EGBigelo

When I ride my road bike I'm using clipless. I picked up a Giant Revolt 2 just to do some different type if riding on different roads. I want to stay casual, so no kit and not clipless shoes. I just want to jump on and ride. Does anyone have suggestions for decent flat bottom shoes (I'm using RaceFace Chesters for the pedals) that are still comfortable for walking? I see Five Ten has some, but no retailer in my area sells them, and I want to try them on first. Plus I think they would be stiff for walking.

I'm currently wearing Hoka One One running shoes, but they are pretty spongy and not good for efficiency. So maybe a low top basketball style shoe? What's everyone here wearing that are riding with flats and not clipless?

10 Wheels

Get these.

Squeeze

Trail running shoes. Something like this, with a thicker sole than traditional road-running shoes.



I ride MKS Sylvan Touring and MKS BM-7 pedals with no sharp pins to tear up the soles.

Canker

510s aren't the cool guy shoes anymore believe the cool guys are switching over to Ride Concepts
I just bought a pair of 510 kestrels but mine are clipless.

Steve B.

A lot of SPD mt. bike shoes have a solid cover that you remove to use the SPD cleats, but you can certainly use these shoes with the covers still in place. Dedicated bike shoes will be a bit more stiff and better for your feet then running shoes and the like.

nomadmax 

Five Ten Freeriders

Steve B.

Maybe suggest something else, as the OP stated "I see Five Ten has some, but no retailer in my area sells them, and I want to try them on first.".

Rolla

Order your Five Tens from Zappos.com, who offers free returns. Get them in two sizes -- one in your regular size, and one a half-size larger. You'll probably go with the larger ones. Return the other pair.

IMO, there's simply no better flat-pedal shoe out there.

nomadmax 

Sometimes, you don't get everything in life that you "want". Five Ten Feeriders are far superior than anything else suggested thus far. Not going the extra mile to get the best tool for the job because it isn't locally available is ..........

Steve B.

I tend to agree. I would just order 2-3 pairs in different sizes online and see if anything fits,

EGBigelo

I didn't want to go clipless, but this might not be a bad option. I can just keep the cover on, and if I decide to go clipless on this bike too I'm all set with the shoes at least.

cyclezen

go to a retailer with a nice selection of lighter weight - low sole profile hiking shoes - EMS, REI, plenty around ...
they all work great for mtb or any flat pedal.
like: Merrill Moab 2 ventilator
I have a pr of Alpine Design which I've used for years, currently as my mtb shoe on Chesters. The soles last forever, because they are held nicely by the pins, but don;t really wear much, because they're not being walked on for any great distance. AND, they'll work fine whether you're going on a long gravel ride, or just rolling down to the store for some quick groceries...
AND, with the sizeable selection of outdoor shoes, you'll surely find a pair with a sole design you would like and a good fit.
I prefer small, even lugs, as opposed to the deep lug traditional 'vibram' type sole...
an article about Sole design.
Ride On
Yuri

Ubie

Have you tried skateboarding shoes like a pair of slip on Vans? The sole is very flexy, but if this is for more casual riding and around town type of stuff it may be the way to go.

t2p

for casual / flat pedal riding - we (family) have used the following shoes and similar :

Shimano CT71
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Divide
Shimano GR5
Bontrager SSR

the kids preferred the GR5 - but I find this shoe to be too flexible (as with many 'free ride' shoes)

CT71 is lightweight and still fairly flexible - but not as flexible as the GR5

(mrs t2p uses a CW41 that is similar to the CW71)

SSR fairly stiff - but kinda narrow

X-Alp fairly stiff and works well

pdlamb

If you're going to get a special pair of shoes to put on to ride this bike, I don't see why they can't be MTB clipless shoes. Pick your poison as far as pedals go (Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Bros. Eggbeater or whatever). You'll still be able to walk around in the MTB shoes, and it's pretty easy to find soles that are stiff.

EGBigelo

I ended up going with Columbia Fairbanks Low. They are sturdy but not stiff, mesh and pretty lightweight. Perfect for some of t he areas I ride because some trails are hike-a-bike for 1/2 to a mile at a time. The more I ride though the more I feel I will end up with clipless, but for now these work great. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

saperry42usa

I am also considering going without clipless shoes when get a Gravel bike.

Kapusta

I see you already got something, but I would point out that 5-10s Freeriders are definitely NOT too stiff to walk in. Same with Ride Concepts Hellions that I have (very comfortable. In fact, I wish both were stiffer for pedaling.

But they are great on the flat pedals.The different between flat pedal specific shoes and sneakers or hiking boots/shoes is substantial, IMO.

pbass

I wore Five Ten Freeriders for years, mountainbiking and then when I transitioned to gravel with flat pedals. But earlier this year I got the Five Ten Trail Cross LT's, and I am sold. Same grip on the pedals, and I also wear them for hiking, walking etc. They are the most comfortable shoes I currently own (and that includes my trail running shoes). Highly recommended.
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/revie...-trailcross-lt