rydabent

I wear cycling shoes when I ride my LWB bent with platform pedals. On my trike I wear cycling shoes with SPD pedals, since it is not safe if you are not clipped in on a tadpole trike.

Cyril 

+1

And the old school toe clips cost quite a bit less than a full clipless setup.
Hey, it's what we all ran before the advent of clipless.

bikecrate

I tried clipless for a number of years, but never did like them. They were uncomfortable and I didn't see any real benefit vs. the hassle of clipping and unclipping. Now I just have platform pedals and training style sneakers (they have less tread and are lighter).

elizwlsn

I used toe clips with straps for many years. Switched and tried the clipless for a short time but was just too fearful of not getting out of them in time if I needed to and switched back. As soon as I did I realized the clipless really were easier and it was a pain getting my feet into those little baskets again and that my memory about how wonderful the toe clips were wasn't really true. Still I left it as was for the past year but just this morning ordered another pair of mtb shoes and will take my bike back in when they arrive to get the clipless pedals put back on. Envy you guys that do it all to your own bikes! Can't even change out pedals for goodness sake.

GerryinHouston

I put BMX pedals on my bikes. Tried the clipless and the benefit was not commensurate to the risk, so I put the plugs back to the Shimano shoes and use them on the bike like regular sneakers.

I found that in rides longer than 20 miles, I prefer the stiff soled Shimanos to my regular New Balance walkers, as pain starts developing in my arches with the NB.

Needless to say that I can wear sneakers, hiking boots, sandals, anything but bare feet!

Cyclist0084

LOL!!

Flip Flop Rider

my favorite is sandals or flip flops if it's 70 degrees or above. Otherwise sneakers 50 - 70 degrees, and sneakers with toe covers, and wool socks below 50.

these are the pedals I use

ERGON BIKE ERGONOMICS

Craptacular8

The ever present clipless/platform debate. I use regular shoes, as in whatever I wear to the office on my commuter for short around 6 mile trips. Most days I wear stiffer soled lace ups, but some days flip flops. I keep MKS Grip King pedals on that bike, large nubby platform that allows me to wear whatever shoes I want to, year-round. No issues with foot slippage.

I liked the feel and grip so well on the commuter, I had the same pedals added to a drop bar gravel bike. I'm not someone that has ever had issues keeping my feet on the pedals, so despite competing in a recent 26 mile race, and 60 mile jaunts, I use the MKS pedals quite comfortably. I do use mtb bike shoes without cleats though for the stiffer soles on my competitive or longer rides though.

Hermes1

For my commutes to and from work as well as any weekend rides I prefer clipless for the efficiency. I do have Shimano clipless on one side flat on the opposite side (sorry forget the model#) which I find handy at times. For short and/or leisure rides I wear sneakers.

kuroba

I've been riding 'seriously' for a year and a half and used platform pedals with whatever sneakers I've had, so far they work fine. I did get the itch for clipless after some fellow cyclists started praising how much better they were, yadda yadda, so I got some pedals on my last trip, that I haven't been able to use yet because the shoes I ordered haven't arrived (no local retailers had shoes in my size, 35).

I got the Shimano Click R pedals which are recommended to newbies/casual riders as they're supposed to be easier to clip/unclip from, and I was told they can also work as regular platform pedals, so it seemed like the best of both worlds (plus they were on sale).

chandltp

On an upright bike I've never felt a need for anything but platforms (I liked the pinned BMX style ones). Did several 100+ mile days that way. Actually, the only cycling specific clothes I ever wore on that bike where shorts. But I only wore those for rides over 20 miles or so. Although I found underarmor to work just as well since I always wore shorts over them anyway.

On a recumbent I just feel like it's easier to be clipped in, even though I'd still prefer not to be.

caloso

Same. I never understood all the hand-wringing about falling at stoplights. If you had clips and straps you had to reach down, loosen the strap, and wriggle your foot out. (Or learn to track stand.) What? All I have to do with these new pedals is twist my foot? How easy is that?!?

As far as changing pedals, you can get a specific pedal wrench. It's just a 15mm open wrench but a bit narrower than your standard Craftsman.

jefnvk

I just bought my first pair, Giro Rumbles, more because the two pairs of running and indoor soccer shoes I normally used had worn out and I needed something new anyhow. Figured since all they were used for was biking, I should try something halfway bike specific

Jury is still out on how I like them. I don't have cleats on them, I just wanted the stiffer foresole for my platform pedals. I was having some numbness issues in my left foot, especially on the soccer gumsoles that were nearly worn through.

ThermionicScott 

It's as "money-absorbing" as you want to make it. Millions of people out there are happily cycling on regular pedals and shoes. Maybe consider your options if you ever find your feet slipping off the pedals.

fietsbob

I no longer take ambitious rides or care about speed and peer approval

Regular shoes , 3 bikes by the door 2 Ergon pedals And the Campag BMX pedals I got in the 80's on my Brompton.

I like Birkenstocks..

winter time I wear Rubber LL Bean moccasins

Frankenbike77

Shimano M-530 dual-sided SPD, and Shimano M065 shoes.
Affordable, practical, and easy to use. MTB shoes with recessed cleat mean it is easy to walk about for short periods, with decent traction.
Prior to that I used platforms and a pair of minimal runners (New Balance Minimus)

Longest ride with out without clipless = 60km. Both were comfortable

philbob57

After getting into shape every Spring, my typical ride is 20-50 miles. On quills with toe clips and straps, sneakers become unbearable much above 15 miles. Long ago, I bought and loved Puma 'touring' shoes - stiff sole with a band of rubber that helped locate and hold my foot on the pedal without cleats.

When those wore out about 15 years ago, I couldn't find a good replacement, so I just bought a road shoe (made for 'clipless') to use with my quills, but my feet kept slipping and getting hot spots. After trying SPD pedals and cleats (my shoes were drilled both 2-hole and 3-hole) and never getting the hang of them, and getting even hotter spots, I went to platforms with pins (DMR V-12s) and Five Ten shoes.

The pedals look awful on my 1973 MKM frame, and the shoes weigh a ton, but they're the most comfortable combo I've found since the Pumas wore out.

Kahrpistols

I used my regular running shoes for a couple months when I first started commuting, and like you was wondering whether it's worth it to drop the money into pedals and shoes (I know, put together you can end up spending >$150). However, once I put them on I never went back. I used to commute 28 miles a day and I'm now commuting 55 miles a day, and I can't imagine doing it on platform pedals and regular shoes.

I really, really like the greater control they give you more than anything. There's been a few times where I'd have crashed - almost certainly - if I were not wearing the clipless pedals. They allow you to bunnyhop, which where I commute (NYC area) is quite important with all these freaking potholes.

I now own both road pedals and shoes and mountain bike pedals and shoes. If you do commit to getting clipless, you're going to have to pick between the two. If you're not going to be doing much walking, I'd recommend road shoes. Otherwise, if you're going to be walking up stairs or extensive walking around in your shoes I'd recommend the mountain shoes (the "commuter shoe").

Stratocaster

I've been riding "seriously" for just under a year. I jumped right in with clipless. In fact, I have 3 pairs of shoes at this point...but have only used 1 pair so far.
As I mentioned in a different thread, I'm sort of a "poseur" at this point...but I can dream about being a better cyclist...until I get more time on the bike when the weather improves.

T Stew

I don't usually wear any shoes unless required by law or property owner. That includes cycling.

I occasionally will put on a pair of shoes if I'm cycling under 50-60ºF but it's pretty rare I bike in cooler weather. I do it mainly for fun and fitness, so mainly when its nice out, but in the winter I setup and indoor bike with rollers and maintain barefoot biking. If there is a chance I may actually go somewhere from the bike, I put a pair of minimalist sandals in my the bag.

GovernorSilver

Another platform pedaler here.

Most of my riding miles go towards commuting - 25 miles round trip each commuting day. The rest are trips to the grocery and social (non-training) rides with groups.

Latest shoes of choice are Adidas Climacool Boat Lace shoes. They feel great for both walking and pedaling. They're designed for water sports, and so have drain holes in the bottom to prevent the shoes from becoming little buckets of water, when I'm caught riding in the rain. When it gets colder again, I'll try merino socks, then the thermal booties.

Timequake

A beat up, 5 year old pair of Nike running shoes. They're called "Lunarfly" or something. They have some paint splatters from painting a fence and some grass stains from mowing the lawn. Super comfortable.

FullGas

guess that pretty much establishes the range of shoe wearing then...from barefoot to my approach.

haven't thrown a leg over a top-tube without wearing cleated cycling shoes since 1977.

pseudoware

I impulsively bought a pair of Nikes years ago that I somehow could never warm up to, so they got buried in the closet, hardly worn.

I bought my first road bike a month ago, and I dug up those Nikes, which somewhat look like "real" cycling shoes. They help feel like I "look the part" and have allowed me to put off another bike-related expense, but it's just a matter of time.

GovernorSilver

There were some footwear options that didn't work out for me as platform pedaling shoes:

Vasque hiking boots - Slips easily on wet pedals, though the extra length of the MKS Lambdas help a lot
Crocs sandals - just too wide, gets caught in the crank
K-Swiss running shoes (overpronator version) - Too much padding in the heel makes pedaling feel awkward.