The shoes you wear while touring on your bicycle will dictate a lot of your tour and will be one of the most basic decisions you will need to make. Do you want dedicated, hard-soled cycling shoes? Or will regular sneakers work for you?
Depending on what kind of tour you are planning, you might find your choice of footwear to be different. If you plan to ditch the bike a lot to go for hikes or sightseeing excursions, you'll want something that will work for that. If you plan to spend most of your time on the bike, you may decide to go with dedicated cycling shoes. There are pros and cons for all options.
Cleats: Many cyclists find they are more comfortable in dedicated, hard-soled cycling shoes. These are designed with rigid soles to transfer energy to the pedals more efficiently and cleats to hold your feet firmly on the pedals. You will be able to pull up as well as push down, using your entire pedal stroke to power your bike.
With stiff-soled cycling shoes, very little energy is lost to the shoe and the pressure you exert will be evenly distributed across your entire foot which is more comfortable in the long run. They also tend to last longer than other shoes in that they are reinforced in all the places they need to for the bike.
All is not roses with these shoes, however. That efficiency and comfort comes at a price. Due to the stiffness of the sole, they are not comfortable to walk in. You'll find yourself needing to change your shoes when you go to a grocery store or if you have to walk across a bridge. You may find it too difficult to climb up embankments for better photos and will settle for lesser in the photography department.
Hybrid shoes: Mountain biking shoes are one option to stiff-soled cycling shoes that may work for you. They are designed for mountain bikers who need to be able to run and climb, so have a more flexible sole while still be stiff enough to be reasonably efficient. These shoes have recessed cleats so you'll be able to walk without hobbling.
Mountain bike shoes are great for the tourist in that they are reasonably efficient and much more comfortable for walking than stiff-soled cycling shoes. Many tourists find one pair of these is all they need. Because the cleat is recessed, you will be able to walk through grocery stores or go for short hikes no problem. In the campground, you can continue to wear your cycling shoes rather than having to change.
Some people, however, don't find mountain bike shoes comfortable on long walks, and need to carry other shoes for hiking or long sightseeing trips in cities. If you find yourself walking in mud, the cleats will get clogged up and you'll need to scrape them clean with a stick.
Regular sneakers: The low tech option for touring is regular ol' sneaks. Some cyclists find they prefer the simplicity of regular shoes in that they don't have to bother carrying other shoes at all. Trail running shoes are the best option as they are designed to flex up for walking, but not down over rocks or pedals. Keens and Salomons have been tested extensively and work well as cycling shoes.
If you choose the low tech, regular shoe option, you'll need to consider how you will keep your feet on your pedals. You may use toe clips, Power Grips, or spiky pedals to prevent your feet from flying off. I recommend trying all three options and see type of footwear works best for you.
I've tried them all and have found I prefer the simplicity of regular sneakers. Others find hard-soled cycling shoes to their liking. There is no right and wrong answer, so find what works for you!
Nancy Sathre-Vogel started bike touring 30 years ago. She later toured with her husband, and now she travels with their two kids and is an expert on bicycling with children. For advice on planning your own family bike tour, check out www.familyonbikes.org.
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