Before we start, I know I can use flats, but I don't need recommendations on flat-compatible shoes that are good for walking.
I'm talking about when you have to push up some big mountain climb during some adventure style ride for which you otherwise want SPDs.
My Five Ten Kestral Boas are good for this. I've done plenty of pushing in them. Around the house/supermarket/driving also fine.
I've a pair of Specialized 2FO clips that are comfy on long walks/hill pushes.
Pretty durable too, must be 6-7 years old now though on their last legs.
Depends on the ratio of walking to cycling. Plenty of XC/Gravel shoes will do the job but not ideal for sustained walking, especially off road up mountains. Shimano touring options, or their hiking boot style fills the middle ground relative well, giving a bit more of a normal walking experience, but less of a cycling one from a performance point of view. If it's serious hike-a-bike, I would, and do, use flats, but it's all personal preference. I've done plenty of walking in other shoes too.
I use a older version of these for all my MTBing - great cycling shoes, good for walking, perfect for navigating a tray of drinks out of the pub
Then these in winter for same reasons plus warm and dry
I've got 2 pairs of Specialized UFO's, one laces the other BOA while comfy the soles are utter shit. On both pairs the sole started to break up and come away. Got in touch with Specialized UK sent photos as requested and was told wear and tear and wouldn't warranty them. So I personally wouldn't touch specialized shoes again.
Shimano XM9 are the obvious choice.
I have some Northwave Gran Canion boots that are a bit less bulky but do the same job.
If it's shoe rather than boot, have a look at Mavic Crossmax.
I quite like my Mavic disco slippers as you can put studs in the front, I also have some DMT enduro shoes which are good as they are a bit more flexible and have a rugged Vibram sole. I find skate style shoes comfortable for walking but not much use in any proper off road situation due to the lack of tread.
+1 on the 5.10 Kestrel's. Done plenty of HAB in them and general wandering when bikepacking.
Gaerne Lapo's (or Vega's, can't remember which they are) Very comfy & grippy either biking or walking.
Shimano XM9 for me. Mine have done many bike and hike munros now and the boots are pretty much as good as my non bikey Meindls. Only thing is they are so good as walking boots I sometimes forget the metal cleat doesn't give great grip on wet rock!
Shimano M086 here. M076 before. M056 before that.
A few hills done on foot.
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit for me. Really good to walk in and little loss in pedalling efficiency. Input from Lael Wilcox and used by a couple of alpine bike guides I know.
Lake MXZ200 have worked for me for the last couple of years. Size up if you’re a half size. The Giro Terraduro from 4 years ago are also good.
Not sure why I’ve always stuck with specialized, probably the historic discounts
Despite the low treaded sole the 2fo cliplite lace do a passable job but they are no more for the UK
I’m eyeing up the new (treaded) Rimes (specialized UK doesn’t do them, but bikeinn have them at decent discount)
The long gone original rime was marketed at hike a bike with treaded vibram sole but a stiff midsole for pedalling
The spiritual successor is probably the new recon. Treaded with stiffish midsole
It depends on the shape of your foot.
Narrow = Any shoe
Wide = A few shoes
Foot shaped foot = not many at all until manufactures actually look at a foot and realise they ruining people's feet with narrow points shaped shoes.
Or just do what I do and go 2 sizes too long.
I love Shimano fit for shoes so I'd recommend a pair of Shimano SPD shoes with Michelin soles and in a style/cost you like/can afford.
I did this for a Scottish trip 10+ years ago.
Took an old pair of APD shoes and cut out the stiff soles cut off all tread.
Bought a pair of decathlon walking boots I liked I think one size too big but can't remember. Used the old SPD soles (appropriately cut / sandeds to fit) inside and silconed in place with a hole cut out of base for clear.
Worked well for me but did have the problem that all SPD shoes will have of a slippery bit of metal just where you want to stand when on rocks. I did some scrambling in them and it was something I constantly had to be mindful of.
Something like these.
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/clothing/shoes/shimano-me7-spd-mtb-shoe-black__488036
I hike-a-biked in a pair of Shimano ME5 for miles around the Cairngorms which were ok but I should have spent the extra for the Michelin sole.
I now have the Michelin sole on another pair of shoes which I rate pretty highly.
Remember to size up 1 size with Shimano (I'm normally a size 43 but wear a 44 with Shimano).
