Commuting - Do you use work shoes or something else?

Do you use work shoes or something else when you commute on your bike?

i use sneakers, puma, and toe clips. i'm a dance teacher and a fitness coach, so i can just lock up my bike and work. i've been thinking alot about mtb shoes+clipless. i won't be able to dance in them. but i'm use to bringing extra shoes and changing them for a dance floor anyways.

I use toe clips and wear bmx shoes - similar to the new mtb type shoe. Flat sole with grooves across it. No cleat system at all. A bit of support but not the dead stiff racing type shoe. Ventilation areas (breathable material, not holes). A fancy cover for the laces so they don't go getting tangled up in stuff. You can walk in them all day. I commute 11km to uni, spend the day at uni or in the office at work, then ride home again. They proved very good in pouring rain too ... well, as comfortable as you can get with soaked feet.

These shoes are comfortable on the bike. Offer plenty of support - although I haven't done longer rides I'm thinking about putting toe clips on the sportster and using these shoes there. These shoes are also comfortable off the bike - for walking and sitting around.

I've got SPD clipless shoes but found that in this sort of use, the soles wore down very quickly and you were walking on the cleat. They aren't comfortable in the office thanks to the too hard sole. They don't look right either whereas the others do ... sort of.

I'd love to try touring shoes but the industry in this country is very narrow minded and they just aren't available - the shoes I bought were the only ones without cleats that I found in six shops.

Richard

Pretty much every pair of dress shoes that I own live in the closet in work (my aide is constantly complaining about the large collection of shoes). I use mountain bike style shoes for ease of walking the halls in work before I get to change, and stopping at the store on the way home.

I wear spd sandals I don't like riding without cleats but I want to be able to walk. I have a pair of shoes at work to wear when I get there. but i can walk in the sandals too if needed.

One of my personal rules for biking is to use the same stuff on and off the bike. I've got three pairs of shoes, and I use two of them on the bike--mostly one of the two--and my sandals when it's warm enough to forgo socks.

Mountain bike shoes. Sometimes I switch into sneakers when I get to work, but I can just wear the bike shoes at work too, if I'm riding out somewhere for lunch I will just put them back on after my shower.

with my bent I don't have to change clothes but I got to have my cleats so the sandals are great I can wear them year around with different socks walk a lot if needed but they are easy to change too.

I've tried clipless pedals, and they're not bad for for touring and long rec rides on MUPs, but I don't like them for riding in town, because of all the stops & starts, some of which are on steep hills. They're just too much of a pain in traffic. It's much easier and almost as effective to just use those big, wide, BMX-style pedals with little metal studs and whatever shoes you happen to have on. I usually wear waterproof walking shoes on my ride to work, and then continue wearing them at work, because I'm on my feet all day and they're really comfortable. (I'm a teacher.)

For years I used New Balance black shoes for cycling and work. this year a policy change and we have to use footwear that extends above the ankle. Safety? I can't afford fancy biking shoes so I still ride to and form in the old NB shoes and change to knee-high rubber boots at work. Toe-clips and platforms.

I've always used clipless with road shoes, and then changed to regular shoes when I get to work. I leave a pair of shoes under my desk.

My new bike (see signature) has toe clips. I've never used toe clips and I find them very hard to use. I'll be practicing.

I've tried clipless pedals, and they're not bad for for touring and long rec rides on MUPs, but I don't like them for riding in town, because of all the stops & starts, some of which are on steep hills. They're just too much of a pain in traffic. It's much easier and almost as effective to just use those big, wide, BMX-style pedals with little metal studs and whatever shoes you happen to have on. I usually wear waterproof walking shoes on my ride to work, and then continue wearing them at work, because I'm on my feet all day and they're really comfortable. (I'm a teacher.)
it depends on the pedals and shoes and your skill. I use shimano spds and all I do is step on the pedal and I am in so it is not a big deal going in and out a lot. I am far more secure with them and no issues of my feet slipping off the pedals and more efficient peddling.

^ I've never had my feet slip off the pedals while wearing shoes and platforms.

I am extremely picky when it comes to shoes. I use platforms and currently some New Balance sneakers. Going to try and find some hiking/trail shoes for winter.

^ I've never had my feet slip off the pedals while wearing shoes and platforms.

I have and it causes problems. it can be hard on your shins and other parts. I put a lot of power on the cranks when I start.

I have SPD road shoes, MTB shoes, boots, and sandals. I have Look road shoes, and Look boots. I also have road shoes with special slotted cleats for the track clip&strap pedals on my Paramount.
I keep two pair of dress shoes in my office.

I wear black New Balance walking shoes. They're comfy enough to ride in and also comply with my company's dress code.

I use lightly lugged Lake mtb shoes with platforms and Power Grips. I'm not quite ready to invest in clipless yet, and having the nice stiff sole with the Power Grips is a nice compromise. My everyday/work shoes have a very soft sole and made my feet sore under hard pedaling.

I change into different shoes at work, though I really want to buy another pair of shoes for work that I can leave there. The shoes themselves weigh as much as a liter of water, which is nothing to scoff at.

I'm part of the small percentage who commute while wearing clipless road shoes. I work behind a supermarket deli counter, and I have to wear slip resistant footwear. My case, it's a pair of black clodhoppers from Wal-Mart. I carry them with me in a backpack, and change into them in the parking lot. I'm not into wearing tights- today I wore jeans.

i've been commuting in the same pair of shimano touring shoes (SPD) for the last 10 years... really. i've replaced the cleats a couple of times, and that's it. i wear them on the bike, and then change into "work shoes" when i get to my office. in the winter, i wear neoprene over-shoes over them---still toasty and warm.

plus, if i need to, the touring shoes allow me to walk without much hassle, kind of like a sneaker with a piece of gravel stuck in the front.

I voted clipless road bike shoes, since I commute 16 miles each way. I keep my shoes at work, in the gym locker I rent.

Mountain bikes shoes cuz I need to be able to walk in them a block or two with out looking like a stuck-chicken butt.

^ I've never had my feet slip off the pedals while wearing shoes and platforms.

You must not be pedaling that hard :P

You must not be pedaling that hard :P

...or ever ride in the rain.

Depends on the bike. Which depends on my mood.

it depends on the pedals and shoes and your skill. I use shimano spds and all I do is step on the pedal and I am in so it is not a big deal going in and out a lot. I am far more secure with them and no issues of my feet slipping off the pedals and more efficient peddling.

Anyone can use SPDs. It takes a lot more skill to pedal efficiently at high RPMs with platforms.

IMO, clipless are overrated. On flat ground, I've seen no advantage at all. On hills, clipless do give an advantage, but it's so slight that it's not worth the hassle unless you're racing. And, whatever anyone says, clipless are much more of a hassle in traffic than platforms; every day, I see several fellow commuters dink around at intersections, doing trackstands until they can't do it any more, going out of their way to hang on to light poles or street signs, or messing with their cleats in order to get moving again after a light turns green. Plus, it's really nice to get off the bike and be able to walk around in shoes that were designed to, you know, walk around in.

With the platform pedals I have now (Speedplay Drillium), my feet have never slipped off the pedal, even when cranking very hard up steep hills in driving rain.

Specialized "Sonoma" shoes with SPD cleats for my Shimano 324 pedals. This is not a road bike shoe, nor a mountain bike shoe. It really seems designed for commuting. Smooth, soft rubber sole, the spd cleat is recessed, three simple velcro straps, large reflector strips on front and rear of shoe. Good for short walks and provides a stiff shoe for pedaling.

I use the same shoes and pedals as I would on my weekend group rides, which are road shoes. I don't see a reason for anything else. I do not make side trips when I commute, and if I do it's not going to be for long and walking around in those shoes really isn't as bad as people claim. Besides the "mountain bike" shoes many of you speak of are pretty much sneakers with recessed cleats..many mountain bike shoes are like soccer cleats...and believe me soccer cleats suck to walk on concrete.

Hiking shoes or boots depending on weather on the bike.
And I keep a brown pair and a black pair of shoes at work, the advantage of being a guy, two colors cover it all ;)

Lately I have been wearing hiking boots. The stiff sole transfers power much more efficiently then what I wear at work. Also if I get caught in the rain hopefully socks don't get wet. I keep one pair of brown and one black Rockport slip-on loafers at work.

Anyone can use SPDs. It takes a lot more skill to pedal efficiently at high RPMs with platforms.
IMO, clipless are overrated. On flat ground, I've seen no advantage at all. On hills, clipless do give an advantage, but it's so slight that it's not worth the hassle unless you're racing. And, whatever anyone says, clipless are much more of a hassle in traffic than platforms;

The quoted text is a phenomenal pile of crap.

I commute on my ancient three-speed in the shoes and clothes in which I work. No reason to wear special shoes -- the bike has rubber block pedals. I work in a of suit-and-tie (or at least nice slacks and sport coat) environment. I take the subway if it's raining that day.

Normal weather: no shoe change. Wet or very cold: waterproof insulated, shoes or boots if cold. sandals if wet and warm.

I wear Sette cycling sandal for commuting. They are comfortable enough to wear all day to walk around in. I also keep a pair of tennis shoes at work so I can change if I want. Lucky for my my job does not require much of a dress code. Cargo shorts and t-shirts is my uniform.

I've been wearing Gore-tex Merrill Chameleons - the same pair for almost 4 yrs now. Spring, summer, fall, and Winter. These are low cuts, but my next pair will be mid cuts so my rain pants drape over the ankle opening. I also wade with these shoes near the banks of my favorite fishing holes.

They work awesome in the cold. You might want to go a size larger for the winter though, so you can get a little bit of an airpocket with thick socks on. They were a bit pricey, but well worth it. For ice, I strap these things on...

http://www.rei.com/product/760281

Here's another, but I have not tried them....

http://www.walking365.com/index.php

I leave my work shoes.....at work.

From the day I first snapped into a pair of clipless pedals I have pretty much decided that I don't ever want to ride on anything else again. Atleast for a road bike. So, I keep a pair of shoes at work. My spd mtb shoes work well for me on my roadie. And I could probably get by wearing them all day long, but, they aren't quite as comfy as regular shoes.

The quoted text is a phenomenal pile of crap.

Well, he's right about one thing: Anyone can use SPD's.

And, whatever anyone says, clipless are much more of a hassle in traffic than platforms;

Not true at all. It's literally just as easy to clip in and out as it is to use platforms. I'm continually surprised by people who think this is not the case. I swear, I'm not especially coordinated and it's no problem for me.

Furthermore, I think that clipless is actually an advantage in stop-and-go traffic. When you stop and put a foot down, you don't have to worry about kicking the pedal back around to get back into a starting position again. Just lift your foot (still clipped in) and you're ready to go in an instant.

I usually wear a six inch pair of black work boots on my ride. The sole is stiff enough to cycle all day and I just hop off the bike and go. This has been the system for the last 2 years, and luckily my job doesnt require business dress most of the time.

^ I've never had my feet slip off the pedals while wearing shoes and platforms.

I have, and that's the exact reason I went to toe clips (I later went to SPD but toe clips were good enough for this).

I was riding in a heavy rain one day, I was at the front of the line at a stoplight, and when the light turned green, I got a quick start but then my foot slipped off the pedal while I was standing on them. I lost momentum quickly, and there was a rather large pickup behind me that had to brake quickly to avoid hitting me.

Then the same thing happened in a thunderstorm about a week later. That evening I went out and bought pedals with toe clips.

I've never cared at all about the claimed performance enhancing ability of SPD or anything else, but I consider it a primary safety requirement that my power plant stay connected to my drivetrain. As far as performance, I've been riding SPDs for 3 years now and I don't see it. But I'm not trying to set any records. I don't go any faster/slower depending on whether I'm using SPD or toe clips or platforms. I continue to use SPDs though because it's a little less tiresome; since my ride is almost all rural, I pretty much clip in and ride 40 minutes then clip out when I get there. It does make my legs a little more tired if I have to think about keeping my feet on the pedals. If I had to stop very often I would probably go back to toe clips though.

If I had to stop very often I would probably go back to toe clips though.

I ride mostly in heavy urban traffic, and I feel there is really no disadvantage to using clipless. I think you (or anyone) would get used to it quickly.

I just wear regular old thong styled sandals. Works great with any kind of weather we get here in S FL (rain, sun, cold, hot, etc)... although I get a weird tan on the feet.

I wear my running shoes to work, do my workout, then go to the gym to shower. After changing at the gym, I'm wearing my boots back to the office and wear them the rest of the day, including my commute home.

I love my Diadora mtb clipless shoes. Just purchased another SPD pedal set for the other mtb and roadbike and am switching over the junk of the roadbike shoes from LOOK pedals to SPD.

HOWEVER - I'm ready at any time to toss on the platforms so I can wear a lightweight gore-tex boot in order to ride to work. Last winter I rode SPD's all the way - on and off road (fun by the way), but I have a really, really bad feeling that we're going to get hit pretty good here in the NE this winter. And so - I need to be able to have the ability to jump off and land and balance and not slide (so much) - sooooo back to the nice warm gore-tex boots for the commuter bike (and now with studs this year - yay!).

I love my Diadora mtb clipless shoes. Just purchased another SPD pedal set for the other mtb and roadbike and am switching over the junk of the roadbike shoes from LOOK pedals to SPD.

HOWEVER - I'm ready at any time to toss on the platforms so I can wear a lightweight gore-tex boot in order to ride to work. Last winter I rode SPD's all the way - on and off road (fun by the way), but I have a really, really bad feeling that we're going to get hit pretty good here in the NE this winter. And so - I need to be able to have the ability to jump off and land and balance and not slide (so much) - sooooo back to the nice warm gore-tex boots for the commuter bike (and now with studs this year - yay!).

pics of the shoes or it never happened

My Sidi shoes made biking so much easier... I wouldn't give them up for any "convienence". I keep a pair of shoes at work, actually a whole week's worth of clothing too.

You must not be pedaling that hard :P

...or ever ride in the rain.

Or maybe he can keep his feet on the pedals because he is coordinated.

Sandals above 70°F. Athletic shoes above 25°F. Winter boots below 25°. Sometimes pullon rubber overshoes "rubbers" for driving rainstorms for dryness or below 5° for heat preservation. All on platform pedals. No slipping problem.

i come in with running shoes, or any other type of athletic wears, then i change into....

Sandals!!!!! for work :lol:

but i change back to Leather Suit Shoes when there are customers in the office.

i keep a set of both at my desk. :)


Do you use work shoes or something else when you commute on your bike?