Shoes for long-term tour

[Aso]

TL;DR: For those who've toured for long periods of time (at a more laid back pace), what was your shoe wardrobe? Multiple pairs or just one? If the latter, clipless or casual?

...

I'm planning a ~4 month tour, and keen to travel with one pair of shoes (+ flip-flops). After having spent countless nights reading up on clipless (and the heated opinions that surround it), I had decided to cut my losses & compromise on tennis shoes (or similar, ultimately good support & stiff-ish sole) + big ol' platforms.

Then I walked into a LBS (for various bits, but ended up chatting).

I think he must've misheard "I'm riding platforms" for "I am the Second Coming of Christ" - at least that's what I can only conclude from his facial expression.

To be fair he was pretty nice about it, respected my opinion and all, but went into great detail about why I should seriously reconsider and opt for clipless with a mountain-bike/touring style shoe.

What's holding me back isn't necessarily the clipless system itself (though I've never used it before), but using the shoes off-bike for such a period of time. Plus with the fact I don't intend to ride intensively (max ~75km a day, not every day), will I really be missing out?

Or should I get the best of both worlds & just stop whinging about two pairs of shoes? xD

[bikepacker]

I only ever take one pair of Shimano spd sandals. In the warmer weather I go bare footed and in cold and wet I use Sealskinz socks. When really cold I wear smartwool sock liners under the Sealskinz. Extra footwear can add a lot extra weight.

[meic]

If the weather is not sub-zero then the unbeatable option is the Shimano Sandal.

It is an SPD type shoe but you dont have to use it as such, you can walk for miles and miles with it or cycle a Super Randoneur Audax.

No need for other footwear but you can take a selection of different socks if you are not fashion concious.

http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do? ... tAodbxQAsg

I dont know what these are like as a cheaper option.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 0s154p1228

The biggest benefit about sandals is that you no longer have to face a pair of sodden stinking shoes in the morning.

[gordy]

As above - the Shimano sandal is the absolute mutt's nuts when it comes to long distance touring. I used to take MTB shoes and pair of lightweight pumps or flip-flops for evening camping... but the shoes are a pain to dry (and they smell) and the pumps take up too much space. I now take the sandals and nothing else. They work when the weather is wet or dry, warm or cold. They are fine for walking in and provide good support for pedalling.

The only problem is the weird suntan marks on your feet!

Get some clipless pedals. After a week, you'll wonder how you ever managed without them. I prefer TIME ATAC to the SPDs, but the difference is marginal.

[cjs]

TL;DR:

To be fair he was pretty nice about it, respected my opinion and all, but went into great detail about why I should seriously reconsider and opt for clipless with a mountain-bike/touring style shoe.

What's holding me back isn't necessarily the clipless system itself (though I've never used it before), but using the shoes off-bike for such a period of time. Plus with the fact I don't intend to ride intensively (max ~75km a day, not every day), will I really be missing out?

Or should I get the best of both worlds & just stop whinging about two pairs of shoes? xD

Hi,

Don't get hung up about it - You will hear plenty of advice but at the end of the day with your anticipated mileage you can tour comfortably with anything! Check out some of the pics within journals on crazyguyonabike and you will see all sorts used for big tours.....

I now use MTB flats on my two bikes after knee issues and have used trainers, sandals, lightweight hiking boots and cycling specific shoes for touring - no issues. My preference for lazy enjoyable touristic summer touring in northern UK doing around 60 - 80 miles a day is trainers ... If the mileage was to be bigger then I would go for the cycling shoes 'cause you wouldn't be walking too much

Kind regards
Chris

[Aso]

Check out some of the pics within journals on crazyguyonabike and you will see all sorts used for big tours.....

Oh man, that site's been like my second home for the past week! Will pay more heed to the shoe-side of things (have been using it for general advice + tents).

My preference for lazy enjoyable touristic summer touring in northern UK doing around 60 - 80 miles a day is trainers...

That's exactly how I felt when I made my original decision - but clipless is like the little devil whispering in my ear "yeeess, yeeeesss, you need me. You WANT me..." xD

Appreciate all the votes on sandals - but man alive, I'd read up on them and immediate reaction was "not for me - one option off the list" - I'll no doubt reconsider that too

I guess it's just the thought of being so... naked, you know? Plus the weather here (NZ) is a little temperamental - not extreme, but can certainly rain & get nippy.

[meic]

I guess it's just the thought of being so... naked, you know? Plus the weather here (NZ) is a little temperamental - not extreme, but can certainly rain & get nippy.

Carmarthen is in West South Wales not New South Wales. This isnt the land of sun here.

[Aso]

Carmarthen is in West South Wales not New South Wales. This isnt the land of sun here.

Neither was NSW recently

I appreciate the fact that unless your shoes are Gortex lined, your feet may(will) still get wet - it's just the added sense of protection that keeps me clinging on.

[BeeKeeper]

I came late to touring and tried SPD clips for the first couple of years but I fell off once too often - always when coming to a halt and forgetting to unclip in time. The last fall hurt my knee quite badly so I chucked the SPD clips but retained the shoes, re-fitting the blanking panel they came with. I now use strapless metal toeclips after trying the plastic versions first - which broke.

The advantage of the shimano shoes is they have a firm sole although I do know a very good cyclist who tours in trainers.

I carry a pair of Crocs for the evening as I like to change my footwear to give my feet a chance to breath and they are warmer than bare feet inthe tent. Crocs are light but bulky although they can be filled with other bits of clothing or camping equipent.

+ 1 for the Shimano sandels as well.

[clanton]

You can ride in just about any shoe so it is a case of what works for you.

Personally I have always used clipless pedals - usually Time cleats but also Look (road cleats) and I find riding on flat pedals without cleats wierd and irritating. My foot just always seems to be in the wrong place. Ironically the argument about protecting your knees by using flats may be false - the theory being that cleats have built in "float" so your foot rotates more naturally during the oedal stroke, whereas in flats your foot is actually MORE immobilised.

When I tour I use a pair of Specialised Tahoe MTB/touring shoes and take along a set of flip flops for the evenings - and seldom use them as the shoes are very comfy.

[bretonbikes]

I came late to touring and tried SPD clips for the first couple of years but I fell off once too often - always when coming to a halt and forgetting to unclip in time. The last fall hurt my knee quite badly so I chucked the SPD clips but retained the shoes, re-fitting the blanking panel they came with. I now use strapless metal toeclips after trying the plastic versions first - which broke.

The advantage of the shimano shoes is they have a firm sole although I do know a very good cyclist who tours in trainers.

I carry a pair of Crocs for the evening as I like to change my footwear to give my feet a chance to breath and they are warmer than bare feet inthe tent. Crocs are light but bulky although they can be filled with other bits of clothing or camping equipent.

+ 1 for the Shimano sandels as well.

Can I just second the Crocs - They look terrible, but weigh nothing and can be hung outside the pannier. BUT on typical tiled toiled-block floors they can be lethal - you've been warned:-)

[jonnystv]

Hi Aso

I toured for 5 months through Europe & E Africa, doing roughly the same mileage as you plan to. Like yourself I painstakingly researched each aspect of the trip, including shoes!

I wasn't interested in clipless pedals so in the end I used a pair of lightweight Adidas Terex cross trainers. They were incredibly comfy so I rarely used the pair of Keen sandals I took along for the really hot bits. Also very light so dried quickly when wet.

Hope this helps. There are as many opinions as there are tourers! Good luck.

Jonny

[dbascent1986]

Having ridden a lot with SPDs I have gone back to flat pedals and normal shoes - don't notice any real difference in terms of efficiency or cadence (in my 50s so aim for around 80rpm) - it does feel a bit weird initially, to go back to flats, but pretty soon feels normal. I am trying to integrate the bike as much as possible into normal life, hence keeping bike specific clothing items to a minimum.

[Barrenfluffit]

I reckoned you wanted to cover the extremes and just tolerate the in-between. So I needed a warm waterproof shoe and something for heat. Also I wanted shoes I could use off the bike eg walking round towns or up some hills. So it seemed logical to take walking boots and sandals. That said the sheer bulk of packed walking boots was a bind in hot countries. But almost everything is a tradeoff. Lots of people do use clips etc but I prefer the flexibility of flats.

[andrew_s]

I also use SPD sandals only these days, with woollen cycling socks and goretex oversocks as required for warmth.
In fact cold feet aren't as much of a problem as you might expect, possibly because the circulation in your feet isn't restricted like it can be in tight shoes. I was OK in bare feet at the end of November despite there still being frost in the shady bits all day (I'd worn sandals because the route involved paddling in the floods).
A pair of socks is handy even if it's warm; bits of grit stuck under the straps can cause a requirement for padding quite quickly.

On the SPD/flats question, I wouldn't say it matters much which you use from a cycling point of view, but pick one and stick to it. Swapping back and forth is likely to give problems.