Shoes what kind?

How Soon Is Now

Looking for a new pair of shoes to wear when cycling but don't want the typical road bike shoes as I mostly just use the bike to commute or few longer trips every few weekends.

I wear bib tights or shorts as I find them a lot more comfortable moving around on the bike but because of this I am not sure what shoes will look normal with them ha.

Ive been using a basic pair of black runners lately but there just not comfortable. Seeing a lot of people mention mtb shoes but will they go with the tights......

magicbastarder

i use 'mtb' shoes on all my bikes, i have shoes with recessed cleats which are much easier to walk about in, which are my winter/commuting shoes, but also have 'road' shoes which will also take SPD cleats. there's nothing to worry about matching them to tights.

How Soon Is Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677080#Comment_118677080

There not to bulky or anything wearing tights? The mtb shoes look a lot more comfortable and something I could walk around in as well when im off the bike.

magicbastarder

no, these shoes don't look like normal shoes, they've got velcro straps and are quite 'slim'. but they do have the recessed cleats, as mentioned. they're probably about 20 years old so the specific shoe is obviously no longer available, but you should be able to get similar.

How Soon Is Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677241#Comment_118677241

Can you give me an example of what these look like? When I look up mtb shoes im getting the stuff that looks like standard Vans shoes.

Raam

Loads of MTB shoes here: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mtb/shoes-cycle/shoes-mtb

Various styles

How Soon Is Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677311#Comment_118677311

Cheers I was looking at these over last few days just wasn't sure how they would look with the tights. That was one my main issues ha.

Raam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677330#Comment_118677330

They look fine ;-)

How Soon Is Now

I'd be talking more about the flat pedal style shoe then the spd style.

Raam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677358#Comment_118677358

Ah OK. So you don't want to clip in at all?

How Soon Is Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677364#Comment_118677364

No im trying to avoid that setup just don't feel comfortable with it.

Raam

Fair enough. Ideally you get a stiffer shoe if doing longer distances since a flexible sole is not very comfortable to cycle in and isn't very efficient.

You could consider something like this: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/giro-rumble-vr-mtb-spd-shoes/rp-prod144385

It has a space for the SPD cleat but you don't have to use it.

Raam

Or these: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-mt3-mt301-touring-shoes-2019/rp-prod177945

How Soon Is Now

Thanks for the examples! I'm trying to compare what they look like compared to say this type https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/ride-concepts-livewire-mtb-shoes-2019/rp-prod191516

I haven't seen many together in person to compare them.

magicbastarder

what is it about a shoe like that which makes it an MTB shoe? stiffer soles than normal?

How Soon Is Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677433#Comment_118677433

I don't really know a lot about them to be honest im just going by what there all called ha. Ive never had to buy dedicated shoes for cycling I just want something that will last and will be more comfortable that wont look out of place off the bike.

Raam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677433#Comment_118677433

:-)

How Soon Is Now

They look a lot more comfortable and like regular shoes just can't picture cycling with them on a road bike wearing tights. I can't seem to find anywhere online of someone doing it yet everyone says they wear them ha.

Raam

TBH no one else really cares what other people wear when cycling. Get whatever makes you happy.

How Soon Is Now

Cheers lads I've just never seen anyone on the road with the combination so wasn't sure if would work. I'm gonna look at getting something like I posted above and hopefully will do the job going forward!

Raam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677604#Comment_118677604

Don't forget to post pics of yourself cycling with them so that we can, errr, judge you or something ;-)

How Soon Is Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677616#Comment_118677616

Haha I don't even want to see what I look like while im cycling never mind anyone else!

ARX

I've used Salomon trail running shoes with flat pedals for long-distance touring. They are stiffer and more supportive than runners but still light and comfortable to walk in.

nilhg

https://www.decathlon.ie/sport-trail-mtb-women-shoes-overshoes/301219-57528-st-500-mountain-bike-shoes-black.html#/

I got a pair of those for some light touring in one of Decathlon's sales, due to covid they haven't got much use but they seem fine for what I paid for them. Fixed cleat position wouldn't be ideal for heavy use but they'll work well in flat pedals I would have thought.

How Soon Is Now

Got a pair of these in the end https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/five-ten-trail-cross-lt-mtb-shoes/rp-prod194523

Thanks for all the feedback lads!

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118683728#Comment_118683728

Jaysus, you're not going to wear those with tights on a road bike, are you...

RobertFoster

I hope your sock game is on point...

How Soon Is Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118683867#Comment_118683867

Tried on similar shoes with tights and looked okay so we shall see when I get them.

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118684128#Comment_118684128

Ah, I was only messing with you. I don't shave my legs, and I wear ankle socks when I'm cycling 😁😁😁

Macy0161

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677433#Comment_118677433

Some mtb flats have soles that grip better than "normal" shoes.

OP - I'd consider spd pedals/ shoes. Like a few have posted I use "touring" shoes for commuting, and I can drive in them (which I probably wouldn't in my "mtb" shoes. "Touring" spd pedals are pretty light release in my experience - too light for me when I've tried to use them on club spins. You can also get dual sided flat one side/ spd the other pedals - although do check the release tension on these (speaking from experience!).

How Soon Is Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118684220#Comment_118684220

I'll give the ones I got a go on flat pedals and see how I get on. Ive a few different options at least but id like to have something I can walk in as well.

Macy0161

I should've added touring shoes can be walked in. Being honest, my ones are more comfortable than my work/ suit shoes!

8valve

I'm quite liking the adidas velosamba...

Retro cool, for auld grumpy midlife crisis lads, like meself...