I struggle with the right shoe combination to bring on a tour. I am curious what shoes people tour with and what is the best combination (of course different for each person).

These are my options - shoes I already own:

Sandles with SPD
Mountain bike SPD
Crocs or flip flops
Running/light hiking shoes

Here is my dilemma.

I want Crocs or flip flops for showering and around camp.
I like to tour in sandles, but like biking shoes for cooler weather.
I like to have running shoes because I feel vulnerable only having biking shoes with cleats. I run alot so feel I could always run to the next town if I broke down or for the occasional off-bike adventure

FYI: I will be biking from Bend, OR to San Francisco starting next week.

Of the four listed above, which would you bring? Thanks for your advice!

Bring:
- The SPD bike shoes or the SPD sandles. If it is cool and you brought sandals put some socks on.
- The running shoes for around camp and if you want to run.
- Cheap flipflops, I recently got a pair for 50 percent off at the local drugstore, paid $1.49 plus tax. If after you start you decide that you do not want them, you only loose a buck and a half when you chuck them.

Crocks

I take SPD mountain bike shoes and a pair of Vibram FiveFingers. The SPDs have recessed cleats so I can walk around off the bike and the FiveFingers pack small and light for around camp. The only negative to the FiveFingers is they are not simple to slip on and off.

Where are you going? just riding and camping ,
or taking walks around town sightseeing and trail hiking?

there are gore-tex boot liners that over socks will keep your feet drier in the rain
wearing Shimano's sandals..

you can hang Crocks outside your rear load.

stuff the running shoes inside.

I use an old pair of Nike with SPD cleats during the day and a pair of slip on Chrome Tobruk for walking/riding around at the end of the day.

Marc

For 9 days in MT where some cool weather was expected, I brought:

1. My Shimano MTB shoes to ride in.
2. A light pair of cheap-o sandles from PayLess for in camp and walking around town
3. A really light pair of flip flops for the shower

Too all the weight/bulk weenies, the weight of No. 3 is impercebtible, and they get strapped under the bungees that hold the tent to the rear rack so they take up no pannier space.

I use Keen cycling shoes, have good tread w/ recessed SPD, and carry a pair of sandles for hiking etc.

Back to leather Vans Skate shoes for everything and a piece of plastic for the shower.....

I had a pair of Chromes,started self-destructing after 3 months...I'm hard on shoes,but.....I've had $15 shoes last longer than that.

My preference is to use mountain bike SPD shoes for everything. My shoes are comfortable enough for casual wear off the bike, but they're not good for running. If I'm in an area where I'll do a lot of additional walking, I may take a pair of runners or walking shoes, but I'd rather not do that.

I just ride in keen sandals and put socks on if it gets cold. I would carry overshoes/galoshes next time for heavy rains but they would also serve well to keep the feet warm... they are almost as heavy as another pair of shoes though, so idk. In your case I'd take flip-flops and the MTB shoes unless you really want to do a lot of walking or running; I've found MTB shoes good enough for walking around stores or whatnot. Thongs are great for hanging around the campground.

Touring in California, I tend to take the mountain bike SPD shoes and a pair of flip flops. This strategy works best if your SPD shoes look somewhat like normal shoes, though. I wouldn't attempt to run in the SPD shoes, but I have hiked 4-5 miles in them.

i take/use spd mtb bike shoes while riding during the day ("work" shoes). at day end i switch to running shoes (relax shoes).
i think it's good for you (and your feet) to flex shoe use.
find out what works best for you!
t

Keen cycling sandals for everything. I wear them with wool socks for cold weather.

1) Lake Mountain Bike shoes which I can walk in

2) Small pair of sandals

I've worn MTB shoes with mountain cleats for years.

But this time while CC touring Vancouver Island, I wore a pair of Shimano sandals that I got just before departing Australia.

I am not sure about the sandals -- I tend to suffer from hotfoot with the Shimano footbeds, and the sandals seem to be cause it, too, and I can't solve it my just slipping a credit card sized piece of stiff plastic under the inner sole.

But I do like the simplicity of them, and matched with a pair of woollen socks I was surprised as how cozy my feet were riding in light rain and a cool wind after getting off the ferry in Mill Bay.

Until I am certain I can ride with the sandals for extended periods, I will likely stay with my Diadora Santa Cruz MTB shoes until they wear out, plus take a pair of Croc knock-offs for lolling around camp, in the motel/hostel/homestay, going to the beach, wading in rivers, and for showers in shared bathroom facilities.

The Croc lookalikes are very light, and I can pack them under the bungees holding on my tent. I have used flipflops in the past, but sometimes finding light versions of them can be difficult, especially in North America. Certainly, the flipflops are easier to get under the bungee cords.

I should add that if I intend to do some hiking on gravelly paths, I would recommend MTB shoes over the sandals. One of the things I found even riding along dirty Trans-Canada Highway shoulders on Vancouver Island was how easily grit and stones lodged in between the soles of my feet and the sandals. I can imagine having similar issues on gravelly surfaces when hiking.

Bring MTB SPDs for riding and flip flops for camp. If you need to run on pavement in an emergency, carry a wrench and remove the cleats. SPDs are fine for walking on dirt and gravel.

Keen Sandals

Shimano sandals, that is all.

Cold - Shimano MT42 and shower sandals to prevent foot nasties.
Warm - Shimano sandals everywhere including the shower.