Cycling shoes

[Ruby]

I'm new to the concept of cycling shoes as I've only recently taken up cycling again - do they HAVE to be used with cleats or is there any advantage to using them without cleats, with standard pedals? The reason I ask is that I often ride and walk, so cleats might make life a bit difficult! I like the fact that cycling shoes have more rigid soles, but would they be too slippy with 'normal' pedals? Or would sticking to trainers be better ...

 

[mattsccm]

Can of worms job here. Clipping in will be more effective but you need shoes to match. Mountain bike shoes are reasonable to walk in, some more than others. (Look for rubber rather than plastic treads and more recessed cleats) Many downhillers use sticky soled shoes and flats. Not bad if you get the right pedal/shoe combo but decent pedals are hard on the shins. Most shoe manufacturer's make a shoe that looks light a trainer or the walking version. Many have the cut out for the cleat but with a rubber sole that functions like a trainer but stiffer . My missus has a pair of Pearl Isumi's for example., She uses mtb flats on her hybrid but as they have the facility to cut out the cut out!!! she could fit SPD cleats . Going for something like this means that you can move slowly from what ever you currently use to stiffer cycling shoes to clipping in without going to radical. Look for mountain/touring/commuter shoes

 

[mattsccm]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_T1_Cycling_Shoes/5360033189/
or something similar

 

[Ruby]

Thanks for that

 

[Curly_cat]

or these: http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20090723.p.Cycling_Shoes.ar2

 

[fossyant]

Trainers are terrible...you need something a bit stiffer, so using a touring or MTB shoe, clipless or flat pedals.