Flat pedals and special shoes?

[PATRICK MOORE]

So, what's with buying special shoes to use with flat pedals? I
thought the whole point of no retention was that you can use any
street shoe with a sufficiently soft bottom -- ie, that you don't need
special shoes. What am I missing?

Have tried flat/no-retention and didn't like it, but then I was using
mere Bass or Timberland boat shoes. That said, I know of one man who
beats his full sus comrades on technical singletrack on a no-susp ss
and who swears by flat pedals with old fashion tennis shoes.

Patrick "Look and Spuds can't be beat/For my ever circling feet" Moore

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Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html
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[Garth]

My "special" shoes are Birkentoscks .... lol.  Arizona's in summer, Boston's in winter :)

[Kelly]

My special, super secret sauce, platform pedal shoes are...  uhhh.. hmmm.. (thinking) wait I have it.. oh.. ya.. the shoes on my feet.  If they fit my feet and are super comfortable then they are bike shoes too. 

I consider myself lucky to enjoy and not miss the connection of clippless or even toe straps.      In all honesty there are times I miss clipless .. but so rare as to be meaningless.   

Not for everyone .. I'm just glad it works for me... riding shoes are costly.

Kelly

[Michael]

I wear some blue canvas sneakers that are about 10 years old. I think they are Pumas or Nikes. 

I use MKS Touring Pedals with MKS Steel Deep Toe Clips - no straps. I just like the clips because they keep my foot in place so I don't slip off the pedal in case of big bumps.

Holds my foot just as securely as my racing get-up used to. And for a fraction of the cost. And for a ton more comfort, and ease of just hopping off the bike and being able to walk around normally at any destination.

 

I don't think i will ever go back to clipless again unless forced to.