Packable shoes for touring.

Does anyone have any suggestions for some packable shoes for touring please?

I’d prefer something a bit more substantial than a flip flop that are suitable for wearing to walk into town from a hostel or hotel.

Ideally packable to fit relatively easily in a dry bag for off-road touring.

Best I have  found is very light trainers/running shoes.   Not this brand but this sort of thing. Around 300g a pair depending on size obviously.

https://www.sportsdirect.com/merrell-vapor-glove-3-hiking-shoes-mens-183198#colcode=18319803

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/shoes-and-boots/barefoot-shoes/merrell-vapor-glove-6

I had a similar question a bit ago and the answer seemed to be Vivo barefoot-style knockoffs from Amazon*. I didn’t actually buy any, so an update would be welcomed!

EDIT – *or the ones that irc mentioned 🙂 I would ordinarily have bought some but someone said that the fit is narrow, whereas my feet are not !

I think that the merrel “barefoot” styles are narrow compared to vivobarefoot or lems, but not when compared to normal shoes.

How about just an old fashioned pair of slip on plimsoles.

I just use flat pedal shoes on and off the bike – nothing, literally, takes up less space or weighs less. You could consider Teva sandals or the most basic Vevos

@MrTricky, I’ve stayed in places that won’t allow biking shoes to be worn inside, and they’re not so great for going on longer walks.

I got some Peter Storm waterproof walking shoes from Go Outdoors a few weeks back.  They were on discount/member price at around £25.

I found them quite comfy to pedal and walk in.  I’m just back from a gentle 5 days of riding in Holland with them as my main shoe (riding MTB flats on a well loaded gravel bike).

After 30 (overloaded) miles bashing headwinds along the Dutch coast back to the ferry on Friday I had no hot spots or foot ache and they kept out a fair amount of wind driven rain.  They’re not light but I basically wore them the whole time.

I took my 5-10’s as my second shoes they never came out of the bag and they’re heavy.

I got some really cheap cloth deck shoe things from Sainsbury’s a couple of years back with a foam sole. Kind of thing I’d normally have to go car to beach.  They would have been a better off the bike shoe. Very soft and very light and when they were new would have been perfectly acceptable in most non formal places.

The key thing for me on this trip (my first touring type trip since my teens a long while ago) was wanting a “back up” riding shoe as the Peter Storms were box fresh when I left and I wasn’t sure of their waterproof credentials.  I wouldn’t bother with another pair of riding shoes again if I had those.  If you don’t want to pedal in them or use less aggressive pedals then there’s loads of light (smart) trainer options with foam soles.

Craghoppers sell packable shoes. Seem quite pricey for what they are and not idea whether they’re better or pack smaller than lightweight running shoes. I have a pair of Merrel minimalish shoes and use them in the office in summer. They are a bit thin when it’s cold.

https://www.craghoppers.com/mens-locke-packaway-shoes-black-pepper/

Or just admit it and get a pair of supermarket crocs. Cheap, light, functional but nil points for style, but then neither are Craghoppers.

get a pair of supermarket crocs

I’d rather cut my feet off. 😉

Sketchers are really good and nice to wear, Lightweight but bulkyish to carry and not quick drying so need a way to keep dry.

The other option I use is the croc, but not ideal to wear!  But they dry quickly ,easy to clean quickly and easy to clip on to bike and use them when very lightweight travelling.

I have used both options and read this post to see if anything better as both a compromise.

There must be a good alternative that looks reasonably normal and practical.

realistically how much walking will you be doing? a pair of those cheapo beach/swim shoes would do. Plus they weigh little and can be folded up. About a tenner from (low end) outdoor shops, or free off the beach like the pair I found.

I got some very light, very packable water shoes when I did a ten day bike packing trip. All depends on what you mean by longer walks though, I guess. Mine wouldn’t have been comfy for multiple miles, and certainly not in wet conditions.

These ones (now unavailable because it was 5 years ago, but to show you the kind of thing I mean)

https://amzn.eu/d/ihmmUFE

These are perfect: https://shop.tropicfeel.com/products/sunset-baltic-navy

They cost a bit (they do lots of offers if you aren’t in a hurry) but they are light, pack small, versatile, quick drying, smart enough for a restaraunt, comfy enough for a day, perfect for wearing on a plane, grippy enough for casual hill walking …
I wore out my first pair in Thailand and Australia. I’ve used my current pair in Scotland and Northumbria (they are NOT bad weather shoes I’d like to emphasise). As soon as these wear out I’ll be getting another pair.

I agree with the Merrell (or similar) recommendations above – I’ve a pair of Trail Glove 5s that are low bulk, foldable and weigh less than 400g the pair. Those Craghoppers look a bit bulky.

Espadrilles surely. And a crumpled linen suit. So light and versatile

@paddy0091 on some trips a few hours worth.

Use cases would be for days off in the Alps, pubs in the evening on MTB/touring trips and using round the chalet.

Thanks for all the replies everyone, some good suggestions there.

We went for these:

https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/black-diamond-session-casual-shoes/?aid=049fe63079211988fa56c8ce2cc115bc&pid=10004&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xTadwnZgK3PwrPaaNMFMnMojG3-N0ko8czSZPml2RMBmuv3PsOsLpYaAnmTEALw_wcB&wt_mc=uk.pla.google_uk.18006637156..

I bought some light weight running shoes from decathlon for a second pair of shoes on holiday.

Not cheap, but they have been good for my infrequent running

Merrel Hut Moc 2 Packable?

Another vote for espadrilles, pack flat and light, but comfy for a day on your feet. Toms are good if you aren’t able to pick up a pair on holiday.

”https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOMS-Canvas-Classics-Alpargata-Espadrilles/dp/B00J5OKXUO/“

I agree with @MrTricky here, so long as it is leisure type touring and not really going for it on an MTB or anything.

Don’t have to be bike specific shoes, just something that will work well enough for pedalling and for walking.

I have a pair of Allbirds tree runners for this job.

Wouldn’t want to run in them, but they are great for side trips / evenings etc.

Vans pack down quite well

I would second Easily’s suggestion for the Tropicfeel shoes, if it’s fair weather touring. I’ve got two pairs that I wear through the summer and on holidays. I walk and swim in them, they’re comfy and grippy but…they’re not warm..

I had an old pair of lightweight running shoes, similar to these.

https://www.runningxpert.com/en/saucony-herre-fastwitch-9.html

Bit garish, but light AF.

I’ve got a pair of dude espadrille shoes that I got from my dad. They would be perfect. Super light and shaped like a vans slip on. Nice to walk in, not too hot in the summer. Dry really quick. Can’t see them on the website now but something like this: https://www.heydude.uk/p/sunapee-canvas/41093.html?cgid=men&cid=462

If you’re really considering walking for a couple of hours I wouldn’t take anything less than a light pair of running shoes. Altra Lone Peak only weigh about 300g and are versatile if you buy in the subdued colours.

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Basic Decathlon sandals. 450gm isn’t especially light but I can run in them and have covered 1000s of km on long-distance walks.

A bit more robust are North Face sandals but they’re bulkier and 600gm.

Vanlife hipster

The Amphibian

@tjagain

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That’s very generous of you, to whom should I send the bill?

I use Keen Clearwater sandals for bike packing when off the bike, light, packable and pretty comfy with their shaped foot bed and half decent grip.

I have some Tadeevo barefoot shoes that were pretty spendy but pack down nice and flat and are comfortable for walking around in and with a sturdy enough sole for an impromptu 4 hour trail walk in the hills

Just got some Merrell Vapour Gloves that are significantly lighter but pack a bit bulkier, decisions decisions…

Bobs or Toms pack down very small and both have very good soles. Think espadrilles with proper Sorbothane inserts. Very good for tired feet. You’ll need some flex after a day in cycling shoes.

Don’t understand the hate for cheap Crocs.  We use them for this regularly, I’ll usually have mine, with the Mrs’ lashed inside, fixed onto the anything cages on the fork.  Mega light, doesn’t matter if they get wet and dirty as they rinse and dry in moments.  Function trumps fashion every time.  Walking a mile to a pub is fine and to guest house owners, they’re floor friendly and if we need to walk further, then stick the riding shoes back on.

These will roll up to nothing.  But you can also bore others senseless about your zero rise barefoot shoes.  And how they are vegan too.  Though I generally don’t choose shoes based on their eating preferences.

You can’t walk far in crocs. A doctor mate tried when his boot blisters got beyond his own ability to treat. I lent him my sandals and he was able to walk on.

Hope about Birkenstock Arizona Eva? Light, very comfy and adjustable so hold your feet better than crocs. I just attach them to the straps on my seat pack. Weigh <200g.

Bought a pair of these for camping trips. Very comfy. Light. Uppers squash right down so essentially you have a couple of soles to stuff in somewhere.

tjagainFull Member
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Or hit the subscribe button up there somewhere and switch off comment notifications.. Makes it way easier to find rather than trying to trawl your posting history