What shoes.

[Bryan McDonald]

I have just bought a hybrid bike, so the pedals are normal. Love it and go out on it every night while I am at home.
Up till this point I have just been wearing my ordinary shoes, but it has been suggested by the wife that I should get proper shoes to go cycling.
So what are proper cycling shoes? I do not really want to go clip less as I think that is overkill for what I am doing.
I am 54 years old so I am not in to looking like something that just fell out of a shop front window either.
Any advise?

 

[HLaB]

For what you describe I think a good pair of mtb shoes but not fitting cleats would be a good option; FWIW I used to use Specialized BG Tahos but there are plenty on the market.

 

[Bryan McDonald]

Thanks, will have to take a look at that, so much has changed since the 80s.

 

[Markymark]

My first shoes, I just went to local sports shop and bought something that has a firm sole, no laces (getting caught in chain is no fun!), good grip and waterproof.

Waterproof does mean though, on longer rides, less ventilation.

 

[raleighnut]

Some of the Specialised shoes come with a section that needs to be cut out with a craft knife in order to fit cleats in (SPD). But you can leave them as they come and have full soles then if you wanted to try cleats at some future point in time they can be converted in a couple of minutes. Mine seem to be 6125-1044 SONOMA and are black suede and grey fabric and although laced have a Velcro knot cover to prevent catching in chain.

 

[Bryan McDonald]

I was in sports direct yesterday, most of the shoes looked very plasticky, so I did not put my hand in to the dark corners of my wallet, will have to a proper shop!

 

[rams1de]

I went down the route of MTB shoe and not cutting out the cleat cover. Even though they have Vibram (grippy rubber) soles, they were a bit slippy on flat pedals so went for some skate style shoes.

Mine are a Giro Jackets which just look like a fattish pair of trainers but Teva have a nice looking cycling sneaker called the Joyride. Any trainer with a stiffish sole will help avoid aching feet and sticky rubber soles will give you extra grip on the pedals.