looking for a spd shoe for commuting that I can wear off the bike
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: SoCal
looking for a spd shoe for commuting that I can wear off the bike
I want something for my short commute to work and errands that I can walk in and looks "normal" off the bike with jeans. I have looked at Chrome and DRZ on line. Style wise I am fine with the MTB look so I went and bought some Shimano MT33 but after wearing around the house they seem too stiff to do much walking in. My work is casual dress and I sit in a cube most of the day. What are people using that they like other than a change of shoes?
#2
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
I think you'll find everything a little stiff for walking in. I used to wear my Keen Austins at work which look pretty normal, but it wasn't that comfy and the cleats crunch quite a bit on pavement. Now I just keep a pair of slip-ons under my desk to change into.
#3
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From: Portland OR
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Any serious cycling shoe will have a stiff sole, they have to.
Leave a second pair of shoes in the office.
For errands, just walk on the mountain bike shoes. They're not bad to walk in, just a little different at first.
Leave a second pair of shoes in the office.
For errands, just walk on the mountain bike shoes. They're not bad to walk in, just a little different at first.
#4
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: SoCal
Thanks. I think I'm going to use the MTB shoes and stick another pair in my backpack. My daily shoes are Sanuk, Chucks or Merrell barefoot trail so they are all light and won't take up too much room in my backpack and I'll just wear the shimamo if I'm doing errands etc
#5
My mtb shoes are decent enough for short walks, my touring shoes are better as they are more flexible but nothing beats my Merell barefoot shoes for absolute comfort.
#7
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seeks are supremely comfortable on and off the bike, and don't scream "bicycle shoes!" when off the bike. I used them a lot in Seattle when going form home to childrens hospital because i could just unclip, lock the bike up, and walk right in...
The cool thing about these is that they make a running shoe that uses the exact same top, so they look rather normal--and the cleats ride up deep enough that they are mostly quiet when walking (on certain tile floors they would click).
The cool thing about these is that they make a running shoe that uses the exact same top, so they look rather normal--and the cleats ride up deep enough that they are mostly quiet when walking (on certain tile floors they would click).
Last edited by Erwin8r; 04-29-13 at 02:08 PM. Reason: iphone grammar...
#8
Fat Guy on a Little Bike


Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
I'm using the Keen shoes - I think the model is Spring Water or something like that. They look geeky, but not as bad as some. They're reasonably comfortable off bike.
Here's what they look like:
Here's what they look like:
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 04-29-13 at 11:58 AM.
#11
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From: Boston-ish
Bikes: Bridgestone X0-1 (1992) PURPLE!!!!, Trek 3.1 (2011), Reid Ares, Bianchi Advantage, Hetchins Expecto Patronum (1960)
I actually do like the Keen Austins, and haven't yet had the issues described by Mr. Hairy Legs.
#12
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Milpitas, CA
Bikes: 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Disc; Trek 7.5 FX
I have a standing desk at work, and keep 3 pairs of shoes under it:
Crocs: very comfortable for standing all day
Black leather slip-on shoes: for when I need to leave my desk (meetings, etc.)
Tennis shoes: for when I feel like walking during my break times instead of riding
This way, it doesn't matter what cycling shoes I wear.
Crocs: very comfortable for standing all day
Black leather slip-on shoes: for when I need to leave my desk (meetings, etc.)
Tennis shoes: for when I feel like walking during my break times instead of riding
This way, it doesn't matter what cycling shoes I wear.
#13
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
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From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
I have a standing desk at work, and keep 3 pairs of shoes under it:
Crocs: very comfortable for standing all day
Black leather slip-on shoes: for when I need to leave my desk (meetings, etc.)
Tennis shoes: for when I feel like walking during my break times instead of riding
This way, it doesn't matter what cycling shoes I wear.
Crocs: very comfortable for standing all day
Black leather slip-on shoes: for when I need to leave my desk (meetings, etc.)
Tennis shoes: for when I feel like walking during my break times instead of riding
This way, it doesn't matter what cycling shoes I wear.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 981
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From: Milpitas, CA
Bikes: 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Disc; Trek 7.5 FX
I no longer have any back pain - something that I was dealing with for many years.
Last week, I was attending a Microsoft SharePoint administration class all week, and didn't have my standing desk. I was actually very uncomfortable sitting for long periods of time. I found myself standing up during the lectures, and only sitting when I had to - for the labs.
I share an office space with 2 others, and they both converted their desks to standing as well. One of them stands for only about 1/2 the day. What he did was install his monitor on an extendable arm (ergotron), so that he can drop it slightly below the level of the desk. The keyboard and mouse are a little high for him when he's a in a seated position, but he's OK with that.
There are height-adjustable desks, for those that don't want to stand all the time. I'm sure they're not cheap, but simply by pressing a button, you can change the height. Great for shared working spaces. I'm considering getting one for home, since my wife is 11" shorter than me.
Here's a good example, though far out of my price range: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjiN6Q9wwOE
Sorry to derail the thread...Maybe we should start a new one.
Last edited by ChrisM2097; 05-04-13 at 11:08 PM.
#15
Yes, by choice. I moved my work surface up in my cubicle back in November 2012. The first 3 weeks or so, it took some getting used to, with sore knees and such, but now I can stand for the entire day (9.5 hours) and completely forget that I'm standing.
I no longer have any back pain - something that I was dealing with for many years.
Last week, I was attending a Microsoft SharePoint administration class all week, and didn't have my standing desk. I was actually very uncomfortable sitting for long periods of time. I found myself standing up during the lectures, and only sitting when I had to - for the labs.
I share an office space with 2 others, and they both converted their desks to standing as well. One of them stands for only about 1/2 the day. What he did was install his monitor on an extendable arm (ergotron), so that he can drop it slightly below the level of the desk. The keyboard and mouse are a little high for him when he's a in a seated position, but he's OK with that.
There are height-adjustable desks, for those that don't want to stand all the time. I'm sure they're not cheap, but simply by pressing a button, you can change the height. Great for shared working spaces. I'm considering getting one for home, since my wife is 11" shorter than me.
Here's a good example, though far out of my price range: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjiN6Q9wwOE
Sorry to derail the thread...Maybe we should start a new one.
I no longer have any back pain - something that I was dealing with for many years.
Last week, I was attending a Microsoft SharePoint administration class all week, and didn't have my standing desk. I was actually very uncomfortable sitting for long periods of time. I found myself standing up during the lectures, and only sitting when I had to - for the labs.
I share an office space with 2 others, and they both converted their desks to standing as well. One of them stands for only about 1/2 the day. What he did was install his monitor on an extendable arm (ergotron), so that he can drop it slightly below the level of the desk. The keyboard and mouse are a little high for him when he's a in a seated position, but he's OK with that.
There are height-adjustable desks, for those that don't want to stand all the time. I'm sure they're not cheap, but simply by pressing a button, you can change the height. Great for shared working spaces. I'm considering getting one for home, since my wife is 11" shorter than me.
Here's a good example, though far out of my price range: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjiN6Q9wwOE
Sorry to derail the thread...Maybe we should start a new one.
But the price: ~$1800
Ouch!
#16
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
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From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
That desk looks pretty nice. My problem is that I have 4 boxes, 3 monitors, two mice (left + right) and a keyboard, and setting all that stuff up in a way that it can be easily moved up and down is daunting. My legs are getting pretty uncomfortable from sitting all day though, to the point of making me feel really restless and agitated.
I agree a separate thread on work ergonomics may be in order, not excluding the need for places to discreetly hang our cycling gear...
I agree a separate thread on work ergonomics may be in order, not excluding the need for places to discreetly hang our cycling gear...
#17
Cyclist, Runner & TRX'er
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Eagan, MN
Bikes: Steel Bianchi, 29 inch Redline Monocog, a Carbon something someday
#18
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I wear these all day, even on days when I don't ride. They're not "serious" cycling shoes, as they're not stiff, but I like them. I also like them on the bike. I get painful numbness in my feet from stiff shoes, so the flexibility is a plus for me. I use pedals that take the cleat on only one side. When my feet start hurting, I switch to the uncleated side of the pedals, and I place my feet in varying positions.
https://www.rei.com/product/810725/pe...9-001b2166c62d
https://www.rei.com/product/810725/pe...9-001b2166c62d
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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I just bought these and love them. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . My previous shoes were the Shimano MTB version, but while they were capable and durable, they were also heavy and clunky. The new shoes are much lighter, the fit is pleasantly more snug without being constricting, and they walk just fine. I also stand at my desk and spent half the day yesterday in my bike shoes just for kicks. i am right at a size 10, normal width and the 44 fits me perfect. I also bought a 44 in the MTB shoes and the fit was much looser, that's not a bad thing though as I consider those my winter shoes and wear thicker socks with them.
#20
Idealistic Troublemaker
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 615
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From: SF Bay Area + Surrounding Planet
Bikes: Friday, Brompton, Soma, Fuji, Haro, No_Name...

Vittoria 1976's
I have red ones.
Careful to snug the cleat on firmly, once it starts sliding forget it, they're back to using toe clips.
#21
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
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From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Most days I use the Keen Austin. They are heavy and clunky and take a bit of getting used to but if you don't have to walk alot, they're fine. I would describe the style a business casual kind of thing, not necessarily good looking with jeans depending on your tastes.
Soon I will be wearing SPD sandals almost exclusively.
Soon I will be wearing SPD sandals almost exclusively.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
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#23
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2012
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I found Shimano SPD shoes on Nashbar that wall pretty well. Bought them first because they had them in EU sized 52 (US 15.5 to 16, or so) then found they are fairly comfy to walk in. Cleat doesn't hit the floor. They snap on the pedal nicely also.
BTW: You are getting into the season where most shoes are beginning to be sold out in some more popular sizes, so you need to get on with the buying stage. Time to really shop for bike shoes is in January.
BTW: You are getting into the season where most shoes are beginning to be sold out in some more popular sizes, so you need to get on with the buying stage. Time to really shop for bike shoes is in January.
#24
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
My favorite toe clip touring shoes fit like Penny Loafers, because they are stiff
my heels come up as I walk..
but comfy insoles and adequate blood circulation and no pinched nerves ,
riding all day at my modest pace is fine..
my heels come up as I walk..
but comfy insoles and adequate blood circulation and no pinched nerves ,
riding all day at my modest pace is fine..
#25
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: SoCal
I ended up getting Shimano mt33 and I also switched to a standing workstation at work a few weeks ago. Most days I wear the mt33 all day and stand 95% of the time and I'm comfortable. They are stiff shoes. Sometimes I switch to Sanuk after lunch




