I’ve never been a big fan of riding with SPD pedals in London. Having to clip in and out at all the traffic lights and whenever I have to quickly come to a halt just doesn’t feel that safe. Plus, they are not usually that great for walking around in and they make me look like too much of a cyclist all the time.
Therefore, when Teva got in touch with me about their Links Mountain Biking Shoes and Pinner Biking Shoes I was excited to feature them on the site. What makes the Links shoe special is that they are fitted with technology that repels water. Combine that with their extra tough construction to resist daily wear plus the strong grip design and you’ve got a pretty tempting option for your cycle footwear.
Teva wanted to give away three pairs of shoes to three readers of London Cyclist blog so I thought this would be a great time to find out what footwear everyone uses to cycle in every day. Whether you pedal in flip flops or SPD shoes, leave a comment below and you’ll be entered in to the competition.
Our usual competition rules apply and please note that the smallest size the shoes come in is size 6. Teva also have a wide range of women’s multi sport trainers. To find out more about the Links and Pinner shoes checkout the Teva website.
Mostly my Vans. Normal trainers for me. When they make some clipless shoes that don’t like you’re about to go on the tour, or just plain ugly (e.g. Vans effort to make an spd trainer), I’ll be first in the queue to go clipless.
Don’t really chose footwear with cycling in mind – depends where I’m going!
For cycling to work I wear a pair of Clarks Wallabees – genuinely the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned (onto my third or fourth pair now) and they’re smart enough for the line of work I’m in. Weekends and evenings, I’ve usually got a pair of Campers on, which aren’t ideal for cycling.
Only time I’d choose footwear specifically for cycling is if I’m going on a trail or off-road, and then I’d wear the Merrils I usually wear for country walking – they’re dead grippy and waterproof, and approach Wallabee levels of comfort 😉
Old pair of trainers in winter, with waterproof socks, and maybe flip-flops at the height of summer. Them Teva shoes look good though….
I’ve seen too many people have nasty accidents, due to being unable to detach themselves from their pedals when falling over, for me to want to try clip-in shoes in London’s stop-start traffic. Pedal straps for me!
I use pretty basic flat non-cycle specific Sketchers trainer shoe that has a pretty sticky sole. I also have some Shimano MT22 SPD which I kind of impulse bought and didn’t get on with, only because I prefer not to be clipped in. They came up a size small so buy a half size up for anyone contemplating buying Shimano!
I’d love a proper flat MTB shoe but they are a bit pricey, when I finally buy some I will consider Teva, they look pretty good along with Five Ten. It will depend on customer reviews
Always trainers
dhb R1.0 Road Cycling Shoe, although not tried the London commute in them yet!
I use an old pair of Diesel trainers and have pedals with toe clips. These are a good compromise for london i think. They help you use your energy more efficiently as well as being easy to get in and out of. However, i will admit i have never used SPD’s and am tempted to give them a try one day. Also trainers are anything but waterproof…
I use a cheap pair of “walking” shoes from an online sportswear retailer, I can’t be doing with SPDs for my regular cycling but maybe in the future I’ll be brave enough to give them a try!
Trainers or similar most of the time, but I do own a pair of specialized road shoes with spd-sl cleats. You do notice the difference when cycling for a slightly longer period of time.
I use a pair of normal Skechers, comfy on and off the bike so I don’t have to carry around a second pair of shoes whilst commuting. Drivers are nuts around my area so I don’t like to be clipped in.
In general, I just wear whatever shoes I’m wearing that day (unless extremely dressy/high heals). I really can’t be bothered to bring along a separate pair of shoes when I’m peddling about the city. That said, if there’s something guaranteed to keep my feet toasty warm on frosty winter mornings, I’m open to changing my behaviour!
I don’t (yet) use cleats, seems to be no point with so many traffic lights in London you’d spend more time clipping/unclipping than actially riding!!..So it’s just a pair of trainers (asics currently) and a pair of waterproof overshoes if it’s rainy.
Shimano spd sandals when its warm
specialised bg primo (apparently, had to look them up) for when its not so warm.
Other than that, whatever I’m wearing at that time, though I’ve never found flip flops comfy…
Leather soled dress shoes in black, dark brown, or chestnut. Size 10.
Agree with you that SPD pedals are not suitable when cycling in London – I reserve these for my club rides. When commuting I use a pair of trail running trainers. The advantage is that they are comfortable and waterproof – with a warm sock inside they are also suitable for winter riding. My trainers are now over three years old so they’re mature for replacement!
Just trainers for me – whatever I’m wearing that day, currently converse
I wear Shimano SPDs on my road bike and work shoes during the week on my commute.
Pair of dhb M1 mountain bike shoes. After over 14 years of cycling in SPDs I find it hard and a little weird not to use them. The initial fear of falling over is soon more than compenstated by the ease of cycling and rhythm that the shoes offer.
They do require a little practice and I’ve seen a few people topple over, frantically pulling at their feet trying to release their shoes. MTB combination pedals mean you can cycle with or without SPD shoes, getting the best of both worlds as well.
Cycle in the adidas I wear to work. My trainers are a bit stinky as a result – would be good to get some dedicated cycling shoes and I don’t want SPDs for the reasons you state!
cycling shoes for cycling init? the clue’s in the name. i think they are sidi dragons
Mostly SPD, I don’t have real problems with them. For short commutes whatever I’ll be wearing; shoes or trainers. I haven’t tried sandals yet, may pick up a pair of SPD sandals this summer if the weather is hot!
Used to use old running shoes. Now using SPDs. So much better.
I usually wear Goretex trainers for the normal commute to work, but as I find myself increasingly using my bike for all transport purposes it very much depends on where I’m going or what I plan to do. So often I cycle in normal leather shoes. Clips or spds…. nah.
Specialized road shows with Look pedals/cleats on my road bike & on my mountain & everywhere else bike trainers.
An old pair of Fat Face trainers – they may not be waterproof (in fact they definately aren’t) but they’ve done me proud for the last 4 years.
Bontrader rxl with shimano spd. Good for long distance and ok in town for clicking in and out of when you have got used to them, but love the design of the featured shoes.
To all those who think SPD’s are dangerous etc. They’re not, give them a try. There are plenty of manufacturers who make “normal” looking SPD shoes (including some lovely leather ones: http://bit.ly/98TIFE). Been commuting in SPD’s for 8 years now without a single problem.
Cheap but comfy trainers.
Mainly trainers, or whatever i just wear on the day.
Lately, mostly my Simple sneakers
I wear trainers with a soft compound sole like skater shoes with dmr pedals for great grip
Can’t really be beaten for jumping around in town (though would live to be proven wrong by these new trainers on offer)
Wear SPDs when MTBing and proper road pedals and shoes when on my road bike
Guess its simply a matter of wearing the right footwear for the job
If my commute was longer I would clip in as each pedal stroke would be far more efficient which will counteract the clip in and out at lights which if you have good pedals shouldn’t be any trouble. To put into perspective my 8 year old daughter is now in SPDs with no trouble at all
Cheers
Bryan
It used to be whatever shoes I wore that day for me but I damaged a few pairs that way (all this stopping at the traffic lights and such) so I started wearing a pair of trainers.. I would love to have a special pair for cycling (esp if they were waterproof + keep the sweat out:) but they usually look far too technical.. I like how the look of these Tevas, wonder how good they are when used day to day.
Just whatever I happen to have on my feet that day.
I ride in cycling shoes, mostly because I’ve never found anything that grips pedals that well without clipping in, I hear the Teva shoes are good for that though, so should probably give them a shot!
I’ve got some NorthFace Hedgehog waterproof trainers which are good for the job; very comfortable and dry and grippy, but don’t look great – my Polish wife says they make me look like an old Polish man 🙂 and they’re pretty stinky now. I usually cycle in them, but if I’m going somewhere I ought to be smart for and it’s not likely to rain then I’ll wear my lovely leather Clarks shoes.
I used to have, not toe clips but hard plastic toe cups – I don’t know what they’re called but they were great and you’re not really in them so very easy to get out of. I need to transfer them over to my current pedals.
my trainers. they’re falling apart but a bit of tape is doing the trick at the moment.
SPDs. I originally had them second-hand off eBay for when I went touring over last summer, and have kinda fallen in love with them. I feel a lot safer with them on, when on the road. And reasonable for my 7 mile commute. It does mean I have to keep a spare pair of normal shoes in college though 🙂
A pair of plain black vans skate shoes. Work great with stud pedals. After having an horrific snapped ankle whilst using toe clips ( open fracture, foot at very strange ankle upon landing), having my feet tied into the pedal in any way gives me the shivers!!!!!!!
Lake spy boots
I just wear flat soled trainers with velcro fastenings so I can get in and out of them quickly, I change shoes when I get to work.
Never tried clipless.
I generally just wear trainers but have been debating moving to spd’s for longer rides but not for my comute.
Why is it that the Teva shoes which look like a good cycling shoe option only made for men?! Lots of women cycle and would appreciate cycling specific shoes as well, it seems pretty sexist that they only produce cycle specific shoes for men and women can have a multi-sport option but nothing specific.
Shamefully, “proper” road shoes with Shimano SPDSL cleats. Good for power transfer and comfort, but bad for not walking like a penguin at either end or on impromptu shopping stops. As a club rider, the alternative of having a differently-shod steed for commuting only would be more of a pain than looking too much like a cyclist!
Old trainers. Need to invest in something like these though
Specialised Sanoma SPD
For day to day cycling, whatever I’ve got on, usually a knackered old pair of Converse.
Slazenger warrior trainers. Nice flat sole with just enough tread to grip the pedal without clinging. Sole is thin enough to feel the pedal but thick enough to walk in and they’re slip-ons.
A pair of puma future cats in black and gold (proper shiny bling gold)
I wear my DVS Keo Curry Cadence shoes, I love them to bits but they haven’t survived the winter too well…
Puma do a great range of trainers that I often use to cycle with (mine are the Roma 68). They’ve survived 8 months riding through all sorts of weather. They’re also good enough for jogging and a bit of football. Tough as old boots.
Otherwise dhb R1.0 Road Cycling Shoe
I’ve been using a pair of Keen Springwater for commuting, mountain biking, and an on & off road tour from London to Switzerland last year. The cleats are recessed enough to make walking almost normal. They were the only shoes I took on the tour, plus a pair of flip flops. They do seem to look a bit huge though!