I have a pair of Sette mountain shoes. Been wearing them all weathers for 3 years now, they're still in good shape. I forget that I'm wearing them sometimes. I have SPD cleats on them.

Before them I had a pair of Shimano mountain shoes. They lasted about 4 or 5 years before I tossed them.

I paid about $40 for the Shimanos, $35 for the Settes. The Shimanos came from eBay, the Settes I think on sale at Performance Bikes.

FWIW, I'm not really a believer in clipless. I have it because people said it was so much better but I have not really found that to be true. It IS true however that cycling SHOES are worth it - the stiff sole is great. When I ride long with sneakers my feet cramp like crazy.

SPDs and Pearl Isumi MTB shoes work great.

I took the clipless pedals off my commuter and don't use straps either, and ride in my sneakers. I just didn't feel safe riding clipped in even though I've been using clipless from the time of the original Looks. My commute is 10 miles each way and I don't feel the need to get every watt out of my body to get there. I keep the Keos on my road bikes though, I wouldn't change that. This all reminds me that I have a pair of MTB shoes with SPDs on them, but I don't know where the pedals are.

Egg Beaters are SPD compatible, however, they have a specific cleat that's manufactured by Crank Bros. About $20 a pair at REI - still have my original pair and they still work great!

Cleats typically come with the pedals.

I do feel that I need either clipless or toe straps though I don't care which.

I made this decision after my sneaker-clad feet slipped off the platforms TWICE in one day when I was stopped at a light in the rain. Light turns green, I go, my foot slips off, I come to a screeching halt with my shin grinding down the front of a pedal, the pickup behind me nearly flattens me.

I decided that keeping my feet on the pedals in the rain was a primary safety concern.

switched to SPD and now kick myself for not going sooner.

my shoes are easy to walk in. i leave my work shoes in my office and just bring clean socks as part of the clothes i change into.

http://www.rei.com/zoom/xx/84931c36-...1d9e40.jpg/440

Thank you. I want to try them out.

I agree with this suggestion (Shimano MT 22s). I have the MT 21s (very similar but no longer made) and they're super easy to walk in - easier than regular SPD MTB shoes (I own a pair of Specialized MTB shoes). Note that the sole is softer than some MTB shoes so you will lose a little efficiency.

I also agree with the Crank Bros Candy suggestions. I have 3 pairs, two from the current generation and one from the previous. All of them work great on my bikes. I love the four-sided entry!

This is not the issue - the proper and more efficient way is to not only push down but to also pull up each pedal on the upstroke. When you are pushing the left down you are pulling the right up. This uses different muscles and is more efficient riding. Also it is hard to do in toe clips.

I recently bought a pair of Keen Austins for two reasons. The first is quality. I wanted a shoe that would hold up for a few years of regular service. The second is style. I'm not into looking like a guy with a weird shoe fetish anymore. The Keens look like normal shoes. Well, to be honest, Keens don't really look normal to begin with, but they are close enough. The build quality is terrific and they are comfortable enough to wear all day. And they are as waterproof as any shoe with a hole built into the bottom of them can be.

I just got a pair at REI and they are on sale for $75. My daughter has them and likes them. On regular concrete they will make a grinding sound, but on every other surface they are silent.

I like their style, but can't find a pair in my size. No one answers the phone number listed on their website, nor do they return calls.

Anyone no where to get a 42 or 43 in the District?

This is my exact setup. PI MTB and Shimano A530 SPDs. Just bought a second pair of PI shoes as Nashbar had them on sale for $64 a week ago.