Originally Posted by
Jeff of Vt
Honestly, I'm tired of cycling shoes. I've never liked the idea of having cycling-specific shoes and I've been using them for years. I'm aware of the benefits of stiffer soles but I'm not really one for purchasing modest efficiency at the cost of practicality. I've considered shoe covers but that would only add to that. There's also the complaints of lack of durability of shoe covers and I'm hard on equipment.
The idea of stiff soles being more efficient is not proven, and it is most likely a myth. You can search youtube for comparison videos - it doesn't make a measurable difference even when measured with advanced equipment. There remain advantages to clipless (but you're not faster at regular riding or more efficient):
1. Your foot stay attached to the pedal while wildly sprinting
2. You can exert more power for short sprints (but at the cost of burning more energy)
So basically it does have uses if you're seriously racing, but outside of that it's pretty much a draw - use whatever you like better.
You can get clipless-level traction in every direction (except pulling up on the pedal obviously) with two things:
1. Flats with metal pins
2. Five Ten bike-specific shoes. They're flat on the bottom, but use a specific rubber compound that grips the pins very strongly.
Here's the five then shoe closest to what I wear:
https://www.adidasoutdoor.com/five-t...men-bike-shoes