TomD77

I'm a very happy SPD user and not at all likely to change that and have been using 2 pairs of biking shoes in my 3 riding years to date: a pair of Shimano sandals for hot weather and a pair of Mavic mtb shoes. My Mavics, which get the bulk of the use, are unlikely to last too much longer so replacement will have to happen in the next couple of months. I'm not a bibs and team jersey sort of person so I'd like something visually low key and also light, very well ventilated and no more than $100.

Recommendations?

ericm979

I'd go to a good LBS and try stuff on. Fit is pretty important.
The Giro MTB shoes look like they're pretty good and their road shoes are quite light and comfortable (for me). Fit is similar to Sidis.

cafzali

I'm much the same as you and a couple of years ago, I swapped out my original MTB shoes for some Scott MTB Team Boa shoes and I love them. Personally, I like the "wratchet" BOA system rather than the velcro straps, as I find it allows for better adjustments. I don't exactly remember how much I paid for them, but I believe it was about $150 or thereabouts.

stapfam

I would say ones that fit--As I know to my cost. Bought a pair of Shimano Road shoes on line that take both the 3 and 2 bolt fixings so If I did not get on with the Time pedals I could convert to SPD 2 bolt fixing. I will be going SPD as I do not like the time pedals.

But Shoes are one of those items that I like to try before I buy. The new shimano are not as comfortable as I would like so it is my fault for buying on line. I still ride MTB and the problem I find with my aggressive soled MTB shoes is that they are not comfortable to walk in. Shimano do a few MTB shoes that have a firm sole that is Rubber instead of hard plastic. Look like ordinary trainers with laces but I do prefer to have a cover over the laces- or no laces and straps.

Steve B.

Shimano makes M series and R series shoes, for mountain (SPD) and road (SPD-L) pedals.

The R series shoes are not really designed for walking, having a hard plastic sole, no rubber and thus, no recessed cleats. I don't believe the R series shoes are designed for use with the mt. SM series cleats and pedals as they offer no lateral support for the shoe on the pedal top.

I use both the R087 and the M087 and like both, if only as they come in a wide version (I'm a 4E width). I use SPD-L pedals (and cleats) for my longer road rides (+40 miles) as I'm prone to hot foot with SPD's. The SPD-L cleat offers better foot support (In my opinion) and largely eliminated my hot foot issues.

I also have Mavics and Sidi's sitting in a bin un-used, neither being as comfortable over the long haul as the Shimano's, but I know folks who like Sidi's (they too come in wide). I also use Diadora's for winter use on the mt. bike, using SPD's, finding them as comfortable as the Shimano's.

tunavic

These are comfortable and the well recessed cleat allows for easy walking.

https://www.rei.com/product/828574/pe...ike-shoes-mens

You can find them at many places under $100.

DnvrFox

I find that with proper socks my sandals work all year round

John_V 

I really like the Specialized BG MTB Pro shoes. Great fit, comfortable when riding or walking and they don't look like cycling shoes as much as some of the other MTB shoes I've seen.

B. Carfree

Yeah, but what does someone in Colorado know about the icy cold of Florida?

DnvrFox

Yes, I forgot about that!!

TomD77

It's getting down to 59 tonight! You have no idea what we have to put up with, it sometimes gets so bad that I have to wear long pants!

Though this is a weather warning for Christmas afternoon here "western Florida Panhandle by afternoon. Tornadoes, damaging winds of 60 to 80 mph, and large hail are all threats in these areas! Some tornadoes may be strong, long-track tornadoes, as well!"

DnvrFox

You have some shoes for tornadoes?

TiHabanero

Gotta give a thumbs up to Specialized on their shoes. Got a pair of Sworks road shoes this past spring, came from using Sidi. The built in forefoot wedge means I don't need the Big Meat wedges under my cleats anymore, which is the reason I got them.
For 100 bucks or less, all the shoes will be the same other than the forefoot wedge Specialized uses. Thas is the one feature that makes them stand out among the plethora of cycling shoes out there.
I will say the Sidi have a more comfortable upper, something about the material they use is just better for that glove like fit the Italian shoe makers are known for. If Sidi had the wedging built into the sole of the shoe, I would have gone with them, but sadly, they don't!

qcpmsame 

Yep, actually the steel toed work boots I wear daily will be handy for the debris removal and clean up here in the 'Icy Weather of Florida" Current TorCon is 6 for our area, (0745 it went to "8") not a good thing at all. Doppler scope is clobbered slightly to the west of us right now. Lots of yellow and red cells.

I have Adidas SPD-SL shoes I got in January of 2008, they have held up really well, I make sure to clean the glop off of them and wipe them down after I ride so the upper stays intact and pliable. they have an aluminum/carbon fiber sole plate and are very strong, at my Clyde tonnage this is a plus. I understand Adidas is saying they are going to produce cycling shoes again and I believe they are sponsors for Sky Cycling, U.K. I hope so, these have been very comfortable, long lasting shoes for me.

Bill

eay

I've been pleased with the Pearl Izumi mountain shoes I've had. I use one pair of shoes all year 'round, so these are mesh and ventilated. I just use thicker wool socks in them for the winter.

They are a bit garish with the orange but I like them anyway. Pearl Izumi X-Alp Drift II. They are a shade over 100. I bought mine with my REI dividend last year.

My previous pair of shoes were the original X-Alp Drift. The velcro did not stay velcroed. These have laces. Much better.

fietsbob

SiDi makes a lot of sizes to get a good fit, and a parallel set of lasts in the wider, Mega versions ,
and half sizes thru the more common mid-sizes...
Euro, say , 44 - 44.5 is like a 1/4 size compared to US half sizes ala 10 -10 1/2.

as said, try them on in person..

they are made in Italy, so may not come in at under $99.99.

sesmith

i'm into Keens, these days. Good all around commuting / touring shoe.

TomD77

I might have to wait until I make another of my common trips back to Atlanta to find a varied sample of shoes in my huge shoe size of 47 (US 12). My 4 biggest criterion are comfort, ventilation, walkability and weight with style maybe around 8th or 10th place if there. And style is the only thing I can tell from the web. In the Pensacola area, the selection of MTB shoes in my size is quite limited.

qcpmsame 

I am the same size as you are Tom, I found the Adidas at the Truly Spokin' in your town. I suspect you are correct about waiting, have you looked at Nashbar or any of the on-line stores yet?

Bill

TomD77

Oh yeah! But I'm batting somewhere in the .050 range for getting shoes right when bought via mail order. Truly Spokin is changing ownership effective next week and their stock has fallen to essentially zero pending.

Retro Grouch 

A little off topic but, as a former LBS owner, let me say this:

Shoes are a money loser for an LBS because fitting them takes a lot of time and they have to inventory a lot of sizes. Using your LBS to try on shoes when you have no intention of buying from him is unethical. If you are going to buy on line, buy 3 sizes straddling the size that you think that you need. Then simply return the two pair that are the wrong size.

TomD77

I wouldn't do that. What I would do is find what I could buy them for and see if I could negotiate a middle price so he makes money to stay in business.

fietsbob

Shimano's Sandals would be OK until you bang your toe.

qcpmsame 

Amen to this RG, never intended that Tom do that and I know he would not do so. You have been on the LBS ownership side of the coin and know how much of this goes on. It males me angry, not just shoes but other kit and even parts get this type of misuse by people, as you know all to well. I have not tried to but shoes on-line, my feet are difficult to fit and it is not even a crap shoot.

Tom, I had no idea about Truly Spokin' changing hands, I have not shopped in even the Pensacola store in over a year, I use Cyclesports of Pensacola so I was out of that loop. Sorry for the bad gouge on my part. Best of luck in finding some good shoes, Tom, I am looking forward to a ride next year when you get things healed up.

Bill

lhbernhardt

In addition to the M- and R- shoes, Shimano makes an RT- series. These are designed to take Shimano's MTB SPD cleats, but they come with a flat sole (no MTB lugs) so you can use them for touring. I wore my RT-80's to ride Paris-Brest-Paris, so they can be ridden for serious distances (on a fixed gear, I might add, so the feet were constantly moving). In addition, I was able to walk from the bike parking area across to where they stamp the cards, and then to the cafeteria (these are usually located as far apart as they can manage!) without damaging the cleats, or risking falling on smooth floors.

The current top of the RT line appears to be the RT-82, listing at about $120, but available for under $100 in some sizes.

I know I take a 44 in both Adidas and Shimano, so it's no problem for me buying online, as long as I stick to Adidas and Shimano...

My gf, who uses SPD-SL road cleats/pedals, underscored the disadvantages of the these cleats when we rode over slush over Christmas. After stopping and putting her foot down on the slushy road, she'd have to scrape ALL the ice off her big plastic cleat before she could get it back into the pedal. I could step on the slush with impunity and easily clip back into my M-520 pedals (I switch to these double-sided mtb pedals for the winter).

As far as foot support, I find the stiff soles of modern cycling shoes provide enough support. I think what bothers a lot of people is the "pivoting" that happens when using a smaller pedal. Shimano's A520 pedals, with the "cage" around the basic SPD pedal, would seem to address this. But I've never had a problem with a pivoting foot.

Luis