Touring - Do I really need a touring shoe?

I plan on doing both touring and long rides (anywhere from 50-150mi). I feel like it would be better for me to get a solid carbon shoe without a recessed cleat because when I am touring I carry my Vibram FiveFingers with me. What do you guys think?

Personally ... I like to be able to hop off the bicycle and walk periodically when I tour. Especially if I get into a town and am doing a little window shopping and debating about what I want for lunch. Road shoes just don't work well for me.

I plan on doing both touring and long rides (anywhere from 50-150mi). I feel like it would be better for me to get a solid carbon shoe without a recessed cleat because when I am touring I carry my Vibram FiveFingers with me. What do you guys think?

Sounds like a good plan... I love my Five Fingers shoes and am looking at picking up a pair of Merrel barefoot shoes as they have a closed toe (easier access) that makes wearing a sock easier and have the same Vibram technology.

I plan on doing both touring and long rides (anywhere from 50-150mi). I feel like it would be better for me to get a solid carbon shoe without a recessed cleat because when I am touring I carry my Vibram FiveFingers with me. What do you guys think?

Depends on where and how you tour, I think. I've brought only my Shimano SPD sandals with me when on summer tours. Exquisitely comfortable both on and off the bike.

My touring shoes are extremely comfortable on and off the bike... they give up some stiffness to my mtb and road shoes and if I am commuting or out on my daily training ride I often choose the middle ground and wear my mtb shoes which offer a nice balance between stiffness and off bike capability.

The road shoes are for those days when I get on and ride long and fast and don't have any plans to go strolling about... they are great on the bike but horrid to walk in.

For as good as my touring shoes are, my barefoot shoes are much better as they help me with my balance and make my feet happier than anything else so they will be a part of my regular riding kit.

Sounds like a good plan... I love my Five Fingers shoes and am looking at picking up a pair of Merrel barefoot shoes as they have a closed toe (easier access) that makes wearing a sock easier and have the same Vibram technology.

Actually wearing my Merrel shoes right now! Still perfer walking & running in my Vibrams though.

The VFFs are a bit much of a pain to put for touring use when I just want something to put on quick. That said they are fine for longer hikes. Crocs work great for quickly stepping into and are fine for moderate hikes. If going with road shoes Kool Kovers might help fill the gap between the VFFs and the road shoes.

For me it depends on the trip. I have always gone with recessed cleats on tour but what I do for secondary footwear varies from nothing if I don't plan a lot of long hikes, to Crocs for most tours, to possibly regular trail running shoes if lots of hiking and/or peak bagging are involved. My next tour is probably in the latter category and I am leaning toward going with my Brooks Cascadias, but have not completely ruled out my VFFs.

i wouldn't even think of touring in anything but a recessed cleat shoe.

I bring sightseeing shoes to walk around the old cobble stoned streets .

The only shoes I wear on a bike tour are my sandals. I thought they'd be nice and airy but in fact they get pretty badly reeky. A sodium bicarbonate wash fixes that.

The only shoes I wear on a bike tour are my sandals. I thought they'd be nice and airy but in fact they get pretty badly reeky. A sodium bicarbonate wash fixes that.

Same here. Wearing my favourite shoes in the whole wide world, Keens. Heavy, durable, smelly and actually pretty stiff. No fancy cycling shoes here.

+2 for sandals, combined with big, grippy BMX pedals.

I plan on doing both touring and long rides (anywhere from 50-150mi). I feel like it would be better for me to get a solid carbon shoe without a recessed cleat because when I am touring I carry my Vibram FiveFingers with me. What do you guys think?

From what I can tell, there isn't a whole lot of difference between a MTB and a road shoe these days. Shimano and Specialized in particular seem to sell road and MTB shoes that are almost identical aside from the drilling pattern and a few bits of rubber added to the sole. I like being able to bike, walk and hike with a single pair of shoes so I wear recessed-cleat SPD mountain bike shoes while touring. The sole is every bit as stiff as the corresponding road shoe. The stiffness means they aren't great for hiking, but they're fine for 4-5 miles.

I don't have "touring shoes" but I do tour in my mountain bike shoes, which currently are a pair of Northwave Drifter GTX (http://www.northwave.com/usa/shoes_det.php?itemid=20&catid=3&area=3) which I use off the bike as well for bushwalks. I also carry on tour a pair of Croc Santa Cruz (http://www.crocsaustralia.com.au/crocs-mens-santa-cruz/10128,en_AU,pd.html?cid=060&q=santa%20cruz) for around camp/town.

Andrew

I know people might crap at me saying this but I like hiking boots (lol) to bicycle.

By the way, for those who remember my messages, I finally ordered the parts to complete my touring bicycle build. I still don't have a shipping date but if there's a delay, I'll just order from another site.

If you're buying, why not buy a carbon soled MTB shoe? Some manufacturers have the same shoe with a lugged sole added. Sidi Dominators are hard to beat if they fit your feet. We carry light trail runners for extended walking, but it sure is handy to be able to walk around without digging them out and changing.