What Kind Of Shoes Do I Need For Bicycle Touring?
There are so many options when it comes to shoes and pedals for bicycle touring it can be confusing. Do you need cleats and special shoes? Sneakers and toe clips? What are the options anyway?
Depending on what kind of tour you are planning, you might find your choice of footwear to be different. If you plan to ditch the bike a lot to go for hikes or sightseeing excursions, you’ll want something that will work for that. If you plan to spend most of your time on the bike, you may decide to go with dedicated cycling shoes. There are pros and cons for all options.
Cleats: Many cyclists find they are more comfortable in dedicated, hard-soled cycling shoes. These are designed with rigid soles to transfer energy to the pedals more efficiently and cleats to hold your feet firmly on the pedals. You will be able to pull up as well as push down, using your entire pedal stroke to power your bike.
Cleated cycling shoes are designed in such a way that they maximize the energy transfer from your legs to your pedals, with very little energy being lost in the shoe. They will also last longer in that they are reinforced in all the right places for use on the bike. At the end of a long day in the saddle, your feet with thank you and not be so tired – the pressure will have been distributed throughout your foot all day rather than concentrated on the ball of your foot.
All is not roses with these shoes, however. That efficiency and comfort comes at a price. Due to the stiffness of the sole, they are not comfortable to walk in. You’ll find yourself needing to change your shoes when you go to a grocery store or if you have to walk across a bridge. You may find it too difficult to climb up embankments for better photos and will settle for lesser in the photography department.
Hybrid shoes: Many cyclists have found the hybrid shoes are just the answer they are looking for – a more flexible, yet still semi-rigid, rubber sole with a recessed cleat. These shoes are frequently billed as “mountain bike shoes” as they are designed for mountain bikers who can’t afford the absolute rigidity of cycling shoes and yet still want their feet securely held in place to be able to use their entire pedal stroke.
Mountain bike shoes are great for the tourist in that they are reasonably efficient and much more comfortable for walking than stiff-soled cycling shoes. Many tourists find one pair of these is all they need. Because the cleat is recessed, you will be able to walk through grocery stores or go for short hikes no problem. In the campground, you can continue to wear your cycling shoes rather than having to change.
Mountain bike shoes aren’t perfect, however. Many people find them difficult to walk long distances in, so they still need to carry another pair if they plan to do any hiking or long sightseeing trips around cities. Also, because the cleats are recessed, they tend to get clogged up with mud if you find yourself in muddy conditions.
Regular sneakers: The simplest and least energy efficient option is to use regular shoes. You will lose a certain amount of your energy to your shoe, but many people find the convenience of only one pair of shoes worth it. Look for trail runners such as Salomons or Keens that are designed to flex upward for walking, but not downward over rocks or pedals.
If you opt for this choice, you’ll have to decide what to do about holding your feet on the pedal. Some cyclists go with toe clips, others with Power Grips, and still others simply use pedals with spikes to prevent their feet from slipping off. You will not have the advantage of using your upstroke, but many cyclists find they are perfectly comfortable without that.
There is no one right answer to this question and much of your decision will be based on personal preference. I’ve gone around the block a few times and have used all the options listed above – and then come right back to plain ol’ sneakers. Try them all and see what works for you!
About the Author:
Nancy Sathre-Vogel discovered the joys of bike touring nearly 30 years ago and has watched the changes in gear and equipment through the years. For help planning your own bicycle tour, check out her website, www.familyonbikes.org. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory
Related posts: