Need a new commuting shoe
 

Okay everyone, my old dolomite shoes have had it, the soles are crumbling and the top is wearing out fast

I need a new commuting shoe, mtb so I can use the dual hole clips.

Lightweight and inexpensive .

I need to be able to walk in them.

I already have road shoes with the hard sole and nice ratcheting system for the weekend. So I don't need a road shoe

Nashbar has a couple choices, and I've been looking at the various Shimano models. But they are all heavy. Will I have to just deal with it?

Also don't know how I feel about laces , I know how to tie my shoes but I think it would be time consuming taking my shoes off and on

So does any have suggestions? I'd prefer if you've tried the recommendation yourself


Thanks everyone

For me personally, Specialized's entry level mountain bike shoes have been the best. Shoes with a "softer" sole give me knee problems, and for some reason these particular shoes don't give me foot pain (though that's very person-specific, but I've pretty much given up on finding Specialized road shoes that work, been through Sidi, Specialized, and 3 different insoles there).

They've been good for walking into work, walking through a grocery store and shopping, etc, though I wouldn't go on a hike with them. Velco straps, not laces.

I have an older model, here's a link to the current model (note that there's a black model, it's just not the first picture) -
Specialized Bicycle Components

I recently got some new MTB shoes for commuting, and after trying on a ton of different options settled on a Specialized MTB shoe - it just fit me best and was quite comfortably, plus the sole was soft enough and good enough grip for a bit of walking in. Also liked they were light and stiff. I think I got one model up from the base and maybe last years model.

Fit and comfort is very personal, so YMMV.

I would recommend against laces, as they can get caught in gears, plus I just think are a pain for bike shoes and getting proper tightness. Velcro plus a strap seems like the best combo to me, or just velcro to keep simpler.

I also have a pair of Shimano shoes (2 actually), one that is a traditional MTB shoe and I have been happy with. This is my real MTB shoe, I just didn't want to commute in a shoe that is often covered in dirt/dried mud and track that in and out of the house/work. The other pair is more of a regular shoe with cleats in them, looks like a sneaker or light hiking shoe. They are more comfortable to walk around in, and got them to use while biking to the store, out for lunch, etc. Not as comfortable as a non bike shoe was they are stiffer, but pretty good. Can also use them on platform pedals if desired. They have laces plus a velcro strap, which is handy to use to keep the laces in place and out of gears.

I'll look into the specialized shoes. Thanks!

I'll look into these. Thank you both

For maximum stealth, try a Keen Austin. No one will know you are wearing cycling shoes.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=375035

Sorry, not sure if you're looking for clipless or not. But, I really like my Keen Commuter sandals for commuting (in warmer weather). I have used these for the last 4 years with my various Crank Brothers clipless pedals. Ride in to work, and wear them for the rest of the work day, ride home.

I didn't see any keen spd shoes, but the spd sandals look cool. Too bad my size was sold out

Amazon.com: Pearl iZUMi Men's Fuel Cyling Shoe: Shoes

These are pretty good. Not exactly low key but pretty indistinguishable from cross trainers to the untrained eye.

I recently bought some Pearl Izumi mtn bike shoes on sale at REI for about half price ($60). Very nice shoes with Velcro straps for easy use and no shoestrings to get caught in chain. Unfortunately they might be too large and I might have to return them. Local store didn't have my size so they sent me a pair from another store and I wasn't able to try them on first for fit.

I think I'm going to grab a pair of these for my next tour and to commute it - thanks for posting them.

I googled them to get some more info, and stumbled across this - positive story about Keen customer service: MY SIDE OF THE RIDE: KEEN AUSTIN PEDAL CYCLING SHOES UPDATE

I fell in love with the look of these when I stumbled across them (Giro Rumble Mountain). The practical side of me keeps saying the old ones aren't dead yet.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=375583

Giro republic if you want to fulfill your inner hipster.
http://www.giro.com/media/promo_content/mens_shoes.jpg

If you run clipped, I really like the DZR Shoes. I have had two pairs for over a year and they are still running well. Originally I purchased them when I was in college, it was nice to be able to get off my bike and walk around with out having to change or hearing the grinding.

The Chrome City SPD shoes are also another good option for stealth shoes. I wear them every day at work all day long and they are great if they fit your style preferences.

I have been very happy with Shimano MT33s. With SPDs, you do occasionally hear some clanking when you walk but the shoe itself is quite comfortable.

Shimano SH-MT33L Shoes Reviews - Mtbr.com

They are definitely able to handle rough hiking, walking, and daily work. They are dark enough to pass for casual business use, and are very durable.

Happy Specialized MTB shoe user here too ... I think mine are two years old, have two velcro straps at the bottom and a strap/ratchet at the top. EAsy to walk in ... I love them.

As far as I am concerned, the OP needs to be clearer about "need to walk in them". My 3-velcro Exustar are relatively comfortable for walking short distances, meaning that when I get off my bike at work, I can comfortably walk my bike to the cage, comfortably walk 200m/yd to my office before I change into regular shoes and at Costco or the grocery store, I can wander around the store in those shoes getting the stuff I need. However, if the OP means that when the OP (fictitious scenario for the sake of example) gets to the university, locks the bike, goes to classes for the day, returns to the bike and bikes home, etc., then no, the Exustar and most other MTB shoes would not be comfortable and for that amount of walking, I'd carry a second pair of shoes.

Still in the Wet Season .. gotten used to the slip on LL Bean rubber Mocs . myself .. [still US made]

And platform pedals .. .. not warm enough to sweat in them yet .. + the trips are short , now.

moved in town ..

I just need to be able to walk to go eat, maybe some shopping without the cleats grinding or sliding around. The specialized mtb shoes look great but they're pricey. The mt33 looks good, but Idk about the laces.

I have a lot of options now, thanks everybody

They are pricey ... I got lucky, my LBS was liquidating all of their Specialized stuff (moving to sell strictly Trek/Bonty stuff) so I got like 30 percent off

Shimano MT22 is my favorite. Discontinued a few years ago. Mine have so far has lasted 5 years of being worn every single workday, are far from worn out. Fine to work and walk in, pretty low profile look. I even bought a backup pair too. New ones come up occasionally on eBay, not terribly expensive. For example (no relation to seller):

Shimano SH MT22 Mountain Bike Cycle Shoes Mens Size Euro 40 New | eBay

If you want to avoid the cleats clicking or grinding, it's more about the clipless system than it is about the shoes themselves. Time Atac and Crank Brothers Eggbeaters are the best for the cleat not grinding - mine don't grind most of the time, though they occassionally do if outside on uneven concrete. Shimano Spd's are worse, grinding against a lot more surfaces as they hang down a little further.

I like my Keen arroyo's. Arroyo Pedal | KEEN Men's Cycling Shoes

I've been seriously considering getting a pair of those. I have never ridden clipless before, but have decided to give it a try and already ordered a set of SPD pedals. I really like how those shoes look like regular running/street shoes. I was looking at them at Performance Bike yesterday and the one thing that struck me about them that I didn't like was the weight. I'm not a weight weenie type, but to me they felt significantly heavier than any other shoes in the store, including cheaper ones. But, i've read a lot of good reviews on those shoes, so maybe the weight really doesn't make much difference? I plan to use them for all types of riding if I get them, including everything from commuting, to mountainous 100+ mile rides on my road bike this summer. I'm not worried about them being heavy for commuting, but I don't know how much difference it will make by the end of a long day of climbing. Have you done any long distance riding with those shoes (In all the reviews I read about those shoes nobody mentioned that they've done any distance cycling with them)? Do you think they would be a good fit for my needs?