Shoe recs for platforms

[Adam]

Hi all,

I've seen a few old threads on this topic, but am curious what shoes people like for their platforms? I'm using the newish grip monarchs.

I've been riding in an old pair of running shoes for a number of years, but the holes are getting out of hand and it's time for them to retire. I tried a pair of fairly rigid spd shoes that I had sitting around from a few years ago (without the cleats) and while I like the rigidity, the grip doesn't hold up when they're wet.

I'm finding that I like the additional stiffness. Trying the mushy running shoes again, they feel pretty bad. I'm not sure how they didn't bother me all those years.

So what's grippy (esp when wet), not too hot, decent in the rain, and reasonably stiff?(doesn't have to be cycling specific)

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Collin A]

There are always the venerable blundstones...they have added the "active line" that might actual fit your needs pretty well. Splash proof, not water proof.

Men's Active Series - Lightweight Casual, Dress & Outdoor Boots - Blundstone USA  

For the local rides in and around fall/winter/early spring Sacramento and the lower sierras, I like these:

La Sportiva Wildcat Trail-Running Shoes - Men's | REI Co-op  

Still running shoes, but "trail" (can I start using the "back in my day" when referencing 15 year old trends, ha) so it just means they are a bit stiffer and have stickier soles. They are also splash proof, but i'd not recommend using these for extended rides in the rain as they take forever to dry. I've had my pair for 3 years now and they are still going strong

Come summer time, i throw on my bedrock sandals cause its HOT here, and the river is nearby so I can do a mid or end-of-ride dip in the American river. Not what you asked, but seasonal shoes might be worth considering if your local climate warrants it.

Collin, its sandal weather here, in Sacramento

[Michael Morrissey]

I don't know you or your style but why not these?

https://www.adidas.com/us/campus-80s-shoes/FX5438.html

I have a bunch of new balance running shoes and they're all too soft for cycling. 

My favorites of all time are Adidas ZX700 but they are discontinued.

Michael

[Ed Carolipio]

I prefer Five Ten Freeriders for biking - all my bikes have flats - with the suede/mesh uppers and the rigid + grippy stealth rubber soles. MSRP is $100 but can be had for as low as $60 when they go on sale. My experience with Freeriders is they break in well and can take a beating. For a change of pace, I also wear low cut Vans with waffle soles, laces, and suede/canvas uppers (Berle Pro, BMX, Old Skool).

--Ed C.

On Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 6:17:22 PM UTC-8 Adam wrote:

[Justin Kennedy (Brooklyn, NY)]

I ride in Blundstones in the winter and wet weather and Vans when it's sunny and above ~50 or so. The Vans are super grippy on Monarchs. The Blundstones are fine if a little stiff and thick. It's hard to feel the pedal in them but they offer good wind/cold/rain protection. Crocs, Birkenstocks, and flipflops are great in the summer. 

[Eric Marth]

I like the Blundstone 550s for wet weather and muddy rides. I work in construction, they last quite a long time. I find them pretty well waterproof. Have worn them for years. 

I like to ride in Adidas Sambas and Bedrock sandals :) 

[Andrew Turner]

I second the Adidas Sambas and Bedrock combo. As long as it's not cold, I prefer wearing sandals since the drying time is nothing...but I think what made the biggest difference for me was going with a really large platform mountain bike pedal with pins. The bigger the platform, the less the shoe needs to be stiff and the pins really lock you in (sometimes too much.) I'm currently on Spank Oozy platforms and really any of my shoes work fine with them. 

[Adam]

Thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated.

I know everyone has their own prefs with this stuff, it's great to have all these ideas in one thread.

I'm inclined to check out the Five Ten Freeriders, though I'm not sure how they'll deal with water. I have various boots that work for winter or real rain, but I seem to do a lot of rides that have either light rain or puddles/mud.

Or I'll bring back the Sambas--haven't worn those since the 90s . . .

Thanks!

[Garth]

I wear Altra Superior 3.5 and Lone Peak 4 and the new All-Weather version trail running shoes for riding, they are more stiff midfoot than a pure running shoe like their Escalante Racer, which is ooh-lah-lah for walking !  What I like about Altra besides the zero drop  is the nice wide shape of the footbed, which leaves your toes free to roam without being pushed in on either side. It's very much a similar shape to the Crocs classic sandals, for those that are familiar with those.  Since I discovered that basic shape it was obvious why I hated shoes so much, it was the shape of footbed. I don't know anyone who has a foot shaped like say a Five Ten footbed where your big toe is supposedly gonna curve it's way to magically conform to the wonky shape ? I think not !

[Philip Williamson]

I’m on my second pair of Chrome Kursks.

The old ones lasted years, off-road and on.

Philip

Santa Rosa, CA

On Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 6:17:22 PM UTC-8 Adam wrote:

[Tim Baldwin]

I like riding in Vans sk8 hi or Crocs. So really just the shoes I would wear around anyway. I wear boots when I have to.  I have some Sorels with a thin sole that work well in the winter. If it's warmer and wet, splats are pretty great and so stylish.

[Samuel Huang]

+1 on Sambas. Apparently Adidas just released a cycling-specific model today called the Velosamba. Basically the same thing as a Samba but with stiffer sole and SPD compatibility. Pricey though!

[Seth Friedman]

these just came out if you want the option for cleats :) seth in seattle 

https://www.adidas.com/us/the-velosamba-cycling-shoes/FW4459.html

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[Robb]

Shimano SH-SD500 cycling sandal. I have two pairs, one without cleats for platforms (Grip Kings & Crank Brothers Stamp) and the other with cleats for Crank Brother Mallet/ Double Shots

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/shimano-sh-sd501-cycling-sandal

[David Person]

+1 on the Five Ten Freeriders.  Grippy and long lasting soles.  Pedal pins don't tear them up.

[Joe M.]

I prefer Altra Lone Peaks for when I'm going on dirt and Vans slip ons for pavement riding. Both these shoes feel good on my MKS Monarch/Gamma pedals.

[Robert Hakim]

I bought a pair of these :

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/2fo-flat-2-0-mountain-bike-shoes/p/155830?color=237107-155830&searchText=61119-6237

And I quite like them. They're a bit warm in the summer but are stiff, comfortable, durable and shed reasonable amounts of water. 

I bought mine last year, they had better color options- i.e. not super bright and not white. 

-Robert

[Adam]

Thanks again all, Thought I'd post a follow up for what it's worth.

I went with the Five Ten Trailcross - a newish model with mesh upper, and a little more walking/hiking traction in the sole. So far, I like them, though I haven't seen how they'll do in more extreme conditions. They're great for a little wet, cold, muddy. I had to hike-a-bike over some steep crumbly sections and they held up well for that.

Several folks above mentioned the toe box being small/narrow, and I agree. I have wideish feet and these are right on the threshold of not working for me, especially with thicker socks. That said, I did a long ride in them today with thick wool socks and everything was comfy, just a bit tight.

I think the breathability will be amazing once it's not so cold.

anyway, thanks all for the recommendations, there were lots of good ideas on here, very helpful.

[Jeffrey Arita]

Adam,

I purchased the Trailcross shoes early last year in preparation for some bikepacking adventures + flat pedals.  Did not go on any extended adventures but I did ride the shoes a lot on day rides.  Very, very nice in hot weather.  While wading through streams the shoes dried out quickly.  The Five Ten sole really gripped any kind of flat pedal - sometimes too well as it made it difficult to move my foot while pedaling.  Hike-a-biking was good too as the sole at the toe gripped inclines well.  My only gripe is they are definitely not cold weather shoes (like today) ;)

Good luck,

Jeff

Claremont, CA

[Pam Bikes]

I rode the Monarchs for a while but the bearings wore out and instead of rebuilding them I swapped them for cheap platforms like the ones from the Clems.  I think they are grippier than the Monarchs (not as pretty and the bearings aren't as smooth).  Not a guy so I wear Five Fingers in the summer and Uggs in the winter.Any shoe works but not a leather sole.  I got a new pair of Xero sandals and some Altras I'll try this year and also Sorels for cold/wet weather.