Toruing shoes

[mjohn316]

I'm looking for a good touring shoe (not cleats or cleat mountig) for next trip.  Have an old worn pair of Advocets - loved them but can not find them anywhere.  Have MTB Lakes with SPD cleat mount but they hurt my feet (over cleat) about 50 miles into the ride.  

Any suggestions 9will use towe stras!

[boonebikeguy]

Again as I have always told others here . Go to your local bike shop. Mountain bike shoes seem like the best way to go, but you have to realize that if you buy cheap shoes then expect a cheap result. I have a pair of road racing shoes that are almost ten years old..I use them for training and they lasted so long because when I first bought them I spent the money for a quality shoe.I understand budgets and the like and respect it, but two things you should never be cheap with, Tires or Shoes. Tires are the single most important aspect of your ride, and shoes come in second.

"Love is a river where crazy people drown"--Kyrgyz proverb

This message was edited by boonebikeguy on 5-21-07 @ 1:05 PM

[DaveB]

I don't think anyone makes this type of shoe anymore as the demand just isn't there.

I had the same Avocet shoe years ago but stopped using them when I discovered clipless pedals and can't imagine going back.  

I agree that good quality MTB shoes will make using SPD-type clipless pedals much more comfortable.    

[litespeed]

I used MTB Answer Speeders for years with generic double-sided SPD MTB pedals. No problems despite having a very sensitive right foot. It was crushed in a freak accident and painstakingly rebuilt when I was 23.
Now I have a pair of Shimano MTB shoes and the usual generic SPD's.
I used to get occasional "burning feet" but over the years it seems to have gradually stopped.

[RussellSeaton]

I think Carnac still make touring shoes without any provision for cleats.  Special order from the few shops who carry Carnac.  Carnac has a website.

Some mountain bike shoes have a rubber square over the SPD cleat portion that you cut out to mount SPD cleats.  Don't cut out the rubber square and the shoes should work fine with platform pedals.  Shimano has spinning class sort of specific shoes without aggressive mountain bike shoe lugs on the soles, these would probably be the best for toeclips and straps.

A person I know uses Shimano SPD sandals, without SPD cleats, to ride very long rides with platform pedals.  No clips or straps either.

[James]

I too, develop sore spots on my feet after several miles of riding.  I understand your concern, it turns a nice ride into a miserable one.  However, I have read a few articles on the subject of "hot foot" and most seem to suggest the cause is shoes that are too tight across the front of the foot.  I have been trying wider shoes, and it seems to help with the problem for me.  By the way my most comfortable shoes are an old pair of Nike road shoes that I purchased at a sale for $12.  They have been good friends for 17 years.  In my opinion, shoes are like saddles, very individual, find a pair that are comfortable.  The most miserable shoes I ever owned were also the most expensive.

[Sailariel]

On my touring bike, I wear Cannondale MTB shoes with SPD cleats. I use Shimano platform pedals on one side and SPD on the other. I currently use my touring bike as a commuter. I do centuries, club rides, and charity rides,but for those I ride a road racing bike with LOOK pedals and LOOK shoes.