Originally Posted by
spinnaker
So what shoes do you ware on tour but of of the bike?
My SPDs are pretty comfortable to walk in but I really like to get out of them off the bike. When I am touring say on the GAP and it is going to be warm and I know I will not be walking much I just take a pair of sandals. That way they double as shower sandals.
Other times, What I used to take was my New Balance athletic shoes that I wear every day. Very comfortable but bulky and heavy. Lately I have been taking a very light weight "athletic" shoe I found online. They are really more of a slipper with laces. Really comfortable for lounging but not much good for long distance walking.
This year if the cards work out right I will be doing a side trip to Rainer (via automobile) and I certainly might want to do some walking at the Columbia River Gorge and Mt Hood. I am afraid those light weight shoes could be a problem.
So what do you wear off bike?
it seems to me that you have answered your own question really.
I too have taken very light simple "running shoes" that were both inexpensive in price, but not really good for much walking. They were fine for what I used them for, cost me 25 canadian bucks or something at a clearance place, but the cheapness of them showed up in not having proper arch support etc, so for more walking they were not very good.
I took better quality running shoes next time and appreciated them for when I walked more.
it seems to me that its pretty simple--a more comfortable shoe to walk/hike in is just going to weigh more, and you have to evaluate what your priorities are.
I personally wouldnt take my cheap but light shoes again, unless I really was not going to be walking around much, and while I forget the diff in weight I was dealing with, probably 150-200 grams, if your feet will be more comfortable in heavier ones, so be it.