The right shoes for touring

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
camstav
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Joined: 30 May 2015, 11:37pm

The right shoes for touring

Post by camstav »

Hi there,

I am new to cycling, I have bought a road bike recently and I am buying accessories step by step.
I am already doing day trips, about 80km per day on weekends.
I would like to buy cycling shoes (my pedals are Shimano SPD), but since I like to do some tourism and visit places (villages, etc...) I would like to be able to walk in those shoes...
I don't really know if I should go for road-touring, mountain-biking or trekking shoes...
Has someone experienced walking with Shimano RT82 (road-touring) or Shimano MO89 (mountain-biking)?

I have narrowed down my shopping list to 4 types of shoes:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mt44-touring-cycle-shoes/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mt34-spd-touring-cycle-shoes/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-rt82-spd-touring-cycle-shoes/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m089-spd-mountain-bike-shoes/

I am mainly hesitating between the RT82 and the MO89...
Would you have any suggestion or advice?

Many thanks,
Wishing you all a good weekend,

Camille.
nez
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by nez »

Step by step!
nez
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by nez »

Sorry. A proper answer too.. there are various answers to your problem. Obviously something as stiff as a road show will be impossible for walking more than a few metres. Touring does it is, then. Shimano have the reputation of narrowness, though of course that won't bother some people. Exustar Stelvios walk like normal shoes. I have a pair. I also have a pair of Keens, which are broad and comfortable for me.
nez
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by nez »

Touring shoes not does. Blooming autotext
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Spinners
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by Spinners »

Hi Camille and well to the CTC Forum!

I'm pretty sure that the RT82's have to be used with the A520 and A600 pedals - I've used both and they are excellent but recommend the latter as they are very light and smooth.

I've not used the RT82 shoes but use the earlier RT51 with the same sole and can confirm that they are OK for walking although you will occasionally hear the cleat making contact with the ground on irregular pavement surfaces. IME Shimano shoes are a bit small and I had to size up from 42 to 44 but this might be due to me having slightly broad feet.
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Vorpal
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by Vorpal »

Cycling shoes in general run narrow. If you are someone who can wear most shoes, you're probably okay just going up a size or so. Otherwise, try them on. I've only ever found one pair of cycling shoes, other than sandals that fit me. I have only moderate difficulty finding street shoes and trainers that fit, but an awful time finding cycling shoes that fit.
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Pyranha
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by Pyranha »

Have you seen any of those in the flesh' and have you tried them on? There's no point buying the most recommended, best reviewed, shoes if they're the wrong shape for your feet. It's also worth checking some of the details which may not be clear from the webpages - I have a pair of Mavic Cruize which I am generally happy with, but the mesh upper (described as breathable) barely stops the airflow, which means I get cold feet unless either it's fairly warm or I wear some kind of membrane (eg Sealskinz socks). That may suit you, or may not.

I would suggest you visit a shop with a decent range, if you can find one, and try some on.
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by Vorpal »

Decathlon have a decent range of reasonably priced shoes if you can get to one.
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camstav
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by camstav »

Thanks a lot for all these messages!
I went to Sports Direct yesterday, but they had nothing at all. I live in Cambridge and there is no Decathlon around, the nearest is in London. The bike shops that I know around here are small and don't have a large range at all. Maybe visiting a few shops and trying different things is the way to go. I will try to find some time for that this week.

I will let you know!

Thanks again,
Camille.
robing
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by robing »

I have Specialised Touring shoe, but tbh it's more a road shoe. I take a v lightweight pair of crocs to wear off the bike.
Bonefishblues
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by Bonefishblues »

camstav wrote:Thanks a lot for all these messages!
I went to Sports Direct yesterday, but they had nothing at all. I live in Cambridge and there is no Decathlon around, the nearest is in London. The bike shops that I know around here are small and don't have a large range at all. Maybe visiting a few shops and trying different things is the way to go. I will try to find some time for that this week.

I will let you know!

Thanks again,
Camille.

I'm off to a branch of Rutland Cycling today who seem to have big stocks of most things and aren't too far away from you if you're Cambridge-based. Grafham (which I happen to be going to) would be your closest, I think.
sjs
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by sjs »

robing wrote:I have Specialised Touring shoe, but tbh it's more a road shoe. I take a v lightweight pair of crocs to wear off the bike.


I also use Specialized (BG Sport Tour?) shoes. They are pretty stiff, so good on the bike, but also OK for an evening stroll of a mile or two. Sizing maybe slightly narrow, otherwise standard.
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by Vorpal »

camstav wrote:I went to Sports Direct yesterday, but they had nothing at all. I live in Cambridge and there is no Decathlon around, the nearest is in London.

There's one in Harlow, but probably still a bit far to go for shoes!
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cheesypeeps
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by cheesypeeps »

I would agree regarding shimano being narrow. I have wider feet and I love my northwave shoes. I have them in carbon road shoes and also as touring shoes. Just did a tour with my touring (mtb) ones and they were great.
I'd highly recommend them. Good luck! And remember you can always send them back if the fit isn't correct :)
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irc
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Re: The right shoes for touring

Post by irc »

Some Shimano shoes come in a wide fitting> I still had to go up 2 sizes though from a 47 to a 49.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m089-sp ... 60667439uk
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