80sTourist, Are you looking for the shoe that works with the old road racing style toe clips, ie where they fit into a notch/cleat and the strap was actually tightened? Or something that works with the pseudo toe clip style pedals commonly found now-a-days?

Brad

Correct; shoe sole stiffness makes a HUGE difference in comfort over a long ride. A too flexible shoe on the wrong style of pedal means the foot is constantly flexing which leads to "hot foot" or great pain.

I think that the OP is looking for something like the old Bata Biker shoe.

Cheers

Cheers

Here is exactly what he has and wants -- it is all in his first post!

No cleats! Toe clips and straps!

I'm the same way. I want shoes with a stiff sole that don't flex on the pedal and yet don't have a deeply lugged sole like a MTB shoe so they are easy to slide into the toe clips, AND are comfortable to walk in if you must walk a half-mile. Think a running or cross-training shoe with a fiberglass stiffener in the sole and with 'wear guard' in the proper places where the toe clip or cinch strap touch the upper of the shoe.

I've had a difficult time finding that true touring shoe. Some of my favorites were made by Lake, but those models haven't been around for years. I agree that one of the more workable solutions today is to use mountain bike shoes without installing the cleats.

I ditched all of my clipless pedals and reverted to toe clips with cleatless shoes.. Clipless were too much of a hassle on tours when I was frequently on and off the bike. Also I like being able to walk around a museum without clicking on the floors, even with recessed SPD's.

I've also noticed the significant difference in pedaling with stiff soled bike shoes versus other athletic footwear. Lot less flopping and bending in the bike shoes. I find that more comfortable and efficient.

For the same reasons you want a shoe, to walk etc, I did as well with my touring and commuting bikes, so I simply went with a mtb shoe and kept the cleat holes in the shoe covered with the plug. Any shoe like what is shown on this web site will work fine: 17 Stylish Pairs of SPD Cycling / Bicycle Touring Shoes

Since the MTB shoe does not have the plastic cleat on the bottom of the shoe that was found on road bike shoes back in the day, that allowed the pedal edge to fall into the slot on the cleat, they do have lugs and sometimes the pedal edge will find a lug to drop into, but I don't worry about whether or not my pedal will find a lug opening because the rubber bottoms grip the pedal well enough for touring and commuting.

How about when the quill pedal makes a mark on the MTB shoes cut a grove in the lugs for the shoe to fit into the quill.
Personally I'll stick with MTB shoes and cleats, stiff sole for riding. Then an appropriate shoe for walking in, depending what kind and amount of walking. There is no suitable compromise, in a single shoe.

I've been riding with the same shoe for 3 years on my quill pedals and no marks or cuts yet. Geez man, people have been using flat soled shoes and mtb shoes with pedals that have grip pegs sticking out of the pedals and they don't mar up the shoes.

The only shoes I've found that comes close to what I think 80sTourist wants is something from the BMX group. Minimal tread and 'walkability' that are generally used on a large pinned platform pedal. Vans, Nike, and Adidas are some brands to look at. I don't know if they'll pass the OP's stiffness test.

Brad

PS I last used toe clips in 2003. They were a set of Shimano 600 pedals with a chevron shaped cleat that the shoe's tread fit into and then the straps were tightened.

You can always buy a pair of SPD cycling shoes and not install cleats.

I came across these Merrell Roust Frenzy & Fury shoes on Nashbar, both claim to be for platform shoes, but no one has comment on these. I'm wondering if they're any good.

Merrell Roust Fury Urban Shoes

There are stiff arch supportive Insoles, you can add to an otherwise decent shoe, as well ..

Still forsale Bob?

Thanks JD.

PM ? How is it planned to cover shipping? maybe 2 pay pal payments, or I can get the box or a tough plastic shipping bag. weighed ..

U$D 150