Paniolo

I've got thousands of miles in my Lake SPD sandals, and I've never had an issue with road debris or critters. There is a ridge around the outside that provides some protection, but in a crash the tops of my feet would not be as protected as in shoes. However, I don't think the top of your feet are that vulnerable in a road crash anyways ... in any case not nearly as exposed as my knees, arms, elbows, back etc and I don't see any one suggesting we all start wearing dh body armor in case we crash on the road!

I'll keep my sandals, they are fantastic on hot days when I don't have to mess with socks. If it rains the water goes right through them, if we have to wade accross any low water crossings it's no problem, in the winter it's easy to add wool socks/ booties for excellent cold weather use. If you don't like them, don't try them ... leaves more of them for me to pick up on closeout!

qmsdc15

They run pretty true to size (46 fits my 11.5 foot). It actually is marked 45 46. The 44 is probably like a 10, might actually be 43 44. You might be between sizes.

It's a comfort thing and socks make it more comfortable. I only leave the socks off when its raining and not cold. Nothing beats riding through a puddle and not having drenched socks and shoes. Yes those puddles have road grit and oil in them but at the end of the day my feet look pretty clean, not a problem.

A thermal sock liner, wool sock, goretex oversocks and sandals are still WICKED COLD in winter time. I wore the sandals all winter one year.

DnvrFox

Yes, and I wear Levis and a sweat shirt while riding my mtn bike cruising the local trails!

Fashion plate, I am NOT!

alanbikehouston

It never occurred to me that riding in bike sandals is dangerous. When I am in Galveston, I ride in a swimsuit and bare feet. I had to "rescue" the foot of one of my companions...her shoe laces got caught in the chain and pulled her shoe tight against the chain...bare feet would have been safer for her.

I ride in shorts a lot. I guess leather pants would be safer. I wear T-shirts. A leather jacket would be safer. I ride wearing a suit, tie, and wing-tips...not especially dangerous, but in August, on a 100 degree Houston afternoon, an outfit that get "funny" looks and a some remarks along the line of "Mad Dogs and Englishmen".

I do wear a helmet. I have cracked two or three helmets (while making unscheduled departures from a bike) and consider a helmet essential.

If you are riding on the beach in Galveston and see a elderly guy riding a bike wearing a swimsuit and helmet, it is probably me. But, when my new Nashbar sandals arrive, no more barefeet.

khuon

I remember reading an article in MBA where the staff were riding around fully enclosed in bubblewrap. They said it offered really good crash protection but was a bit constrictive and didn't breathe too well. I'll have to dig around to see if I still have that issue. The pictures were priceless.

tbobby

I have the Lake version of the SPD sandal. Subjectively, they feel about 5% cooler than shoes in hot weather. One refreshing benefit is when a sweat droplet falls down from my face onto the top of my bare foot. Sounds weird but it feels good. Tanlines are also weird but so are the ones on my hands.

galen_52657

Naturally every bike ride consists of a safety compromise. I just prefer not to take needless chances. Safety equipment has been developed to address the element of danger as much as is practical. Nobody would ride a bike in a full set of motorcycle racing leathers, though they could. Downhill NORBA competitors utilize body armor that was not even available a few years back. I have never witnessed anyone riding in downhill body armor on the road, but it could be done.

We are all free to utilize as much or as little of the available equipment as we see fit. If you want to take unnecessary risks with your appendages nobody is going to stop you. You are free to ride barefoot, bare headed and bareassed if you wish. You could take an old toe strap and lash a cleat to the sole of your foot for all I care.

Just don’t cry too loud if the top of your foot gets skinned up or a toenail ripped off.

qmsdc15

All right! We have Galen's permission!

Guest

And as usual, you deliberately let things go over your head in a futile attempt to justify the silly scenarios that come out of that head of yours.

If someone crashes at 20 miles per hour, they're going to have problems regardless. If someone is wearing flip flops, they're going to have problems.

Seriously, if there was such a doomsday problem as what you proposed, first of all, we'd hear about it. Second, they wouldn't be able to manufacture the shoes for long, because as the lawsuits piled up, they would become more exposed to the publicity, resulting. Finally, even if they spit in the face of our obvious demise and continued to make the shoe, we'd all be smart enough not to wear the shoe, knowing about all those other silly scenarios you claim will obviously happen because we choose to wear sandals.

Also, to assume I don't wear a helmet also is pretty ignorant too.

Comparing flip flops to sandals is like comparing apples to oranges. But I guess for you, it's all the same thing. So I have to conclude that you must not know what you're talking about, since you have no experience with the sandals. I guess that could be why you draw such sophomoric conclusions. Then again, people who comment about situations they have no experience in are generally disregarded anyway, which is why no one here takes you seriously.

Koffee

Guest

Bike rides are full of safety compromises. I'm surprised you ride a bike. It's obvious from your thinking that bike riding is so dangerous that we should all stop immediately. Why don't you just get a car?

Koffee

qmsdc15

Whoa Koffee! Don't get so hot, I don't want someone to call the moderaters. I like that you are hot but keep it at a simmer! I really like that you use spd sandals, they are awesome! Makes a (super fast) beach cruiser out of your road bike in a heartbeat.

Galen, you are right, there is less protection in a dangerous sport. Maybe like choosing light trail shoes over heavy hiking boots. Not that there is any performance gain w sandals, but the loss of performance is small compared to the pain most shoes cause me. I have boney knot on back of heels from skiing full time in boots that didn't fit perfect.

I did tell about recent puncture wound from chainring. Also I scraped my nail on the road once. I forget how, maybe pedal bearings seized. It wasnt an injury but close call and wouldn't happen with shoes. Even most pedestrians use shoes not only by convention but for safety/health reasons.

DnvrFox

Hey! Just came back from a nice ride wearing those dangerous sandals.

Glad to report that my toes are all intact, but it was close for awhile.

But, I am pleased to note that in the last 19,000 miles, I have never had any incident in which my toes or the top of my foot was in danger, regular biking shoes or sandals.

I'm curious - how many of you have either scraped your toes or foot wearing sandals or scraped your shoes in a similar manner.

I examined my sandals carefully today. They extend about 1/2 inch of very tough material beyond my toes and my foot (all around the foot), and the straps on top are wide and strong. For me, Iwould have to be a contortionist to have a foot injury with the Shimano SPD sandals.

Guest

Actually, I would hasten to call that pretty tame. I just pointed out some things after taking the guy's lead and addressing his "concerns". Getting hot would have really resulted in something pretty unladylike, and I only do that kind of off the handle stuff about twice a year.

I still stand by my original statements- to compare flip flops to sandals is like comparing a bike to a car. Might as well take us all off the bikes and put us in a car instead... no, make it an SUV, since they're "safer". If you can make one jump of suppositions, might as well take it as far as you can... right?

Koffee

qmsdc15

Actually flip flops are sandals. I wore flop flops a lot, not while bicycling. The only other sandals I've owned were spd compatable. One of the hardest working messengers in DC has been wearing adidas sandals (looks like shower shoe/flip flop) for at least ten years. I wouldn't think of wearing sandals on the bike if they didn't click in, but they work for him and I think he does more deliveries than me.

Guest

I don't think so- I think flip flops are just the things you wear in the showers and have nothing to do with sandals. And those shoes, regardless of what you classify them as, are NOTHING like the make or material of the spd/look sandals out there.

Koffee

qmsdc15

I wore flip flops everywhere (except in the shower or on the bike) for years, although it was mostly because bare feet were not allowed (but also for the very minimal but real protection from small pieces of glass).

The guy who wears the adidas sandals is smart and hard worker. He is the definition of veteran courier. He knows what he is doing. I think he is safer than "fixie" riders.

clfjmpr44

Ok, OK, back to important stuff...will my 10.5-11 size feet hang over in a size 44? What if i get the 46, wil lthey be like clown feet? I really want to get a pair of the exos, but not if my toes get worms in them from overhang!!!

qmsdc15

I think you are between sizes. Go big for safety? You can return/exchange. I'm 11.5, close to hanging over toe edge.

khuon

Those sandals are DANGEROUS. You run the risk of having those squirrels that roam the bike paths gnaw on your toes! Beware! I think I need to start some campaign to make people more aware of the potential hazards.

wildjim

You may joke but I ran over two squirrels this year. The last one I hit with both tires.

Why do those dang squirrels run into a bicycle? At least six squirrels have ran in front the bicycle not counting the two I squished(they didn't die?).

I am serious and it's not because I look, smell or act like a nut

khuon

Were you wearing sandals?

galen_52657

Koffee suffers from reading/comprehension issues. Plus, she holds a grudge for the photo I posted a while back. So, anything she says with regard to my posts is suspect.

Let the record show that I wear a helmet at all times while bicycling.

Let the record also show regardless of how many miles anyone has ridden without a mishap. EVENTUALLY YOU WILL HAVE A MISHAP. I have worn through the palms of riding gloves in a crash. I have torn up the leather on the toes and heals of cycling shoes in a crash. Glad I was wearing both items at the time.

Guest

Galen suffers from a god complex. He seriously thinks people care.

Koffee

alanbikehouston

And, how often do you see a squirrel that dresses properly for being on a bike lane? You would think that if a squirrel would just think about it, the advantages of wearing body armor, heavy boots, and a helmet with a plexiglass face plate would be clear, even to a squirrel.

But, no. Squirrels run around, practically naked, enjoying the fresh summer breeze, and then, and then, well, it is too terrible to describe. Why can't squirrels understand: bike riding is too dangerous to even think about without wearing fifty pounds of protective clothing?