New job, new shoes.

PlatinumFX · 19 Jan 2008 at 22:17

Hi, I am starting a new job in an outdoor sports store where casual shoes are acceptable. I plan to commute by bike and want some clipless shoes for it. They must:

- Be Shimano SPD compatible.
- Be comfy and biased towards walking (as opposed to stiff for the benefit of pedaling) as I may be up on my feet for extended periods (many hours) when I am not doing admin in the office.
- Less than or as close to £50. If there is clear case for spending a bit more I'll consider it on the merrits put to me.

A bonus is if they look as much like hiking/cross country running shoes as possible. To fit the setting of my workplace the most.

I do also intend to do occasional touring holidays a week here or there in France, Italy ect.

PlatinumFX · 22 Jan 2008 at 20:41

No one here can recommend some SPD shoes suited to touring?!

Saytan · 22 Jan 2008 at 21:26

shimano do some in a hiking boot style. alternately, the vans style ones are meant to be most comfortable for kicking around in

fatherdougal · 22 Jan 2008 at 23:12

Take a trip over to wiggle. I should be able to say them as I don't think that they are an OCUK competitor. There are loads there that will do the job. I have a pair of Pearl Izumi from there that I use when I don't want to look as though I am cycling, pub etc.
Why not buy a stiffer shoe, that will be more comfortable on your bike, and then get changed when you get to work?

MuvverRussia · 23 Jan 2008 at 19:05

I've recently bought a set of Shimano MT31s, they were cheap and aren't bad.

Alasdair · 25 Jan 2008 at 00:23

Does the new job have lockers or a safe place to leave your shoes - if so, just wear a pair of trainers around work. You'll be hard pressed to find a pair of cycling shoes comfy to stand in for 8 hours a day, they're designed to be stiff as it's to improve pedalling efficiency.

LeperousDust · 25 Jan 2008 at 00:43

Yeah i agree, two pairs is the way forward, hybrids are ok for light use, but usually still have a "bike" look about them anyway and as mentioned are stiffer than is really comfortable over hours...

PlatinumFX · 27 Jan 2008 at 07:37

Two pairs it will be. I'll get some Look Keo peddles for my commuter when I get it and simply use my Keo cleated shoes for to'ing and thro'ing to work.

I'll still need some SPD touring shoes at some point however.