Footwear

Daniel23

Hi,

I am a newbie and Have just bought an avalanche 1.0.

I have got all my clothes/helmet, only thng I have not got is decent footwear, I dont fancy wearning "clip in shoes" and was going to buy some northface goretex trainers/shoes.. what do you think?

In the meantime I have the option of trainers or berghaus goretex hiking boots.. I am riding tomorow morning, what do you suggest i wear?

cheers.

maximus69

boot will be probably be rubbish with flat pedals. if i had to choose i would go for trainers and put up with wet feet. nothing more annoying than your feet slipping off the pedals.

try putting your feet on the pedals now and push down and twist and see the difference between the two

i have 5 10 trainers and wouldnt change them for anything. grip like nothing else, pricey though

mookiebaylock

think i would be tempted to buy "clip in shoes" like the shimano winter boot (toasty and waterproof) but leave the sole intact....that way you have a perfect shoe for riding and if you ever want to go to clipless pedals you already have the shoes!!

or not, i don't know!

dave_hill

Hiking boots or trainers are no good whatsoever for cycling.

Trainers are far too soft and flexible to offer the amount of support or the pedalling efficiency that you need. Modern lightweight hiking boots all tend to have moulded, profiled soles which wouldn't offer enough grip on the pedals.

SHoe wise, I'd recommend you start with something like THESE which are bike specific, in that they have a stiffened, tacky sole.

To add waterproofing for winter, you'll need some of THESE. £22 might seem like a lot for a pair of socks, but believe me these things are worth their weight in gold in winter!

UncleMonty

I've been using boots for the last couple of months because I was fed up with having wet feet 10 mins into every ride.

Mine are a pair on 10 year old Timberlands though, the soles is flat apart from a slightly raised heel and I've found these grip my studded pedals better than the trainers I was using.

I 'd have a quick test run & see how they feel, slipping off can be painful

Stuey01

If you must buy something cycling specific then I'd go for Shimano AM40's, look great (in my eyes) grippy as hell and not too expensive. Remember to size up for shimano midget sizing though.

Othewise some old school tennis shoes like Adidas Stan Smiths would serve very nicely, sole not as stiff though.

Daniel23

just shot into town and bought a pair of thease... unbeleivably light weight, tough sole with lots of grip and waterproof, quite happy with them to be honest.

http://www.sportsdirect.com/Products/SD ... 80006.aspx

Northwind

Bike specific footwear- well, for flats at least- is a big case of hype IMO, good quality skate shoes will do exactly what you need, while being cheaper and still comfy to walk in. Some people do seem to get benefit from the stickier soles but personally I suspect that's largely about technique, or they're doing more tricks than I do, or have worse pedals- my 5 10s give more grip than my vans, but my vans give more than enough anyway. So the 5 10s get used for commuting now and my 5-year-old, £30 Vans get used on the trails= they're better made shoes, more comfortable, and just as good on the bike.