Iamsecond

Anyone have recommendations for a good shoe for flat pedals...something with a fairly firm flat sole???

Mulberry20

Converse All Stars Chuck Taylors, I use them for errands on my bike and for for weight lifting. Weather permitting, they are fantastic for bike riding.

BlackMambaNYC

I love riding in my Vans slip-ons. Looking to pick up a pair of New Balance shoes next to try them out.

Paul Barnard

I go for a shoe that has little flex. I take the shoe and bend the toe over toward the heel to test the stiffness/flex. I like a tread that is not heavily lugged. I like a tread compound that is firm rather than soft. You don't need a soft tread compound to get positive engagement from the pedal pins. I like a shoe that is light in weight.

Those characteristics are common in clipless road bike shoes. Oddly when you go look at the shoes marketed for flat pedal bicycling use, they tend to be comparatively heavy and flexy with soft tread compound. Five Tens and Vanns are examples.

I don't have a favorite. When it's time to buy new shoes, I just go to the shoe store and look for one that has the characteristics I prefer.

Mojo31

I have a pair of the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Flows, and they are light with a very stiff sole. True to size and comfortable as well. They grip very well on my RaceFace AEffect pedals.

My wife has a pair of Five Tens that she likes.

Troul 

skateboard shoes are of often to your requirements. DC shoes are comfortable.

pdlamb

I thought the whole point of flat pedals was to ride with any shoe?!

Razorrock

I have the ultimate Fred shoes I wear. New Balance 1500T2. Running shoes with flat tread and a Boa closure. You can even order in Wide widths.

If you want firm non flexing soles don't get them. I cant wear the hard firm cycling shoes. my feet start tingling and fall asleep in the first 10 miles with them.

hicks

Vans, the basic ones with the thinner soles.

Illgot

I wear slip resistant Sketchers. They are made to be worn by people who work with wet surfaces like kitchens and hold tight on pedals as well.

Mojo31

I'm a fellow Fred. When I was wearing running shoes, my toes would tingle and go number in the first 10 miles. I presumed it was from the sole bending downward around the pedal. When I switched to a stiff soled mountain bike shoe, I stopped having that problem.

I also wear my sunglasses under the helmet straps because if I don't they go flying when I take off the helmet.

Bosco13

I use five ten's on my mountain bike. May be a bit too beefy for road riding though.

BoraxKid

I like Addidas Sambas with the shell-toe, but I've also had Five Ten shoes before and thought they were comfortable but also bulky. Basically anything designed for skateboarding should do well on flat pedals. Get some straps, too, if you don't have them.

Rolla

Vans are soft enough to feel the pins through the sole. I prefer Five Ten Freerider and Ride Concepts Hellion. Stiff and durable.

canklecat

Five Tens are usually recommended, and they're good. I've been satisfied with Adidas Daily 2.0 sneakers. Adequately stiff for cycling and flexible for comfortable walking.

Iamsecond

Thanks for the input fellas, I appreciate it!

StargazeCyclist

I have a pair of skateboard shoes from Decathlon that I stiffen with carbon fiber boards as insole.

Kapusta

I am giving the benefit of the doubt that this is not a troll post.....

You can wear any shoe, but some shoes are better than others.