Fifty Plus (50+) - shoes for straps and toe clips?

I have been riding with running shoes for a few years ,
would I be better off with a cycling shoe with the straps and
toe clips?
If so , what shoe would you recommend for riding as well as
being able to walk in to?

Let's get this stated, Why not just go clipless?

Let's get this stated, Why not just go clipless?

Waste of $$$

Rockport walking shoes
Try the clips with No Straps

You can lead a horse to water but if he won’t listen don’t waste your time telling him how to open the bottles
:deadhorse2:
Cliplees pedals are just a fad.

I'm a committed clipless pedal user, but for those times and those bikes that I choose to use toe clips and straps, I, like the OP, would like to find good, stiff shoes that sit well on the pedal and slip easily into the clips. Any suggestions without trying to convince the guy not to do what he wants to do?

I've never tried them, but some folks swear by BMX shoes for use with clips and straps.

Several companies sell stiff soled shoes for flat pedals or even (God forbid) clips and straps. Performance and Nashbar will have sales, Van's has some nice ones, as well as Five Ten.
I think SPD style mountain bike shoes are fine for walking. I've been using clipless for more than 20 years, even off-road.

Something like these; http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_218890_-1_10000__11501

Don't use toe clips without straps unless the toe clips are half-clips/mini-clips.

Don't use toe clips

Fixed it for you.

I wouldn't feel right using toe clips unless I also had some Bata Biker shoes and they ain't available anymore.

In the latest issue of the Rivendell Reader, Grant Peterson recommended:

- The Adidas Samba (indoor soccer shoes) -$45-ish

- The Allen Edmonds Mitchell, or the Allen Edmonds Peyton: $250

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7367290/c/124240.html

- Dromarti shoes, made in Italy, sold in the UK: $250

http://www.dromarti.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_14&products_id=16

http://www.dromarti.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=10&zenid=cc84c7b70617f111324862866e0d51f2


I have also seen mentions of Reynolds, traditional British cycling shoes:

http://reynoldsshoes.co.uk/

And some new shoes by Chrome, the makers of messenger bags: $70 to $80

http://www.chromebagsstore.com/shoes/kursk.html

Definitely ones with a stiff sole. Try Thrift Stores in your area or ebay for older style cycling shoes.

Mine are 12 years old:

http://www.zappos.com/rockport-on-road-prowalker-black-grey

$30

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/rockport-jetmore-walking-shoes-b-grade.aspx?a=554345

Louis Garneau Multi Shoe

HI,
My older leather ROcksports I could stand on the Pedals and not feel the bar in the pedal,
the reason was they had a steel last. Many of the newer shoes are trying to leave the steel last behind due to airport problems IE xray and metal detectors. Avoid sneekers if or you willhave sore feet.
They were the only shoes I could ride over and hour and not have painful arches.
In closing I started with MTB bike pedals as most ridders I know the easiest to get used to are those Crankbrother egg beaters either side of the pedal works, And a really big plus is the shoes are easy to walk in because the cleats are spd and recessed in the shoe.
Start with them they are easier than leather hold downs and will release either way.
After ridding a year I have developed instinct to un clip, its almost reflexive it just takes time.
My LBS owner of the shop has use MTB cleats for ever. ANd he gets them at cost.
Doug
I sold a pair on ebay for about 18 bucks and the shoes for 6 bucks. look around the shoes are MTB bike SPD pedals come with the metal spd cleats.
135511http://i.stpost.com/erez4/erez?src=ProductImages/1129H%5F27.tif&tmp=FullSize&redirect=0135512
135510
Bicycle cleats will improve the power transfer from your legs to the pedals when you are spinning cause some of th energy you use to lift your leg transfers the crank arm and your foot dosen't lift off the pedal this also builds the thigh muscles ever notice those guy who race had huge thighs its the lifting of the leg and pulling the pedal upwards before the mashing down, When your sprinting you could easily break your leg if your foot and pedal part ways and you step off the pedal and smack the ground.
Join a group ride in your area get into the sport you'll quickly be looking for ways to improve your power .And the group rides encourage safe ridding practices.
DOughttp://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/pencil.png

I use walking shoes and hacksaw off the top part of the clip and so I don't use the straps. so long as my toes get secured that's all I need. the walking shoes stick great so I can do anything clipped shoes can do, plus I can use whatever I want from sandals, to walking shoes, to rubber overboots

Using Campy" Aero" pedals. C-record with straps & clips. I consider the older campy aero pedals of any variety the best platform for athletic shoes. I personally find the Adidas Samba's to be ideal for this combination. If your could find the old Avocet touring shoes, that would be even better. Just my opinion.

I wouldn't feel right using toe clips unless I also had some Bata Biker shoes and they ain't available anymore.

Loved those shoes! Wish they were available.

Loved those shoes! Wish they were available.

Try googling <Diadora Venture S>

I use walking shoes and hacksaw off the top part of the clip and so I don't use the straps. so long as my toes get secured that's all I need. the walking shoes stick great so I can do anything clipped shoes can do, plus I can use whatever I want from sandals, to walking shoes, to rubber overboots

A slightly more elegant solution.
http://www.velo-orange.com/vodehacl.html
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-84224226242177_2091_203677

I'll say it. Go clipless! The toe strap stuff is a death trap. My specialized came with them and the running shoes got stuck inside. So with my one data point, go clipless.

You can also purchase a touring shoe with laces and use the shoe without the cleat. The shoe will have a stiff sole that will keep you getting a hot foot.

http://www.amazon.com/Lake-Cycling-Comfort-Mountain-Shoes/dp/B002IYQQ36/ref=pd_sbs_shoe_6

Try googling <Diadora Venture S>

Those are very cool but not Bata Bikers. The toe doesn't stick up in the air! LOL.

Although I use clipless when I ride, I'd love to have some BB for quick errands. I'll have to check out those Diadoras. Thanks for the heads up.

I have some Nike Air shoes about like these:

http://www.besportier.com/2007-nike-air-indurgent.jpg

that work great. They are smooth and slip in and out easily.

BTW, the other day I had a rear tire blowout on a downhill run, and the bike was becoming uncontrollable. I'm not sure how I did it, but I popped off the bike and landed on the grass without falling. I do not think I could have done that were I clipless.

There is only one type of shoe to cycle in. Fit is important so not something to buy online. Try before you buy but the main thing is that they have to have a stiff sole. The stiffer the better. Only one type of shoe that I know is stiff enough for cycling and that is a cycling specific shoe.

They do not have to cost a fortune-and the style and colour of them do vary.

I would suggest you look at a Mountain bike shoe. Style of them is not outlandish- they look like a sneaker and some have soles that are comfortable to walk in.

They will work with any pedal- but the advantage is that if you ever decide to go clipless- you would not have to buy the shoes to do it.

I use Bates. The are designed for military, police, and other security types, are more solidly built than running shoes, are built without the slightest metal (so you don't have to take them off at airports. The have a high volume toe, so they are not pretty, Bates sells them as "tactical" which usually means Black Nylon, or something similar.

I added elastic laces from Lacelock, so I don't have to retie them or tangle the laces around a pedal or tangle in the chain ring, and I use plain, block pedals. Very comfortable., low tech. I like the look of Adidas Sambas, but I don't care for suede, I want full grain leather. Black, green?

I think the answer will be driven mostly by the type of riding you are doing. If it is relatively easy, the shoes and pedals wont matter as much. For instance a ride to the store does not require shoes with hard soles and clipless pedals. If you are riding for a workout (over 10 miles and ave speed > 15mph) you should at least consider a shoe with a stiffer sole.

I use a low-top basketball shoe with the stiffest sole I could find.

Thanks for all the input..You gave me several viable options.
I should have stated that I was looking to spend $50-70 and that do some rides
for distance 1-2 hours , sometimes I ride very hard for 30-45 minutes around 20mph and
sometimes I use my bike for transportation and run errands with it.
So, my goal is to be more efficent and functional and to be able to walk around in the shoes , too
I am hesitant to buy online as I am not sure of size. I will look at the Adiddas samba at a Sports Authority and see what my LBS has in shoes. I fear they have only higher priced models, but I don;t know yet. And I do like the look and write-up on the Chrome shoes. Does anyone have any experience with Chrome?