What non-SPD footwear should I wear on my MTB?

ross_mcculloch

I'm new to MTBing and want to start doing a bit more XC. I'm not ready to step up to SPDs yet, so I'm using normal trainers while cycling. I usually go for my Merrells as they're nice and grippy but I've also tried flat-soled Converse and find that I can feel whats going on below my feet more but they're hardly built for riding trails!

Are there any types of trainers that are a total no-no when cycling?

Thewaylander

No idea,

been riding through winter and all on flats, with my old set of Vans with the waffle sole, always had grip, and i treat it with the suade water proof sprays,

still the get soaked so i leave them under a radiator at night lol

BoardinBob

Depends on the pedals.

I was using Kona Jack Sh1t pedals along with a pair of Merrell trainers and it was fine

I then switched to DMR V8s and it was a nightmare with the Merrells so I switched to a pair of Etnies skate style shoes with flat soles and the difference was night and day

ross_mcculloch

It's the DMR V12 copies made by Wellgo I'm using, great pedals but I think you're right and I should switch onto flatter shoes!

Notice you're in Glasgow, ever use the tracks at Pollok.

kangaroo

fiveten impact 2 are supposed to be the business in flat pedal shoes, they have a extra sticky stealth rubber sole, origannaly designed for rock climbers but now fitted to mtb shoes, if you look them up youll here a lot of good reviews

heres a link to them on chain reaction, there are some reviews on there as well
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18195

and heres the fiveten website
http://www.fiveten.com/

BlackSpur

If you like the feeling of the pedal uder your feer, the new Five 10 Basic shoe has a thinner sole than other Five 10s.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/shoes/product/ba51c-shoes-31492

Steve_b77

I can second the FiveTen suggestion, they are fantastic

god1406

i use 5050xx's and FiveTen impact 2's

saying that makes me sound like a bit of a fashion victim :oops:

I used to use V8's and a pair of Vans, but skate shoes last about 5 mins in bad weather.

mtbfreerider

I wear walking shoes, plenty of grip, and they're waterproof!

Symchicken

I wear the Marzocchi Bomber shoes (a branded fiveten shoe basically), and they are absolutely superb! Wet, dry, muddy, snowy, I've never had a foot slip yet. Especially linked with Crank Bros 5050x pedals. Any fivetens are muchos recommended.

Captain Turok

Another vote for (Merrell) walking shoes here, Gore-Tex with a Vibram sole.

Work a treat with V12's

Anonymous

I vote for Vans waffle sole on any pedal that resembles a V12 or V8

Paul Sh

Karrimor walking shoes 8)

punkypossum

Skateshoes for me...got some Street Vision ones in TK Maxx, reduced from £55 to £8, slightly too long for me (they only had the larger sizes left), but with an extra insole absolutely fine, and at that price well worth it - grip well, don't get soaked too quickly and very comfy...

BoardinBob

ross_mcculloch wrote:

It's the DMR V12 copies made by Wellgo I'm using, great pedals but I think you're right and I should switch onto flatter shoes!

Notice you're in Glasgow, ever use the tracks at Pollok.

Yeah I stay in Shawlands so I use Pollok 3 or 4 times a week. Really handy having it on your doorstep

ride_whenever

I find my merrells too stiff to rid in comfortably, I prefer my old nikes with waterproof socks as they have more flex, and the soles are chewed up so they grip really nicely.

jrich

I don't think he really needs a pair of 510s for XC, they're more for gravity assisted stuff.

I'd recommend you stick with some cheap flat soled skate shoes for now, and then move on the clipless as soon as you think your ready.

Captain Turok

Does a stiff sole allow you to pedal more efficiently?, or is that a roadie thing?