El Gato27

What’s on your feet when touring? Clipless, straps, platforms? I have not gone touring, hoping to start by year’s end. Was wondering how you’all tour in regard to footwear.

I alternate between platform pedals and clipless. If it’s a new route I’ll take either my hybrid or old road bike with platform pedals and running shoes. If it’s a longer paved route I’m familiar with I’ll take my newer road bike with clipless shoes & pedals.

I don’t think either would work if touring. Platform pedals would not be efficient for longer distances and road shoes would restrict your walking ability, if needed. Is the typical footwear MTB clipless pedals and shoes?

Thanks

bootskelsey62

I tour with Velo Orange Sabot pedals with Hold Fast straps. My foot wear is just Keen sandals. I use any combo of no socks to wool ones with plastic bread bags for covers. Super simple and no extras to carry. Hope this helps.

phughes

I did my last tour wearing Crocs Crosstrails. I use mountain bike platform pedals with studs. They stick very well to the Crocs. I still commute with Crocs as well, using their Off Road model now.

El Gato27

Crocs and sandals? I would have never thought of that. I was thinking of just using my running shoes with straps but thought that wouldn’t be good enough. Figured I would need something more “technical”.

I do like the look of those Hold Fast straps, might give those a try.
Thanks.

Machka 

Lake mountain bike cycling shoes.

That's what is on my feet any time I go cycling.

adablduya

Keen SPD cycling sandals. excellent for most of the time on and off the bike. also brought along a pair of running shoes for any activity that required something other than the Keens (such as hiking).

fietsbob

Comfortable shoes with arch support Insoles .. (Toe clip pedals allow a looser fitting shoe.. )

phughes

What is most important is what works for you. The Crocs work great for me, especially if it rains. My feet are dry within a very short time after the rain stops. The studs dig in to the soles well and they do not slip. I ride every day with them and on tour, a 70 mile day was no issue.

indyfabz

Shimano MTB shoes with recessed SPD cleats for Shimano clipless pedals. Touring and commuting.

mantelclock

Cheap Walmart sneakers on Velo Orange touring pedals and half clips

El Gato27

That's my typical setup right now. Asics running shoes with custom hard plastic arch supports that I've had for ~15 years and wear all the time. Adding toe clip pedals or Hold Fast straps might work just fine.

Actually rode my Peugeot Road bike for a few years with toe clip pedals before switching to clipless. Never did like the stock toe clip pedals, the straps were a very stiff material. The current ones look much more compliant.

fietsbob

With clip less stuff the shoes can come off your feet if they are looser fits . so they're tighter..

philbob57

Also, if the shoes are loose - which allows the feet to move inside the shoe - it's harder to unclip.

chasm54

As a matter of fact, this is not true. Laboratory tests with road cyclists show virtually no difference in efficiency between platform and clipless pedals. Clipless - or clips and straps - are about foot retention, not pedalling efficiency.
I've toured many thousands of miles on platform pedals. It helps to minimise the load because I don't need to carry spare shoes. If you're worried about foot retention, get BMX - style pedals, the big platform and the studs make it very easy to maintain your foot in the right position.

staehpj1

Sidi Giau MTB shoes. SPD cleats and pedals.

rifraf

I ride with Northwave Drifter GTX shoes and Shimano pedals that are platform on one side and spd on the other:
Shimano XT T780 SPD Trekking Clipless MTB Pedals | Chain Reaction Cycles
I prefer not to be clipped in on any technical parts of my days riding.
Very happy with the pedals and the shoes:
Northwave Drifter GTX MTB Shoes 2013 | Chain Reaction Cycles
Which are smart and tidy enough to pass as high end footwear and won't get you kicked out of a restaurant or pub.

mm718

I've done fine with skate shoes and $20 Twisted Odyssey BMX pedals (no clips). There is absolutely no perceivable loss of efficiency. I experience total comfort on and off the bike without the added weight/hassle of bringing extra shoes. I regret buying into the hype of clipless and wasting all of that time and money.

gerryl

I only use platform pedals, so I pretty much wear anything with a stiff sole. My choice of footwear is more dependent on expected terrain and time of year.

El Gato27

WTF? (what the flock). This sure simplifies things for me. I always thought clipless was more efficient; with the added up-stroke motion and all. I never tested the same bike with and w/o clipless. I know I ride faster on my road bike with clipless pedals, but it’s newer, lighter and has better component than my other bikes.

I prefer platform pedals, less worries stopping/starting at traffic lights or skidding on who-knows-what. I’ve never slipped out from my platform pedals.

Good info you'all.

Biketouringhobo

hiking boots with Sun Ringle zuzu platform pedals and when I go to Shimano PD-M545 SPD DH/BMX platform pedals I will wear Teva Pivot DH SPD Shoes

Biketouringhobo

I like Platform pedals and SPD Platform pedals
Wellgo wam-d10 DH SPD Platform pedals and Shimano M545 DH/BMX SPD pedals

Biketouringhobo

True and I like Sun Ringle zuzu DH/BMX Platform pedals over SPD

Wellgo wam-d10 DH SPD Platform Pedal best of both Pedals

I am going to Shimano PD-M545 DH/BMX platform pedals

Tony Marley

Spring through Autumn, I tour with SPD pedals and Shimano clipless sandals. If it is coolish, I wear SmartWool socks. Lake also makes excellent bike sandals. In cold and/or snowy winters, I wear Lake biking shoes.

nun

Shimano MO89. They are good for walking and riding

dphilips

I like VP-R62 pedals - clipped in when you want to be, flats when you don't. The SPD tension can be set much lower than on my Shimano pedals making ingress/egress a breeze without unintentional release.


The platform side has four pins for grip. It is a smaller platform than BMX type pedals and it has a concave shape so may not be for everyone but I rode 50 miles on the platforms recently and found them comfortable the whole time.