There’s no easier way to suddenly age 25 years than by putting on a pair of these beauties! And in a timely coincidence, the venerable SPD Sandals are now celebrating their own 25 years of heritage. Yes, a quarter century of riding with grit under your toes and in constant fear of rock strikes, the SPD sandal is definitely its own thing, with its own ‘special’ fans. And to celebrate that, Shimano is producing a limited run of these magic sandals in a limited edition cool, dark blue.
Boasting the greatest airflow ever in the Shimano footwear line-up, the humble Shimano SPD sandal has reached a significant milestone in its long and illustrious history. Yes, this purveyor of summer practicality has been gracing bike shop shelves for a quarter of a century and so deserves a special edition 25th year anniversary model, the new SD-501A.
Whilst technology trends have come and gone, the Shimano SPD sandal has remained a constant fixture in Shimano’s footwear range, bedecking the feet of a generation of touring cyclists and commuters looking to keep cool in the summer sun.
It’s not only practicality or hipster-fashion that has kept certain cyclists rocking the SPD sandal, the open-toed pedal pushers feature space for a recessed cleat on the sole so you can clip into your pedals for greater riding efficiency or stroll around comfortably when you’re off the bike.
As well as keeping your bare foot safely in contact with the pedals – providing additional security over flip-flops for example – sandal-fans will also benefit from dual comfort-lined straps for a secure and comfortable fit, a wide rubber sole for comfortable riding and walking and a semi-rigid (rated 4/12) midsole plate for efficient pedaling.
Oh yes, you know that these are going to be the clip-in sandals to wear this year. In fact, I might just have to get some more… Not many people know this, but your writer’s Greatest Sporting Achievement was a third place at the inaugural UK Singlespeed Championships in 1995. And what was I wearing, 25 years ago? Oh yes, I was rocking SPD Sandals…
And socks…
They will no doubt be cracking open the sparkling elderflower over at shimano.com and we’ll bring you UK pricing and availability when we have it.
If you want some, you’ll have to go to Belgium – that just sums them up!
I happen to have a pair which I purchased last year and have only had the chance to wear then a couple of times but can recommend them on a warm dry ride on trails, I must admit I wear them without and feel the need to Colour my nails just to finish the effect, some people do comment for some reason
I always liked the Keen SPD sandles as they had some toe protection.
I’ve a pair of the Keen sandals, which I bought as a fan of their normal sandals, but they’re a very thin last compared to normal. But I love the fact they’ve got a waterproof label on them.
Can’t beat them for hot summer rides. Sole and uptilted front does a good job protecting your feet from rocks. Brambles are the problem! Comfy to walk in but do crunch a lot with spd’s fitted. They single you out as a cycling geek which I quite like.
According to cyclist.co.uk “Originally worn by slightly awkward middle-aged men, who rode touring bikes with sub-compact groupsets and knew a bit too much about independently-brewed cider, they have recently become a go-to choice of shoe for slightly awkward 20-something hipsters who ride gravel bikes with sub-compact groupsets and know a bit too much about independently-brewed craft beer.” That is a smart bit of marketing!