Recumbent - Looking for "walkable" shoes - SPD

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.




Onus
09-03-09, 10:22 AM
I didn't see a thread for clothing or shoes, so pardon me for asking if I missed it.
I've got a pair of Shimano shoes now, but the SPD clip is not really recessed, and there's a single little chevron of a heel that makes walking on anything other than gravel or grass very awkward. Can anyone recommend a shoe that will take the Shimano SPD cleat, but is otherwise reasonably comfortable for walking? If you have a link to where I can find them for a reasonable price I'd appreciate it. I looked at some site advertiser's pages, but really can't tell from the photos if the shoes would be comfortable.


Skones MickLoud
09-03-09, 10:25 AM
http://citybikes.com/product/specialized-sport-mountain-shoes-50426-1.htm

I personally would avoid buying shoes online though. Makes it very hard to try before you buy.

BlazingPedals
09-03-09, 11:16 AM
What you want is mountain bike shoes, or possibly touring shoes. Different brands have different degrees of recessing the cleats; I've found Specialized are usually the worst for this. Road shoes may come drilled for SPD, but they're not designed to be walkable.


Pockets
09-03-09, 01:26 PM
I agree with BlazingPedals. Go to a mountain bike shoe. Got mine at Performance. All my bents have SPD and makes walking easy. Performance is a nationwide bike retailer so you should find one in you area. Go to here: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/TopCategories_10052_10551_-1 and find a location near you.

opel70
09-03-09, 02:01 PM
Yeah, I have a pair of these (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1058309_-1_400034_400009_400098) and I walk just fine in them, without any clicking. Though my pedals are egg beaters, so I don't know how the cleat size differs.

Bobsk8
09-03-09, 06:03 PM
Cannondale makes some nice Mountain Bike shoes that are comfortable and easy to walk on....

aikigreg
09-03-09, 07:23 PM
+1 to Blazin. I have a pair of the shimanos that they vacuum form mold to your feet, and it's definitely worth it.

Onus
09-03-09, 08:22 PM
Hmmm, good tips. The ones Opel linked look reasonable, although I know I may need to pay a little more for durability.
There is not one of those PerformanceBike stores in my state though (TN), but there may be another reasonable place I can find nearby. Thanks.

oddball
09-04-09, 10:02 PM
These work really well with SPDs http://www.rei.com/product/765129 They're on sale now.http://media.rei.com/media/n/1465066.jpg
There is a little contact of the cleat, you can hear it on tile or concrete floors, but do not compromise traction at all. They are stiff enough for pedaling but still comfortable to walk in. Nobody will notice you are wearing bike shoes. The next model up from these uses velcro straps if you don't like laces.

Onus
09-14-09, 06:38 AM
Update: I found the Pearl Izumi that oddball linked at a nearby LBS, but paid $54 (rather than $90) for them. I can hardly tell the cleat is there, very nice.

alpinist
09-14-09, 02:07 PM
Keen bike sandals.

noahvale
09-17-09, 03:36 PM
I love my Shimano bike sandals.

I agree with the comment about buying locally, but zero bike shops here stock shoes in 47-48 here. If you order from Performance, they provide a free return shipping label, and will send the second pair back to you for free if there is a size issue.

Engyo
09-17-09, 03:49 PM
I have a pair of Cannondales that work well.

My wife loves her Keens.

unixpro
09-18-09, 04:39 PM
Keene commuter sandals or the Keene Springwater. Both are excellent choices.

http://www.rei.com/product/765247
http://www.rei.com/product/782477 (http://www.rei.com/product/782477#)

old and new
09-18-09, 05:11 PM
LAKE Some on-line places have them.. May as well contact them directly, the ones I've seen elsewhere were limited in size & style and approx. the same price. Lakes offer many models that are supremely walkable, I've a pair of the mid-range model. The sales staff is helpfull.

Jtgyk
09-18-09, 05:53 PM
Specialized Tahoe (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=40338)

Stiff enough for pedaling, but comfy enough for me to walk in for the rest of the day.