain with warm water splashing up on your feet as you ride. Very, very nice!

~Jamie N

We are going on a bike tour this summer in Canada. I want to buy a pair of cycling sandals for more comfort while riding. I am looking at Shimano and the Lake. Does anyone know which is more comfortable, better, etc.?

Well, I haven't tried Lake, but I do own a pair of Shimano's and I really like them a lot. I think they are great for warm, wet weather traveling. I used them almost 100% of the time while touring through Central America.

Good Luck!

Dave

I have Shimano and Exustar. Both are comfortable.

Bottom line, if you have sandals, it's a good scene.

Koffee

I've used the Shimano on my tours with good results when they are not combined with socks. I have a couple of pairs of socks that frayed from rubbing the ankle straps from just a day of riding. However, this may be a phenomenon with recumbents due to the high bottom bracket position.

It may be. I never wear my Shimanos without socks, and I have had NO frayed socks whatsoever.

Maybe it's like you said- a 'bent problem...

Koffee

Are they much harder to unlock from the pedals than regular tight shoes?

Not in my opinion. It feels about the same.

Koffee

All these replys are right on the money I have had two pairs of Shimano sandals. I dont use them in winter because my toes get too cold but summer cycling is where they are best. The best feeling that other forgot to mention is to loosen off the front strap while riding and feel that sweet wind underneath your feet it was something that blew me away the first time I did it. Cheers Guru out. :D

I wore my sandals throughout the entire Chicago winter. The key to it is layering, plus using a neoprene shoe cover over all that. My feet never felt better...

Koffee

I have the Lakes and the Shimanos. I wore my lakes for 2 seasons, March to December and loved them. They were starting to get a bit 'ripe' and the sole was very worn so I replaced them with the Shimanos this year. I loved the Lakes but I adore the Shimanos! The Lakes are bulky and heavy compared to the Shimanos. This may not present a problem for you depending on the size of your foot. I wear a 10 - 11 womens shoe and the Lakes looked like I had skis attached to my feet. The Shimanos are much more streamlined and lighter. The lakes seem to run about 1 size big so keep that in mind when ordering.

Both are the same for ease of use in clipping and un-clipping and I don't notice any difference in the quality of the materials between them. Either is a great sandal and your feet will thank you for which ever you choose. Have a safe journey!

I've done all my touring with Lake Sandals. I use them to commute most of the summer. I like the higher lip of the Lake because they protect my toes while off the bike. I always wear socks when using them. I wear Teva's when off the bike. I do that to prevent abuse to the cleats. I don't have any experience with Shimanos. I just got back from a three week tour around Lake Superior and had no trouble with the Lakes. Nothing against the Shimanos.

My only experience is with the Shimanos. They are among a very few material possessions of mine that I really, really love.

My only experience is with the Shimanos. They are among a very few material possessions of mine that I really, really love.

Ditto on the love stuff. :)

Koffee

Thanks for all the input. I did purchase the Shimano sandals for a tour we took in Quebec. They are the most wonderful things! I had HAPPY FEET for the whole week on my bike! :)

I had to laugh... the Steve Martin "Happy Feet" skit he did on Saturday Night Live was the first thing that came to mind when I read that. But yes... I can see how yo'd have happy feet. I have happy feet too! :)

Koffee

If you think the warm rain feels good between your toes, you should try the new golfing sandals . The cold wet grass feels wonderfull as you walk along looking for your ball.. hee hee

I have both kinds of sandals and I love them..I have Shimano for my bike riding and LoveJoy for my golfing.
BC


something else that is kind of neat...the funny tan you get on your feet. oh well.....

If yu really want to feel the water between your toes, try some wading sandals for fly fishing.

I have the Lake, and will know how good they are when I take off tommorow on my tour. They are heavy, and seem more like a MTB thing than an onroad touring thing.

Are they much harder to unlock from the pedals than regular tight shoes?

I just got a pair today and noticed they use a multi-release cleat (part SM-SH55). The manual with my pedals describes that they can be released by twisting in any directon, instead of the usual single-release outward.

This from the manual:


Because the cleats can also be released by lifting your heel, they may become accidently released when applying upward force on the pedals.
These cleats should not be used for a riding style which may involve pulling up on the pedals or for activities such as jumping, in which pulling forces are applied to the pedals causing possible release from the pedals.

Makes sense I guess since you've only got two straps holding your foot down.

Saw this on Shimano's website regarding the SH55 cleats: (http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cycle/products/component.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441770794&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302035978&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181202&bmUID=1126254559700) : "SM-SH55 for multi-directional release except PD-M959/M540/M520".

Looks like single release only when using the pedals above.

I just got a pair today and noticed they use a multi-release cleat (part SM-SH55). The manual with my pedals describes that they can be released by twisting in any directon, instead of the usual single-release outward.


I've started wearing them for short spins around the block as I get used to clipless. (With eggbeaters) They can take a couple attempts to get out of the pedals sometimes if I don't use a firm enough twist, but it's not too bad.

pgs, welcome to the club! I've got around 8,000 miles on my Lakes and still love them! I wear them all summer without socks and get funny tan lines (it's nice not having to deal with wet socks for the commute home). I also wear them wintertime, just loosen up the straps add wool sock layers and a neoprine cover over the top.

My Lakes have Shimano soles. I've even talked a few roadies on my weekly group ride into giving them a shot :D Happy Feet :D

FYI everyone, the Shimanos are sixty and the Lakes are forty-five (!) at Nashbar.


I toured in the Lakes, still wear them sometimes. I'm going to get the Shimanos this time around. Wahoo....

Take it from me, all I wear is the Shimano. I have heard horror stories about the lake ones and there over sized lip to quicker break downs. There is a new super cheep one on the market I am going to try for the hell of it just because I beat the crap out of my stuff and it's a cheeper replacement. But I agree I would hate riding most of the time if I didn't have my Shimano sandals on. I also found this weird tid bit of info. Iowa is the largest consumer of biking sandals in the world. Crazy huh.........


Peace,

Coco

Well, I have to add my two cents worth. Reading this forum is costing me a fortune, but biking just gets better and better. I received my Shimano sandals a few days ago (on sale at Performance) and they are WONDERFUL. I especially like the fact that I can adjust the straps infinitely.

Yay Doug!

Now you can get some cheap backup sandals at pricepoint.com for 30 bucks. Then you'll be set with sandals for at least the next 2- 3 years.

:)

Koffee

I use ordinary flat pedals and good leather sandals most days on my way to work etc. If the weather is good sandals are the business.

Sometimes, I even use thick soled flip-flops. I don't have any problem with feeling the pedals through the soles, but I would recommend flip-flops with a big-toe strap as this resticts your foot from moving too far forward on the flip-flop. (this is not a problem with 3 strap leather sandals.).

I have used Shimano sandals, but they don't cope with the heat here (Thailand) very well. For the price (at 1/9th of my salary) they degrade too quickly and fall apart. So they are not worth it.

-- Pat