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Favorite shoes for commuting?

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Old 06-13-14 | 01:17 PM
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Favorite shoes for commuting?

Just wondering what you guys like to ride in? When I've got my toe clips setup, I usually like my Adidas Sambas - good, somewhat stiff sole that lets me walk around comfortably once I get to work/school. For my SPDs, I used to love riding in DZRs (DZR | Urban Cycling Shoes), mainly because for the most part they looked like normal shoes. I had a buddy who used to ride in Chromes for the same reason, but I could always hear his cleats click-clacking when he'd walk down the halls.

My DZRs now have over 4,000 miles on them and are starting to fall apart. They also have an irremovable stink to them. I can't even untie them without almost fainting. Anyhow, I recently bought a pair of Giro Republics (Republic) to replace them. I LOVE the feel they give me on my ride. I've never had a "real" cycling shoe before this and having that hard plastic sole has dramatically improved the quality of my commutes, and when I want to transition into a fitness ride on the way home, I feel like I can crank out more power with these. The only downside is that I have to keep a pair of tennis shoes at work to change into to stay comfy on my feet all day, although they do fine when I'm only off the bike for a couple hours at a time.

I feel like I've completed my crawl (flat pedals) - walk (toe clips) - run (clipless) transition through pedals and have finally found a pair of shoes that really work for me! What are your thoughts on shoes for cycling? Fans of cycling specific shoes or prefer standard tennis shoes?
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Old 06-13-14 | 01:32 PM
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Depends on the weather. One pair of regular winter boots and four pairs of SPD shoes: Shimano winter, two Shimano regular and Keen sandals.
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Old 06-13-14 | 01:46 PM
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No rain: Nashbar cycling sandals.
Rain/cold: Exustar E-SM602s with socks as appropriate.
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Old 06-13-14 | 02:23 PM
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Cycling Specific ... On my roadie, road shoes, yes, not fun to walk in. On my commuter/CX bike, MTB shoes with eggbeater cleats. Easy to walk in, still perform well as a cycling shoe when I need it. On my MTB with platform pedals ... whatever shoes I happen to be wearing at the time.

I keep actually two pairs of shoes at work, a pair of tennis shoes (wear to the gym downstairs when I work out) and a pair of casual dress shoes. Doesn't bother me at all.
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Old 06-13-14 | 02:27 PM
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Keen Cycling Shoes:


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Old 06-13-14 | 02:36 PM
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This pedal, MKS lambda (seriously kicka#$ platform pedal):



With a hiking shoe in the summer or sandals,

and an insulated boot in the winter.
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Old 06-13-14 | 02:40 PM
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Just tennis shoes, with toe clips that I've taken the straps out.

For rain, if I think about it in time, I have a pair of old tennis shoes that I sealed with PlastiDip rubber spray. Hot, but keeps my feet dry.
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Old 06-13-14 | 03:00 PM
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On just rides (neighborhooding, groceries, restaurant, Walgreens, etc.) I wear my running shoes or sandals. On my commute I wear my work shoes (Shoes for Crews). I rode platforms from 1971 to about 1984, then clips/straps til about 1996, then SPDs up to the summer of 2011, and now back to platforms for the past 3 years. Since I'm a hipster, platforms are required.
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Old 06-13-14 | 04:33 PM
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PI casual cycling shoes with SPD cleats. Comfortable enough to walk in all day.
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Old 06-13-14 | 04:48 PM
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Converse all stars for fair weather, LL Bean Maine hunting shoes for cold and wet. I don't use cycling specific gear other than rain gear and gloves.
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Old 06-13-14 | 05:52 PM
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Florsheim.
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Old 06-13-14 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulH
Florsheim.
wingtips with cleats? How cool is that, .
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Old 06-13-14 | 06:13 PM
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MT33s for like $35 at REI. How can you beat that? Even if they are kinna ho-hum.

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Old 06-13-14 | 06:46 PM
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I use these for their functionality & price point. When the weather is colder I wear MTB shoes instead.
After I arrive at work, I always change into a pair of comfortable walking shoes that I keep in the office.
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Old 06-13-14 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by old's'cool
I use these for their functionality & price point. When the weather is colder I wear MTB shoes instead.
After I arrive at work, I always change into a pair of comfortable walking shoes that I keep in the office.
Those look slick.... not finding the BOA version with a few quick pokes around the googles... have a source?
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Old 06-13-14 | 09:06 PM
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Crocs. They're grippy and comfy.
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Old 06-14-14 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by The B
Those look slick.... not finding the BOA version with a few quick pokes around the googles... have a source?
Hmmn, I got them in 2011, maybe they're no longer available. That would be a shame. The wire laces work great with toeclips, which is more than I can say for the typical road shoes with velcro straps.
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Old 06-14-14 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeyBike
Keen Cycling Shoes:


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I recently got a pair of Keen Springwater II spd shoes... they could be the best walkable shoe I have ever used and my LG touring shoes aren't bad either.
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Old 06-14-14 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by The B
MT33s for like $35 at REI. How can you beat that? Even if they are kinna ho-hum.

I second this. Been using them for a year now, comfy as can be. One drawback I've noticed: as they wear, the cleat recess becomes not quite sufficient to prevent clicking when walking on concrete surfaces and such. Not a huge deal for me.
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Old 06-14-14 | 10:20 AM
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These Pearl Izumis are now my daily wear commuter shoes:
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek V Bike Shoes - Men's - Free Shipping at REI.com

Unless it is warm, then I stick with my Keen Commuter sandals.


Either way, I can wear whichever pair throughout the day at work as well.
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Old 06-14-14 | 11:08 AM
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Speedplay frog pedals. The shoes are Garneau that I picked after trying on every single pair in my size they had at Performance bikes. The important part is bolded. When it comes to shoes, brand is nothing to me. Fit is everything.
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Old 06-14-14 | 11:36 AM
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Wet? LL Bean Rubber Ones , not raining? Keens Clones ( though I have SPuD stuff Too ) ,
I moved in close so rarely need the whole Kit anymore .

mostly wear what I can stand wearing all day, on concrete floors..
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Old 06-14-14 | 11:39 AM
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Slippers.
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Old 06-14-14 | 12:08 PM
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For the time being I wear the reebok club classic. I switch to boots at work.

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Old 06-14-14 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver
I recently got a pair of Keen Springwater II spd shoes... they could be the best walkable shoe I have ever used and my LG touring shoes aren't bad either.

I have owned many good SPD cycling/light-hiking shoes over the years. The Keens are the best followed by Shimano shoes. My SIXSIXONE shoes were a close second - a bit more clunky for walking but still quite good.
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