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I've been looking for lightweight shoes to pack, so that when I get to where I'm going, I can change out of cycling shoes and wear them to do a bit of walking, climb up and down rocks to the beach and whatnot. Merrell Vapor Glove 4 look like the sort of thing I'm after, but they are not excactly cheap for an item for occasional wear. Anyone had (and solved) a similar problem?
Don't know if you can still get them, but I've had a pair of Timberland folding shoes for quite a while that were good for pottering around camp - lightweight, fold in half and pack small. Look a bit odd, maybe, but work well.
Crocs?
For summer touring, be more Bruce 😉 😜
Hmm.. OP do you mean lightweight, or small volume?
Someone up there said Crocs, and they are very light, but I would want to carry them inside a saddle bag.
Maybe a pair of simple slim soled boat shoes could pack without taking up all the space?
Vans are great for this, as long as you don't mind a flexible sole and have wide feet.
Just go on amazon and search for barefoot shoes. Whitin are the first brand that spring to mind.
If they're only for occasional use, doesn't matter if they're a cheapy pair.
I have a pair of lightweight running shoes from decathlon.
Personally I went for a pair of SPD shoes that I could wander about in/ push when things got too steep.
At no point in time was I interested in climbing any rocks :-)
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I may have sat down in a fancy restaurant wearing these abominations
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/aquashoes-for-adults-aquashoes-100/_/R-p-102440?mc=8330684&c=GREY
light tho and so much easier to slip on than riding boots covered in sheep shite when you need a piss in the middle of the night
This summer, windsurfing in Greece, I wore a small *hydration pack. 2 reasons; I get quite thirsty sailing on (and in) salt water for extended periods in temperatures of 30+ and I love barefoot sailing but my little tender feet can't cope with walking back up the hot gravelly beach.
First I tried Crocs (well, Asda £5 knock-offs) fitted inside one another. Light but bulky - but the gravel gets straight inside so made it even worse. Then flip-flops, light and small, but they squirmed around with wet feet and were worse than nothing. I finished using my windsurfing shoes - light, small, but nearly drowned trying to get them back on in the shore break.
*don't do this unless you're really old. Seriously uncool.
+1 for vapour gloves.
The decathlon ones above are great if you’re not going far from your overnight stop (eg camping).
For a bit of sightseeing etc you’d want a bit more support, I have a pair of Allbirds tree runners for similar purposes, but they are not far off the price of the merrells…
I love these. Really light ,very cool to wear and cheap.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-shoes-areeta/_/R-p-147436?mc=8608760
Thanks all - having a mooch around decathlon looks like a good first step!
I bought some HeyDudes for my holiday in Majorca this year. In addition to being insanely comfy, they’re also the lightest shoes I’ve ever owned. That’s what I’d recommend.
Jaminb
I may have sat down in a fancy restaurant wearing these abominationshttps://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/aquashoes-for-adults-aquashoes-100/_/R-p-102440?mc=8330684&c=GREY
/blockquote>Used these for a hotel bikepacking tour in Belgium. Very light and easy to pack but very thin and definitely not waterproof. Sat in a few restaurants (and lots of bars) with wet feet.
Insoles would fix the comfort but looking for something more waterproof!
Previously used flip-flops for a summer trip but now looking for something slightly more substantial.
Vivobarefoot look like they might be good (rollable with thicker sole and likely less sieve-like) but a few more ££…
And I ain’t never wearing crocs, let alone dangling them off my bike!
Flip flops.
This is really where we need an amnesty for socks and sandles.
They make so much sense.
Take 2 shoes on tour? No, I just ride 'n go.
Comfiest mtb shoes I've found for 3 season use, great for wandering and acceptable for pubs and restaurants.
Vivo barefoot shoes are ideal for this, even more so if you take the insoles out
+1 for Heydudes.
They've completely replaced flip flops for me. Comfy, light, squishable.
For summer touring, be more Bruce
Might give them a go actually.
If you don't mind getting a bit spendy and can cope with everyone looking at you weirdly, then Vibram Fivefingers might fit the bill?
I had my vivo barefoots bikepacking in Croatia this year. Pack really small into saddle bag but have a proper sole for wandering about off the bike.
A bit spendy but I live in them during the summer.
I really struggled with this conundrum. I ended up with these hideous sandals but I can walk in them wet or dry and they are light at under 400g a pair ( light for shoes - thats a lot of extra weight) and they pack small
https://en.montbell.jp/products/goods/disp.php?product_id=1129475
For bikepacking / a short trip I wouldn't bother tho - I only did because I was going to be away for weeks on end
Flip flops obv. If half the developing world can manage living in them, we can cope walking to the pub/toilet block etc. The cheaper the better, preferably ~£2.50 or less...
And those Hey Dude deck shoes 🤣 Cyclist meets Newport Rhode Island Ivy League victim... Don't forget yer Chinos and sweater draped artfully over the shoulders whilst helming yer Swan 45... Really... 😏
TBH fasthaggis' suggestion isn't the silliest, cheapo canvas boat shoes or espadrilles will fold down flatter than most things, weigh not a lot and cost very little.
something like these would be my choice.
I use vivos, light and easily packable