Footwear Advice For Mtb And Gc?

[+Max99nTPA]

It looks like many people out there ride moutain bikes while caching. I'm new to the game, but so far the 3 I've found have been on my moutain bike out on the trails (I live in Tampa, lots of good trails close by). I was hoping some of you would have recommendations for footwear that is good for both biking the trails and hiking off the trails. I am hoping I can settle on something that works well for both, and I'm pretty sure hiking boots are not the best option. Some of the moutain biking shoes look promising, but I don't really know. I'm not a 'racer' or even very advanced biker. I am learning, and enjoy the learning. I don't wear cycling attire, just some gym shorts and a t shirt, and a helmet, of course. What I'm trying to say is that I'm not looking for the best footwear to race my MTB in, just a solid shoe that will be comfortable on and off the bike.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated...thanks!

[+briansnat]

A simple pair of trail runners should work fine. Light enough for biking, sturdy enough for some of the less rugged trails. That, or lightweight, low top hiking shoes like these.

Edited March 15, 2004 by briansnat

[+Jamie Z]

I ride a road bike, but I wear mountain biking shoes and pedals when I ride.

 

The reason is that mountain biking shoes are designed so that you can (sort of) walk in them. Thy have aggressive tread, too, designed for running up a hill or over a log while carrying your bike. They have a recessed cleat for your pedals, so when you walk, the cleat does not make contact with the ground. Of course, being cycling shoes, they're rather stiff, but they're not bad for walking.

 

That said, you pointed out that you're just a hobby cyclist. A pair of MTB shoes and pedals will cost about $100 minimum, so I'm guessing that's above your interest level, even though I think you'd find that clipless pedals feel so much better than regular pedals.

 

You can still wear cycling shoes, without the pedals. The stiffness makes them more efficient on the bike than walking shoes.

 

Or go like BS said, and find a pair of hiking shoes or trail runners.

 

Jamie

[+Prime Suspect]

It looks like many people out there ride moutain bikes while caching. I'm new to the game, but so far the 3 I've found have been on my moutain bike out on the trails (I live in Tampa, lots of good trails close by). I was hoping some of you would have recommendations for footwear that is good for both biking the trails and hiking off the trails. I am hoping I can settle on something that works well for both, and I'm pretty sure hiking boots are not the best option. Some of the moutain biking shoes look promising, but I don't really know. I'm not a 'racer' or even very advanced biker. I am learning, and enjoy the learning. I don't wear cycling attire, just some gym shorts and a t shirt, and a helmet, of course. What I'm trying to say is that I'm not looking for the best footwear to race my MTB in, just a solid shoe that will be comfortable on and off the bike.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated...thanks!

Clipless pedals?

[+flask]

oh, man, have i got the shoe for you! i know from sad, sad experience that high performance italian mountain bike shoes are totally inappropriate for climbing trees in.

 

shimano makes a very nice rugged MTB shoe tht's more like a light hiker. it has a pretty stiff sole, but grippy treads and it's high at the ankle and has additional support. oh. and it takes your standard cleat and is VERY cute.

 

they're so noce for running in that i'm thinking of runnning them for CX season instead of the aforementioned racing shoes.

 

 

 

[+wildearth2001]

I ride road using middle cost clipless pedals ($130 a pair) and high end racing shoes ($180 a pair) both are road style and suck for caching. Before I converted to Road I used to MTB but I use regular hiking boots with platform pedals. Anything will work well (except for road shoes) and it is mostly preference.

 

If you decide to go clipless the Shimano ones above seam nice for MTB but then again I don't know much about MTB pedals only the road ones.

 

I hope this helps

[+flask]

i have cute little road shoes for my road bike, too. truth is, i am a total shoe slut.

 

bad day? buy shoes. someone at work asked me why i have three pairs of shoes under my desk. i shut them down. "i have FOUR pairs of shoes under my desk." i told them coldly, as if this were an answer to the question. "and i have another seven pair in my car."

 

a couple of weeks ago i told my friend jerry i'd bought a cute little pair of shoes.

 

"wait," he said. "YOU bought cute shoes?" and then suspicion dawned on his face. "..they don't have cleats, do they?"

 

i took up climbing recently. guess what?

 

...new shoes!

[+Ed Rad]

I find sandals with black socks work well and they are a great fashion statement.

[+Max99nTPA]

Thanks everyone, I think I'm going to go with Brian's recommendation and snag a pair of lightweight low top hiking shoes from Sierra Trading Post, they seem to have some good prices.

 

Thanks for all the input, wish I could afford to try all your suggestions

[+woodsters]

I know I'm late on this one, but you really didn't give enough information. What kind of bike and pedals do you have? Do your pedals require a special clip to lock onto? If you are talking about a regular mountain bike with regular cleat type of pedals then I would go with a hiker. Whether a low cut or a normal hiking boot, would be up to you. Personally I would go with a regular size hiking boot. Main reason being low brush, rocks, and mud to just name a few. The normal size boot will give your ankles a little more protection. Plus you would not have to worry as much about puddles as you would with a lower sized boot. It also depends on the area you ride in. When I did a few MTB races a while back, I wore tennis shoes. They worked fine, but I did not do much hiking in them.

Edited March 16, 2004 by woodsters