I ride on an indoor trainer and outdoors for 'leisure/excise' and use mtb clipless pedals. I've got an ancient pair of Specialized touring shoes that are nearing end of life and too small (my feet have spread). Spec used to do the same basic shoe with a road sole, a grippy lugged mtb sole and this - which is great to walk in on tarmac as it puts a lot of rubber on the ground.
Any suggestions? Add to the difficultly that I've got a wide foot with a high instep so a lot of shoes don't have enough volume. I've tried using skate style shoes but they're too bulky around the heel and clip my chain stays.
I'm not sure I'm understanding your requirement. I ride stiff solid XC race type shoes for road riding. You just need to find a bike shop with lots of stock to try on to get the sizing right for you. Take your preferred insoles with you.
Why not just get a fairly low-spec "XC" type shoe? The lower spec ones generally have a lot more give in the sole and are easier to walk in. Another option might be a flat-pedal-type of shoe that has a cleat recess (ie., Fox Union clipless, Specialized 2FO, etc.). Specialized seem to have changed the shape of their shoes over the last couple of years, so worth trying few on.
How about a pair of Shimano XC3 Wide? They're MTB shoes, so 2 holes with walkable soles, and not too bulky - to my eyes they look like road shoes with a lugged sole
I have those same Spesh shoes and recently replaced them with something similar from Mavic - the Cosmic Boa. No complaints. My Cosmics are a half size larger than the Specializeds.
https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/mavic-cosmic-boa-spd-road-shoes/139280341/p
I'm not sure I'm understanding your requirement. I ride stiff solid XC race type shoes for road riding.
my experience of XC style shoes is that they don't put much rubber on the ground - they're designed for digging into mud. So they wear quickly/aren't that grippy on tarmac.
eg the XC3 recommended
You just need to find a bike shop with lots of stock to try on to get the sizing right for you
that's ever more of a challenge with bikeshops.
Flat style shoes seem too bulky. I'm wondering about the Giro Ventana. Meant to have a wide toe box but the sole doesn't look too bulky.
I'm confused by the "aren't grippy on tarmac" quote. What, exactly, are you doing whilst "touring" which needs grippy-on-tarmac soles??
Sure, you don't want road-style no grip smooth soles but XC type shoes are still plenty grippy enough for walking around town or visiting pubs/cafes/cake shops...
Spesh Recons would be a decent option. The Recon 1 and 2 have grippy rubber and have a decent amount of give in the sole.
For what you describe I just use some XC shoes (dhb in my case with "hobbit feet" - although whether you can still get them I don't know).
The tread really isn't an issue unless you're planning a long hike.
Shimano do a specific range of 'walkable' shoes... https://ride.shimano.com/collections/tour-bikepacking?srsltid=AfmBOorrH-aAJSFG2MdD_7K-6tce-35M90-hDOtig8ZrZ8kjlVD30z-i
I have a pair of recons for everything. They work off and on road. Good for my wide feet and high instep. Carbon soles so quite stiff so might not want to walk miles in them.
do people have more than one pair of shoes? how extravagant 😜
Many years ago I had some shoes from a German budget supermarket (not sure which) that were ideal - looked like a cheapo walking shoe but had a somewhat stiff sole and an optional SPD cutout you had to scalpel out. I used them for commuting and they were fine. Just very very ugly
the Germans don’t have anything at the
moment but what about these
I always fancied the look of the Giro Rumble VR, I think it is almost exactly as you describe, including more rubber/fewer lugs on the sole, but it might be a tiny bit bulkier than a typical SPD shoe. Also I think they're about 4 years old so stock might be limited...