Any recommendations for good shoes?

desmojen

For flat pedals that is.

Having thoroughly raped my shin last week I was thinking about getting shin pads. But I must admit to not being mega keen, they are quite bulky, relatively expensive and then there's the struggle of finding some to fit nicely.
Today I suddenly thought, hey, instead of getting shin pads, why don't I get some proper shoes!

In theory at least, proper shoes are far less likely to slip off the pedals in the first place, bad tachnique or not. And presumably offer other benefits with stiffer soles etc.
Anyway, I am on flats, so I want some proper shoes for flat pedals. I am normally a size 5, and so far can only find one shoe which is sold as a ladies shoe. Most of the mens ones don't seem to go small enough for me either.

Any recommendations then?

Jen.

poppit

How about these, not flat specific but my partner likes hers.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-BG-Tahoe-Womens-2010-Cycling-Shoes_27228.htm

kathg

Hi Jen,

I'm size 5 too and bought some of the 5.10 shoes. Wow they stick to the peddles unbelievably well.. ! Battering your shins is still however a possibility, I have some lovely 'tiger claw' type scars after a kinda slip off the peddles this summer! Still doesn't make me want to get shin guard type things, I tried some on and they were hilarious -much too long for a short shinned girly!! If you have long legs they may be an ok fit though?
I would never go back to clip in peddles now as my confidence has soared since I ditched them for flats!

Oh yes, 5.10 make 'approach shoes' designed for climbers to scramble/get to bottom of climbs in and they are much better looking than the mtb specific shoes they designed. I got mine from a climbing shop, they are quite expensive though.

Good luck looking.

Kathg

suzyb

I'm trying to decide whether to save for a pair of 5.10s or try and get a cheap pair of waffle soled Vans from TK Maxx.

desmojen

Thanks for the replies so far. 510's look like they are almost the only option. The Shimano ones don't go small enough, and although 661 do some I have seen a lot of bad reviews on those.
The Specialised ones look quite nice, but I have no intention whatsoever to go back to SPD in the forseeable future so I want proper flattie shoes.

Of course, pedal slips will always be possible. I have resigned myself to mountain biker shins now!

Jen.

Anonymous

I have been well served for years by Vans, with the waffle tread.
However, 5:10s are meant to be even better.

You can though, pay to get your skate shoes resoled with 5:10 soles.

sparrowlegs78

I love my 5:10's...tried clipsless again last week and I couldn't see the difference between them as I have my pedals set loose, But I'm sticking by my 5:10's now...much better for me and grip bloomin well
Caz xx

Where are my stabilisers?

5.10's are excellent, I've tried other shoes, but they don't come close!

gb2gw

5.10's for me too, although I'm just about to try and return my pair to CRC under warranty as the elastic bandy bit that holds the laces has gone all wangy (technical term) on one of the shoes, so I get annoying lace flappage on one shoe.

Love them though. They're also quite a good, chunky shoe too, so help make my legs look slimmer (I think)!!!

desmojen

I got some 5.10 Karvers today. I went to Afan with hubby and went in the shop to see what they had. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw they had ladies Karvers in there!
I was unsure what size to order from CRC, being women specific I thought they might be a bit narrow for my feet, as lady specific things often are.
In fact though the normal size 5 fitted perfectly, they were also the same price as CRC so it was a no brainer really

It was a costly day all in, since test riding their Orange 5 persuaded me that I needed new tyres as well. It's lucky that I can't afford a new Orange 5, or it would have been even worse!

Jen.

P.S. The shoes are brilliant by the way

mobilekat

I have been riding in meindl walking trainers, and find them brilliant. I have massive feet (mens size 10- not good as a female!!)

Did try some 5.10s on but they are too narrow for my feet so no luck there.

I will continue to keep my eyes open, but am honestly really pleased with the meindl, DMR V12 combination that I have!

Anonymous

Some walking shoes/boot are good, some really really suck. It's luck of the draw really.
My Mamut boots grip fantastically, but my Solomon Walking boots are pretty bad, and my Solomon cross-running shoes are just awful. Which is a real shame, since their exceptionally quick drying construction would be ace for riding in.

Polarcherry

im a size 5 too Jen.

I used to use skate trainers with pref a waffle sole like Vans. i found these pretty good with dmr v12's/

i now have a pair of 5:10 karvers ( womens ) using superstar nano pedals. they are also really good. bit pricey and ive heard they don't last long in winter so am saving mine for summer

the problem with using 5:10 approach shoes instead of mtb is the sole isn't as stiff. so not great fro long rides. not saying don't buy them, jkust something to remember.



hope this helps.

suzyb

I have the bad habit of my foot slipping forward on the pedal so it's my arch that is on the pedal instead of the ball. Would a good set of pedals + something like 5:10s solve that as well as keeping my feet stuck over the rough terrain.

I'm getting to the stage now where I'm avoiding the technical stuff simply because I'm worried my feet will slip off the pedals and not because I don't think I can handle it. So I've decided new pedals and shoes are needed but can't decide whether to go clipless or just get better flats. And the decision has pretty much come down to whether flats will stop my feet sliding forward.

Anonymous

suzyb, just to add another hair to the ointment. Even though SPDs would force your foot to the correct position, and it is arguably correct, many scientific studies have found so...
It could mean that you might be more uncomfortable like that.
I always seem to end up with my feet further forwards on the pedal than is ideal, although not as far as you explain yours.
When I used SPDs, I never really got round the fact that my foot felt slightly ill-at-ease in the correct position.
Give them a go by all means, but don't feel forced into having to do everything the "right" way. MTBing is essentially more about fun than efficiency. Don't feel pressured to change something because it's deemed "correct"

DJIP

I can't believe none of you wear shin guards! I can't ride my bike without them, hard plastic ones for DH and my veggie pads for xc. Can't imagine what your legs must look like :P

Get some shinnies ladies!

Bikehawk

Another one for 5:10 karver's. The difference between bike specific shoes over approach shoes is huge (former rockclimber). The approach shoes tend to be pretty flexible to allow your foot adjust to odd shapes rocks etc when getting to/from the rockface. I ride XC with the 5:10's and find that my foot doesn't tend to shift unless I want it to even with pedal strikes.

suzyb

yeehaamcgee, I have SPDs on my road bike and feel fine having my feet attached.

But I'm reluctant to go for SPDs on my MTB as I like knowing I can just throw my foot down when I loose my balance or find I just can't keep pedalling up the hill.

Konalisa120

Dmr v8 or superstar nano + Nike 6.0 mogan or dc lyric II

Polarcherry

i use 661 kyle strait knee pads when dh or doing something technical. I dont like the feel of shin pads.

i tried clipless mtvb'ing and couldnt get on with them. so road only for me. flat all teh way mtb'ing. have to say its pretty rare my feet slip wth my set up - give it a go susyb. also make sure your heels are down slightly and foot is covering all teh pedal to get maximum grip.

Gingie

Another 5:10 lover here!
You can't go wrong with them, super tacky and sticky, especially if you get some extra long pins for your pedals- but you really need to wear leg protectors with the longs pins! The amount of times that i've been attacked by my pedals is insane.

these are the one's i've got, and i love them to pieces!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18195

Yea, they are pretty expensive, but well worth the investment. The only bad thing is that the shoes look huuuuge on. So you kinda have little stick legs with massive black blobs on the end...lol. But being a wee size 5 i don't think you'll have the same problem i do!