horatio 

I've always had problems with regular shoes being too flexible for quill pedals, so I wear road shoes with Look Delta pedals and cleats. I'd like to try modern platforms on my upcoming retro gravel bike build. Any recommendations for "regular" shoes or boots for the cold weather ahead? Are running shoe soles stiff enough? How about sandals for summertime?

Banzai

I wear all kinds of “regular” shoes for winter riding or casual bar hopping, and the thing I care the most about is lace retention.

After that I guess it depends on the pedal.

Banzai

I do Keens in the summer, and Keens with wool socks the other morning at 36deg F. Actually one of the stiffest soles, but also wide, and they slip a lot on some pedals.

Milton Keynes

I don't have clipless pedals or anything so regular tennis shoes are what I wear.

Sy Reene

I prefer sueded leather style skate shoes. The uppers might be good for gravel protection and the soles/treads are pretty grippy on the platforms that have the spikes.

eg.
https://www.nike.com/w/mens-skateboa...?sort=priceAsc

delbiker1 

I have a couple of pairs of shoes that are 1/2 or 1 size bigger and wider than normal for cold weather riding. That gives me the room for layering of socks. I am not concerned by the stiffness, but do want some tread on the soles to help keep my feet from slipping off the pedals. Obviously, the pedal itself can help with that. I am not trying to get good speed average or miles so much as just time on the bike outdoors. You might want to check out some spd type biking shoes that have the covers over the cleat area. I have an older pair of those that no longer have cleats, and I use them when riding my bike that has platform typ pedals. They are very comfortable, stiff soles and good tread for traction on the pedal. With a search, you can find past years models that are priced considerably lower.

Gresp15C

Keens or "hiking sneakers" during the summer, hiking boots during the winter. The Keens are ventilated, which has its pro's and con's depending on the outside temperature. I look for stiff soles. A pair of Vasque hiking boots has lasted me several years, and remain waterproof due to applying some "Goop" around the seams that started to leak.

Now, my winter riding tends to be commuting on fairly klunky bikes, so my experience might not be applicable if you're into more athletic cycling.

Of course the shoes have to look good. I'm a "hiking pants and plaid shirt" kind of guy, so the shoes work for me.

tyrion

I have some Chaco sandals with a fairly stiff sole - love riding with those on a hot summer day.

They're kind of heavy though, if that matters.

Wilfred Laurier

For sole stiffness, the only non-cycling shoes I have ever found to be reasonable are hiking boots... and not hiking 'style' boots, but heavy leather boots tend to have a relatively rigid sole. These will also be good for cooler weather.

The other option is winter specific cycling shoes like those available from Sidi and Lake, and a set of two-bolt 'mtb' pedals.

FiftySix

I've worn (and still wear) inexpensive Chinese made Dr. Marten boots for work and riding. These are real Dr. Marten branded boots, just much less expensive than the UK made boots. I can get at least 1 year out of them and I wear them 5 or 6 days a week. I'm on my third pair now and they come "pre-broken in".

Example: https://www.famousfootwear.com/en-US...gged+Boot.aspx

Lace control isn't a problem as I double knot them when I tied them.

BTW, these Doc Marten soles grip BMX/mountain bike pedals very, very well.

mr_bill

Getting past the misnomer "retro gravel bike," and also that modern platforms are not retro.

But there lots of stiff-ish soled classic "sneakers" popular with platforms:

50s Adidas Sambas.
60s 70s - the decades of soleless sneakers, PF Flyers and Chuck Taylors - don't even think of them.
80s 90s - several Rebook or Nike basketball hightops. (Yeah, hightops and bikes are not a match made in heaven, but who cares.)
00s - ask again next year, not yet retro.
10s - are you kidding me?

Otherwise, going with a SPD touring/walkable cycling shoe would give you many sole stiffness options as well.

Or you could go Dutch and push with your heels.

-mr. bill

Rajflyboy

Five Ten probably makes what you are looking for

rumrunn6

fwiw - before using cleated shoes & pedals on my road bike I used MTB shoes w/o the cleats

noimagination

There's no one-solution-fits-all. For me, I feel better with stiff soled shoes. Sneakers (running shoes, x-trainers, etc.), sandals and the like allow my feet to flex too much (high arch), my feet (balls of my feet, arch) hurt after a while when cycling with regular shoes. This is for rides in the hour+ range at a significant level of effort (aerobic or greater).

It's similar with hiking boots, I generally get a full lugged sole with a stiff leather upper, not the sneaker-like lighter ones. Tried those lighter boots, after a couple hours on rough trails (rocks), my feet were killing me from flexing so much and from pressure on my forefoot.

There are other people who have no trouble riding for hours in sneakers.

caloso

There's a skater version of the Samba that might be the ticket.

Kabuki12

With my vintage road bikes and my personal vintage style I have Campagnolo Superleggeri pedals with cages and straps . Skate type sneakers with narrow toes fit my feet just fine and the flat bottoms make for safer city riding. In and out of “traps” no hang ups! Yes they are flexible but I can ride and walk comfortably.

Vintage Schwinn

I always ride wearing STAN SMITH Adidas White with the fairway green piece above the rear heel.
https://www.adidas.com/us/stan-smith-shoes/M20324.html