Trying to find the perfect shoe...

[pgsmart]

I am looking for a new pair of cycling shoes and cannot decide which to buy. I do not race. I do, however, like to ride fairly long distances. I suffer from "hot foot" on occasion with the shoes I have now. I also like to be able to walk (at least, somewhat) when I am not on my bike. I go on cycling tours where it is helpful to be able to get off the bike and move around comfortably without breaking my neck! Right now I am using an SPD system. I have looked at the SIDI Dominator 5 (seem a little costly) and the Specialized Motodiva. Does any one have any experience with either of these or have any other suggestions for shoes that might work for me? I guess I want a "walkable performance road shoe" if that exists.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I wear Sidi Dominators and use Frog cleats on all of my bikes - touring & road. I love these shoes - and they are well worth the cost to me. They have the same (underlying) sole as the comparably priced Sidi road shoe - as in, it is very stiff - with the addition of lugs on the sole. No protruding cleat, so you can walk in the shoes.

But - I do self-supported touring, so if I want to stop someplace and do some walking, I can easily grab my non-biking shoes from my panniers or trailer... Typically when I am not touring I don't bring extra shoes and just walk in my cycling shoes. But then again, on those occasions I usually don't do much more walking than in to a convenience store to pick up some extra liquids or snacks or to use the bathroom.

--- Denise

[Triskeliongirl]

Wow, Ditto Denise. I love my sidi dominator shoes with frog pedals. I too had hot foot with spd but not with the frogs. I also have them on all my ROAD bikes even though they are supposedly for mountain bikes. They are expensive but they last a long time. You could also try to pick up last years model on sale on ebay or online if you are sure about your size.

[Grog]

I have Specialized Carbon Comp shoes, also expensive but I agree with Denise that good cycling shoes are worth the cost if you're riding any significant distance with them. Plus, they last a long time.

I used to have touring shoes and I really felt a difference in comfort when I changed. I keep the touring shoes with SPD cleats and pedals just in case, but I don't think I'm going to use them a lot anymore...

I don't think my Specialized shoes (that specific type) are compatible with SPD-mountain cleats though, but I have SPD-road pedals.

[Nanci]

I have a lesser pair of Sidi's, Rampas, which are MTB shoes, which I love. They have a two-velcro closure system. I also have a pair of Shimano 2005 SPD sandals, which I love even more, and doubt I will wear the Sidis until winter.

Yesterday I ran a trail marathon. I lucked out, and felt a problem in the ball of my foot after about 7.5 miles and changed into a pair of shoes that had heat-molded soles, with no further problems. I was also wearing those Injinji Tetratsoks- seamless with toes. I ended up, after almost ten hours of running, with only a miniscule blister on one foot, and a couple sore big toenails, which I may or may not lose. You can imagine how I felt today, going for a 30 mile bike ride, the relief of putting on cyclig sandals, not shoes.

I've worn those sandals everywhere since I got them- never put on my "real" shoes again. Even a mountain century. Even in cold, with toe warmers inside the sandals. My feet totally love them.

Nanci

[pgsmart]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up trying the Sidi Dominator 5 and the Specialized Motodiva shoe. I think that the Sidis would be much more comfortable, though. I may try to Sidi frogs. I didn't realize that they could make that much of a difference. I'll let you know how it goes. And, once again, thanks. It helps to hear what others actually use and their comments.