she

I tried search and can't find anything. Maybe I'm not putting the right keywords?
I don't use clipless and yes I don't wear bike shorts (but planning to wear underneath my pants) I know I need stiffer sneakers or shoes. My payless sneakers aren't cutting it.
So what do you wear and /or suggest? Any input please.....

XringX

I have the same question.. I was thinking maybe mountain biking shoes
would be more of the thing..but havent looked at them yet..

unabowler

I don't wear bike shorts, either! I do use clipless on longer rides, but I've got a pair of two-sided pedals which have a platform pedal on one side. But I just wear sneakers on the shorter rides when I don't feel like clipping in. I find clipless to be helpful, though, and I wonder if you have something against them? I don't know of any other kind of stiff-soled shoes to recommend.

CraigB

If you're dead set against cleats and clipless pedals, I'd suggest mountain bike shoes without any cleats installed. They won't be as cheap as a pair of sneakers, but you won't find any sneakers nearly stiff enough.

Erwin8r

Pearl Izumi, among others, make great cycling/sports shoes that can be used with clips, or as sneakers--these are what I use 99% of the time. They are pricey, though, but do offer great flexibility. Othwerwise, almost any comfy sneaker will do..

BeginnerCycling

Last summer I broke down and went clipless on my road bike -- but with platform on one side of the pedal/SPD on the other (Shimano M324). I also opted to go for Pearl Izumi mountain biking shoes with cleats, rather than road shoes. I want to be able to walk with some traction, especially across one slick bridge I know.

However, when it came time to buy new sneakers last summer I spent about 30 minutes comparing how flexible the soles were and choosing the one with the stiffest sole. It does make a difference.

she

Yeah I kinda thought it would be more expensive but Im only wearing them while riding. So they would probably last longer. Never thought of mountain bike shoes,in fact I never heard of them. Where to find them?

Erwin8r

Fleabay, or your favorite Izumi retailer... I have the X-Road Fuel--as BeginnerCycling mentions above, they are intended for off-road use, but make for very comfrotable all-around shoes.

Here's a picture of them in white:



Mine are very similar to this, but in Black/red.

goldfinch

Nashbar is one source: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SubCate..._202330_202362

These ones are less than $30 and kind of cute:

cyclist2000

I use sidi's dominators and pearl izumi sandals.This years tour I will only bring these two pair of shoes. The sandals work well for walking.

she

Oh wow lots of places to get them but these are really cute.....let me check it out.

WonderMonkey

I wear my normal gym shoes.

magohn

I went clipless last year after somebody posted on the forums that REI had mistakenly put on clearance "Shimano R160 Road Bike Shoes - Women's - '08 Closeout". Turns out not many women have a size 13 foot. The store had listed the mens shoes and so I snapped them up for $50. The shoes are so comfortable and so light (carbon soles) that if I eve need a new pair I would be tempted to spend the retail cost of $250. I love these shoes:

dcrowell

Me?
Started with whatever I was wearing.
Later bought some clipless SPD mountain style shoe
Gravitated toward big bmx pedals and sandals
Put Grip Kings (big weird shaped pedals) on my single-speed and MKS Touring pedals (wide side-to-side) on my LHT
Now I'm considering finding some better clipless shoes and going back

When I'm not using clipless I usually wear sandals, casual shoes, or heavy boots in the winter.

RandoneeRider

Cheap gum soled sneaks from Big 5 Sporting goods. I thought I would get some dedicated bike shoes, look for stiff soles, low ankle, and without stripes, colors, or Hello Kitty laces. Today's first ride on my new bike with the "dedicated" shoes proved that good bike shoes will (someday) be on the short list of 'must haves'......

SeaDawg

I'm just wearing a new pair of basic Nike cross-trainers. I prefer the all leather upper because it's stiffer than those with netting or canvas material, which really helps on my platform pedals (I hated that on my old ones, my feet kindof bent around the pedal on the edge - if that makes sense). Look for something with a firm sole and a stiff upper, and you'll probably be fine.

cyclokitty 

Depends on the season:

Spring & Autumn I wear skateboard shoes. Luckily I fit into boys shoe size range and currently wear a pair of blue suede Etnies. Very comfy with a stiff enough sole that allows me to ride all day and walk comfortably.

Summer I wear Teva Terrafy sandals. The skateboard shoes make my feet heat up so much on hot days, I think my toes are on fire! These Tevas have good support, sticky and stiff sole, plus it's nice to feel a breeze on my toes.

Winter I wear big ole snowboots with wooly socks. It isn't pretty, it's survival!

funrover 

So far I have had good luck with 3 brands: Teva, Merrill(sp) and my favorite Keen

ill.clyde

I ride clipless Shimano pedals and found a pair of sweet carbon-soled Shimano road shoes I got at the Chicago bike swap last year

snowman40

I used to use Nike running or cross training (40-50 at Kohl's or Sports Authority) but it would irritated my arches. So I switched to Under Armor running shoes when they came out and found relief some relief for my arches, but they are too soft for bike riding. I'm clipless now and probably won't go back.

I have a pair of Shimano mountain bike shoes and pedals for my commuter/beater.

JacktheFlash

I like skate board shoes like Vans. My New Balance seem to have a failrly stiff sole and I like them too.

lucienrau

I use sneakers so I can move my foot around. I like keen sandals/shoes. Chrome makes some more cycling specific shoes. If you're using platforms, get good pedals with good width, grip and support.

marmot

My Pearl Izumi MTB/sport shoes are so comfortable -- even with cleats installed -- that I sometimes forget I have bike shoes on and end up wearing them for totally non-bike-related pursuits.
If you want to stick with platforms only, there are numerous options. Trying flexing and pushing on the soles of various shoes when you're shopping. There are vast differences in stiffness and protective properties among similar looking shoes. Some of the best I've found are Brooks walking shoes, Prospector closed-toe sandals, and Merrell Tawas water shoes.

squirtdad

I have 3 variations:

1) just running casual errands on utility commuter bike. Jump on bike with what ever I have on, but no flipflops
2) commuting (5 miles one way) on utility commuter bike. put on my shimano... touring/light moutain bike spd shoes and use the clipless side of my pedals.
3) Riding my road bike...put on my road shoes (performance brand...nothing super special)

YMMV, but for me clipless are far more efficient when going longer distance (partially because of using stiff shoes).

An option is to get the two sided SPD pedals and the mountain/bike tour type shoes. You can start out without using the cips and flip over and use them as you get comforatable. I find the spd clips are the easiest to use of the ones i have used (spd, Look style and speedplay)

Seattle Forrest

I got a pair of Shimano SPD shoes with carbon soles on Craigslist for $45 about a year ago. They were used, but still worked pretty well. The "hot spots" I used to get on my foot, near the contact area with the pedal, went away instantly.

I just got a pair of Giro carbon soled mountain (SPD) shoes at REI's sale. Haven't put the cleats in them yet ... I had a root canal recently and it's still bothering me a lot, so I don't need an excuse to get on the bike and make it worse!

EDIT: I don't wear bike shorts, either, or other bike specific clothing. But the shoes and pedals make a huge difference!