General Cycling Discussion - Good Shoes For Flat Pedals

I am looking for some inexpensive shoes to use with my platform (flat pedals.) I obviously don't need any clips or anything i just need a stiff sole to help transfer energy to the pedal. I have been using a pair of Performance shoes that are made for that very reason. I picked them up cheap off ebay and after a couple thousand miles they are starting to fall apart.

ANyone have a good choice that doesn't look dorky? They don't necessarily need to be cyling shoes but I would prefer it. I am a poser. :o Actually I would prefer mountain biking shoes cuz i think they look cooler. I guess I am actually a MTB poser. :p

I bought a pair of Salomon Functions(light lowtop hiking) this time last year closout $50 and they are not showing any signs of coming apart, I don't know if they make an equivilant this year but the function name is gone. The sole is quite stiff both torsionaly and longitudenly, and lots of mesh for venting. I did have to get a pair of superfeet insoles$30 as the stock crap failed in 20 miles of running. I ran an off road marathon with these soaked, biked up a storm, ran for training, walked, hiked, motorcycled, and they are barely showing signs of softening-barely. I think the rubber toe and heel covering is a big part of their durability as well as good glue design and materials. I have never had a pair of Chinese made crap last even a third this long. but thats still $80 a year
(yes the functions are made in china and probably by a family chained to tables. Not even the same table.)
My full grain leather, made in the USA workboots- 7 years of mud, hiking, standing, water, dirt, etc. without resoleing and only one cobbler visit for stiches. Thats $200/7years=$28.50 a year for perfect fitting, breathable, nearly waterproof footwear made by a fellow American probably with a family. No sympathy for China they're the fools that went commy, you sleep in the bed you make. End rant.

Oakley Radar's

Most mtb biking sneakers have a piece of plastic at the bottom that you have to cut out to expose the mount points for the cleats. If you don't take them out, you'll have a basic pair of biking shoes without the cleats.

For grip I like old school skate shoes, like Vans Caballeros. For more foot protection(stiffer sole, thicker top) any of the new skate shoes work well. Adidas indoor soccer shoes also work well, Hans Rey used those for years.

Those cleat covers often break off with lots of use, then the sole is not waterproof.
Skate shoes and light trail shoes often have sufficient stiffness.