SPD shoes that look like normal shoes

Question

We all know that SPD shoes can be worn off the bike (that is why they were designed), however there are not many SPD shoes that you would want to wear off-bike. There are even fewer (if any) SPD shoes that look presentable in a smart workplace. As for getting into one of those nightclubs with a strict 'your name's not down' door policy, as things stand, no SPD shoe would get you past the bouncers.

If you do know of any SPD shoes that look like normal 'interview grade' work-shoes please tell.

If you have looked for such a shoe and not found anything remotely appropriate, what would be in your dream specification? A gore-tex liner? Reflective heel tab? Carbon-fibre reinforced toe-box?

I am also interested in SPD shoes that you can and do wear to work and at work, particularly if they look completely different to the 'Shimano Golfing Shoe'(TM) / 'Bling innit' efforts foisted on the cycling public.

I know some people do not see any point whatsoever in a SPD shoe that you can wear all day or as part of a mixed transportation journey (e.g. cycle to the train station, catch the train and/or tube...) - it is different strokes/different folks. Some of us want to ride like the Dutch do - everywhere and all the time - but with some decent SPD pedals and sensible footwear.

Answer 1

I wear a pair of Austin Pedal shoes by Keen to work at my government office every day.

They're a fine shoe—they look decent and accept SPDs.

They aren't anything special. There is no Gore-Tex liner (I think it'd be overkill for my commute most days). There is no reflective tab, though that would be nice. There is no carbon-reinforced toe-box—also probably overkill for my commuter shoe.

I think that they are a pretty good match for what they do. I have worn them to symphony, job interviews, and meetings with the higher-ups. No worries.

I guess that, since you really are polling, I would suggest that I wish that they came in more colors! It would be nice if there were more options. I purchased these specifically because they didn't look like cycling shoes—not that I think cycling shoes are distasteful. I did want something that I could wear around though, that would never be a potential distraction for others.

Answer 2

How about these? You can make fashionable bike shoes :)

Now with Link: https://makezine.com/2011/09/29/how-to_high-heeled_clipless_bi/

Answer 3

I did that myself once :-) Cut a hole in the sole of some leather shoes and inserted the nylon foot plate from old SPDs. If you do decide to DIY, I recommend a slightly larger upper so your toes don't get cramped and reasonably stiff leather.

Answer 4

These guys make some nice shoes with SPD pedals (MTB style) :

http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/footwear-148/cycling-shoes-218/

An example :

Answer 5

They do, but not all shops stock them and it can be a bit of a pain to find them. I get the feeling Shimano always have one "street shoe" in their range, other manufacturers are less consistent. I've been wearing the Shimano ones for years now and have had three different models so far. One trick is to replace the laces with plain black ones and colour in the reflective bits with a black permanent marker. That wears off after a few weeks but gets me through the interview.

The current pick for me is Shimano MT-32 series in black. I wear them everywhere instead of normal shoes (I keep my "normal shoes" at work so I don't have to wear wet cycling shoes all day in the winter).

If you need more than that there's apparently a company in Italy that does hand-made leather cycling shoes that look very nice (and for the price they should). I looked at them once but decided I couldn't afford them.

Answer 6

The best answer I've found is the Exustar Stelvio. They have polished leather unventilated uppers. On close inspection they don't quite look dressy enough but they are good from a few feet away. The biggest disadvantage is they aren't sold in this country (USA) but can be ordered from overseas stores like SJSCycles easily (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk). Exustar SP705 Stelvio Leather SPD Touring/Commuter Shoes

Answer 7

They aren't really interview caliber but I wear DZR GMT-8's to work everyday. They work nicely for a laid back business casual. DZR has 3 other models if the GMT-8's aren't your style. You could also try Chrome's Kurk-Pro, but those are even less office appropriate. I think the main reason that companies don't make them is that they don't see a big market. I hope this changes as more people decide to bike-commute to work.
DZR GMT-8s: http://www.dzrshoes.com/product/gmt-8/
Chrome Kursk-Pro: http://www.chromebagsstore.com/shoes/kursk-pro.html

Here is a picture of a custom job on some dress shoes:
http://www.urbancyclistworldwide.com/profiles/blogs/dress-shoes-with-spd-i-never

Answer 8

I bought a pair of Shimano MT51 SPD shoes: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17047 and am really happy - they look like a pair of runners... not too formal, but not too 'Bike Shoe'. They are out of production/stock now, however there are similar ones out there... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=46681

Or even a pair that look like ordinary runners: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7610

They are not 'Formal', but do look like 'normal' shoes..

Answer 9

These seem great, if only way too expensive http://www.dromarti.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_28_26&products_id=29&number_of_uploads=0

Answer 10

I interviewed at a large corporation wearing Shimano M076s, and got the job. In fact, I'm wearing them at my desk right now.

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoes/mtb/product.image.+media+images+cycling+products+actionsports+SH+SH-M076_600x450_v1_m56577569830655087_dot_jpg.bm.512.384.gif

Answer 11

In my eyes, it is impossible to make "smart" shoes with cleats. And why would you want to?

Almost all smart-looking shoes have a relatively thin sole, just a few millimeters. The cleats add quite a bit to the thickness sole, and to keep it acceptably light, it is invariably strongly profiled, invariably leading to a sneaker look. Also, mesh for breathability looks sneakerish.

Smart shoes are not meant for bodily activities. They breathe relatively little, and are relatively tight. They also are not as resilient to scratches, dirt, and moisture. Sweat is the enemy of shiny.

Cleated shoes scratch the dancefloor, a strong argument against!

A stronger, less flexible sole works better on the bike. Elsewhere, you want a flexible sole.

Some people, like me, prefer narrower shoes on the bike than on the street.

Why would you want to wear bike shoes for formal situations? Carry a pair of nice shoes, thats what backpacks are for. Or office drawers.