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White cycling shoes

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Old 11-05-21, 02:52 PM
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surak
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White cycling shoes

Do you wear white cycling shoes, and if so, why white instead of a color that's presumably easier to maintain (or do you have a trick to keeping them looking decent, besides never wearing them in anything except pristine conditions)?

​​​​​I know pros like white shoes, but they have people taking care of all their gear unlike a schlub like me who has never bothered to do more than half-heartedly try to wipe grease and dirt streaks off any of my non-black shoes. I've found a pair of top-end road shoes at significant discount that promise to solve some issues with what are my current best pair, except they're only in white. Seems like it's wisest to pass, but let's hear any opinions on the contrary.
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Old 11-05-21, 02:57 PM
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Yes, I do... I just like them better than black shoes, even if they do have heel smudges and more visible scuffs. Would absolutely replace them with another white pair, if I had to for whatever reason.
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Old 11-05-21, 02:59 PM
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I have some now fairly battle scarred looking white cycling shoes (Giro laceup empires). I don't bother much cleaning them, but when I did initially, Mr Clean Magic Eraser is your friend. Not my only color shoe though. One reason to choose them though is visibility -- if the clothing is all mostly dark, I go with white shoes. If I'm wearing already brighter colored clothing, then I go to a black/dark shoe.
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Old 11-05-21, 03:30 PM
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I bought a pair of white shoes for the same reasons, and had the same misgivings.
Don't worry, no one except you will notice if they get dirty.
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Old 11-05-21, 03:38 PM
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Not after Labor Day.
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Old 11-05-21, 03:41 PM
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And make sure your belt/purse matches!
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Old 11-05-21, 03:41 PM
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I wanted to get white cycling shoes however they didn't have any in stock my size that I liked. I'm not worried about them staying perfect. Though my son has a pair of white shimano bike shoes that he wears and they seem to stay in very nice condition and clean looking.

I had white Fizik bar tape on my previous bike I rode for 4 years and it always stayed clean with very little trouble the few times I had to wipe off some chain krud that had gotten on it after I had to fix a dropped chain or other times my hands were filthy.

So if you want white, go for it and fear not.
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Old 11-05-21, 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by surak
Do you wear white cycling shoes, and if so, why white instead of a color that's presumably easier to maintain (or do you have a trick to keeping them looking decent, besides never wearing them in anything except pristine conditions)?

​​​​​I know pros like white shoes, but they have people taking care of all their gear unlike a schlub like me who has never bothered to do more than half-heartedly try to wipe grease and dirt streaks off any of my non-black shoes. I've found a pair of top-end road shoes at significant discount that promise to solve some issues with what are my current best pair, except they're only in white. Seems like it's wisest to pass, but let's hear any opinions on the contrary.
Yes.
They were on sale for cheap, in white only. My size almost never goes on sale, because it's too popular. If my feet were tiny, or huge, I could buy all kinds of colors.
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Old 11-05-21, 04:03 PM
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I had a pair of cheap Shimano shoes that were half black and half white. Stopped on a ride once, someone looked at my shoes and said "you're either a cyclist or a pimp." Rest of what I had on left no doubts.
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Old 11-05-21, 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
I had a pair of cheap Shimano shoes that were half black and half white. Stopped on a ride once, someone looked at my shoes and said "you're either a cyclist or a pimp." Rest of what I had on left no doubts.
The fedora and wide lapels gave you away, huh?
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Old 11-05-21, 07:34 PM
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No
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Old 11-05-21, 07:53 PM
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Yep
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Old 11-05-21, 08:10 PM
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Orange and mud for me...
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Old 11-05-21, 09:01 PM
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I have white shoes. I cleaned them once, but that was maybe two years ago. they were really spiffy looking when new.
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Old 11-05-21, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
I had a pair of cheap Shimano shoes that were half black and half white. Stopped on a ride once, someone looked at my shoes and said "you're either a cyclist or a pimp." Rest of what I had on left no doubts.
These?

Shimano SH-R171 Road Shoe - White - Cambria Bike

They are on sale for $100 - $10 coupon code ("HOTDEAL10")

They are pretty pimping, so I ordered a pair.
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Old 11-05-21, 09:12 PM
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https://www.walmart.com/ip/Authentic...Suit/107567210
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Old 11-05-21, 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
These?

Shimano SH-R171 Road Shoe - White - Cambria Bike

They are on sale for $100 - $10 coupon code ("HOTDEAL10")

They are pretty pimping, so I ordered a pair.
They weren't bad shoes, and I would definitely grab another pair at that price if they had my size! Well done. 🙂
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Old 11-06-21, 02:05 AM
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I bought some white Shimano shoes a few years ago and they started turning yellow. They look horrible.
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Old 11-06-21, 02:54 AM
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I’ve had several pairs of white shoes over the years, chosen primarily because I really dislike black shoes for anything other than funerary wear.

I do clean the shoes periodically, but just a simple soap and water wipe down with a rag. I currently have three pair, two of which are probably seven years old at this point. They look pretty decent, but are relegated to trainer duty now.

I’ll add that I prefer to buy fully synthetic leather uppers, not those with fabric panels, so that helps make cleaning easy.
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Old 11-06-21, 05:18 AM
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I love black shoes with white socks, grease stains okay:
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Old 11-06-21, 05:51 AM
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I have a pair of relatively high-end Shimanos that I bought year ago and the toes scuff terribly. Mainly, it's because I'm short and have toe lap on my bikes so the toe area has black marks. Originally, I would clean them every second or third ride but finally gave up.

Regardless of the scuffing, I like white.
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Old 11-06-21, 06:48 AM
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Mr. Clean Magic Eraser keeps my S-Works 7s looking as white as when they were new.
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Old 11-06-21, 07:02 AM
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Originally Posted by surak

​​​​​I know pros like white shoes, but they have people taking care of all their gear unlike a schlub like me who has never bothered to do more than half-heartedly try to wipe grease and dirt streaks off any of my non-black shoes. I've found a pair of top-end road shoes at significant discount that promise to solve some issues with what are my current best pair, except they're only in white. Seems like it's wisest to pass, but let's hear any opinions on the contrary.
It’s not a case of having someone to clean them for you, it’s a case of having special overshoes that magically repel mud and dirt; https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/the-...r-poels-shoes/
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Old 11-06-21, 07:06 AM
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Everyone since Billy “white shoes” Johnson has known that white shoes are faster.
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Old 11-06-21, 07:13 AM
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