Slowridr

What mtb shoes are best for road cycling? Have Shimano xt pedals. Looking for something comfortable and walkable. Definitely need something comfortable as my rides can get a little long. Any suggestions?

RGMN

I use Bont Vaypor G shoes. It took a few tries to heat form them properly, but once I got them formed they are super comfy. My feet don't complain at all after long rides. On the downside they are a little hard to walk in since they are so stiff.

wgscott

I use Shimano 2016 Men's Pro XC Custom Fit Mountain Bike Shoes - SH-XC90L that have very stiff carbon soles.




I use XTR trail pedals with them.

These are the heat-shrink ones as well, but I never got around to doing that. They fit fine out of the box.

These were discontinued by the time I bought them on clearance. There are newer versions now, with boas and other stuff I hate.

sincos

Shoes are like saddles -- really personal. Nobody out here in Internetland has any idea what kind of shoes your feet like. I could tell you what I like (Diadora) but I couldn't tell you if they'd work for you. The best way to find out is the least practical -- trying different shoes each for a long time. Next best is getting properly fitted. If you've had good luck with a particular brand, stick with it (though even within a brand there are different lasts). If it becomes a problem, change. If you never go out for more than 2-3 hours, no big deal, most things will fit. If you sometimes go out for 6-8 or more, getting it right is a big deal. It may take a while and several sets to get it right (I've tried maybe 6-7 brands, 3-4 of which fit pretty well, 1 was bloody murder, and Diadora fits really well). So trust your feet, don't trust us.

Camilo

[edit: I must have been composing this gem as the one above by sincos was being posted.... great minds, etc...]

Buy the shoes that fit you. I know it can be valuable to get some leads, but like saddles, what other people like in shoes is almost irrelevant. You need to find the ones your foot likes best. You either have to just make the rounds of your local shops and try on the shoes in your price range and choose the one you like best, or buy several pair online and return the ones you don't like. There's soooo many great quality shoes out there, it's almost impossible to go wrong if you concentrate on fit rather than popularity, others' recommendations, or style.

The good thing is that most mid-priced and above MTB shoes will have good solid soles and quality uppers that should serve you well as far as riding goes - again, as long as they fit properly. The more expensive ones might be lighter maybe stiffer (which may or may not be meaningful for your use) and have more sophisticated closures.

sjammer

I have the Specialized Recon 3.0. For me they are comfortable and stiff.

Wildwood

Isn't there a Rule?
....about mtb bike shoes on Roadies, i mean.


ya need classy shoes, not clunky shoes on a Roadie.

nathand

I've been using the same pair of Giro Gauge shoes for thousands of miles over almost a decade (note, the current Giro Gauge is quite different, what I have is closer to the Privateer). Quite happy with them - stiff carbon sole and comfortable. The Giro shoes fit me well. I bought a second cheaper pair of Giro's (a Nashbar exclusive) for commuting that are more like sneakers - I was taking a bike on and off a train every day and needed something with more grip when walking - and those fit just the same, although they're less comfortable for long rides since they're intentionally a lot less stiff.

OldTryGuy

NOT mtb and NOT available but have been wearing these forever (will see if Shimano are available when these wear out) and tape over the front in winter >>>

https://www.nashbar.com/nashbar-rags...n2wh-p/p979928

Steve B.

Shimano SH-XC-7, double Bola. These are in wide width and very comfortable. Not cheap but it's worth spending money on the contact points - shoes, saddle, shorts...

Hiro11

Me too. These are perfect road/gravel/XC shoes for me. I use mine all the time and they're scratched up and filthy but good for another couple of seasons at least.

primov8 

Giro Rumble VR and Giro Privateer.

ClydeClydeson

I have a pair of Sidi Genius iv shoes, which are hugely comfortable, but so inconvenient for anything other than pedalling that I use my Specialized MTB Comp shoes for all my riding. I haven't owned a set of 'road' pedals for more than a decade.

pdlamb

Sidi Dominator (looks like the 7, I don't remember if they had to number them back when I bought them).

Try them on is a great idea. Difficult if you have large feet though. I think I've only seen one pair of MTB shoes my size in a store, and it was a pair of Keen sandals I bought. They're OK, but I prefer the Sidis.

DangerousDanR

I use the same shoes to ride off road as on road. I am currently using Sidi Dominator. They are several years old and still going strong. I am on my second set of buckles. When I was commuting to work they were my commuter shoes. When we tour on the tandem I wear them and walk quite a bit in them. They fit the shape of my foot well, which is probably the number one concern in a shoe for me.

I previously had some Bont Riot shoes and they were good as well, but I prefer the ratchet straps on the Sidi to the Boa on the Bont. Also, I broke the foot bed on one of them. No doubt it was my fault and not the shoe. I am hard on shoes.

Iride01

The Pearl Izumi X Alp II are what I've used and have lasted way too long. I ride in hot weather and these let the most air circulate through them than any other bike shoe I've had or seen. Because of that air flow they dry out quick. But on cold days I'll be the first one with shoe covers on to keep feet warm.

Pearl Izumi makes several versions of them still though some don't look as airy..... https://www.pearlizumi.com/US/en/search/?text=x+alp

But the Gravel X is looking interesting...... https://www.pearlizumi.com/US/en/sho...l_x/p/15382101

I've always thought and heard Peal Izumi's run a tad narrow. Which is good for me. My son with wider feet uses Shimano's mostly.

Riveting

Bontrager Rhythm, one shoe to rule them all!

Leinster

My Shimano SH RT-80s were my only cycling shoe for nearly a decade until they developed a bit of flex in the sole. Recessed cleat, comfortable for walking, but with a definite road-shoe appearance. They (and the follow-up RT 81 and 82) appear to be discontinued now in favour of gravel/adventure shoes.

rogerm3d

I use the Vittoria 1976 retro shoes, they are available with either a road cleat, or a rubber sole with spd support (the rubber soles also work pretty well for toeclips). They do run a little on the skinny side, but they do stretch out to fit nicely

unterhausen

There are many MTB shoes that are road shoes with a walkable sole.

jaxgtr

I have 2 different shoes, Shimano XC-7, took a few rides to get used to them, but really like them. I used Time pedals but they are still 2 bolt cleat system. I also have an older Bontrager shoe, Katan, that is more offroad now, but I used them for a lot of miles on the road until I got the Shimano's.

Oldguyonoldbike

I’m very happy with my Fizik X4 Terra Powerstrap shoes. They’re as light and stiff as entry-level road shoes and are supremely comfortable... for me. Everyone’s feet are different, so they may not work for you. For what it’s worth, like most Italian shoes they run true to size, but quite narrow.

y2zipper

I'm using shimano xc1's with a bontrager insole for my high arches.

AUPedla

Rule #34

Phil_gretz

^ this, with a few notable exceptions. Utility road bikes, commuter road bikes, and touring bikes can all have SPD pedals because walking is a certain part of the riding adventure.