Commuting / touring SPD shoes

[itsnotarace]

The Mrs and I are going touring in Germany for 2 weeks this summer and I'm looking for a pair of commuting / touring shoes that are SPD compatible and will be stiff enough for a day on the bike but aren't going to cripple me if we stop and do some wandering around and sightseeing, or have to worry about damaging floors of ancient buildings with metal cleats

Currently looking at shoes like

Shimano RT52



and

Specialized BG touring



There will only be a few km of unpaved surface where we're going so I'm not fussed about going for anything more MTB-shoe in style, just wondered if any commuters had any further recommendations. TIA

[RSGulp]

I've just bought a pair of Specialized BG Touring as I needed a pair of SPD compatible shoes but needed to be able to walk in them when stopped i.e. in the cafe/pub. I'm very pleased with them, they fit well and I no longer get numb toes when cycling.

Size-wise go a size larger than usual as they are snug for their size - I'm normally a 45 and found 46 to be perfect. I wouldn't want to walk miles in them as being cycling shoes they obviously don't feel like or have the flexibility of normal walking shoes but are perfect for your needs and the cleats are receded into the sole so won't scratch floors etc.

I bought them over Christmas at http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/ for £42 delivered - everywhere else had them for £70.

Edited by RSGulp on Tuesday 8th January 15:51

[smegma]

I've had the Specialized BG Touring for 18 months and they are perfect for your needs. Despite a very good stiffness rating (see Specialized website), I've worn them for hours off the bike with no problems. Go a size bigger as above, and if you use them in colder weather get a pair of these as they're very well ventilated http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-toe-cover-overshoe/

[Gizmoish]

I wouldn't be wearing them in any ancient buildings though. Take some flip-flops and switch to them.

[itsnotarace]

Thanks both Just bought a pair from Hargroves, many thanks for the link!

[Watchman]

Gizmoish said:

I wouldn't be wearing them in any ancient buildings though. Take some flip-flops and switch to them.

Agree with this. Surprised you can't get some covers for them or a style of shoe where you can flap something over the cleat.

[MadDad]

Agree with all of the above! I have a pair of RT32's - cheap version of the RT35's. More usable than most SPD's but you still feel like you are walking with a huge stick stuck to the ball of your foot! Flip-flops are the future!!!!

[RSGulp]

OP, did you get the Specialized Tourings? What do you think?

[mudshark]

What pedals are you using? I used ordinary Shimano trainer style SPD shoes with a pair of Shimano touring pedals (A520s) and found them a great combi given that I wanted to walk about quite a bit as well as ride up to 100 miles a day.

[XG332]

I present to you.
SPD Flipflops

[SkinnyBoy]

XG332 said:

I present to you.
SPD Flipflops

As endorsed by Sheldon Brown.

If you want something less lentilist but still more casual the Shimano MT22 isn't a bad shoe. Hard to get now as they stopped making them a year or two ago

[itsnotarace]

RSGulp said:

OP, did you get the Specialized Tourings? What do you think?

Yes I did, bought both myself and the OH a pair in the end. As I already wear Specialized road shoes I bought a pair in the same size and they are identical fit wise, went up a size for the Mrs as it was her first pair and they fit well too.

I've only worn them round the house so far, but for what we want them for they're spot on. You wouldn't want to do a full day walking around in them but they are comfortable enough for a couple of hours wandering round sightseeing, for cycling they are plenty stiff enough for touring. Think they are a 5 or 6 on the Specialized stiffness scale, about the same as the lower end road shoes.

I bought A600 pedals for me, and A530 with SPD one side/flat the other for the OH as she will continue to use them after the hols are over and wanted a pair of flats so she can ride in trainers if she wants

I did try on a pair of Shimano touring shoes like the ones pictured in my first post but the plastic insets on the heel and toe made them quite slippery on polished floor so am glad I got the Specialized, thanks very much for posting the Hargroves link - they are identical to the 2013 model for practically half price

[Raven Flyer]

I have been using a pair of these for two years now:

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.i...

I have done many 70+ rides in them and they are uber comfy. They are also perfect for walking around in. I still haven't removed the 'fang' studs but should do.

[RSGulp]

itsnotarace said:

RSGulp said:

OP, did you get the Specialized Tourings? What do you think?

Yes I did, bought both myself and the OH a pair in the end. As I already wear Specialized road shoes I bought a pair in the same size and they are identical fit wise, went up a size for the Mrs as it was her first pair and they fit well too.

I've only worn them round the house so far, but for what we want them for they're spot on. You wouldn't want to do a full day walking around in them but they are comfortable enough for a couple of hours wandering round sightseeing, for cycling they are plenty stiff enough for touring. Think they are a 5 or 6 on the Specialized stiffness scale, about the same as the lower end road shoes.

I bought A600 pedals for me, and A530 with SPD one side/flat the other for the OH as she will continue to use them after the hols are over and wanted a pair of flats so she can ride in trainers if she wants

I did try on a pair of Shimano touring shoes like the ones pictured in my first post but the plastic insets on the heel and toe made them quite slippery on polished floor so am glad I got the Specialized, thanks very much for posting the Hargroves link - they are identical to the 2013 model for practically half price

[Furberger]

I've toured in commuting spd shoes, which were frankly uncomfortable for walking further than shops etc. and too compromised on the bike. Next time was crabon soled SPDSLs and flip flops off the bike. Much better!