Ken Cox

I have seen ads for two or three different cycling sandals.
They velcro on and off and have provisions for clip thingies on the sole.
It sounds like a nice option.
Anyone have experience with sandals on bikes?

cyclezealot

ONe friend rides with them..I just can not accept you get good traction...Others here, don't agree...Don't understand the need..My Time's are plenty airy..On cool days,even too airy..
Riders here really like them?

onbike 1939

Yes I've had a pair for a few years and I think they're great for the hot weather. I have Shimano and they work really well. Very comfortable and your feet remain cool whatever the temperature. Another advantage (of the Shimano ones at least) is that they are of some artificial material and do not soak up the wet or fill with water for that matter. I use them for touring mainly in France (1-2 months) and find I can do without any other footwear as they look fine off the bike. A good bit of gear. George.

John00

I have a pair of Shimano SPD sandals, with Egg Beater pedals. I wear them all the time in the summer, it's very important to use sunblock with them! I'm using them now on my trainer. I once rode a Century with them, they are very comfortable, especially on hot days when I like to pour water on them to cool off my feet.

cyclezealot

1939... In France, SPD shoes are considered normal shoes..Maybe even, dress shoes !...

Blackberry

Shimano SPD sandals are without a doubt my favorite piece of cycling gear. They work great, feel great, and are totally walkable. Use them as trout stream waders on a blistering hot day. Yummm. I've never met anyone who has them who doesn't love them.

onbike 1939

Cyclezealot---I'm not sure I'd agree with that. I lived there for three years and I don't think I saw a French person wear cycling sandals. The French cyclists (few tourers, all racing) do use spd shoes, but off the bike , I doubt it. George.

cyclezealot

Slight of tongue...So many cyclists ride about France..When one is transitioning off bike to walking mode. So many cyclists, the French do not think the SPD walk is funny, like here..And Sidi's are first class cycling shoes.

Guest

I have a pair, and I just bought another pair from Nashbar. I love them- they are comfortable and easy to walk in. Plus in the summertime, it keeps my feet cool and dry.

I also took to wearing them in the wintertime too. Between the toesies and the booties, I don't have any problems with keeping my feet warm at all.

I do wear socks with the sandals, though. People sometimes say it's nerdy, but I don't want my sandals to start stinking.

Koffee

BostonFixed

Every time I see or hear of cycling sandals I think about how bad they would be in a crash...

Guest

Not bad at all. I've had 2 crashes and it's no different than riding in regular shoes. No damage to the feet or toes.

Koffee

BostonFixed

I just remember the time when I crashed when wearing flip-flops. Ouch! Shredded toenails and toes are not good, especially in summer.
I try not to wear sandals on the bike anymore.

Guest

Flip flops aren't sandals. I could take scissors (dull ones with rounded ends) and slice up a flip flop in about 5 seconds, tops. You can't do the same with cycle sandals. They're made to be resilient, and if they weren't, I'm sure they wouldn't be sold, given the potential hazards that would pop up from riding in unsafe shoes- like flip flops.

Koffee

powers2b

I rode with sandals for years.
I had a relatively mild low-speed crash.
Looked down at my feet afterwards and noticed most of the toes on my right foot were pointing in the wrong direction.
I guess they got cought in the spokes.
I haven't owned a pair of open toed shoes since.
Enjoy

Guest

Too bad. But to each it's own. I've had 2 low speed crashes at home and rode through the Alps in Switzerland (had another two crashes in the process) with no problems.

Buyer beware, I guess.

Koffee

scottogo

They toed you.

Guest

That's so sad/funny/lame... but I had to laugh.

Koffee

tbobby

I bought a pair of Lake SPD sandals about a year ago. They are fairly nice when the temperature gets over 90 degrees, but I think they are overpriced at $75 retail.

Guest

Those Lake SPDs are on sale at Nashbar in the wintertime for like $34. I tried to get them, but they were totally sold out. I ended up getting a pair of the Exustar sandals instead for $30. It's still all good.

Koffee

noisebeam

The Shimano sandals are quite a bit tougher than regular street sandals (other brands of cycling sandals probably are too, but I haven't used them). Ones foot is held tightly to the bed and also ones toes are recessed quite far behind the tip of the rigid sole bed. I have not had a road crash, but use these same sandals when riding on rough singletrack trails in the desert. I've wiped out a number of times, hit my feet hard on big rocks when going over, between them (my cranks and pedals are very beat up) and never had any injury to the foot.

I'm most concerned about my head, spine, major body bones and hands in that order than my feet.

Al

noisebeam

How do these Exhustar compare in stiffness and comfort to other brands you have tried (have you used the Shimanos?). The only ones I have experience with are the Shimano which I will buy again but the price is so great on these Exustar.

Al

mcavana

Got my sandals today... I am very impressed with them. they are very comfortable, and work well with my shimano clippless pedals. Man, it is an awesome feeling to have the wind hit my toes... priceless, simply priceless. They are very protective of the toes as well. they completely cover my two smallest toes, and protect the other ones well. I do not think there is a safety hazard with them at all. I was trying to decide between these and the shimano sandals that cost 75 bucks. i tried the shimano ones on at my lbs... and these inexpensive sandals are definately equally comfortable. These are VERY comfortable to walk in. I was also surprised, because they don't look bad at all either!!!!

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm...8&hprice=29.98

blwyn

The Lake sandals have a toe guard to protect your tootsies. I took a tip and left a large scrape across the toe box of mine. I was very glad that scrape wason the toe box rather than my toes.

Guest

I haven't received my new sandals yet. Dumb asses at Nashbar messed up my order and sat on it for 3 days, so I hope to get them by Monday. I'll post back when I get here. So far, I have the Shimanos, which I really like, but I'll see if the new sandals compares to my Shimanos.

Koffee

TheRCF

I love my Shimano sandals. I bought them on July 15, 2003 so they are about 20 months old and I wear them just about all the time, so they get a LOT of wear. I'll probably get a new pair this weekend because the heel of them has worn a hole through the rubber material. Everything else seems fine though and perhaps that worn spot doesn't really matter. I'll use the new pair for bike riding, but on days when I'm not on the bike, I'll use the old pair until they die.

I consider them my favorite item. Easy to get on and off, hold up well, very comfortable. I do sometimes put socks on with them when riding in the winter because even in Hawaii, it can get a little cool since I'm out at 3:00 AM.

As for possible problems in accidents, so far that hasn't happened, but heck, if I was worried about higher risk of injury in a crash I sure wouldn't be riding a bike in the first place!

Bob