We're in the midst of a new build and contemplating new pedals. We currently use Shimaon PDA-520s; moderately light, moderately priced pedals that work with shoes we can walk in on tours (I wear Keen bike sandals ca. 50% of the time, Sidi dominator or Specialized the rest; She wears Diadoro or Exustar). Really don't want to go to road pedals with SPD SL or other slip-sliding option. Are there some lightweight options to consider?

So, you are contemplating an upgrade from the Shimano PCA-520, with cleats just as easy to walk on, but is lighter?

"Best" is a personal choice. For captain's pedals, we run A-520 because they are double sided. For stoker pedals, we run Nashbar Tourmalets:
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...37_-1___202531
largely because they are 260g. Single sided is no drawback for stoker if using the Proper Method, might be no drawback for a captain who is sharper than I am. Very similar to Wellgo:
https://www.amazon.com/Lightweight-Sh...ef=pd_sbs_sg_3
and perhaps are made by Wellgo.

The A-520 are the most durable pedals I've used.

Xpedo off road pedals use spd. Made by Welgo. Some ultra light ones pedals. I used mine with my Nike clip in walking shoes.

No sure what you are suggesting. As I said we use P_D_A 520s, which are the single sided road spd pedals. Advertised weight 318 g per pair. The picture you included appears to be the the PDM-520, 420g/pair. Not moving in the right direction. I was hoping to find something lighter.

I have never seen a double sided A-520. Do you mean the PDM-520, shown in Ritterview's post above? Those Nashbars look interesting. Do you get hotspots with such a small platform?

Anybody tried these Ritchey Pro Paradigm pedals? At 255 g/pr they are lighter even though double sided.

Oh, so you have the PD-A520 SPD Road Touring Pedals ?

Yes my wife likes those and they are light and work well. Not the most durable however because the weight savings means the bearings are very small. She likes the Ritchey cleats rather and has never like using Shimano cleats with these pedals.

That is good info. If we go this route, I'll get the cleats, too.

These PDA-600 pedals from Shimano look like a reasonable step up in quality and down in weight (286 g/pr), with a least a little bit of a platform to spread the contact.

We've used Xpedo SPD pedals on many bikes over the past 14 years or so, on and off road, and found them pretty bulletproof. They have quite a few versions, including a very lightweight single sided model intended for road bikes.

The Crank Bros. 226 gram Candy 11 is a mountain pedal, but it has a platform, and a walkable cleat.

You're right, they're PD-M780. Almost all SPD and clone pedals have contact only right at the cleat. Those with a rim that touches the bottom of the shoe squeak and make it a little harder to clip in. Otherwise, we don't notice the difference with Sidi Dominators.

https://www.xpedo.com/products/pedals...3/m-force-8-ti

https://www.xpedo.com/products/pedals/road/89/r-force-ti

Even though the Ritcheys look like SPD, and essentially are, the cleats are slightly different. Ritchey cleats for Ritchey pedals and Shimano cleats for Shimano pedals. They're almost cross-compatible, in fact close enough that they will clip in, but they're just not quite right.

These look like an interesting option, thanks Looigi and Team Fab. Those R-Force ti are way light at 170g!

+1 on Candy pedals. But the Candy 11's are >$250. Better value are the Candy 3 at 300 g for around $100. The 3's also use inner and outer bearings like the 11's, instead of a bushing like the 2's use.

I hate my Shimano 105 pedals. I plan on switching to Speedplay Zero's for both my bikes. I'm done with trying to find the right side of the peddle! I also will be getting "Keep On Kovers" for the cleats. It'll protect the cleat and let me walk reasonably well. Should be just the ticket for tandem riding!

[QUOTE=2frmMI;15916653]These PDA-600 pedals from Shimano look like a reasonable step up in quality and down in weight (286 g/pr), with a least a little bit of a platform to spread the contact. We bought these for my stoker, intending to help alleviate hotfoot, not much better in that regard. They are hi quality and lighter and as CF said, a bit harder to clip.
R&J
[We bought these for my stoker, intending to help alleviate hotfoot, not much better in that regard. They are hi quality and lighter and as CF said, a bit harder to clip.
R&J/QUOTE]

Time ATAC, Im OK with aluminum, they make carbon composite, and Titanium ones too

Hmmm. I had forgotten about Time. Nice low profile cleat similar to SPD. Thanks for the reminder.

I wouldn't expect the A600s to be any worse than the A520s in clip-in effort or hot spots, and we've ridden the latter for many years without real issues.

And costs $350/pr. And for that price it doesn't even pedal the bike on its own! Lower down the scale of Candy pedals, the weight goes up quickly, and doesn't really provide advantage over the Shimano A520 or A600.

Pick your poison: bigger pedal platform or stiffer soled shoe (or both).

Either strategy can be useful for addressing hotfoot.