Shoes And Pedals For Bike Touring
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 first thing you'll have to decide is what kind of tour you plan to do. Will you be on the bike most of the day? Or will you be out hiking and sightseeing a lot? Depending on your needs, there are advantages and disadvantages of each type of shoes.
Cleats: You've seen cyclists hobbling around after getting off their bikes. They are wearing very hard soles with cleats on the bottom which help them pedal more efficiently. With these shoes, your feet will be firmly attached to the pedals so you can pull up as well as push down on the pedals, which makes your pedaling much more efficient.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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: 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 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.
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!
