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  • 10 Stylish SPD Cycling Shoes Which Look Casual, Not Sporty

    10 Stylish SPD Cycling Shoes Which Look Casual, Not Sporty

    Shoes take up space and can be a little heavy, so sometimes it’s hard to decide whether to bring one or two pairs of shoes on a bike trip. Do you try and do everything in your SPD shoes, or do you suck it up and pack a set of street shoes too?

    This decision would be much more simple if only there were stylish cycling shoes which look casual, and not sporty.

    Ta-daaa!

    Here’s my list of the best stylish SPD casual shoes.

    DZR H2O

    Image: Flickr.com/bluelug
    Image: Flickr.com/Bluelug

    The DZR H20 has got to be one of the best-looking shoes on this list. They are fully seam sealed, making them waterproof, and they’re finished with a sheepskin leather (definitely not vegan). One thing I’ve noticed with waterproof shoes is that they tend to ventilate poorly, so make sure you’re only using the H2O in cooler temperatures!

    DZR Minna

    Image: CultureCycles.com
    Image: CultureCycles.com

    According to DZR, the Minna is hands down, their best seller. The Minna is a collab shoe with artist Jeremiah Ball, graphics most noticeable on the sole and inside of the shoe. It’s a simple, low profile street shoe with a mix of finishes which will allow it to really fly under the radar.

    DZR Strasse

    Image: Urbanvelo.com
    Image: Urbanvelo.com

    Another DZR favourite is the Strasse – a mid top casual cycling shoe. I really like the mix of finishes on the shoe, as well as the black, grey and tan colour combination.

    Quoc Pham Hardcourt Low

    Image: UrbanBikeWear.com
    Image: UrbanBikeWear.com

    The Quoc Pham Hardcourt Low uses a consistent finish to provide a really simple and clean street feel to it. These shoes would blend in very well to almost any choice of clothing.

    Quoc Pham Hardcourt Mid

    Image: 321polo.net
    Image: 321polo.net

    The Quoc Pham Hardcourt Mid is pretty self-explanatory; a slightly taller version of the Hardcourt Low. This model offers slightly more ankle support with high-top sneaker styling. I love the reinforced nylon finish!

    Quoc Pham Urbanite Mid

    Image: Circles-JP.com
    Image: Circles-JP.com

    The Quoc Pham Urbanite shoes are much more classic in styling than the rest of the shoes on this list. They will suit everything from casual, right through to dress. As they are finished in leather, they are definitely not vegan. They’re available in three different leather colours – brown, tan and black, as well as a low top version.

    Giro Chamber

    Giro Chamber Cycling Casual Shoes
    Image: Pinkbike.com

    Giro have recently been putting together a great line of cycling shoes. The Giro Chambers are performance-oriented shoes, but with skate styling. They have been used by gravity mountain bike riders for the last few years which is demonstrative of their ability as a cycling shoe.

    Giro Rumble VR

    Giro Rumble VR Cycling Casual Shoe
    Image: Flickr.com/Osamuito

    I quite like the blue and brown configuration of the Giro Rumble VR. These shoes give off more of a smart-casual look, rather than street. The fact they’re less ‘street’ may make the Rumble suit your personal clothing choices better. They are also available in black, or alternatively in a womens version called the Petra VR in a black or grey.

    Chrome Kursk 2.0

    Chrome Kursk 2.0 Clipless Casual Shoes

    The Chrome Kursk shoes are ultra low in profile and look great. Like most shoes on this list, most people won’t even know they’re designed for clip-in pedals!

    Five Ten Kestral Lace

    Five Ten Kestral Lace Clipless Casual Shoe

    The Five Tens are probably the sportiest option here, but the design still provides a more out-there skate feel. These shoes are designed with performance in mind (like the Giro Chamber) which will likely make them a great travel option.

    Disclaimer!

    Many of the shoes above are NOT well-known for their longevity. The most casual looking shoes like the DZR, Chrome or Quoc Pham have been found to sometimes come apart, or crack the base where the cleats sit according to reviews. Conversely, the Giro and Five Ten shoes generally have excellent feedback when it comes to being resistant to damage.

    Like Technical Outdoor Clothing? Check Out My List Of Stylish Clothing Manufacturers.

  • Cycling SPD Sandals: The Most Versatile Touring Shoes

    Cycling SPD Sandals: The Most Versatile Touring Shoes

    After hundreds of thousands of kilometres in SPD sandals, I certainly don’t wear them for their looks. The thing is that SPD sandals are unrivalled in warm-to-hot conditions as there isn’t a more ventilating cycling shoe. In addition, they dry almost instantly which is perfect after it’s been raining or you’ve waded through some river crossings.

    People tend to have the perception that sandals are for summer cycling only. I’ve actually found them to be excellent in winter too. That’s why I’m using them on my latest bike tour: CyclingAbout The Americas.

    Let’s discuss why SPD sandals should be your next touring shoe!

    spd sandals

    Comparison to Conventional Cycling Shoes

    Why
    – Drying. When sandals get wet, they dry out much quicker than a closed shoe.
    – Ventilation. The more holes, the more airflow.
    – Versatility. You can wear sandals with no socks, thin socks, thick socks, waterproof socks and any of those sock combinations with overshoes. This makes sandals suitable for all-weather conditions, including snow.

    Why Not
    – They’re not exactly known for their looks.
    – You can’t put shoe inserts or orthotics in them (provided your podiatrist recommends them).
    – Foot movement inside the sandal. Shoes have more surface area to hug your foot, making them feel a little stiffer and more secure under significant pedal power.
    – Your feet need to adjust to sandals. Some people may experience blistering from walking in their sandals. Take it easy!

    Cycling Sandal Versatility

    SPD sandals are the most versatile touring shoes. They are great in the desert and just as good in wet/cold conditions.

    Cycling sandal review versatility weather conditions

    How are they good for all weather conditions?

    1. Wear your sandals without socks in conditions over 15 degrees Celcius.
    2. Wear your sandals with thin, ventilated cycling socks for a bit more warmth/comfort.
    3. Wear your sandals with thick, waterproof socks in cold or wet conditions.
    4. Wear your sandals with socks AND booties/shoe covers in super cold and wet conditions.

    Why Should You Clip In?

    – It’s better for steep climbs
    – For short bursts of power
    – To maintain optimal foot and body positioning
    – For foot stability on rough terrain

    For more information, read my article A Look At The Advantages And Disadvantages of Clipless Pedals.

    Shimano sd65 SPD cycling sandal bicycle touring

    Open vs Closed Toe SPD Sandals

    I travel with open-toe sandals which combine excellent ventilation with interesting tan lines. I’ve never felt like I’ve needed my toes to be enclosed (over the last ten years I’ve never injured them).

    A great thing about open-toe sandals is that the sizing doesn’t need to be perfect. and therefore there’s no hitting your toes at the end of the shoe if they’re a tad short. I’ve found that it’s best to size down a little

    How Long Will They Last?

    Cycling sandals are really durable. My last pair (Shimano SD-65) gave in after eight years of heavy use. They would’ve done over 100,000km, including some seriously long tours which are always pretty tough on gear. If I get that kind of mileage out of my current Shimano SD-66 sandals – I’ll be super stoked!

    Shimano SPD Sandal Broken
    My Shimano cycling sandals lasted eight years of heavy use before eventually busting.

    Can You Walk in SPD Sandals?

    Walking in SPD sandals is similar to walking in casual SPD shoes: they’re stiff and perhaps a little bit noisy. The metal cleats ‘click’ on hard surfaces when I walk which can be mildly annoying. You don’t want to spend all day walking in them, but if they’re the only shoes you’ll carry on tour, they’ll be fine.

    What Cycling Sandals are Available?

    Shimano SD5 – Size 39-48 – Amazon Special for US $73

    spd sandals

    My take: The latest offering from Shimano. They’ve lost the same level of stiffness as previous editions but they are better suited for walking. I like the open-toe design of Shimano sandals as it provides optimal foot ventilation.

    Shimano SD66 – US $99 – Size 39-48

    spd sandals
    Shimano SD66 Sandals

    My take: If you can still find a pair, I’ve found the SD66 to be perfect for bike touring, but not the best for walking due to the stiff sole and the metal cleats which will scrape the ground.

    Keen Commuter 4 – Size 40-49 – Amazon Special US $114

    spd sandals
    Keen Commuter IV Sandals

    My take: The most famous adventure sandal company also manufacturers an SPD sandal which is in its fourth generation. No velcro on these puppies, instead they are tightened with an elastic cord. The Commuter sandals are known to be on the narrower size, so if you have wide feet you’ll be better off with Shimano.

    Exustar E-SS503 – Size 37-48 – Amazon Special US $87

    spd sandals
    Exustar E-SS503 Sandals

    My take: They may be less popular than Shimano or Keen, but Exustar has been making sandals for some time now and rebrand them for other companies.

    Rose RMTS 03 – £69 – Size 39-48

    spd sandals

    My take: The Rose sandals are almost identical to the Exustars at the same price point. Find them and let me know what they’re like.

    Nashbar Ragster II – US $69 – Size 37-48

    spd sandals
    Nashbar Ragster II Sandals

    My take: Super affordable. Often found for under half the price of Shimano or Keen sandals, they could be worth a try if you’re on a budget. 

    Have You Used Clip-In Cycling Sandals?

  • Tips For Picking The Best SPD Shoes For Bike Touring

    Tips For Picking The Best SPD Shoes For Bike Touring

    Coming from a bike racing background, I have used clip in shoes since I was in my teens. The extra power and efficiency they offer is hugely beneficial to me, even just commuting around town. I have become used to them completely and now I find it hard riding a bike without them. You can read all about the benefits of being clipped-in HERE.

    Here are a list of considerations to make when selecting shoes for touring.

    Avoid Clips and Buckles for Shoe Adjustment

    All of my racing shoes are incredibly complicated with buckles, tensioning wheels, heel retaining systems – everything you want in a performance shoe which requires a firm fit. The only thing is that shoe adjusters are just another thing that can go wrong.

    You can avoid them by sticking to velcro-tensioned shoes.

    Sidi Dragon 3

    My Sidi Dragons are the most comfortable cycling shoes I own, but they are not built for extended bike travel.

    Find a Shoe with a Tough Rubber Sole

    My Sidi ‘city’ shoes are made with hard plastic soles – the last pair got 12 months use until there were no soles left. But perhaps a bigger problem is that plastic soles are incredibly slippery on almost all surfaces. If you can, find a shoe with a hard rubber sole as it will be both durable and grippy.

    Sidi Bullet

    Some shoes such as the Sidi Bullet use a hard plastic sole, not ideal for bike touring.

    Use a Shoe With Adequate Ventilation

    The more ventilation, the more comfortable your feet will be and the quicker your shoes will dry. Ventilation is particularly important in regions over 15 degrees celsius, but even if it’s cooler, at least you can make your shoes warmer by wearing waterproof socks and waterproof booties. You certainly can’t cool down an unventilated shoe!

    Use a Shoe with a Stiff Sole

    With stiffer soles, power transfers better and feels more efficient. But there’s actually a limit to how stiff you want your shoes – too stiff and you won’t be able to walk around comfortably.

    Avoid Carbon Fibre Soles

    I’ve found that carbon fibre is not as durable around the cleat interface as plastic soled shoes. I’ve worn out lots of pairs of carbon soled shoes, but have never warn out a plastic interface around the cleat.

    All of my carbon soled shoes have given way after clipping in and out thousands of times!

    Use a Shoe with Adequate Grip for Walking

    You’ll need shoes with adequate grip. When you’re bike touring you’ll often be stopping and walking around. Make sure your shoes can grip in all weather conditions and surfaces – it will save the embarrassment. Rubber soles are great.

    If You Only Plan to take One Pair of Shoes…

    Hybrid walking/SPD shoes are superb. These shoes compromise in both the ability to walk comfortably and ride efficiently compared to having two pairs of shoes, but you can save lots of space and weight. I like to carry the extra 600g to have the best of both worlds, but that decision is up to you.

    But wait…

    Just recently, I discovered that SPD sandals are the most versatile touring shoe. Why? They dry fast, are more ventilated and are suitable in conditions from freezing to boiling. Yes, you can even wear them comfortably in the snow. How? With waterproof socks and booties, of course.

    My sandal article is HERE for all the details. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to use ordinary shoes again.

    My Choices for Extended Touring are…

    The shoe with lots of the above features is actually one of the cheapest around. I like the Shimano XC31 because it has a simple velcro design, it isn’t carbon, it has a good rubber sole and it’s relatively well ventilated.

    Shimano XC31 Shoes

    However, just remember that the Shimano SD66 sandals are more versatile than any other shoe. They’re perfect if you’re riding through all kinds of weather, especially wet and warm conditions.