Anthonylong

I like to discuss about using normal shoe for cycling. Not about specifically designed cycling shoe, like SPD.
I like to discuss about what kinds of shoe are most suitable for regular riders who do not want to use cycling shoe that clicks to the pedal.

Squeezebox

So what do you have against cycling shoes?
Welcome to the forum.

PedalingWalrus

I'd say trailrunners and skate shoes have rigid soles that would feel good on a pedal. I have two pairs of trailrunners I use.

Anthonylong

I have just joined a group of cycling friends who enjoy touring. They never use shoes that clicks to pedals for touring.
Most of them use running shoe. And I found that it is not good for me. First, the thick sole made me raise my seat post up by 1cm. Secondly, the heel of the running shoe is wide and sometimes it rubs against my crank or the chainstays.
Kindly,share your touring experiences please.

Dave Cutter

Shoes are personal thing. I know some people seem to like to cycle wearing sandals (or cogs even). I think their idea is to let the air cool (and dry) their sweaty feet.

In casual clothes I wear jogging shoes or Dockers. Neither are a good choice because they have very soft (bendy) soles. A good cycling shoe should be stiff. But I wear what I have and have never experimented with non-cycling... cycling shoes. I do like having old fashion toe cages with (loose fitting) straps to keep my feet located on the pedals when riding casual without my cycling gear.

Snuts

When I started, my favorite shoes were a pair of Deck shoes I had. Rather solid sole, flat bottom, great support.

Welcome to the forum.
Hope this might help.



-Snuts-

Dave Cutter

How about cycling shorts and jerseys? Is it just the shoes that they object to? So..... the shoes are a "peer pressure" thing?

Never give into peer pressure! It will make you look like a total Fred!!!

10 Wheels

Rockport Walking Shoes worked for me.

bradtx

Anthonylong, Touring riders that use platform pedals wear pretty much anything from flip-flops to bicycling specific shoes to hiking boots. I prefer mountain bike shoes for their more rigid soles. I've also used some Nike water sandals, but needed some socks to prevent chafing.

The larger the pedal's platform, the less cycling specific shoe can be used, IMHO

Brad

Anthonylong

Thanks Walrus.
Trail shoe, actually matches our attire wonderfully. Road bike helmet, long sleeve jersey and cycling tight. And the stiff and rigid sole is good for pedalling too.
However, the thick sole and weight are it's weaknesses.
I have used trail shoe with my MTB. I found that the pedal damages the sole of the shoe. Most good trail shoe has a big main sole, then smaller pieces of rubber are glued to the big sole. And I found that my pedal had caused the smaller piece to come off.
Skate board shoe will surely do the job, but I wonder if it will match a cycling attire?
Kindly understand that I am just throwing my thoughts around. I was used to ride MTB with slick tyre onroad using SPD shoe. So I was used to a road bike style attire. Now, I am trying to replace the shoe.
Please continue to share.

jefnvk

I have these and love them, got them for around $50 on a Nashbar sale day. I never installed the cleats for click pedals, just left the plate in place and wear them like regular shoes with platform pedals. Comfortable enough to walk around off the bike, but a stiffer front sole that doesn't develop hotspots as easily as flimsier soles: Rumble by Giro - High Performance Trail & Mountain Bike Shoes

Before that, I used a pair of gumsole indoor soccer shoes, they worked well for shorter rides, but anything over 25 miles or so started to develop pressure points.

indyfabz

I have been touring and commuting in these for a couple of years:


https://www.rei.com/product/892627/p...ike-shoes-mens


You have the option of using SPD cleats, but you don't have to use them. Just don't remove the sole plate. The soles are stiff and the uppers are supple enough for walking around.

rumrunn6

my favs are stiff soled smooth bottomed walking shoes. was using Bean shoes for a while, now I'm into Sketchers. try to imagine these clean & dry



saving up for legit mountain bike shoes

Leebo

Keen sandals work for me. Plenty of air flow, vents to let the rain out, nice stiff soles.

rumrunn6

+1

J.Higgins 

Beat me to it... sorta.

I like to wear my Keen low-cut trail shoes. They have a thinner sole and that famous Keen fit. I want to get a pair of Keen sandals this year. Did you know that Keen also offers bike shoes with the SPD option?

mstateglfr 

Five Ten Freerider.

Its a flat mountain bike shoe with an extremely good sole.
The sole is very grippy and it is stiffer than skate shoes or running shoes.

Comes in probably 10 colors too.
There are a lot of other Five Ten shoes though, if you want a different design look than the Freerider.

Anthonylong

Dave, it's not a peer pressure thing. It's about long tour rides on bad roads where cleats is not suitable. Many kinds of sport shoes are just not very suitable on a pedal for long and fast rides. It's also about finding shoe that does not look weird with a cycling attire. (I notice that most riders in my area do not use cleats. So the result is great looking sporty bikes with well attired riders but their non-cleats shoes are mostly not matching!)

I also want to avoid thick and wide sole shoe.

Anthonylong

Another point, shoe like Vans, BMX or Skateboard shoe, they are great on the pedal, but they look weird with cycling jersey and tight.
If I found it a mismatch, I'm sure there are other cyclists who feels the same. There must be road bike rider who does not use cleats, right?

niknak

The key to riding in regular sneakers is using a supportive pedal. I love the MKS Lambda. Combined with some FiveTen Freeriders, made for mountain biking, and I wouldn't use anything else for most tours.

If my touring goal was to eke out every last watt and to do big miles every day then I'd switch over to clipless. Otherwise, sneakers and regular pedals are better.

phughes

On my last tour, I used a pair of Crocs. They worked great and rain was no issue. After the rain stopped, my feet were dry quickly and I didn't have soggy shoes. I now have a different pair of Crocs Swiftwater Clogs, they have a stiffer sole and the top is covered in leather. They look nice.

niknak

I've done plenty of road rides in roadie kit and my FiveTens. This guy seems to do all right in roadie kit with flats.

gerryl

They don't look weird - a perfect match.

10 Wheels

What shoe would be best for my feet?

mm718

Skate shoes and BMX pedals for me. I don't wear cycling shorts but think that skate shoes would look fine with them. Another option would be "zero drop" lightweight trainers (running shoes). These would look sportier...

BTW, the stiffness of the sole is a non issue for me.