Hi riders! I’m getting sooo into bikepacking and I have these dumb neuromas in my feet that make uncomfortable shoes a no go. I’ve just been bikepacking in hiking boots because comfort is more important but I’d love to get this groups advice on the most comfortable gravel clipless shoes they’ve had and what to look for. You basically don’t want a stiff sole right so it bends when you walk? Also the wider the better!
Photo from last week on the GDMBR!!
by sara_hikes
17 Comments
**Thanks for posting to /r/gravelcycling! It looks like you’ve submitted an image.**
This community encourages additional context about image submissions. You can include details about your post in a comment below. Some suggestions for good comments:
* Bike details (make, model, accessories, and gear)
* Location (specific or general is fine)
You can also use **post flair** to give additional context about your post.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/gravelcycling) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Idk but your quads go hard as fuck
Get MTB flat shoes and never look back. Honestly especially for touring, you go places right? Then when you get there you what?.. Walk around.
Its like every cycling post. I have these issues with clips, so what clips that have those issues because they are clips should I be using to avoid those clip issues?
Unfortunately, transitioning to clipless pedals/shoes often results in trial and error that for you may be particularly uncomfortable or painful.
I know plenty of people who ride flats on gravel and MTB and swear by it. I think Fox makes some really slick flat shoes. I used to wear Vans which worked okay. Hiking boots are a good option too. Five-ten used to make good shoes, but I’ve heard since Adidas bought them, the quality dipped.
I’ve been really digging the Shimano EX700 (sometimes listed as the EX7) for bikepacking. It’s a lot like a trail runner with a stiffer sole, but not nearly as stiff as a road or XC mtb shoe. They’re great for hike-a-bike. The cleat is recessed, so no trip-trapping when you walk around in town. They look similar enough to a normal running shoe that they don’t look too goofy off the bike.
510 freerider pros with super feet hiking inserts. I have neuromas
I like ride concepts, something like the Tallac could be a good choice! I personally use their flat MTB shoes (the Vices) and they’re awesome
Giro make some comfortable cycling-walking shoes, I’ve got a couple of pairs, one with clips, one without. The clips are sufficiently recessed to make no difference when walking. They’re not too awful to look at either.
Ion rascals or flats
flats are where it’s ats.
just get some decent MTB pedals (nice spiky ones)
the setup in the pic looks great, btw.
Big flat pedals such as Deity Deftraps and hiking shoes/boots or MTB flat pedal shoes is the only answer
Best is one of those subjective things.. and if I had a good answer I would not have so many shoes.
I’d say find the cycling shoe that works best whether that’s a flat or spd and pack a second pair for camp/water/hikes.. so, maybe some Keen or Teva sandals on top of your pedaling shoe.
5/10 Trailcross maybe? If you don’t mind flats. They are reportedly amazing in a river bed on slick rocks, comfortable to hike, but maybe a bit lacking for days on a bike due to being a compromise shoe.
I’ve had various Pearl Izumi spd shoes and they were fine for walking but I wouldn’t want to hike five or more miles in them.
there’s no one answer–shoes are super personal. What works best for me (narrow foot, pointy toes, high arches) won’t work for you.
More info about your foot shape would help but the best thing you can do is go and try shoes on.
Bedrock Mountain Clogs or Bedrock Cairn EVO Pro
My favorite casual / fun ride shoe is the Adidas 5-10 Trailcross clip-in (ie clipless). They feel like a trail runner, & are very breathable like one as well. I use them when exploring new areas where I may need to hike or want to explore on foot. I could wear them to work all day or backpack with them & be perfectly comfortable. Definitely not a race shoe w/ great power transfer due to the relatively flexible sole, but they aren’t intended to be.
Comfort is king when you’ll be spending a long time in footwear. If you want to keep gear at a minimum and maximise off bike adventuring I’d look into a good pair of approach shoes. They are made for hiking and a bit of climbing but also double great as a flat pedal biking shoe due to their grippy sole. I can highly recommend the Five Ten ‘Guide Tennie’. I wore a pair biking the GDMBR and Colorado Trail a few years back and they performed great both on and off the bike. Still one of my favourite all round pair of shoes.
I absolutely love my Adidas Five Eleven Trailcross flat pedal shoes.