DRietz

Pretty self-explanatory I think, but if you need help figuring out what I'm talking about...

I have some vintage no-name metal clips and generic straps right now, and they really take a toll on my sneakers. I just threw out my fifth pair of Vans in the last 12months, where as prior to riding with clips, I could make a single pair break the 10month barrier.

It's undoubtedly from the rub.

So, which clips and straps do you guys use that will prolong the life of my sneakers?

LupinIII

i've had the same vans slip ons for about the past year and a half, wearning them nearly every day.

cloth on top seems fine, but all the foam on the inside is falling apart.



also for your question, bmx platforms + foot straps (like foothold, holdfast, etc)

redpear

The one thing that really comes to mind is leather covered toe clips

https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=3299
You can DIY leather on your current toe clips. Also consider plastic clips, though I prefer metal ones.

My solution to this problem is to go clipless (heheheheheh)

DRietz

Oh, I ride clipless on both my mountain and road bikes, but not the little commuter I built. Maybe that's my next bout of spending...

Leukybear 

I've never had a problem with my vans and with the notorious sneaker hating MKS sylvans with toshi doubles and double gates..... I've been running my pair for a year, daily... at most, the pedal related damage is some rubbing/ smoothing of the rubber edges and the sole where the pedal cages make contact from rubbing/ friction.

Yes platforms and straps.

nuhtowel

i wear my leather boat shoes with my retrogression straps and they haven't damaged my shoes at all

hamish5178

If you're going through five pairs of shoes in 12 months (even if they are Vans) I think the problem isn't your bike pedals, unless you're regularly riding centuries or something. . .

Do you wear socks? I'm usually sockless in vans/Sperry's and that tears up shoes but not 5/yr.

just dank

the toe clips with leather wrapped around them are awesome for protecting your shoes

wearyourtruth

if you really want to protect your shoes, i also suggest something like holdfast straps.

Scrodzilla

I wear Vans slip-ons all the time and have never had that problem. Usually my shoes fall apart from age before seeing any substantial damage from my clips/straps.

nightfly

Nylon/plastic clips are cheap and don't mess up your shoes as much. Holdfast or equivalent straps don't mess up you shoes at all and they work way better than clips and straps. Probably get plastic clips for $5-10 at any local bike shop. Holdfasts etc are significantly more expensive but worth it.

WeirdOddity

I'll second nightfly's response. I use plastic toe clips with leather straps and they don't mess up your shoes at all. Sometimes a set of wider/flatter pedals like the MKS GR-9 help.

Leukybear 

True but, only get these if you rely on a front brake and not brakeless as these are horribly flexible.

Scrodzilla

I really wanted to like nylon/plastic clips but I don't. I loathe them.

DRietz

Interesting. I run BMX pedals so I'll have to figure it out.

As far as the wear goes, I can't really comment on the 5 pairs of vans in the last 12 months besides that's what happened. I typically wear chukka lows, and they all started getting holes where my straps were every few months.

Leukybear 

By coincidence the vans I've been running for over a year now happen to be chukka lows as well; the fabric is completely intact despite the use of cages everyday.

tessartype

I tore through two sets of plims in six weeks of riding with rusty clips. When one broke after I didn't slip in before a curb, I replaced them with a set of plastics that were more my size, and haven't seen much wear since. the soles, however, have black marks left by the pedal edges.