What kind of shoes to wear for your next bicycle tour is a big decision that may dictate many aspects of your tour. Will you wear specialized cycling shoes? Or your old sneakers that have gotten you through many a soccer game?

The most fundamental question you will have to answer in this area is about the footwear you want to use. Do you want special, cleated shoes you’ll wear only for cycling? Or do you want one all-purpose pair of shoes? There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Cleats: Bicycling shoes with a metal plate on the bottom that clips into your pedal are great in many ways. Your foot is held solidly onto the pedal and you can use the entire rotation of your pedal stroke – you can pull up as well as push down. This leads to more efficiency and you’ll use less energy in the long run.

In addition, dedicated bicycling shoes have a hard sole to transfer energy more efficiently and prevent energy being absorbed by the rubber. Because they are made for cycling, they are reinforced in all the right places and will last longer. At the end of a long day on the bike, your feet will feel much better than with regular sneakers as the pressure of the pedal is distributed throughout the entire sole rather than being concentrated on the ball of your foot.

That efficiency and comfort will come at a price, however. You’ll find the stiff shoes very difficult to walk in. Each time you stop at a grocery store or walk across a bridge or take a quick hike to a waterfall, you’ll have to change your shoes. Your first task at the end of the day will be to put your other shoes on. You may end up missing photo ops as it’ll be too difficult to climb an embankment with your cycling shoes.

Hybrid shoes: Mountain biking shoes are one option to stiff-soled cycling shoes that may work for you. They are designed for mountain bikers who need to be able to run and climb, so have a more flexible sole while still be stiff enough to be reasonably efficient. These shoes have recessed cleats so you’ll be able to walk without hobbling.

They have recessed cleats which makes walking much easier and you’ll be able to go for short hikes in them. You will be able to walk comfortably around grocery stores or on short hikes without changing your shoes. You may opt not to change into other shoes in campgrounds.

Drawbacks to mountain bike shoes are that many people find them uncomfortable for walking long distances, so still need to carry another pair of shoes if they plan to do much walking – hiking or long sightseeing trips in cities. The cleats can also clog up when walking in mud and will need to be scraped clean with sticks occasionally.

Regular sneakers: Still other cyclists prefer the simplicity of regular shoes. With this option your pedaling stroke won’t be as efficient, but you won’t have to deal with changing shoes. Look for trail running shoes that are designed for flexing in one direction for walking, but not to flex down over rocks or pedals. Salomons and Keens have been well tested on the bike.

If you choose the low tech, regular shoe option, you’ll need to consider how you will keep your feet on your pedals. You may use toe clips, Power Grips, or spiky pedals to prevent your feet from flying off.

I recommend trying all three options and see type of footwear works best for you. I’ve tried them all and have found I prefer the simplicity of regular sneakers. Others find hard-soled cycling shoes to their liking. There is no right and wrong answer, so find what works for you!

Nancy Sathre-Vogel has been touring by bicycle for nearly three decades. She has tried all kinds of gear and equipment and discovered that sometimes, simplicity is best. For tips and information on all aspect of bicycle touring, check out her website. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory

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