touring shoes

[Badger]

I am relative new to touring but not to cycling.  My issue this time is touring shoes.  I have some mt. bike shoes with spd cleates but there is got to be something a little better when these. What is are you seasoned tourers wearing?

[don quixote]

I've worn my Shimano SH-M038 spd shoes for about 12,000 riding miles (including coast to coast) and there is still life in them, although I do have a new pair in the closet awaiting. I have a very wide foot, so I have to let them out just a bit, but they have served me well and I highly recommend them.

George Olmstead
San Diego

[loudavis]

I posted a notice here a long time ago about touring shoes.  I'd love to find a few pairs of the old pre-SPD-style shoes.  I'm still using the pair of Avocet Cycling 20 shoes I bought for my first touring experience in 1989.  Made specifically for touring, no holes in the bottom, slide into toe-clip pedals neatly with grooved sole securing position.  For years, I've looked in every country I pedal through to no avail.  Any clues out there?
Lou Davis  lou_davis_2000@yahoo.com
San Diego

[biker_james]

My question is :Better in what way? If you are finding the shoes uncomfortable, it may be the model of shoe, or the cleat position. I think you will find most people touring use MTB shoes and SPD pedals, as its a pretty practical setup-you can pedal efficiently, and still have shoes that are walkable. My personal choice is the SPD sandals. But you do get funny tan lines on your feet from them.

[ptaylor]

You can find old style touring shoes (not designed for clipless) at http://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends.html.

They DO NOT have any way to attach a cleat to their sole. Actually, this site has a lot of neat touring stuff.

Gramps

[SAMMYV]

I also have a wide foot and am interested in trying my first pair of bike shoes. What do you have to do to let them out? This may be a stupid question? I have been very concerned about width of shoes.
Thanks
Sam

[edmilkman]

If you mean "better than SPD" , as far as the cleats releasing easy instead of poor shoes themselves, then go with Speedplay Frog pedals and cleats and keep your same shoes with the holes in the bottom ! They have no spring tension holding foot to pedal. All you do is twist your ankle out 30 degrees to dismount. I use high end SIDI mountain bike shoes and have starting adding common hardware store resin/hardener epoxy glue to build up the worn parts of the tread to keep the cleat safely away from the ground longer.

[jimbeard]

Probably others will disagree but TeVa sandals [Also these are good warm weather rain shoes ]Then for cool weather Lake LX60. In winter i remove toe straps and wear insulated hiking boots.
I have been touring and commuting for 30+ years this is what works for me.
    May the wind be at your back.
         Jim  
To Lou Davis ,I fondly remember the touring shoes you are referring to.
According to Rivendell Reader #38 Puma[brand]kugel[model]are a shot put shoe that are made like and work as well as touring shoes of our youth.
http://store.puma.com
  If you try or come across these shoes let me know what you think.  
Jim Beard   Manchester NY   alummule@Yahoo.com

This message was edited by jimbeard on 12-13-06 @ 8:20 PM

[Kelly]

I use Shimano sandals all year long. In the summer I wear light weight wool socks. In the winter I switch the socks out for heavy wool. I add a layer of Saran Wrap over the toes once temps get down around 40 degrees. Fashion at its finest!

BTW, I've worn the same pair of sandals since 1999. Best shoe dollars I've ever spent, on or off the bike.

Kelly

[yfor01]

I have a pair of Shimano sandals that are great for warmer weather up to 7 50 miles a day after my feet get uncomfy.  I have a pair of Shimano MT-40 that are the greatest shoe I have ever had (20+ years of riding)

[Sailariel]

I wear Cannondale MTB shoes and have Shimano pedals that are a platform pedal on one side and SPD on the other. The Cannondale shoes are very comfortable and not expensive. They look like casual sneakers. On my road bike I use LOOK Keo.