Fifty Plus (50+) - What shoes do you wear?

OK. When I first started riding, my hands hurt. So I got some gloves, learned to let go of the "death grip" and change positions frequently. Now my hands don't hurt.

Got my saddle adjusted a bit the other day, and now I'm comfie down there, too.

Now my feet hurt. I think it's because I'm really flexible and after a couple of hours of pedaling, they just get too stretched out of shape. I have Wellgo Alloy/nylon ATB pedals, the kind with all the teeth to grip the soles of your shoes. Nothing fancy, like clipless.

So what kind of shoes should I wear? I tried wearing some athletic shoes, but almost fell when the laces got hooked on the pedal. :eek: But my slip-on casual shoes just don't give me enough support. Suggestions?

Try MTB bike shoes. They will give you a firm platform which is essential to foot comfort.

I switch back and forth between a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilators hiking shoes and New Balance 748 Country Walkers. Both very good quality shoes and great for hiking - probably the best shoes I've ever owned. Both have good ventilation and are fairly lightweight. The Merrell's sole is a bit stiffer. They have long'ish laces but I've never had any problems with those getting into my chain or pedal.

They both come in wide sizes, which I find more comfortable.

Maybe I need to swap out my regular tie laces for some elastic laces? I have a good pair of the newer, light hiking/walking shoes. But I am a klutz. Since I've been riding, my legs are all beaten up, bruised, and scratched like they were when I was an 8-year old tomboy! Feels rather liberating, actually.

You need a shoe with a fairly rigid sole for biking and Biking shoes are best. Of course then comes the Style- and colour and what Type of Clipless pedals to get to go with them but Go to a bike shop and check out the SPD shoes. They will at a later date allow you to fit clipless pedals if you wish but the MTB type SPD shoe work on bikes- allow you to walk- and do not cost too much.

You need a shoe with a fairly rigid sole for biking and Biking shoes are best. Of course then comes the Style- and colour and what Type of Clipless pedals to get to go with them but Go to a bike shop and check out the SPD shoes. They will at a later date allow you to fit clipless pedals if you wish but the MTB type SPD shoe work on bikes- allow you to walk- and do not cost too much.

+1

There are entry level MTB shoes with soles that are suited for walking. The first level up from base usually has some sort of velcro strap to control the laces and keep them out of the chain/crankset.

As Stapfam noted, the stiffness of the sole is important to a cyclist. All of the force of pedaling comes down through the ankle and is transfered to the ball of the foot at the expense of the Plantar tendons. Cycling specific shoes reinforce this area of the sole to assist the foot in getting this force across the foot without damage to the tendons. MTB shoes without cleats work fine on platform pedals and those specified as touring or sport shoes are even walkable. The latter is done because the rocker (curved area below the ball of the foot) is large and allows the heel to lift while walking even though the sole has very little flex.

Since your feet are so important to cycling and hurting feet can ruin a ride, I spend alittle money on my shoes and get something good. I am a great fan of Sidi's. Even brand new they feel comfortable. I've used both the road shoes (Genius) and the MTB (Dominator). Tried other shoes but always come back to Sidis.

Another vote for cycling shoes. If you don't want to ride clipless, then I'd still recommend the MTB-style shoes because 1)you don't need to install cleats and 2) you can walk in them and 3) they have stiffeners in the soles to distribute the forces from the pedal across a larger area of the foot. I don't think there is any point to road shoes without cleats.

-soma5

Thanks everybody! Looks like another trip to the LBS or REI. Darn! Will this shopping ever end? (Hope not! :) )

Shimano makes a "touring shoe (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH402B06-Shimano+Sh-Mt31+Mtb+Shoe.aspx)" that can be used with clipless or platform pedals.

Thanks everybody! Looks like another trip to the LBS or REI. Darn! Will this shopping ever end? (Hope not! :) )

Thought you liked Shopping. I have the Basic Shimano shoe and just tuck the laces in but some have a Velcro strap covering the laces. Saves on laces.

Dislike shopping? Moi?
http://a4.vox.com/6a00c2252225498fdb00d4143db0843c7f-500pi

Try MTB bike shoes. They will give you a firm platform which is essential to foot comfort.

+1 for sure. Too much flex can be VERY tough on your feet.

... Brad

If you go to REI, then check out the Merrell Moab I suggested. I've ridden hundreds of miles in them this year, on platform pedals, without the slightest foot pain. And they are great for walking around and hiking. Nice lightweight hiker with good ventilation for cooling hot feet.

http://www.rei.com/product/748515

They also make them in a mid-height shoe.

I'm surprised no one has recommended Florschiems yet.

http://www.etwright.com/assets/product_images/ET06604160L.jpg

Of course!

The shoes of Champions!

I like my Lake MX-101 shoes. Look pretty "normal" and the treads aren't the super heavy lugged soles found on some mountain shoes. And if you decide to go clipless, they work well with my Crank Brothers Candy C pedals. Fairly stiff, but not overly stiff for a little bit of walking.

I was limited in my choices because I need wide shoes, and these fit the bill for me.

Just another observation on Cycling shoes.

There have been several postings about a hot spot on the foot when using SPD pedals. I have used Clipless for 12 years and Shimano pedals for at least the last 8.

I have never noticed a hotspot on my feet in all that time- Until----

I recently got the Shimano A 520 pedals with the new bike and these are different to the M520's in that they have a longer base to rest the foot on. I have ridden the new bike solely for the last 2 months with these new pedals. couple of weeks ago I went back to the old bike with the Shorter M520's on and had a Dull ache on the ball of my foot. It would appear that not only do you require a firm sole on the shoe- If you are doing long rides- then it is advisable to have a good size base on the pedal to rest your foot on.

I've been wondering about shoes too, although I'm not to the point I can justify buying them. But I was wondering if there is something like a Sweet Spot lace cover for bicycle shoes.

I ride with carbon sole, Shimano SH R214 road shoe with SPD SL clipless. As someone explained in a review, the shoe must fit properly and the foot should not move around in it. You lose power this way and can cause pain in your foot. Hotspots are caused by poor fit/incompatible footbed design, by the sole or cheap ill fitting or worn out insoles. Your shoes should fit like a glove. Hotspots generally occur not because of the soles rigidity but by a lack of support behind the cleat.

When we bought our first tandem I bought my shoes because a bike shop usually will give you big discounts on extras when buying a bike. I tried on every style shoe in the store in my size to make sure of the right one. This shoe fit perfectly. On long rides of 100 miles or more, my feet will sometimes start to get some numbness in the ball of my foot. This is more from technique than anything. If I make myself start pulling only for awhile, the numbness quickly goes away. This issue is slowing going away as I have improved my pedal stroke.

Shoes are a big issue. You have to ask yourself what kind of riding will you be doing? What kind of distances? Will you be getting off the bike and walking around during your rides? Are you riding roads or trails, clips or clipless? There are a lot of good shoes suggested here. Think about if the kind of riding the suggester does is comparable to what you are doing. Make sure the shoe you choose fits perfectly. Don't settle for anything less.

Are you riding roads or trails, clips or clipless? There are a lot of good shoes suggested here.

I have found the suggestions somewhat interesting, considering that he said he used ATB platform pedals.

I have found the suggestions somewhat interesting, considering that he said he used ATB platform pedals.

He's a she. ;)

I can't keep track of genders without pictures.

And given this info, my REI suggestion changes to:

http://www.rei.com/product/747732

I can't keep track of genders without pictures. I was thinking the same thing. Just added an avatar!

I'm surprised no one has recommended Florschiems yet.

http://www.etwright.com/assets/product_images/ET06604160L.jpg Ahh, wingtips. We ARE getting old! Or are they finally back in style?

That avatar looks like it should be accompanied by some happy music.

Ahh, wingtips. We ARE getting old! Or are they finally back in style?

You'll have to ask Grampster... :D

These

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa32/stonecrd/Genius5orica_BlkBlk.jpg