Shoes n boots for flats

[ootini]

Hello.

Just curious, what kind of footwear for people use when riding on flat pedals?

I've noticed that 5.10s are popular, and appropriately expensive. I understand they have great grip on the pedal, but look like they'd offer very limited grip on damp grass during HAB sections. I currently use an old (very old) pair of North Face low rise walking boots, but they're beginning to show their age. With that in mind, I'm toying with something like trail running shoes, I've seen some Karrimor and Salomon jobbies in the local Sports Direct that look OK.
One bizarre thought I had was that of using Astro Turf football boots. They're waterproof, light and have very grippy looking outer soles. They're also invariably horrible to look at, so may be not... but who knows.

So, what are you wearing?

[ton]

long term 5.10 user here.
fantastic when on the bike.
fantastic on wet rocky ground whilst walking
completely useless on wet grass

a lightweight goretex/canvas/suede type walking boot is far more suitable when doing HAB stuff i reckon.
karrimor ksb boots were fantastic. solomon boots look good.

[Fat tyre kicker]

I use Teva mid height walking boots, very comfy but can be hard to track down,
I've also got some old Cannondale mid boots for summer which have lots of mesh etc..
My mate swears by 5.10's but I've yet to try them....

[whitestone]

I just use a pair of walking boots. The rubber on the sole tends to be a bit harder than that on 5.10s so not as much grip but you don't have to wait for the death of the universe for them to dry out.

5.10s - designed in California (or somewhere) where the idea of getting wet when out riding is incomprehensible. Why would anyone go riding in the rain?

[Dr Nick]

5.10s on the commuting bike and in the office and I'll use them on the mtb in summer

A pair of saloman trainer-esque walking shos from gooutdoors for all other cycling

[Moder-dye]

Salomon's here, pretty much what ever is on offer in my size as they're just the best fit for me.

The non- waterproof trail running shoes are very quick drying (along with seal skin socks), the waterproof walking shoes are good too, but obviously slower to dry if you do get them wet. Grip is excellent and great for any HAB.

[middleagedmadness]

If you want the stealth rubber sole off the 5:10s have a look at the addidas terrex same sole but a mesh shoe so dry out much quicker ,and their about £30 cheaper if you have a shop around

[benp1]

I use a pair of Teva Links. Now sadly discontinued so I have another BNIB pair for when I kill my ones. Been using them solidly since 2013 and they're now looking a bit tired, but still plenty of use

Very comfy, very grippy on pedals - excellent shoe. Takes ages to dry, and very slippery on wet grass or slippery/slick mud. But haven't died yet and have been through some truly hellish sections

[thenorthwind]

I use 5:10s, but as others have said, no grip whatsoever on wet grass and take forever to dry.

I've been thinking about this recently and I think my ideally biking shoe is actually pretty simple. It'd be a bit like a Croc (hear me out) - same material but with a basically flat sole, though with tread cut into it. It would have loads of grip on flat pedals, some grip on rough ground/grass, not be waterproof (like any other shoe bar wellies) but would dry in minutes, and be dead light. Am I wrong?

[Moder-dye]

You mean sandals with socks?! Surely not!

SPD trekking sandals...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-sd66-spd-sandals/

[thenorthwind]

You mean sandals with socks?! Surely not!

Haha, essentially, yes

I should have made it clear that I'd use them with Sealskinz BTW.

They don't really need to be open (though a couple of drain holes might be good).

Turns out you can actually get closed toe Crocs: http://www.crocs.co.uk/crocs-specialist ... GB,pd.html

Needs a bit more heel IMO.

[Roobell7]

Adidas Terrex Trail Cross Protect
Wore a pair out of the box for BB200 and never looked back. Have the Stealth sole of the 5.10 and are reasonably waterproof. They are on the Adidas website @ 26% discount at the moment but watch out, they come up small in UK sizing. Use the Euro size as a guide

[Ray Young]

If your on a budget Decathlon Quechua. I buy the men's £25 walking boots. Decent grip on and off the bike, waterproof and comfortable.

[nedrapier]

I've been thinking about this recently and I think my ideally biking shoe is actually pretty simple. It'd be a bit like a Croc (hear me out) - same material but with a basically flat sole, though with tread cut into it. It would have loads of grip on flat pedals, some grip on rough ground/grass, not be waterproof (like any other shoe bar wellies) but would dry in minutes, and be dead light. Am I wrong?

No, you are not.

Your shoe, sir, is the Keen Clearwater CNX

The sole is very flexible compared to a normal biking shoe, which might not be everyone's cup of tea for long rides, but they're great for summer rides, torrential commutes, rides with stream crossings, messing about in rivers, hiking, kayaking... Some toe protection from front wheel stone throw too.

I'd never have bought them, but I caught a frisbee at a Banff film festival a few years ago. They're lasting well and I'd buy another pair if I lost them.

[giryan]

Sort of nearly off topic, but nearly the same topic, has anyone got/heard of/tried the Catalyst Pedal?

https://pedalinginnovations.com/

I have listened to some podcasts talking about them, and their arguments as to how well it works are compelling.

The direct relevance being once you have a pedal that actually supports all of your foot, you're not restricted to a super stiff odd cycling shoe.

[nedrapier]

Just looked them up, and it turns out Keen do a while bunch of closed toe sandals for messing around in and out of water:

http://www.keenfootwear.com/adventures/ ... 17493.html

[nedrapier]

giryan, I've heard a bit about them, one of my riding lot uses them and likes them - he wasn't raving evangelical about them, but he's the quiet type anyway.

They make a lot of sense, and I suspect that looks/fashion is a lot of the reason why most won't try them.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Sort of nearly off topic, but nearly the same topic, has anyone got/heard of/tried the Catalyst Pedal?

No but I've just read about them. Much of what's said is true, however most flats are large enough to allow you to move your foot further forward and gain many of the benefits discussed. Issue of foot placement tends to be worse for people moving to flats from clips as they'll generally (and quite naturally) place the ball of their foot over or somewhere near to the axle centre. 'Tis the main reason why many people struggle to maintain contact between foot and flat pedal.

[thenorthwind]

I have a pair of hiking sandals not too dissimilar to those Keen ones. I've considered wearing them with Sealskinz for riding, but I couldn't quite bring myself to rock the socks and sandals look I might give it a try, but I fear they might be a bit draughty for anything other than summer use (I suffer badly with cold feet).

Those Catalyst Pedals look interesting - their argument certainly makes sense. I'd love to try some, but quite an expensive experiment. I guess you could argue you'd save money you'd otherwise spend on stiff-soled shoes!

[ootini]

Sort of nearly off topic, but nearly the same topic, has anyone got/heard of/tried the Catalyst Pedal?

No but I've just read about them. Much of what's said is true, however most flats are large enough to allow you to move your foot further forward and gain many of the benefits discussed. Issue of foot placement tends to be worse for people moving to flats from clips as they'll generally (and quite naturally) place the ball of their foot over or somewhere near to the axle centre. 'Tis the main reason why many people struggle to maintain contact between foot and flat pedal.

So, when using flats, which part if the foot should be in contact with the pedal surface, if not the ball?

[Bearbonesnorm]

So, when using flats, which part if the foot should be in contact with the pedal surface, if not the ball?

When climbing / coasting you may find placing the ball of the foot over the axle to be both comfortable and reasonably efficient ... but that's largely a personal thing. However when descending or when things become a little more involved, move your foot forwards. How much will depend on many things but as a rule of foot, try 1 to 2 inches. You're looking to find a 'sweet spot' where your foot feels stable on the pedal when you push down. Foot too far back (ball of foot over axle) and it'll feel like your ankle's weak and your foot wants to 'fall' off the back of the pedal. Too far forward and the opposite will happen but when it's right, pushing down will push your foot 'into' the pedal and produce very little rocking of the pedal or movement of your ankle.

[techno]

Sort of nearly off topic, but nearly the same topic, has anyone got/heard of/tried the Catalyst Pedal?

https://pedalinginnovations.com/

I have listened to some podcasts talking about them, and their arguments as to how well it works are compelling.
I
The direct relevance being once you have a pedal that actually supports all of your foot, you're not restricted to a super stiff odd cycling shoe.

These look good for those of us with large plates of meat, thanks.
Just found that Charlie the bikemonger has a demo set: http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/ped ... 2165-p.asp

[Moder-dye]

Wow, Keen do big bear sized paws too! Up to size 17 in some sandals

[Oli.vert]

I'm inclined to think that this wrong pedal position stuff is a load of bollox. Reason being the basic dynamics of how we run.
We've spent long enough in an upright position now that our muscles and skeletal features are pretty well dialled in for maximum power transfer through the ball of the foot.
True, we dont spend all our time on a bike needing maximum power transfer and it may be that descending you have better balance over the pedal with the foot shifted further forwards, but for generating power? I'll bet you your grandma that you'll get up that hill faster with the ball of your foot over the axle.

FWIW, I have a pair of the Keen Clearwater that are 4 years old and love them. They're looking a bit tatty and well worn now, but still going well enough. I even bought a 2nd pair recently in a sale for when they really die.

For winter whatever walking shoe you like, but then I don't care so much about light weight. Currently.

Funnily enough, this isn't the 1st time we've discussed footwear.

[Bearbonesnorm]

True, we dont spend all our time on a bike needing maximum power transfer and it may be that descending you have better balance over the pedal with the foot shifted further forwards, but for generating power I'd bet you your grandma that you'll get up that hill faster with the ball of your foot over the axle.

I'm sure I recall there was a study done (a proper one) that concluded differently and resulted in lots of very fast people moving their cleats as far back as possible ... to the point of altering their shoes to allow more adjustment.