What kind of shoes do you use?

[Biking Kitsune]

Starting on the whole clipless adventure, but I know very little about what kind of shoes I want... I know I'd like to get SPD compatible mountain shoes, and I'd *like* the normal-looking ones (not the usual all velcro straps etc shoes) ... and I was wondering what models you ladies use, and their pros and cons...

[Irulan]

you do want one with a stiff sole. Some of the shoe lookalikes have a soft sole that will eventually crack where the cleat goes in. I wear a SIDI rampa.

Irulan

[bounceswoosh]

I believe I have these:

http://bike.shimano.com/Footwear_Pedals/footwear/componenttemplate.asp?partnumber=SH-M034

I use them on my mountain bike. I wouldn't recommend walking on hardwood floors with them, but otherwise I like 'em.

I recently got a bike fit, and the guy said something about how different shoes put the cleats in different places. You want the cleat in a specific spot front to back relative to the ball of your foot, and he said that I was lucky in that this shoe just happens to be one of the few that accomodates the spot I need the cleat to be. If that makes sense. Anyway, apparently there's more to choosing a shoe than just finding one that's comfy, but I guess I lucked out.

Almost everyone says that stiff soles are what you want for clipless pedals.

[Biking Kitsune]

those are the ones I was eyeing, too!

[snapdragen]

My main shoes are Diadora Chili's, but I've also got a pair of Specialized Sonoma. The Diadora's are velco, but the Sonoma's look like a regular pair of shoes.


http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5354&JServSessionIdroot=aroxbgqztw.j27007

[caligurl]

i wanted more street looking shoes.. but hubby and the bike guy talked me out of it..

i have specialized (cuz they match my bike!)

http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5151&JServSessionIdroot=rp8q2ls5dj.j27006

i wanted these:

http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5152&JServSessionIdroot=rp8q2ls5dj.j27006

but hubby said i'd be sorry eventually as i started riding longer.. said i needed the stiff sole of road bike shoes..

i'm happy with my choice so far... they are comfortable!

[Steph_in_TX]

I've got Sidi Dominators. Not normal looking, but I've got skinny feet and I like the strap that you can ratchet tight.

Steph

[JanT]

I bought my shoes for mountain biking, but now also use them for road biking. They are Cannondales, I think the 900 model, but not sure of that. They look like trail running shoes, and have good nobbies in the soles for traction when I have to hike up hills. They're great for mountain biking. However, I never noticed how heavy they are until I started road biking.

[pedalfaster]

Another Sidi Dominator user here, the women's model.

I love dorky-looking bike shoes :D

[bounceswoosh]

There is definitely something to be said for mountain biking shoes that give you the traction to hike up difficult sections. My husband recently switched from the type with the "scale" looking hard plastic bottoms to ones with rubber knobbies, and he sang the praises when we were on a killer ride where we had to walk large chunks.

[NYCrider]

Does anyone know of a good road shoe for wide feet? I tried on a pair of Sidi's (cannot remember the name but they were woman specific) and they were much too narrow. My LBS said the only wides they carried came in sizes too large to fit me (I wear a 7 1/2 womens).

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by NYCrider
Does anyone know of a good road shoe for wide feet? I tried on a pair of Sidi's (cannot remember the name but they were woman specific) and they were much too narrow. My LBS said the only wides they carried came in sizes too large to fit me (I wear a 7 1/2 womens).

Have your tried a pair of regular (not the "mega") men's Sidis? The men's regular should work out to be ~ a women's wide. Before Sidi came out with their women's last I rode in a men's 38(I think)...I'm about a 7 1/2 street shoe size too.

[NYCrider]

I had assumed the width would be the same... great to know that is not true. I will check them out this weekend. Thanks!

[KTeach]

I LOVE my Sidi Dominators - they're road bike shoes AND they're so comfy! Walking is awkward but I bought 'em to ride in! If your're going for a more walkable shoe look at the Shimano touring shoes lots of people in my club love them.

[SadieKate]

Sidi Dominators and Sidi Genius (I use Look pedals for the road). I love these, love these, love these!

If you ride more than just around town, you'll notice how nice it is to have stiff soles. I also like shoes with a good upper structure. Before I got my Doms I didn't realize that a looser, more flexible upper shoe was a bad thing (though very comfy). The Doms made a difference when I was mountainbiking. Now, my bike and I are one, Grasshopper! At least when she's not snickering at me lying on the side of the trail.

[jobob]

Shimano mtn bike shoes and Shimano sandals

[Maine-iac]

I love my Sidi Genius....older model . before the replacable heel tab. They are on their last legs. I also think they are outrageously expensive.:( But then what isn't? On the other hand, they have lasted a long time and don't owe me a thing. It just really stinks when the shoes AND the pedals go at the same time.

[Trek420]

I think I have these

http://bike.shimano.com/Footwear_Pedals/footwear/componenttemplate.asp?partnumber=SH-MO38W

Also have a pair of Specialized road shoes they are narrower and less comfortable (may have a broken right toe, ow)

[kimba]

I've got Lake shoes -
they are very comfortable - not too narrow!
I'd love to find another pair!!!

Kimba
laces and velcro - none of these newfangled clip things!!!

[CorsairMac]

Specialized MTBs - they are easy to walk in on the rare occasions I have to walk my baby in town. I needed the velcro fasteners since I have a Really high arch.

[sarahfixit]

Cannondale shoes rock. They look and feel like super hike shoes but ride really nice. The cost about 80 a pair and last a full year with me using them as main shoes(landscaper/mechanic).
Never get Nike. I have had several and they split in half in under 4 months. same price.

[gilly]

I wear these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/spec%20sanoma%2004.jpg
(mine are the grey ones)
they are the most comfortable riding shoes Ive ever had! I did have some Lake but (confession time?!) I don't use clipless pedals, I use toe clips and the Lake were too soft in the toe, whereas the specialized are very stiff but comfortable.. for walking too :)

[MM_QFC!]

I have been a fan of the Shimano model that allows recessed cleats, since I started riding in '97. Multiple pairs over the years have gotten me successfully through multi-day and week-long rides across Alaska, Montana, and from Seattle to San Francisco, along with 1-day dbl centuries and the requisite training rides. In other words, thousands of miles of foot-happy riding!
They're great in that I am comfortable walking when off-bike at rest stops and throughout the day. I usually joke that I like to be able to walk comfortably into the bakery as well as the bar!
The soles have some traction, in that they aren't hard/slippery, so I'm not nervous about slipping or torgueing my knee when walking downhill even on short grades. They're super comfortable with 3 velcro straps and accommodate a wider foot too.
Even though it takes some digging to find the current/updated model, my LBS is always able to order it for me. Also, I use Frogs and the cleats have always been easy to install too.
Just my $.02!

http://bike.shimano.com/Footwear_Pedals/Footwear/componenttemplate.asp?partnumber=SH-T092

[doc]

Originally posted by NYCrider
Does anyone know of a good road shoe for wide feet? I tried on a pair of Sidi's (cannot remember the name but they were woman specific) and they were much too narrow. My LBS said the only wides they carried came in sizes too large to fit me (I wear a 7 1/2 womens).

I have found men's shimano's to generally run nice and wide.

As for the original question I started with these intro level shimano's and loved them: (they lace up)
http://bike.shimano.com/Footwear_Pedals/Footwear/componenttemplate.asp?partnumber=SH-MO21

I now have road shoes but still have mtb shoes for when I go to spinning class. These I love even more than the shimano's, they are nike model 76001. They are super stiff but incredibly comfortable to walk in anyway. These are velcro.

That's my 2 cents

[CorsairMac]

My podiatrist actually told me to wear mens shoes because womens shoes just aren't made wide enough. OK...not that my feet are That wide - but with a wider foot and a high arch, my 7 1/2 foot has Never fit in a 7 1/2 womans shoe. I now buy mens shoes for everything I wear, including my bikie shoes.
just my .02 worth!

[neuroticcyclist]

Another for the Sidi dominators. I have tried other shoes, including Shimanos and Performance, and the Sidis are by far the most comfortable and adjustable, which is important for long rides.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I wear Sidi Dominators too - they are great shoes, even though their sizes are a bit screwy! I have a high arch which means that I can't even get my foot into a lot of shoes, but the Sidi Doms fit perfectly. The combination of the top strap with easy adjustment even while riding and 2 velcro straps works great for me.