sloar 

I’m very intrigued by the idea of wearing sandals for long rides and touring. Anyone wear them on touring? If so which brand? I would love to hear some feedback on them. Thanks

pdlamb

I've got some Keen sandals that go with my travel bike's pedals; Shimano doesn't make big sizes.

I don't usually notice them on the bike, which I suppose is a recommendation. I have to wear thicker socks than I'd prefer because of the design and my foot, else my little toe pokes out with thin socks. The toe box makes cold or wet weather tolerable, but again that's design specific.

Tourist in MSN

Keen used to make cycling sandals, but with a closed toe they were more like a shoe than what you typically would call a sandal. I did a google search, nobody has the Keens any more but if you want to see what they looked like:
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...cycling-sandal

Most of my cycling is on older Keens. Very happy with them. But, some of my shoe covers do not work on the Keens, they are a bit too wide.

I can't comment on the open toe sandals that have been sold for cycling, never tried them. A friend of mine has used them and he had a very odd looking suntan on his feet when barefoot in the campsite.

balto charlie

I used to have a pair of Lake sandals, loved them. They were great during rainy weather, dried out quickly, comfortable with and without socks, stiff yet comfortable for walking (not hiking). They were heavy though. They are no longer made unfortunately. Many cyclists like Shimano, still available, I am thinking about buying but have heard they are not as stiff as their previous model. I would love to see them in person. The Lakes used to be my touring shoe of choice, never got a hot spot with them like some other shoes. I used them with egg beater pedals.

BobG

Yep, I liked the Keen sandals which fit me best but as stated above they are no longer made. I also have a pair of Shimano sandals. They have a wider, clunkier heel requiring the cleats to be adjusted close to the inside edge to avoid heel strike on the crank. I often wear an AFO (ankle brace) on the left and the Shimano sandal is the only SPD footwear that will fit over it. Thus I've pulled them out of retirement.

This fellow wore his Shimanos every day on an ACA TransAm tour. Sometimes in the evening also! ...

elcruxio

How large a size are dealing with here?
My shoe size is 47 wide and my Shimano sandals are size 47-48. They run a little big for me to be able to fit a waterproof sock but I could use a size smaller if I planned on not using any socks at all.

balto charlie

Their last ride. Walked into the Potomac, quick rinse and we were back riding immediately.

pdlamb

49. You'd think with all this internet mail-order thing more web businesses could carry shoes larger than 47-48, but the reverse seems to be true.

IPassGas

We have been touring for years with sandals. They are great for tours in summer. I love the ability to instantly plunk feet in water. Initially, started with Shimano, but my wife found that her foot would fall a sleep due to curvature and I found that the top base material made the bottom pad of my foot crack. We have since switched to Exustar, the 3 strap version (not Nashbar) and like them now for ~30,000 miles. The extra strap distributes pressure better and the top surface material allows the foot pad to breath better. The Exustar have a front toe protector which we prefer over the fully open Shimano toe to protect from sun and stones. Sizing is not as critical as with regular bike shoes because of the velcro adjustability.

But wait, perhaps we are loosing energy due to not tight regular shoes??!! Oh nooooooo, not the dreaded loss of energy.

hockey

Sandals only for many years. Nashbar sandals, still made. Comfortable and long lasting.

Tony Marley

I have done quite a few tours using bike sandals, including one coast-to-coast on a tandem. Lake used to make great bike sandals, but seems not to anymore. I use SPD sandals and am happy with them. I have wide feet and they are plenty wide.

AlanK

I have a Shimano SPD sandals. I got them for longer rides and touring. I haven't used them much yet, but they seem fine so far. As others have said, the sizing seems a bit larger than usual. Sandals makes things really simple and lightweight. I also carry Bedrock sandals (conventional) for extended periods walking/running off the bike. Shimano sandals are fine for short distances, but the cleats are annoying on long walks and unsuitable for running.

elcruxio

Though for some reason shimano sandals are really heavy. I think they weigh the same as my cold season shoes and more than my enduro shoes.

tcs

Ridden with Shimano sandals since the mid-1990s.

Sheldon Brown recommended them with tthhiicckk wool socks for winter riding.

Ghazmh

I have a pair of Shimano SD66’s. They are ugly but so comfortable and liberating. I can’t justify replacing them yet with the newer SD5’s.

nomadmax 

I ride the road with a guy who is affectionately known as "Sandal Ray". His choice of footwear doesn't seem to affect his ability to go fast or far.

PedalingWalrus

I destroyed my Exustar sandals last year so for this upcoming season I purchased the Shimano sandals. Have not used them yet

katzenfinch

I’m going on my second pair of Exustar sandals (a dog chewed the straps off my first pair). I much prefer closed-toe sandals since I seem to have a tendency to bash my toes into things if they’re not covered.

badger_biker 

I also like my Keen sandals very much. I happened on a close out sale a couple years ago and one of the 2 pairs luckily was my size. I prefer the boxed toe style and it’s too bad they were discontinued.

Bearhawker

I ride almost exclusively in my Nashbar sandals and my eggbeater pedals.

Never tried any other brand of cycling sandals - I got lucky on my 1st try with the Nashbars. My feet are wide. 5E wide. The nashbars fit like they were designed for me... I can actually wear winter socks in them (the horrors!) where I cannot in some shoes.

The price was right too.

Kelly I

I have worn the old style two strap Shimano sandals exclusively since they were introduced. In the winter I put a layer of Saran wrap over my thick wool socks and then put on the sandal.

NeedARealBike

I have the Shimano sandals too. I bought them after a long ride after realizing it had some advantage for me. That was last year though and now I can’t remember what exactly that was. Still live them though. I have the crank brothers Mallet E pedal. They’re only on my MTB though I just keep the regular included platforms on my hobo bike.

LynxTheWizard

and here i am travelling with cheapest beach flipflops...

balto charlie

How stiff are the Shimano sandals? I want to buy them but have read they tend to be too soft. I don't want road bike hardness, prefer mnt bike hardness.

Tony Marley

I find the soles on my Shimano sandals to be very firm.