Mountain Biking - need cheap mtb shoes that are nice

I need a new pair of cheap mtb shoes that are inexpensive... not above $125, the should have a buckle, and be okay to walk in a little. Need to be race style.

Clipless? Non-clipless?

Ones that fit, definitely.

Nashbar and performance are both having sales now

Joe

Specialized Tahoe. Laced with a top velcro strap. look pretty nice and not very bicycly. They walk normally and the cleats (for me) don't contact the floor.

Ones that fit, definitely.

Nah, proper fit is irrelevant.

clipless (the ones with the cleat on the sole, right?)

The best value I've come across lately are the Pearl Izumi shoes in Performance. Even the entry level model(no buckle) looks quite worthy. FWIW I used the older entry level model for years, never had any problems. My friend had a pair that had sole-separation issues, but they sent him a new pair.

Specialized Tahoe. Laced with a top velcro strap. look pretty nice and not very bicycly. They walk normally and the cleats (for me) don't contact the floor.

+1
i highly recomend them. i got a season old pair for 40 bucks. they look like hiking shoes and the cleats have plenty of clearance

Shoes fit differently for everyone, fit is the most important thing. Never buy shoes without trying them first, just go to your LBS and try different brands on.

Shoes fit differently for everyone, fit is the most important thing. Never buy shoes without trying them first, just go to your LBS and try different brands on.

Garbage. Buy what is cheap and looks cool. Fit is unnecessary when it comes to bikes and/or shoes. Stop being such a square.

I'm curious since I'm new to mtn bikes..... I went to buy one this weekend but they didn't have my size so I rented one for the weekend. The guy at the rental counter ask me what shoes do I normally wear. I said I wear a pair of LG's with speedplay light action pedals and he said you cannot wear those shoes on a Mountain Bike..... Don't people use clipless pedals? And why would my road shoes be wrong for this bike?

Sorry for the hijack but I'm not too far off topic.

Generally, A MTB shoe has an all terrain sole, a road shoe can work but running with the bike shouldered up a technical hill, could be troublesome.

Some road cleats are more apt to get jammed up with dirt and other ***** then your typical mountain cleat.