Forum menu
Hi all
After 8 years my trusty Lake SPD shoes now have more holes in than material, and the Velcro fasteners are losing their stick too, so it’s time for a new pair. I’ve used them for mtb, commuting and road.
I’m currently doing more road riding than mtb, but without the budget to buy multiple pairs (and enjoying the little bit of give that spd pedals give compared to spd sl), I was wondering if anyone has found a do-it-all pair of spd shoes?
Being a relatively fair weather rider, lightweight is best over waterproof, and as my mtb is XC stuff, I don’t need masses of tread. I like the boa fitting system (laces are a pain on the bike).
Would something like the gravel shoes do the job as they SEEM to fill that middle ground? Or is it just hype!
I’d seen the Scott mtb premiums are discounted, but before I do anything I thought I’d ask if anyone has found the holy grail!!!
Thanks in advance
Gravel shoes would be ideal I would think as they will have less tread than XC shoes but be walkable in (assuming you want to be able to ask in them?)
I just wear XC shoes as they work for me on road and off road but they would look a bit clumsy on a nice road bike if that bothers you.
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Shimano/RX8-SPD-Gravel-Cycling-Shoes/ODAP
These look pretty smart IMO...
I'm using Spesh S-Works XC for that use case. Pretty much anything that isn't flat pedals!
Any higher end XC shoe would be stiff enough for the road use, but still workable for off road stuff.
What benefit is there in less tread?
MTB shoes are the most versatile IMO
I’m using Spesh S-Works XC for that use case. Pretty much anything that isn’t flat pedals!
Any higher end XC shoe would be stiff enough for the road use, but still workable for off road stuff.
This. Though you likely won't want the S-Works if you want any flex on the sole.
Sidi Mountain Bike shoes are basically their road shoes uppers and soles with some rubber glued on the stiff carbon sole. I happily use them on the winter road bike. No hotspots at all.
Thanks peeps that’s a great start.
The S works look awesome - just need to find a cheap pair. That said the RX8 also look great.
I’ll have a dig, but that’s awesome.
Regards tread, I don’t need masses of tread, so having less might give a lighter shoe that’s easier to walk in etc.
And I’ve always loved the look of sidi stuff.....
Regards tread, I don’t need masses of tread, so having less might give a lighter shoe that’s easier to walk in etc.
Less tread means it's designed less for walking.
I’ve got the Shimano S-Phyres and use them for 95% of my riding covering mtb, gravel and road. They are so comfortable! The sole is super stiff so I can’t notice any disadvantage from using the smaller pedal platform (eggbeaters)
I use Spesh MTB Sport. Covers all the bases I need when not using flats. Airy in the summer, coverable in the winter, comfy, and they won't break the bank. been using mine for 5 years now and they are still going strong. Use on my MTB commuter, road bike etc.
Lots of XC shoes are effectively a road shoe with a some semblance of rubber tread glued to the bottom. I have a pair of Giro VR90s - plenty stiff enough and pretty durable upper to withstand normal MTB conditions. Sidis are good too IMO - quality of materials and construction means you can easily get 20 years out a pair and spares are available (unlike some other makes where you're stuffed after a few years) . The only disadvantage that the smaller cleats of MTB pedals and bigger stack height means they never feel quite as positive as a good road shoe setup.
I see only downsides to having no tread. Harder to walk in, lack of grip, damage to cleat. You do save a few grammes.
Shimano M089 here - comfy, stiff enough, robust, some tread without being like my winter Lake studded soles, OK 80% of the weather time just needs waterproof sock or overshoe in winter.
thanks all.
Having looked at all the suggestions, I think the RX 8 look like they’ll do nicely and the price is pretty decent too.
Thanks again.
I bought a pair of Fizik M4B shoes for commuting & gravel riding & they are spot on. Think they've probably been superseded by something else now, but if you can find a discounted pair you won't be dissapointed.
XC sole, single Boa & proper comfy.
I used the Spesh MTB Comp. Reasonably priced with a single BOA. Stiff but not too stiff. I use them for MTB, gravel, and road with various Crank Bros pedals. I find them stiff enough for just the regular eggbeaters. Not sure if that's too stiff for your needs.
I'd highly recommend these
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHFLRF95X/planet-x-fully-loaded-carbon-mtb-shoe
I've used them on the turbo for 6.5 hrs straight just to get my century on Zwift and there were no issues whatsoever. My hands were numb, my legs were fe*ked, my feet felt lovely.
@feed - I can only imagine how much pain you would’ve been in! Well done for getting the century though.