I wouldn't walk in a bike shoe, period. With those spd shoes with the sneaker look, you get the cheap plastic soles. With a the really good, stiff soles, you don't get the nice, rubber touch that's really useful for walking around. Either way, you're going to sound like an irish step dancer everywhere you go. It's not like I'm planning to do any hiking. And I don't think it's really a big deal if I stop to pee, which I would imagine to be the best reason for stopping at all. And if I'm touring, I'm probably going to bring a small bag with me, with small things, like camera, or even just some snacks. But idk.

I just want to find out for sure if the smaller platform makes the shoe flex more, or deteriorate faster, or less comfortable on long rides. Maybe the nashbar guy simply fitted better into his new road shoes going from his mtb shoes. Or maybe he was just blowing smoke, to make me want to buy their more expensive road shoes (highly doubt it). Either way, I don't think I can really find out until I actually go on a ride with them. I don't think I can pick one just by putting it on, because the shoes I'm wearing fit really well, but they give me hotspots only 15 miles into the ride. And the reason why I'm hesitant to buy 6 shoes and trying them out... I mean there's the shipping, the hassle, probably restocking fee. It makes me uncomfortable just thinking about it.

I mean if it's really this bad, then they should just do a demo program like they do with tennis rackets, except with cycling shoes. Pay $20 to test some road shoes for 3 weeks or so, and ship them back. Less work for everyone involved.