Okay, so I'd posted a previous query about going away from clipless to strictly platform pedals. I think I'd like to keep the best of both worlds and so now I think I've narrowed the shoes down to Keen clipless sandals (I know lots of folks LOVE them for touring), and possibly one of their other shoes like the Arroyo in clipless. I'm thinking of just going with a single sided pedal that has clip on one side and platform on the other. In addition to giving me the options to ride clipped in or not, provided I get the right kind of pedal I should also be able to attach Power Grips or toeclips/straps for winter riding with insulated boots that would be far warmer than the clipless mtb boots I tried this winter. so, does anyone have a favorite one-side clipless platform that they like for use with the Keens? I'd also like a pedal that can be rebuilt too. So far it's looking like probably one of the Shimano pedals. Also, how have your Keens fared in terms of durability and have you worn them for significant periods of time off the bike while touring? how was the comfort long term? I'm planning on working some moderate trail hiking into my short tours this year so I don't want to be regretting buying the Keen sandals if they're not going to be comfy for extended periods off the bike.

Lots of question in your post, soooo

I have the Keen clipless sandals, been using them for a couple of years now. My thoughts are: 1) they fit far different from regular Keens (which I also have). They are very narrow and don't have that nice roomy feel. I've used my Keen clipless and they have been nice and they are starting to get torn from use, but I won't replace them with another Keen clipless sandal. If I want to ride in clipless sandals, I have a cheap pair of "Pricepoint"/Shimano knockoffs that are very open & cool. Much cooler then the Keen's. In fact, I can't tell much difference between the Keen clipless sandal & a Mavic mtn shoe that I wear. If you like Keens, get their regular sandal and flat platform pedals and be done with it. The Keen clipless sandal is not really that comfortable for walking, at least for me. They are stiff soled and there is not much between you and the cleat in the shoe. Get regular Keens for hiking or just wear low cut hiking shoes to pedal in.

I use CrankBrothers Candy or Eggbeater pedals on all my bikes, I like the 4 sided, easy entry. No issues with them, easy to re-grease once a year and there are rebuild kits. I hate the dual sided pedals. The Eggbeaters are easy to get into without a thought about flipping the pedal over. If you are only going to need a platform pedal in winter, buy a plastic (draws less heat then metal) platform pedal for $20. If you decide to go platform all year, just get a decent platform with pins and you'll have plenty of grip.

I do not have enough miles on my Keen sandles to comment on.

Shimano M324 pedals, I am very happy with them for touring. I have heard that they need a special tool to rebuild them, I have not tried to rebuild them. I have not tried to put toe clips on them but I see no reason why you could not - unless the holes in them are not at the right distance apart.

I use flat pedals and Keen Newport sandals. They work well with no issues. Great for walking around too.

have narrow feet, so I got someone else's 2nd hand Keens. Fit, But, they are heavy for that Cleat mounting .

I too prefer the regular ones (Klone-Keens), as lighter . and regular pedals ..

Others, for touring, have liked the Shimano Sandals as they adjust with straps to expand for thick sox

and snug down for thin ones.


as just a pedal shopping poll .. Time Atac Alium , but they are not on any bike now.

Not generally a Keen sandal wearer, but I bought a pair of Keen Commuter sandals last year, and I think they have been redesigned and are wider now. Very comfortable, and great in the summer. Not quite as good at holding the foot securely as regular clipless shoes, but the coolness and cushioning are worth the slightly less secure feel. No way you are going to pull your foot out, but a little more movement takes a bit of getting used to. Riding through rain is so much better with sandals.

I've been using Keen Clipless sandals for touring and commuting (weather permitting) for the past five years and am generally pleased with them. I wouldn't want to hike in them but for typical walking associated with touring they work fine for me. My pedals are Speedplay Frogs.

Similar thoughts as others... I've been riding in the 1st generation of the Keen Commuter sandals for several years now. That generation does definitely fit narrower than standard Keen sandals, and I am looking at replacing them this summer either with the Commuter III or the Arroyo Pedal shoe. I feel they are definitely cooler in the heat than a standard cycling shoe. I have Crank Brothers Candy 3's on all of my bikes, and while I haven't toured with these sandals yet, I do wear them for commuting in the summer, and I typically do not change out of them when I get to work. I find them reasonably comfortable for the day, but yes, the sole is heavier, of course. During the heat of the summer, I will wear them for day rides on my road bike as well as my mountain bike on the trails, unless I know I will be on especially technical / steep routes. Then, on go my Sidi's.

Having done some more research today, I'm getting some mixed opinions. A lot of folks love the comfort of Keens (clipless) on the bike but wouldn't recommend them for hiking or wearing all day. Other folks (probably more numerous), have said the regular non-clipless Keens are excellent for touring with flat pedals and are great for wearing around off the bike all day as well. Several folks seem to have done well using the Keens with either toe clips or Power Grips as well. Having a single pair of shoes that I can go walkabout with off the bike is paramount so I may be back to looking at the regular ones along with some platforms.

I've forgotten how to ride a bike without clipless pedals. I'd probably hurt myself if I tried.

I always take a second pair of shoes on a bike tour. I want to have one pair that is reasonably dry. On a tour last spring after several days of continuous drizzly rain and riding thru puddles, my bike shoes were soaked and I was really happy that I had been careful to keep my trail runners reasonably dry so I could wear them while the bike shoes dried out. A friend had one pair of shoes and he had some foot problems from having to wear wet shoes too many days. It was too warm to wear waterproof shoe covers and rain pants for several days.

Two pair of shoes, one with cleats and one without is why I use the M324 pedals that I mentioned and posted a photo of, above in post number 3.

I have bought some Keen sandles but have not used them yet, only bought them a couple weeks ago. But they do not look like they have much more venting than my vented bike shoes that have a lot of mesh.

I bought a pair of Keens to try two years ago and have only used my others one time since (when I could not find my Keens). They are great for anything short of racing. Very comfy and durable. I always ride them clipped in because they are so easy to use. I even use them for fast group rides but I get a few stares sometimes, but I do not care really...

I bought a pair of clipless SPD Keens 2 seasons ago and like them a lot. I also have Shimanos and like them too. I took the Keens on a 5 day local trip as my only shoes as an experiment to see if one set of footwear would suffice. It went okay but at the end of a riding day I found I wanted to change shoes just for A change of contact points with the feet. I could feel the cleats on the Keens during off bike walking. The next trip was 2 weeks and I also brought my normal Chaco sandals for around camp. That said, I just read a Crazy Guy journal where the cyclist hiked the Grand Canyon from rim to rim in his Shimano sandals and shuttled his bike around.

I agree with other posters about the narrow fit of the Keens. Had to exchange mine for the next size up to get enough width. A tad too long but close enough.

I'd say the narrow heel of the Keens make them better for cycling ( more crank clearance). The wider Shimanos may have the edge for hiking.

edit- I rode the TransAm a few years back with a group. One member lived in a pair of Keens for 93 days, another member lived in his Shimanos for 93 days. It can be done!

The Shimanos I'm guessing were clipless as i don't know of any shoe by Shimano that isn't clipless. However, the rider wearing the Keens - were his clipless Keens or the regular "street" variety?

the style that keens follows has been called a Fisherman's sandal ..

i love my Kleen sandals with Crank Bros pedals, all I use in summer. Only dislike is my zebra tan line feet.

Yep, he was using the "clipless" SPD Keens and two other riders were using SPD Shimanos as their only shoes on the trip.

I tour in Keen clipless and wear them 100% of the time, they're great. I can affirm what others have said, that the second generation and Arroyos are wider. My pedals aren't platforms though, they're dual-sided Shimano 540s.

BTW: I wear mine most of the time with short wool socks, which makes for a great combination. Besides being comfy it gives me additional Fred points

I decided after much debate that I'm going to get the regular "street" Keens, and probably use them with a BMX type pedal or Ergon pedals.

My only issue with Keen's is they don't fit my arch and hit it too far back. However the Keen Commuters are a cool concept and I was hoping to go for them if the arch wasn't a problem.