If you find some shoes to modify for Look/SPD etc. pedals find way to reinforce the upper to the sole or you may rip them apart when pulling back and up. It's not neccessary to reinforce Sorels, since the midsole is sealed/attached quite a way up the side of the boot. When looks first came out a lot of guys did the same thing to their old style riding shoes, a few worked and some came apart, (uppers tearing away from the soles), because they weren't designed to take that type of stress. Have a cobbler/ or old and or experinced mechanic look at them to tell you if it's neccessary to reinforce your shoes, at the instep and/or the heel. If no one can help you; Your shoes will probably work ok if they have a "goodyear" or "littleway" welt and good solid upper, it helps if you don't go crazy on the " backstroke". From what I can recall, I think most "Doc Martins" have goodyear welts and seem to be pretty solid. I haven't been in any shoe stores for awhile, (it's an "old fart" thing"). You won't have to use any body putty on the "docs", for look cleats, unless their soles are heavily and deeply lugged. To reinforce use a toe strap at the instep or attach a reinforcing band around the heel from the ball of the foot
I have some shoes I mounted a toe strap on by punching a hole through he strap and bolting it to the shoe, using an old threaded hole for the old style cleats. I didn't do it to strengthen the shoe but I'm sure it would "make the difference" if needed.
You could do the same by simply wrapping a toe strap around your shoe at the instep. If you want to attach it to the shoe, just use a wood screw and a little epoxy, "slow cure epoxy" gives a better bond. When/if you want to get it apart, heat the screw with a soldering iron or something to soften the epoxy, it makes it easier.
For SPD,s and other types of recessed cleats you'' have to remove some sole material,(obviously), and reinforce/stiffen the sole for a fairly wide area underneath the cleat to distribute pressure and avoid "hot spots". Many Mtn. type shoes incorporate a thin metal plate which also becomes part of the cleat "mounting system", have a look at some.

If you need any help with deciphering this or my earlier "replies", post a note here or e-mail me.

[Edited by pat5319 on 10-15-2000 at 02:26 AM]