Originally Posted by mtnroads

Well, 20 years of pedaling in unyielding clipless bike shoes left my feet pretty messed up - it got to where hotfoot would set in after only an hour if pushing at a decent pace or on hills. It got much worse after I quit running and started road cycling 10 yrs ago. Eventually I was wearing orthotics and even getting pain in the balls of my feet when I hiked also, which really set off alarm bells. Apparently the hard-soled cycling shoes with tight toeboxes and small SPD pressure point hadn't done me any favors.

Fortunately there is now a movement back toward healthy, minimalist footwear (even running barefoot!) and I found a younger podiatrist who is helping me return to healthy feet. Minimal soled, flexible shoes with a wide toebox, no more orthotics, and barefeet at home. Plus several exercises designed to strengthen the feet. I'm getting back to cycling with normal shoes and platforms again and the hotfoot is gone. I'd rather lose 3% efficiency and have some normal foot fatigue than force those dogs into hard, stiff soled shoes for extended periods anymore. It feels really good (literally) to get back to basics.

Disclaimer: I still use my Sidi mtn bike shoes and SPD pedals when riding singletrack - I've taken a couple nasty spills riding offroad without being clipped in - but the rest of the time it's free and comfortable feet for me.