Can you walk in Cycling Shoes? Yes you can, but should you?

Yes, you can walk in cycling shoes. The cleat is made with recessed rubber in the sole so that the clips can clip into the pedals while you are still able to walk in them. So perhaps the question is not can you walk in cycling shoes, but more so “Is walking in Cycling Shoes comfortable?”

To learn exactly how to clip out of your cycling shoes without falling, press here.

You will be able to walk as much as you want, but because of the differences in the cycling shoe, you will not be very happy with the outcome if you choose to walk very far – to both how your feet feel, and perhaps your hardwood floor if you choose to walk around with them on in your home.

In this post, we will discuss if walking in cycling shoes is comfortable. We will also discuss if the cycling shoes that are made for walking, and how they feel on the foot when walking. Finally we will discuss the general differences between walking shoes and normal shoes. By the end of this post, you should have a firm understanding of what is going on with walking shoes and the difference with cycling shoes.

Invest in your Knowledge:

Read on to these articles that you may find to be very helpful to you:

• Full Guide for Cycling Shoe Fit [All Brand Infographic]
• Best Cycling Shoes for Morton’s Neuroma
• The Warm Toe Cycling Guide: Cycling in the Cold
• Best Insoles for Cyclists with Hot Foot [Numb Toes]

Can you walk in cycling shoes?

Yes you can walk in cycling shoes, but you should not. The shoe will not last as long as intended and the recessed clip in for the shoe makes it easy to walk in somewhere when you absolutely need to. It would be a pain if you couldn’t walk to use the bathroom, or to get some coffee during a break mid ride.

So no, nothing will happen. If you are planning to do walk in your shoes:

• Avoid hard ground: There will be a grinding feeling from the cleat as you walk in the shoes. It will scrape against the wooden floor or concrete of the ground. So, yes, you should not walk in cycling shoes when you are in your home.
• Don’t walk too far: If you need to walk to the restroom inside a restaurant from the sidewalk for a break, then you will be fine, but if you need to go from your house to the corner store, you will find the shoes to be extremely uncomfortable.

Is walking in cycling shoes comfortable?

No, walking in cycling shoes is not comfortable. The shoes are made to be stiff, and support your foot, the muscles surrounding and the arch while you ride. The stiffness is very useful for riding, but for walking, it is a bit like walking in a boot that will never break in no matter how much you try – and you should not try with cycling shoes.

If you are not walking in your cycling shoes and they are still uncomfortable, have you considered a wider cycling shoe in the toe box like the Lake cycling shoe models or the tomasso cycling shoe models? If you are not sure if your shoes are the correct size, consider taking a look at our hand-made all inclusive chart here to make sure that the shoe size was converted to your foot correctly.

Are there cycling shoes made for walking?

There are walking shoes made for walking. These are a great example of them. There very reasonably priced and extremely durable. I have them for when I am touring and need to take a short walk away from my bike. But what I notice is that they still are not the same as hiking shoes.

They are great to wear because they are comfortable enough to walk in more than SPD cleats, but they are not the same as walking miles in hiking boots. They are a good halfway point between cycling shoes and walking shoes because they still have the stiff bottom that cycling shoes need to have to support your arch and make riding more comfortable. If you do need a pair of shoes to be able to walk comfortably in, this is your pair.

Do cycling shoes fit like normal shoes?

They do not flex with the same ease that a normal shoe will flex. The toe box is slightly smaller than a normal shoe and they have a stiffer outer shell. The stiffer outer shell supports the foot while riding and allows the majority of the power generated from the leg to flow through the shoe into the pedal – rather than power being lost from the bending and flexing of the shoe.

Do cycling shoes fit like tennis shoes?

Cycling shoes fit tighter than tennis shoes. You will also be surprised by how tight cycling shoes feel in comparison to normal shoes. To those that have been wearing cycling shoes for a long time, many will recognize this as support. As you go up in price and quality of the shoe, you will see that the comfort level increases inside of the shoe even though the shoe will remain just as stiff.

Can you walk in SPD cleats?

Yes, you can walk in SPD cleats. The cleat is recessed and has a rubber stop to allow you to grip the ground as if the SPD cleat is not there. The cleat will still lock into the pedal when you are not walking, and remain comfortable. However, it is not recommended to walk far in the cleats or to wear them throughout your day – even if paired with a walkable cycling shoe.

Conclusion

Can you walk in cycling shoes? Yes, you can absolutely walk in cycling shoes. It is more of a question on if you should do it pertaining to your comfort level. Your feet will begin to talk to you and ask you to stop over time if you continue to walk in them too long. The cycling shoes in general, though comfortable when riding, feel stiff, tight and restrictive when walking in them for a long time. There are shoes that are great for walking, though because of the stiff bottom in comparison to typical cycling shoes, they still will feel not as comfortable as a higher end tennis shoe or hiking boot.