Single pair of shoes, or bike AND walking shoes?

[tbessie]

Hi again...

So I was hoping to be able to eliminate my walking shoes on my tour, since they take up quite a bit of room; I don't want to get Keen sandals as so many do, as I'm doing the Pacific Coast route and it might not be warm enough for sandals all the time.  So I bought a pair of dual-duty mountain-biking shoes (I'll be putting SPD cleats on them) - recessed area for the cleat and grippy sole, the cleat doesn't touch the ground when walking.

Anyone do that? Any negatives to that that you've found?

- Tim

[mbattisti]

works for me, and then I bring a lightweight pair of flip flops or crocks for showering/lounging around the camp.  Gives your feet a chance to breathe.

[Venchka]

What shoes, make & model please, did you buy that allow you to walk and clip your cleats to your pedals?  How far can you walk in these shoes? Yards? Miles?
I am also shopping for the perfect dual purpose cycle touring shoe. I am leaning toward hiking/trail running shoes. If there is a cycling shoe that works I would like to know what to look for.
I will also carry Keen sandals. Wool socks will turn sandals into all weather footwear.
Bottom line: I need a bike/hike shoe for the GDMBR.
Thanks.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[SlowAndSlower]

Sandals do offer a wide choose of warmth from bare feet to SealSkinz's and can "open up" to adjust to thickness.
I like the Shimano two strap version and they are comfortable for me to walk in. Especially up hills pushing the bike:)
 

[RonK]

Northwave make a range of shoes with Vibram soles. Vibram is of course made for walking.
I'm currently touring in Northwave Mission. I carry a pair of ultralight and packable Z-Trek sandals to wear when crossing fords and in campground showers.

[tbessie]

What shoes, make & model please, did you buy that allow you to walk and clip your cleats to your pedals?  How far can you walk in these shoes? Yards? Miles?
I am also shopping for the perfect dual purpose cycle touring shoe. I am leaning toward hiking/trail running shoes. If there is a cycling shoe that works I would like to know what to look for.
I will also carry Keen sandals. Wool socks will turn sandals into all weather footwear.
Bottom line: I need a bike/hike shoe for the GDMBR.
Thanks.

Wayne

I bought two pairs, actually - one pair are Specialized Cadets - http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftr/shoes/recreational-fitness-shoes/cadet (I wanted Specialized Tahoe Sport, but they've been discontinued), and the others are Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek VI - http://shop.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=43&product_id=2328453&outlet=&color_code=021

Not sure how far I can walk in them - I'm assuming regular around-town usage as well as cycling usage.  Probably not the best for running/hiking though (despite the fact they're advertised as able to do that).

- Tim

[tbessie]

Northwave make a range of shoes with Vibram soles. Vibram is of course made for walking.
I'm currently touring in Northwave Mission. I carry a pair of ultralight and packable Z-Trek sandals to wear when crossing fords and in campground showers.

I have a pair of Chacos - a bit heavy but very comfortable - maybe I should bring those...?

http://www.chacos.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/23767M/93550/Mens/Z-2-Yampa-Sandal

[RonK]

Northwave make a range of shoes with Vibram soles. Vibram is of course made for walking.
I'm currently touring in Northwave Mission. I carry a pair of ultralight and packable Z-Trek sandals to wear when crossing fords and in campground showers.

I have a pair of Chacos - a bit heavy but very comfortable - maybe I should bring those...?

http://www.chacos.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/23767M/93550/Mens/Z-2-Yampa-Sandal

Sure, they will be fine if you are happy with the weight and the space they'll occupy.

Apart from light weight, my main criteria is that they must pack very small.

[Pat Lamb]

I've toured with a good pair of MTB shoes and sandals (and will likely do so again!).  MTB shoes so you can walk in them, clip in to Frog/Eggbeater/SPD pedals.  Good, stiff soles to avoid hot foot on long riding days.  While you can walk into a store, diner, or library in these, they're not really good for hikes -- the soles are great for riding, but compromised for long distance walking.

Sandals are light, small, and multi-purpose.  Take a shower in them (oh, and avoid leather for this purpose and for general water and rain tolerance).  Set up the tent in them.  Heck, I even did a white-water rafting trip in them.  Get a pair that are easily adjustable, put on warm wool socks, and you can go hike for a few miles.

Now, if you're planning a 10-15 mile day hike, you'll probably want something sturdier.  The more non-cycling activities you want to add to a bike tour, the more you'll end up carrying.  I'd be interested to know how heavy the Vibram soled shoes are, and how good the soles are for long rides.

[indyfabz]

Sandals are light, small, and multi-purpose.  Take a shower in them (oh, and avoid leather for this purpose and for general water and rain tolerance).  Set up the tent in them.  Heck, I even did a white-water rafting trip in them.  Get a pair that are easily adjustable, put on warm wool socks, and you can go hike for a few miles.

+1. My extremities tend to feel cold and a pair of warm, wool socks and sandals works for me. They don't have to break the bank. For the last two years I have been using a cheap pair of Dexters I got on sale from PayLess for under $30. They are extremely light and flatten out nicely, even at size 12.  I wouldn't take them in the shower, though. For that I carry a pair of cheap flip flops. Those sit under the chords that strap the tent to the rear rack so they take up no pannier space.

[ACA-Admin]

Everyone has different preferrences, but I've been touring in a pair of these that allow me to use spd cleats, but still walk comfortably when off the bike. Sizing does seem to run on the small side. http://shop.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=43&product_id=2328453&outlet=&color_code=021

[tbessie]

Everyone has different preferrences, but I've been touring in a pair of these that allow me to use spd cleats, but still walk comfortably when off the bike. Sizing does seem to run on the small side. http://shop.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=43&product_id=2328453&outlet=&color_code=021

Thanks! Interestingly, those are one of the pairs I ended up getting.  I like them, though they are around a half-size too small.  I tried the next size up, but they were a bit loose, so I'll see if I can suffer through the ride with them; hopefully they'll stretch out a bit.

- Tim

[John Nelson]

the cleat doesn't touch the ground when walking.

Not when you're walking on smooth surfaces, but have you tried walking on gravel in those shoes?

[staehpj1]

I have done pretty much the full range of shoe options for SPD pedals.  I find that the best solution for me varies with the tour.

• Just MTB shoes works fine for me if I will be hiking no more than a few miles at a time and the surface isn't bad.
• MTB shoes and Crocs isn't bad either.  Crocs are pretty light and I find the bulk a non-issue since I just hang them on the outside of one of the panniers or bags.  I don't mind hiking longer distances with them if the difficulty of the terrain isn't too bad.
• If I will be doing a lot of hiking including longer hikes and difficult terrain I really like to have a pair of trail runners along.  Like the Crocs I hang thme on the outside of the luggage so bulk isn't an issue.

Since I am pretty weight conscious I go with the lightest option that I think will work.  On a long tour I may switch up along the way.  For example I have bough some light trail runners when I stopped for a week of hiking in Yosemite and on another long tour bought a pair of cheap Crocs knock offs.  I also have sent shoes home by US Mail.

[DaveB]

I find any true riding shoe, even MTB shoes with recessed cleats, to be uncomfortable for anything but short walking distances.  A shoe stiff enough to be efficient on the bike isn't a good hiker.  However, I won't compromise my riding so I take either a pair of flip-flops or light "running" shoes for off the bike use depending on how much walking is to be done.