Touring - Shoes for toeclips

What do you wear when riding with toe clips?
(please don't turn this into a cleat vs toe clip thread-feel free to start a new thread on that);)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/toeclips.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Toe%20Clips%20no%20Straps/toeclipstwo004.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/ShoeAddFirstRide002.jpg

addidas sambas

Skechers has several models of "leather sneakers" that work good for that. I ride toe clips, no straps.

When I used toeclips, I hunted around and chose shoes that had thick, hard, flat soles and a solid toe box.

Diadora Santa Cruz shoes are among what I used for clipless, and they are designed for use with clips-and-straps. They have a reinforcement on the toe to reduce wear from the clip. However, they do have a velcro strap over the laces which might (or might not) interfere with the pedal straps. If that was going to be a problem for me, I'd just cut the velcro straps off and put the laces loops back under the laces to stop them catching in the chainring.

There are other shoes that have a similar set-up. Look for a smooth additional toe cap on them. Shimano also make shoes that specifically don't have the velcro strap to go over the laces.

The advantage of these shoes over sneakers and non-cycling-specific shoes is that they have a stiff sole. The Santa Cruz (and the lower-level Shimanos, for instance) also have a less-aggressive sole than the upmarket MTB shoes. And if you do ever decide to go clipless, you already have the shoes to do the job.

transporterjr, Is it the kind of pedal that just has a toe clip and strap attached to a platform pedal? If so, whatever's comfortable. If it's an older style road race toe clip with the cleat you may have to carve out a matching groove. Mountain bike shoes make a good starting point.

Brad

The last time I used toe clips these were nailed to the bottom of my shoes--Diadora
They were a lot more secure than "clipless".
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy112/Doug64_photos/Peugeot%20PX%2010/Cleats.jpg

[http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy112/Doug64_photos/Peugeot%20PX%2010/StronglightCrankset-1.jpg

I am currently using Chrome Kursks when I ride with toeclips.
http://www.chromebagsstore.com/shoes/kursk.html
I'm happy with them; they're stiffer and much better for riding than adidas sambas, vans, and every other non cycling specific shoe I've tried.
The sole is stiffened, when you first get them this makes them a tiny bit uncomfortable for walking. They break in very quickly though, and I regularly wear them at my job where I'm on my feet all day.

Keen also makes a similar stiffened shoe-
http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss11/shoes/men/pedal/coronado%20cruiser/dark%20earth!brindle

and so does five ten.
http://fiveten.com/products/footwear-detail/78-ba51c

The chromes are the narrowest of the 3, so they're probably the best for road type pedals. Also I'm not sure if the five ten is as stiff as the chromes or keens.

Here is an interesting head to head comparison of the keens and chromes.
http://ridingwhilewriting.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-chrome-kursk-vs-keen-coronado.html

I have a pair of Chrome shoes, the Midway. I use them with PowerGrips. I like the combination, but I won't use them for touring again. They just don't have enough ventilation, and they take a long time to dry out.

Anything with a relatively stiff sole and a strong toe box...I want a pair of these (http://www.dromarti.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_29_14&products_id=16) eventually.

Aaron :)

1st, thanks for the great replies. To clarify a couple of things (that should have been i my first post) I am not looking for cleats, I'll be going clipless sometime this year, but for this tour, at least, I want regular shoes.

I'm running toe clips and straps. My running shoes seems to crowd, and hurt, my toes on long rides. It seems like a lot of sneakers are so bulky. Years ago Cannondale used to make a hard sole touring shoe. Great, except slippery walking on wet ground. Not that I am looking for a specific touring shoe - just was wondering if something like VANS (I know, too soft) would work. thanks for the info on Keen, Chrome and Adidas!

Thanks for the shoe ideas! - John

Mostly I wear a retro-style running shoe that has been in production since the 1980s: Hi Tec Silver Shadow. It is not as stiff as I would like but is very tough and durable and doesnt have all those sticky-outy bits of current shoes.
I have also used Shimano leisure shoes with a rubber sole, OK but the cross-ridges of the sole engage with the pedal as the designer intended, but in the wrong position for me. Specialized Sonoma is a nice looking shoe with a stiff sole BUT the sole has no grip at all and doesnt stay in the toe clip very well.

You need to find a sole pattern that is a good balance between slick exit/entry and grippy enough to stay put.

Like most current toe-clip users I always use the straps loose, I NEVER cinche them tight.

I picked a pair of black leather Brooks walking shoes out of a bargain bin because they fit great, were very comfortable and supportive, and didn't look like a parade float. Turns out they're great biking shoes too. The soles are plenty stiff and protective, the tread is low-profile and doesn't interfere with positioning on the pedal, and the toes are compact enough to fit easily in the cages. They even have little reflective bits on the heels. I don't know the exact model name or number, and I don't think they're a current model, but it might pay you to check out walking shoes when you're shopping. Mine are great touring/shopping/sightseeing shoes, and they don't look gaudy, conspicuous or out of place anywhere.

modified some Pre clipless Diadora cyclo Cross shoes ,
built up the sole except for a hour-glass shaped slot,
so as to have a slot cleat to engage the back of the pedal cage..

have a touring shoe from SiDi, now, Grant Petersen [riv bikes] got a few,
from the Italian Shoe maker ,
European Bike shops used to sell them, various makers,
in places like Dublin Eire, as I saw in 97.

though stiff soled shoes will let your heel up out of the shoe,
like a loose penny loafer , when you walk ..

No Toeclips on my Daily rider.. New Balance Postal route shoes.

I use MKS deep toe clips with a strap (kept loose) on my commute bike. I ride in whatever shoes I'm wearing that day, from winter boots to open-toe sandals. (If the sole of the sandal extends beyond your toes, it will be OK with toe clips, at least for shorter rides.) I often ride in Keen Newport closed-toe sandals in the summer, but they are not ideal for toe clips -- I have to be careful not to snag the bungee laces in the clip when putting my foot in or out.

I have a pair of Chrome shoes, the Midway. I use them with PowerGrips. I like the combination, but I won't use them for touring again. They just don't have enough ventilation, and they take a long time to dry out.

You might try the Kursk, they have 3 vent holes on the side. I have sweaty feet and haven't had a problem. I only wear them for my 3 hour RT ride to work (and then at work).
This winter I did manage to ride straight through a giant puddle. They took a while to dry, and I almost got frostbite. So I wouldn't recommend them in cold wet weather.
I'm going to try the five tens when the chromes wear out. They look like they're better made and more supportive.

I use Lake MX101 & Specialized (older pair) Rockhoppers. Both are MTB shoes that for me work well on & off bike

I like to buy mountain bike shoes on sale, (last pair was Shimano, I just picked up a Performance pair) and not cut the part out for the cleat. They have the stiffest sole I have found for the least amount of money.

I use Carnac Carlits, which are utterly perfect, except they're not made any more. I got mine on Ebay, where they still occasionally turn up. Exustar makes a similar shoe - the SRT707 touring shoe - which is nearly as good, IMO, and easily available.

I'm starting to think my chrome kursks are so great after all. Over the past few rides they seem to be getting less and less stiff. Still, they're much better than a samba.