Touring - New job, new shoes.

Hi, I am starting a new job in an outdoor sports store where casual shoes are acceptable. I plan to commute by bike and want some clipless shoes for it. They must:

- Be Shimano SPD compatible.
- Be comfy and biased towards walking (as opposed to stiff for the benefit of pedaling) as I may be up on my feet for extended periods (many hours) when I am not doing admin in the office.
- Less than or as close to $100 (US & Canadian - the rates close at the moment) / $ 110 (AUD) / £50. If there is clear case for spending a bit more I'll consider it on the merrits put to me.


A bonus is if they look as much like hiking/cross country running shoes as possible. To fit the setting of my workplace the most.

I am asking here in touring because you ladies and gentlemen probably spend the most time of most cyclist groups walking in your cycling shoes as opposed to near solely cycling. So I figure your off the bike comfort is a big factor for you. I do also intend to do occasional touring holidays a week here or there in France, Italy ect.

Look at the all leather cycling/casual dress SPD compatible shoes at St Johns Street Cycles.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-0-Exustar-Stelvio-Black-Leather-SPD-Touring-Commuter-Shoes-13352.htm

Specialized Taho is what I use:
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=34131
Older models are very hiking shoe-ish. Even the newest is still pretty normal looking. Also, it has a wider toe box than many cycling shoes, which I find more comfortable to walk in.

I've worked at an outdoors gear store and commuted to work with my bike. My advice either use platform pedals and regular shoes or leave a pair of shoes at work and bike to work in any SPD shoes you like. You'll be on your feet so much that any compromise with in comfort and fit will be unsatisfactory. I've had lots of SPD shoes, but none would be what I'd want to wear if I had to be on my feet 8hrs+ a day helping customers.

You'll get a staff discount so if you don't already have shoes you like buy some at the store. Some light hiking shoes or trail runners would be ideal for working. I'd just put some platform pedals on my bike and ride to work in the same shoes.

It's not what you asked, but I'd change shoes when I got to work. I would leave a pair of shoes there to avoid carrying shoes everyday.

+1 for the platform pedal suggestion,
wear popular shoes sold by the store;
be a product model, talk up how you use them.

There aren't any true cycling/hiking shoes I know about. Cannondale or Lake are worth a try-- but mostly it's about getting a pair that feel right on your feet. Try a bunch on if you get chance. I love Cannondale, but that's only because they happen to fit my feet.

Good luck!

Oh, Canada you cannot wear spd sandals in the winter. :) Too bad. Sheldon Brown extolls the virtues of spd Shimano sandals.

You sure can wear SPD sandals in the winter. Use combo layering along with oversized diver type socks. They were a teensy bit chilly for me in Tibet when not moving-otherwise fine.

-Likely not suitable to wear sandals at the OP's job though.

Specialized Taho is what I use:
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=34131
Older models are very hiking shoe-ish. Even the newest is still pretty normal looking. Also, it has a wider toe box than many cycling shoes, which I find more comfortable to walk in.

+1

Thank you for all your replies.

I like the look of the Spec Taho. Will try to find a local stockist and try them on. (Buying from said stockist and not turning to the internet!).

Perhaps I wasn't clear, they don't need to perform like hiking shoes but rather look as close as possible to it. They need to look casual but technical. Even if the only manner in which theyre technical is because of their adaptations made with cycling in mind.

Ive got some great Merrell trail running shoes which I try to wear for just about everything where I can get away with casual. But for my commute I definetly want to be clipped in, if only to keep my feet from sliding off my pedals in wet weather. And if I can avoid having to change my shoes, that would be better still.

The trouble is that it's hard to find shoes that are good for cycling and allow you to stand comfortly for 8 hours. If you had a desk job, I'd say you'd be fine with any number of shoes. I lot of it matters on how strong your feet are--- mine just aren't anymore.

While I am increasingly doings lots of running and am used to standing jobs (having worked in bars whilst a student), I won't call on my feet/ankle strength *that* much. My role as stock controller will see me at a desk 80% of the time I anticipate. But during deliveries or whatever, I expect to be working with the rest of the team loading and stowing stock in the stock room.

I have considered MTB SPD shoes. I'll try to find some less stiff ones and try them on.

if you have a desk, why wouldn't you just leave a pair of comfortable causual shoes at your desk? i don't understand why you'd want to wear your spd shoes all day long when you could avoid it by just leaving shoes at your desk or carrying them with you daily. oh, if it is that casual, how about crocs? they cost $30 at most and are super light and packable.

if you have a desk, why wouldn't you just leave a pair of comfortable causual shoes at your desk? i don't understand why you'd want to wear your spd shoes all day long when you could avoid it by just leaving shoes at your desk or carrying them with you daily. oh, if it is that casual, how about crocs? they cost $30 at most and are super light and packable.
+1 My bikes shoes are comfortable and I wear then to walk a lot on tour, but when I have a choice I would rather have trail runners or something. Changing shoes takes what 30 seconds? I don't see any reason not to at work.

Yeah I might as well keep a pair of ordinary shoes at work. Just trying to kill two birds with one stone. I still need a pair of SPD touring shoes however.

The Specialized range have been mentioned to me. Any one have experience with their range?

Yeah I might as well keep a pair of ordinary shoes at work. Just trying to kill two birds with one stone. I still need a pair of SPD touring shoes however.

The Specialized range have been mentioned to me. Any one have experience with their range?

I haven't, but for whatever it's worth from another guy who finds Merrell trail shoes are amazingly comfy for all purpose use, I quite like Pearl Izumi shoes, specifically the Vagabond II model.

My Merrells rock. The best shoes I have ever had. At nearly a year old, they've taken a beating but are still holding together very well.

Unfortunately Pearl Izumi isn't very easy to source here in the UK. I have never seen them stocked in a bike shop and wouldn't buy blind from the internet.

That's sensical, dpr.

I will say though that I believe wiggle.co.uk stock PI shoes and will take them back for 3 weeks after purchase, if they're the wrong size.