Riding Shoe Recommendations

[txcyclist]

I'm looking to use a riding shoe for commuting so I don't also have to schlep an extra pair of shoes to work each day. I'd originally had my eyes set on the TCX X-Sneaker Waterproof, but everyone is sold out of the ladies version in my size. I was looking at additional options. Dianese has some I like, but there's no shifter pad or toe box of any kind. This leaves me with the BMW Sneakerx. Aside from not being waterproof, this shoe looks good on paper, but I don't know anyone who has a pair. So...anyone here have a pair, and would you recommend them?

TIA!

[N4HHE]

Am not sure that you are not worrying too much about minor details. No shifter pad? So what? I seriously doubt you are going to wear a boot so much with the shifter that such a thing is needed. If so, find a shoe repair place and have a reinforcement sewn in. It will give proper biker character to your shoe/boot.

Short of a calf-high purpose touring/racing boot just find something over the ankles which is comfortable and sturdy.

Waterproof boots tend to not breathe and when worn all day, day after day, that gets to be a problem. I have a pair of ankle-high New Balance waterproof insulated boot/shoes which 10 hours is about the practical limit of continuous wear. Damp inside when I remove my feet.

[Roadpizza]

I have to go the shifter pad route., Without it the pressure on the area where the shifter is builds up and can get sore...I rode in a pair of Redwings for a while and noticed that a pad would have been nice...

[pammmy]

I am currently using the Shift Curve Street and they have been great but, as with most things I like when it comes to shoes, they have been discontinued. They are shorty boots with shifter pads and ankle protection but really comfy. I had real issues finding boots to fit my size (Women's US 9 or Euro 41) feet but also my calf. I ended up with these and have been very happy.

I also had a pair of Alpinestar SMX-2 low cut boots which I thought would be comfortable (see here> http://f800riders.org/forum/showthre...-low-cut-boots ) but for me they were not.

[txcyclist]

Am not sure that you are not worrying too much about minor details. No shifter pad? So what? I seriously doubt you are going to wear a boot so much with the shifter that such a thing is needed. If so, find a shoe repair place and have a reinforcement sewn in. It will give proper biker character to your shoe/boot.

It's personal preference. I wore through the reinforced leather toe of a Frye Logger boot, so I'd like a shifter pad.

Waterproof boots tend to not breathe and when worn all day, day after day, that gets to be a problem. I have a pair of ankle-high New Balance waterproof insulated boot/shoes which 10 hours is about the practical limit of continuous wear. Damp inside when I remove my feet.

Eh, I live where it rains at the drop of a hat. Sometimes only on one side of the road. In short, you just never know if/when it's going to rain, and I'd like for my socks not to be wet when I get to work. I've been riding and commuting here for about 10 years, so I have an idea of what I think will work well for me. To be honest, I'm just looking for roughly the same features of my TCX Sunrays, without having to pack a pair of shoes at the office.

[Bill the Cat]

You could always get the galoshes.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Protector.aspx

or the toe pad thingy.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...WT.MC_ID=10010

[txcyclist]

I have to go the shifter pad route., Without it the pressure on the area where the shifter is builds up and can get sore...I rode in a pair of Redwings for a while and noticed that a pad would have been nice...

Yep, exactly why I don't wear my loggers on the bike. Too worn down at the shifting spot.

[txcyclist]

You could always get the galoshes.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Protector.aspx

or the toe pad thingy.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...WT.MC_ID=10010

Hmm...not a bad idea, actually.

[txcyclist]

Looks like I'll be getting the Sidi Doha. Eventually. http://www.revzilla.com/product/sidi...FRKmPAode1wAjA Thanks for chiming in, everyone.

[LytteltonKen]

I leave a pair of shoes at work, and a couple of pairs of dress trousers hanging on the back of a door. Means I wear proper boots with proper protection and waterproofing on the bike, and after a quick change of boots and armoured jeans to shoes and office trousers, I'm as presentable as I can get.

My Alpinestar goretex boots don't have that gearshift pad, so they'll (only just) pass when worn under good trousers, but I wouldn't want to wear them all day unless I'd forgotten to bring proper shoes. Doesn't need the shifter pad - I can feel the gearlever, but not in a bad way.

[trevor]

Rhonda

I agree with ken.

Your avatar also shows you have panniers just put a pair of shoes in them?

[laptraffic]

Those Sidi boots are nice....but this is waaay cheap by comparison;




Though I would never ride with a running shoe. I always wear riding boots.

[Roadpizza]

That reminds me of an observation I made growing up. I always found it a curious thing that baby's start out with white shoes and as they age into old men. They go back to wearing white shoes again...

[LytteltonKen]

I had a pair of white Dainese boots (ankle length) when I was despatching in London - they didn't stay very white for very long, but being short boots and light they were really easy to live with and comfortable for all-day riding and jumping around. Not a lot of real protection though - I cracked a metatarsal when I came down from a highside - on the other hand you're lucky to walk away from a highside without breaking something. Anyway, as a result I much prefer full-length boots with bits of armour in them, although I'm pretty keen to get out of them as soon as I get to the destination.

[txcyclist]

Rhonda

I agree with ken.

Your avatar also shows you have panniers just put a pair of shoes in them?

Ken and Trevor

I take shoes with me to work, but it can be a pain. I'm just trying to minimize the amount of stuff I'm schlepping around. That backpack's getting heavy, and I'm getting lazy! I've been doing the boot/shoe swap for my commute forever, it seems. I may just keep a pair here at work until I can afford sneaks I want.

[laptraffic]

Wifey is always giving me grief for all the crap in my backpack;
Tool kit
First Aid kit/CPR rescue mask
Water bottle
Rain Gear/towel
Change of sox/pants/gloves/shirt
Pen/pad/perm marker....no room for shoes.
I've thought about panniers, just keep throwing money at wifey's car for now.

[txcyclist]

Well, when all was said and done, I went ahead and ordered a pair of the BMW Sneaker-X. For my five-year anniversary at work, I received my choice from a number of gift cards, and the total was for $200. I put the whole amount into Amazon, figuring that I could find any of the shoes I want there. Nope. I could get a pair of the BMWs, and they were free. Can't argue with that price!