Keen sandals for 2 month crosscountry trip

[jwrushman]

I found a discussion about sandals from two years ago.  I was going to send a private message to one of the responders, dkoloko, but thought it might be better to get more input.

 I am planning to do a mostly-Northern-Tier ride in June and July this year.  In all my previous multi-day trips, I've been using Pearl Izumi SPD shoes.  They work fine as long as they stay dry.  I've got shoe covers to use if necessary, but I use them more for warmth on winter rides.  The longest I've used my Keen sandals is for 30 miles and not for multi-day trips.  I have Crocs to use at the end of the day in the campground.  I don't want to bring both the sandals and shoes.  I know the obvious answer for me is to try the Keen on long, mulit-day trips.  I just wanted to get others opinions on sandals only for a 2-month trip.

dkoloko, are you still there?

[walks.in2.trees]

I've seen a few mentions on posts about SPD by folks that only wear sandals if you want another place to look.

I did use sandals myself for a long time at least in summer, but I decided that the materials they're made of don't hold up well, and there's many times I want to wear shoes anyways as opposed to sandals, so for me, I'd end up bringing both anyway and use the sandals for camp... I considered Crocs, because I've seen that some use them for camp shoes, but sandals look to me like they pack better.

I have a pair of Pearl Izumis that I don't even use anymore since I bought my Shimano's... They're winter shoes but I wear them year round because they're waterproof... That's not to say I haven't drenched them in a hard rain while wearing shorts from water running down my legs right into them, but for lighter rain, or if wearing rain pants that extend past the shoe tops, the work great

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[RussSeaton]

I have Shimano and Lake sandals for SPD pedals.  Have used both on many multi day and week long plus rides.  You could easily use SPD sandals as your only shoes on a long ride.  Not quite as nice as having a separate pair of sneakers to wear when walking around town.  But doable.  The Croc things you speak of and thong shoes are not to my liking.  Too loose and flopping around.  Not what I want to walk around town.  OK for shuffling around camp and the shower but not for extended walking.  I'd suggest SPD sandals for riding and walking around town and a pair of thong shoes for showering and sitting around camp.  Thong shoes are light and can be strapped onto anything.

[jwrushman]

Walk.in2.trees,

Thanks for your input.  I suppose I can bring my Pearl Izumi shoes and Keen sandals and leave my Crocs at home.  I'm sure the sandals are a bit heavier.  Part of my concern was whether the Keen sandals would hold up for 4000 miles.  I guess I'll have to monitor the wear-and-tear and the ride progresses.  And I think I should look into waterproof shoes.

RussSeaton,

Someone I ride with has Shimano sandals and didn't think the sole was stiff enough.  I'll have to check out Lake sandals.  I'm not familiar with them.

John R

[RussSeaton]

Someone I ride with has Shimano sandals and didn't think the sole was stiff enough.  I'll have to check out Lake sandals.  I'm not familiar with them.

Lake no longer makes SPD sandals.  Shimano sandals seem more than stiff enough to me.  Even with small SPD pedals and cleats.  The sole is very thick and heavy, dense rubber.  The weight being my only complaint against the shoes.

[dkoloko]

I continue to use SPD sandals for touring. I do not carry any other footwear. Currently using Keens; better than Shimano. Two problems that may be important to some. Keen SPD sandals run narrow; narrower than non-SPD Keen sandals. The lace system is clever and quick, but is difficult standing on one leg, keeping your foot up from a muddy campground. The main advantage to me for sandals is their imperiousness to rain. Another advantage is lack of need to wear socks. Socks are a chore to me to wash clean by hand, which hand washing clothes I've had to do many times touring. It was mid-tour on the Northern Tier when I switched to sandals.

[canalligators]

I am moving towards less and less stuff brought along.  So one pair of shoes is an absolute must for me.  You may choose sandals or walkable shoes.  Since my feet require fairly high arch support for walking, and because they're useful over wider range of conditions, I choose walkable shoes.