So, I bought some Giro Junction MTB shoes the other day to use with my Shimano SPD pedals for my new GT Sensor 4.0. I'm not sure if it's the stiffness of the shoes, or misplacement of the cleats themselves, but my feet would cramp something fierce after about 1/2 mile. I gave it a few days of constant wear to see if they'd brake in, but same thing keeps happening. That being said I tried taking the cleat portion off and throwing on the flat pedals on the cranks again. Cramps went down a little, but the stiffness once again keeps most of the shoe from touching the flats so there is little traction. The cleat cover is also hard plastic rather than rubber, so it is even less grippy. So, I was thinking to get normal running shoes to use with the flat pedals. I figured then they would get ripped apart pretty fast. So, BF, what do YOU do for your MTB pedal arrangement? It'd be good to have a frame of reference. Or, if you have SPD cleats, have you ever had crampy foot pains? How did you fix it? Thanks!

For platform pedals, I use Teva Links; good grip, made for platform pedals, midsole maybe slightly less stiff than other platform pedal shoes. Many here really like FiveTens - - with good reason. They too are a fine shoe, arguably the grippiest there is.

Possible the shoes are too small, or the arch position is in the wrong place for your foot (which also signifies a poor fit). If they're squeezing your feet or the arch is wrong, cramps are more likely. You can also go to a shop and have them check cleat placement.

Don't wear running shoes with platforms. The soles aren't flat, so they just don't stick well, even with an expensive pair of pedals.

I've had cramping from shoes that were too narrow in the front end of the shoe. They might feel OK when you are standing on them, but when you start pressing the pedals your foot slightly expands and the pressure causes cramping. If you can get a broader shoe that might help.

I have 5.10 campfours and Pearl Izumi X-Alpine's ( my new favorite) with pinned platforms. For the type of riding (primarily XC/not a racer) this is how I roll. From time to time I put the eggbeaters back on. IMO pinned platforms and a bike specific shoe with a sticky sole is primo.

^^ Chuck Taylor is spinning in his grave.

The lace eyes were gone and the fabric couldn't hold the laces, sniff.......

Do all Teva shoes have a hard sole layer like Giro?? I would assume so, but for the life of me I can't find any specific quotes saying so. Fiveten as well??

^^ No. Teva Links and FiveTen shoes have grippy rubber soles like a skate shoe but are better-suited for pedalling because of a stiffer midsole to help transfer power better. FiveTen shoes are super-grippy because they use the same rubber for the sticky soles that they pioneered in their rock-climbing shoes. Read more here:

https://www.teva.com/mens-links-mount...efault,pd.html

and here:

https://fiveten.com/products/bike

Fiveten it is! Thanks so much for the info.