Shoe Choices

chrisdouglas

So I've been riding the past year with some old Skate shoe Vans I had at home. They've been pretty good overall for me, but to be honest I'm starting to notice how much flex there is in the soles and that there really isn't THAT much grip in them.

So I'm looking at purchasing some new shoes, I'm running flats and I'm very comfortable in them I dot know how it'd work out for me in SPDs but I think I may try them in the future, which is where my problem lies.

I'm leaning towards getting some 5.10s for the great reviews they get for being flat pedal shoes, however I've come across the Vans Warners and the 661 shoes that are Spd compatible, but does anyone have any idea how these shoes perform as flat pedal shoes? Or even if they do? I can't seem to find much info about them :S

rockmonkeysc

In British weather Shimano AM41's are excellent. 90% of the grip of 5.10 shoes but not as absorbant in wet weather.

Initialised

I use SPD shoes (Spesh Expert MTB) and pedals (M520) on my road bike and have used them on mountain bikes.

Disadvantages of SPDs:
At some point you'll do a horizontal track-stand.
Your foot is at a fixed point so you can lack flexibility on really technical stuff.
Cost and compatibility.

Advantages:
They make you feel "pro"
More efficient pedal cycle,
More control of the back end of the bike, steering the back end on fast loose trails is easier as your feet are attached to the pedals.
You can have a shoe tread that helps you walk in mud rather than going for a flat sole.
Other people can't ride your bike.
SPD shoes are generally stiffer than flat shoes so less ankle/calf strain and more efficient.

Here's what BR thought of the Vans: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -10-35490/

and the SixSixOnes: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -11-14721/

For me both of those shoes would be good stealth cycling shoes.

chrisdouglas

Cheers for the replies guys, and thanks for the BR links, I couldn't find those, but judging on those reviews the 661s definitely look better.

A friend as the AM41s and he does say they are good shoes, I'll be perfectly honest there is an amount of vanity involved I hate the look of those shoes haha that's what's drawing me more towards the "skate" look. I did think the 5.10s would be as waterproof as a sponge, my vans are currently like that but coupled with my seal skinz in the winter I found my feet were fine, just takes a little longer to dry them out after a wash.