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Light walkable shoes compatible with SPDs?
I've fallen out of love with my Speedplay pedals (both cleats and pedals unreliable and pedal maintenance leaves me with an ear full of grease most times and I now need to replace one where the bearing has siezed after 3,000 miles - probably due to an excessively wet ride at some point where I didn't regrease so looking at £150 and the reviews on Wiggle of the Wahoo upgraded pedal design aren't promising) and after a pleasant winter using good old SPDs, I've decided I think they are just what I should stick with over summer.
Over winter I've been using Shimano winter shoes, some older ones with 3 velcro straps and deep tread to the cleat is recessed. It's been a pleasure.
As cafe safety is a high priority with me (and seriously, the club has had hospitalisations due to cafefloor/cleat incompatiblity), I'm wondering what people with SPDs use that are light wieght but have a recessed cleat. Not after racing performance, just comfy.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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21 comments
I commute (not in winter) in a pair of Specialized Cadets. They're laced so would need a practice (that knot site is both insane and awesome at the same time) but I occasionally forget to take shoes to work and will happily toddle around all day in the Cadets. Can be a little clacky on some corridor floors but generally fine.
They're perhaps a wee bit breezy, and I also very quickly revert to some Northwave Celsius boots as soon as it gets below about 8-10 degrees (have once or twice spent all day at work in them too. Must work on my memory...)
I've had a pair of these in black for a few years and really like them. Used for commuting, leisure riding and touring. Very good value and comfortable. Resist light rain and dry quite quickly in warm weather. Used with overshoes in the winter.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-dorica-mtb-shoe
I rejected those because I'd have to learn to tie my shoe laces properly.
(Seriously! 63 and not worked out how to do it reliably. I blame the parents).
A few years ago, I learnt the Ian knot and now I can barely remember how to do tie the old way
https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/ianknot.htm
I think I'll be able to turn that into a granny knot with no trouble.
Thanks. I'll practise on my dancing shoes.
I have an earlier iteration of Mavic's Cosmic Boa SPD. They've given me sterling service over the years and have only gone into partial retirement now I have to use orthotics.
I got a pair of Shimano RT-82s about a decade ago that are still going strong and don't look out of place on a road bike. I expect there's a more recent model. They're not particularly stiff, so they're great for walking in, perfect for touring or anything where there's milling about or dirt.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-rt82-spd-touring-cycle-shoes
This winter I got a pair of Northwave Celcius GTX SPD shoes, best decision ever. No more fussing about with overshoes or toe thingies that wear out too fast!
Overshoes are just too expensive to run - so easy to tear, especially if they don't fit round the cleat well.
I've gone for Shimano because I know the fit, and I simply couldn't find some of the suggested shoes in the right size, or rather they would have 42 or 43 but not both and I am a 42 but 43 in Shimano sizing. Don't want to buy a pair and find that I can't switch sizes. LBS didn't have anything suitable.
I note the market is starting to produce hybrid shoes, marketed at being genuine walkable shoes. I think the market will move towards SPD shoes being less clumpy soled.
I've got some older xm 700 shimano shoes.
Seems to be replaced now with this as the nearest equivalent
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Shimano/MT7-Gore-Tex-SPD-MTB-Shoes/ONWJ
Thanks for the pointers (and not suggesting I am wrong!).
I know you are talking about SPDs but with SPD SLs I've used cleat covers on my commute to get me out of trouble if I've ever had a puncture and had to do the walk of shame to the office or home.
They cost less than a fiver and are easy to put in your pocket or bag if needed.
I find SLs too risky to clip into, missed too often. I did use covers on my original Speedplay cleats, the new system is good enough - until you need a wee in a gate and discover you've clogged your cleat.
Good reminder though.
You should probably see a doctor about that.
An old sawn-off tooth brush inhabits my saddle pack for just this purpose.
Fizik M5b very walkable and a bit narrow around the ball of my foot but very good to walk on and dont look too MTB ish.
So much happier riding spd in cities/towns with double sided pedals. No messing about at traffic lights just so easy to click straight in/out put you foot down with confidence.
Yes, small they may be, but there's always something to press on even if you miss your aim.
My Shimano's are undersized - I've got 43s instead of 42s, and they are snug.
Giro Rumble are pretty good. I also love my Adidas Velosambas, though they are quite stiff.
Another vote here for the Giro Rumble, not cheap at full price but worth shopping around to see if you can find them reduced. They are reasonably light and have mesh panels which help with ventilation.
I'm currently using a pair of Bont Riot MTB shoes. They're heat moldable, so you can get them to fit comfortably (good for my wide feet) and relatively light though not as light as proper road shoes.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/bont-riot-mtb-boa-cycling-shoe
I have a new pair of these. I generally like them but they have 2 niggles for me - 1 the tongue is a little short and tends to dissapear under the top fastening.
The top of the heel cup is quite tight for getting on so I have to use a shoe horn to avoid crushing down the back of the shoe....
Havent used the heat moulding yet but love them apart from that.
Use the heat moulding - it's easy. Just pop them in the oven at whatever gas mark they specify, leave to bake for 20 minutes, take them out, dust with icing sugar then shove your feet into them (socks recommended).