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Lifelong roadie here, coming over to the dark side.
Have ridden clipped in for years, but the new bike (Ragley Mmmbop) is coming with Saint flats and I fancy giving them a go. I have a pair of Merrell Wrap Slam hiking trainers, will these be OK for flat pedals or should I bite the bullet and buy a pair of Five Tens?
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Depends. MTB flat pedal shoes are: pretty grippy, have reasonably stiff soles (otherwise you'll soon get sore feet) have a good level of ankle protection, and normally a pretty strong toe box as well. Your Merrels will give you a good idea I guess, but proper shoes will probs be more comfy and give you a bit more confidence
If you want to keep the pedals and have a proper crack at them, then it's probably wisest to buy some 'proper' flat shoes, cheapest 5:10 are about £80.00
Unless they've changed them in the last couple of years, the Vibram soles on Merrels isn't grippy or that durable. A couple of casual rides in mine left them looking worse for wear and I wouldn't want to use them properly off-road. Even a cheap pair of skate shoes would be better (if a bit soft and floppy) to dip your toe into the world of flats. If you want a decent entry level 'proper' flat shoe, looks like a few places have O Neal Pinned for under 50 quid.
Happy to do a “casual” ride in Merrells or as a fallback if I forget my proper shoes, you can really tell the difference in stiffness though.
Aren’t Five Tens shit now anyway (never had a pair though!) 😀
I have used a pair of Solomon waterproof shoes for the last two years and never had a problem.
In winter I use hiking boots and again once I get going I never notice what's on my feet.
I do wear shin pads though just incase and also riding a heavy ebike.
Edit. I also find vibram soles are very slippy on other footwear.
OK, I’ve stuck a watch alert on eBay for Five Tens in my size - is it sacrilege to run SPDs on a hardcore hardtail?!
is it sacrilege to run SPDs on a hardcore hardtail?!
Nope, do what ever makes you feel comfy
do what ever makes you feel comfy
Speedplays, aero shoe covers, super tight Rapha skinsuit and TT helmet. Got it.
I’m going to fit right in, I can tell!
Lol
I regularly bike in Merrel boots, particularly when it's cold or wet. Works just fine but I'm a VERY average rider not taking on anything gnar
I think if your going to try flats you should give it a proper go with some 5.10s before you decide if you like it or not.
Wear what you got until you feel the need for something better. You don't want the soles so stiff you can't feel your foot in the pedal otherwise they'll be cumbersome, but too soft and flexible and your feet will fatigue. I ride in Vans quite a lot for riding from my doorstep but if going to proper trails their toe protection is inadequate against hidden pointy things on the trailside...
...Then go buy 510s.
And trolling right? 😉
Lifelong roadie here, coming over to the dark side.