Touring - Most Raod SHoe like SPD Shoe

I love the feel, fit and weight of road shoes with look type cleats. I want some touring shoes that use SPD cleats. Seems like all the MTB shoes are heavy with outrageous treads on the soles. So what is the most road shoe-like shoe that still has recessed cleats suitable for general touring and day rides where I want to stop in stores and walk normally??

Adidas Gran Corsico

Nashbar still has some sizes in stock.

I use Sidi Dominator 5's, and love them. They are certainly light and comfortable. As for "horrible cleats," they have cleats, but I'm not sure whether I would define them as horrible or not.

I use Sidi Dominator 5's, and love them. They are certainly light and comfortable. As for "horrible cleats," they have cleats, but I'm not sure whether I would define them as horrible or not.

+1 on the Sidi Dominator 5's. Lightweight, good stiff sole, I'm not sure how comfy they'd be on an extended tour though (maybe I just need to get bigger ones).

At $240 a pair for the Sidi's, do you get to test drive them? Is that possible with shoes in this range?

I'm currently using Nike Granfondo WRX. It had an all carbon sole and replaceable cleats. The WR in WRX stands for walkable road.

Shimano makes a shoe called the RT-50, it has a recessed cleat with a fairly smooth bottom.

At $240 a pair for the Sidi's, do you get to test drive them? Is that possible with shoes in this range?
The Sidi Bullet 2 is a less expensive (list price $159) option and I like mine quite well.

Edit:
I should add that I found them quite satisfactory day in and day out this summer on the the TransAmerica.

At $240 a pair for the Sidi's, do you get to test drive them? Is that possible with shoes in this range?

At the time that I bought them they were about the only shoe that was available in wider sizes. Plus... fleabay $140.

www.performancebike.com has seven different road shoes for under $100 that will take SPD cleats. They range from the Performance house brand Forté to Cannondale to Pearl Izumi.

At the time that I bought them they were about the only shoe that was available in wider sizes. Plus... fleabay $140.
FWIW: The cheaper Sidis are available in the same mega sizing.

The best commuter/touring shoe I've ever used is the Sonoma 3 shoe by specialized...

uses mountain SPD, but doesn't have the silly over-aggressive mountain styling...looks like a low-key sneaker...has velcro so you can get a snug fit....

i put over 7000 miles on mine before they started falling apart, but I walked a ton with them...

The Shimano RT-50 is, SFAIK, the only SPD bike shoe that is specifically designed for the road, has no MTB shoe lugs, yet still has the cleat recessed for easy walking. Lighter and better-looking than the Specialized Tahoes I'd been using.

I've never seen them advertised, though, and my LBS had to order them for me. I first read of them in a recommendation by Jobst Brandt.

The Shimano RT-50 is, SFAIK, the only SPD bike shoe that is specifically designed for the road, has no MTB shoe lugs, yet still has the cleat recessed for easy walking. Lighter and better-looking than the Specialized Tahoes I'd been using.

I've never seen them advertised, though, and my LBS had to order them for me. I first read of them in a recommendation by Jobst Brandt.

That's a good looking shoe. What about sole stiffness? Is it more rigid like a road shoe or does it flex like an MTB shoe?

That's a good looking shoe. What about sole stiffness? Is it more rigid like a road shoe or does it flex like an MTB shoe?
I don't know the answer, but for the record, MTB shoes aren't necessarily less stiff. As far as I can tell the only difference between my Sidi road and my similarly priced Sidi MTB shoes is the tread on the bottom.

That's a good looking shoe. What about sole stiffness? Is it more rigid like a road shoe or does it flex like an MTB shoe?

I also have the Shimano MTB version of the same shoe (a size larger, to wear with thick socks in winter), and I can't tell any difference in stiffness. The RT-50's are very stiff in the area around the cleat, and cinch quite tight with the three velcro straps. That's what seems to count, in my judgement.

P.S. Just for the hell of it, I used both shoes--the RT-50's and my Shimano MTB shoes, on two similar back-to-back rides this past weekend, and concluded that the RT-50s are slightly but noticeably stiffer. Appropriate, for a shoe designed specifically for the road.

P.S. Just for the hell of it, I used both shoes--the RT-50's and my Shimano MTB shoes, on two similar back-to-back rides this past weekend, and concluded that the RT-50s are slightly but noticeably stiffer. Appropriate, for a shoe designed specifically for the road.

A pair of these might be my next bicycle purchase. Thanks for posting them.

I have an early version of the Forte Traverse shoe they have seen a lot of touring miles. They have been very good shoes. Now I also have a pair of Shimano SHMT-20 and after a cross country tour with them last year they are also a great touring shoe. I have never found the tread on these shoes to be a problem. They both are comfortable to ride in and to walk in. I will not say that I have worn them on multi mile hikes in the mountains but have done a lot of walking around cities and towns.