on2wheelsks

I just inherited a new in box set of Shimano PD-M520 MTB pedals w/spd cleats. I would like to try these "clipless pedals", and would like some shoe recommendations. The cleats are the 2 bolt design, so I have to order a MTB shoe I think. Any advice on brands, I would like to buy a pair I would be happy with, not just the cheapest pair available. What do you wear, don't want to have to buy multiple pairs before I am happy. I wear a size US12, or EUR47, if that helps. I have received my best bike advice off this forum, so TIA!
Pat

Dudelsack 

I bought Sidi MTB shoes long ago and have been happy with them. They seem to be the standard by which other shoes are judged, ie. my shoes are just as good as Sidis, etc.

NOS88

Here are a few things to think about.

Will you be riding in all kinds of weather? If so, you may want a shoe that has some level of protection from the harsher elements. For example I have a pair of shoes with Gore Tex lining. They keep my feet warm and dry in the winter months.

Do you want a shoe that is easy to put on and take off (think Velcro straps) or are you content with tying laces? If you go the lace route, keep in mind that the laces must be kept from getting caught in your chain ring and chain. I have a pair of shoes that lace, but they also have a provision for slipping the extra lace back down through the tightened laces keeping them out of the way.

Do you have wide or narrow feet? The bottom line here is that even the best made shoe is useless if it doesn't fit well.

Will you be wearing the shoe anywhere else besides being on the bike? When I go shopping by bike, I wear the SPD shoes that look most like typical street shoes.

Just one last comment: You'll likely hear from people who proclaim that their shoes are the best shoes. And, they may well be the best shoes FOR THEM, but not necessarily for you. So, my recommendation is that you look at shoes, try them on, and when you find one that seems like a possible choice, look for reviews of those shoes online. When I do this, I tend to start with the negative reviews first. I want to know what possible short comings may exist. I've learned this the hard way as evidenced by three or four pair of shoes I no longer wear. They are probably great shoes for someone else, but they simply don't meet my needs.

fietsbob

May i recommend going to a Bike Shop and trying on shoes in person?

I agree SiDi is a good brand, Italian made..
they have multiple widths and Euro 1/2sizes, in the midrange sizes.

Mega is made on their wider foot lasts..

Though I also have some Keens Sandals with Spud cleats, 1st product run was narrow , but so are my feet .

Shimano does sandals too, straps adjust the width, they have been found useful because
you have a thick warm sock and thin cool summer sock choice , and the straps adjust to suit.

for dry feet in sandals there are goretex socks, they were intended to go In Boots
when fording streams, but they work well in sandals over your socks.

oldbobcat

A shoe that fits. You'll know that better than any of us will.

bruce19

I am on my second set of Specialized shoes and am very satisfied with them. As someone has said...what works for me or anyone else may not work for you. Try whatever shoes you can before buying.

Rick@OCRR

I would 2nd Dudeslack's vote for Sidi shoes (or is it 3rd, . . . whatever). It's the brand I've been using for several decades, always very comfortable fit, bits that wear out are replaceable, top quality construction.

Okay, yes, they are expensive . . . but well worth it for all the enjoyable years you get out of a pair of Sidi shoes!

Rick / OCRR

leob1

What ever you do, DO NOT even consider buying them with out trying them on first. Sizes vary between manufacturers. A size 42 from Specialized may be different than a szie 42 from Shimano, and still different from Sidi, etc. Go to a few shops, try on different shoes from different manufactureres and buy the ones that fit and feel best. Don't try to buy them from an online source, you may get lucky and get a good fit, or you may not.
Plan on spending some time trying on shoes, try a size up and down.
My Specialized MTB shoes are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned, of any type of shoe. They may not work for you, but give 'em a try.
Good Luck.

kingsqueak

I bought Louis Garneau Montana XT3's and like them quite a lot. I had to try a few pair to get a fit (size 15) and got these mainly due to fit, but they are turning out to be a comfortable shoe as well.

I like that the cleats are recessed on these so walking with the cleats isn't so treacherous...they are stiff soled so they aren't sneakers, but still, not as slippery as roadie shoes.

https://www.louisgarneau.com/us-en/pr...TANA_XT3_SHOES

I picked them up from Amazon for a good bit less.

I'm running them on PD-M530 pedals, no troubles.

The Savages

trying to figure mine out i'm old school clips with straps

eja_ bottecchia

I second this recommendation. I have diabetes and having comfortable shoes that fit correctly is very important. I have a pair of Sidi Ergo2 that fit like a glove. Now that they are getting a bit rough around the edges, I am looking for my next pair of Sidis.

Good luck with your search.

phread59

I have 2 pair off Specialized Comp's. One in road and one in mountain. I really like the MTB shoes to be honest. Well worth looking into Spesh shoes.

Mark Shuman

1nterceptor

There are a lot brands/models that would take those cleats.
My advice is to go to some stores at the end of the day(when
your feet are at their biggest) and try a few. Also, I would
suggest not to get a mountainbike type shoes if you don't
plan on going off road; the aggressive thread is not necessary.
Maybe just get a "touring" model.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFyXxrqWbPA

Carbonfiberboy 

Sidi Dominator. I had about 50,000 miles on a pair before I stupidly lost them. They were still in very good condition. I bought a new pair, which fit exactly like the old pair.

DX-MAN

DISCLAIMER: I'm a MTB'er.

Stay the hell away from Sette.

I don't know if Answer is still in the shoe biz, but they will likely let you down, too.

Shimano has been good to me, 661 was, too. I wear 46's.

My riding buddy loved the Specialized shoes he had as an amateur racer....

Dudelsack 

Thats what I'm talking about.

madscientist59

I see what you did there

on2wheelsks

Update-I ordered the Pearl Izumi Elite II MTB shoes with Shimano M-520 pedals. Tried them today, feels like second nature to me. Anyone who shared the anxiety I had really need not worry, the switch to clipless pedals for me was easy. Just road around the neighborhood practicing, but not hard at all to make the transition from flat pedals. Why are they called clipless? Be prepared, they are slick to walk on, especially on smooth floors.

billydonn

Sidi... Hard to go wrong there. They're Italian too.

madscientist59

Cause they don't use top clips.

fietsbob

I like toeclip/strap setups better since I got the shoes right.. since i dont need the shoe to fit tight.

now fairly short distance commuting, the platform pedal has supplanted the toe clip pedal ..


long distance, day, sport rides with your performance oriented companions, is different , I suppose.

CarrollB

I have the exact same shoes and pedals. The shoes are very comfortable, got them on sale for $80. Said I would never need clipless but really like them. First time outside of my neighborhood I was riding in a local park and came to a road. I couldn't tell if a car was coming so I unclip the left foot while the bike is slowly rolling forward towards the road. I can't get the right foot unclipped! The bike is just about stopped and is starting to fall to the right and I can see the blacktop coming towards my knee. At the last second the right foot unclips, I get my foot on the ground with no time to spare, the bike is at a 45° angle, and in the process kick the chain off the front ring. I now unclip about 25 yards before approaching a street, flip the pedals over and am good to go.

nuke_diver

and yet they still clip in , platforms are clipless

I'm looking at this as well as I just got a new bike. But I've ridden platforms for so long I'm not sure that there will be a tangible benefit to spending for new pedals and shoes. Yes the clipless will hold you in place but unless you go over big bumps unexpectedly that isn't generally a problem for road bikes (least not for me). And the power is in the downstroke not the upstroke. I imagine climbing steep hills might be easier since you can pull up but I'm not sure if that just tires you out faster or not.

However you don't know unless you try so I am looking into it. I do have an objection to an option that can be a significant fraction of the cost of a bike though. Seems like the shoes in particular start at near $100 and go up from there. And for wide feet like mine cheaper options are less available (at least so far in my looking around)