Quote Originally Posted by Starfish View Post
Is it REALLY hard to walk in them for the kinds of breaks one takes while doing the long rides? Does putting the little protective cover thingies on them help you walk, or does it just protect the cleat?
It's not an issue IMO. I don't know why your LBS guy thinks it would be.

Right now I'm wearing the Specialized Torch shoes, which have the little rubber baby buggy bumpers on the heels and toes for easier walking. But last year I revived my ancient Duegi race shoes for all-around riding. In their previous life, besides racing, those shoes rode six TOSRVs and any number of organized and non-organized centuries. You have to be careful on hard, slippery surfaces - the first time I put those shoes on after a 12-year hiatus, I just about broke my *ss walking down some slate steps. But that's all. (What those shoes *did* do is turn my feet black every single time it rained for six years. )

I've never used those cleat covers, so somebody else can address that.