SPD sandals for indoor riding
#1
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SPD sandals for indoor riding
Thoughts on wearing SPD sandals instead of shoes for indoor riding?
I've never worn cleated sandals but injured a toe last year and wore a regular slide sandal with a platform pedal just to keep some fitness while it healed. Didn't feel as awkward as I expected, though it was far from ideal.
Thinking that sandals could be good for breathability, especially on longer sessions where there's not that much air flowing through the feet compared to riding outside.
I've never worn cleated sandals but injured a toe last year and wore a regular slide sandal with a platform pedal just to keep some fitness while it healed. Didn't feel as awkward as I expected, though it was far from ideal.
Thinking that sandals could be good for breathability, especially on longer sessions where there's not that much air flowing through the feet compared to riding outside.
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I ride almost exclusively in Nashbar SPD sandals - they fit my wide feet great.
They have a toe cap which technically makes then shoes not sandals) but they are *VERY* well ventilated.
They have a toe cap which technically makes then shoes not sandals) but they are *VERY* well ventilated.
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In my (very limited) experience, SPD sandals aren't as stiff as full shoes. Whether that's a problem for you will depend on where you like to place your cleats and how long you ride at a time.
If you're not too precious about a pair of shoes you're comfortable with already, you could always cut holes in them.
If you're not too precious about a pair of shoes you're comfortable with already, you could always cut holes in them.
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My wife and I love our Cyclingdeal sandals. With the recessed area for SPD cleats, you can walk around easily even though the soles are plenty stiff. No need to worry about marking up the floor at home either.
I noticed that Exustar and Cyclingdeal both have the same manufacturer in Taiwan produce sandals for them so go with whichever is cheaper (assuming you're interested).
I noticed that Exustar and Cyclingdeal both have the same manufacturer in Taiwan produce sandals for them so go with whichever is cheaper (assuming you're interested).
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I do have a dedicated pair of shoes for my trainer. They get as sweaty as hell during a hard indoor session, but I just don't care! I do dry them with a fan so they don't smell too bad in the long term. I do quite like the idea of sandals for extra ventilation, but I prefer to train in the same shoes that I use on the road.
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I can see the idea of wanting cooler feet. As for drying them after rides, I just put my shoes on a boot dryer. Mine claims to produce ozone to kill the microbes, but I doubt it's really doing enough to do that. Just the moving air (I don't have the heat in the dryer turned on) dries them out and that's enough to keep the microbes from growing and making the shoes smelly.
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this is a neat idea and new to me. 1. I didn't know there are sandals for cycling cleats. 2. I would not have thought to use them for winter roller riding, but now I might.
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Meant to post an update after recently getting a pair of Shimano sandals that I found on sale. Fit is a bit weird for me and the sole is definitely not stiff but feet are a lot cooler.