I don't want a cycling shoe exactly I want a shoe I can cycle in...

[KatyMac]

Well a boot really - My ankles get cold 😆

I'd like a flexible sole, ideally leather (haha like I can afford leather) or at least fairly waterproof & a zip rather than lace up and I cant reach down easily

Any ideas where to start?

What sort of cycling do you do?

I’m assuming you have clipless pedals otherwise you’d be buying a cycling shoe. You really need a rigid sole for cycling on flat pedals for both comfort and to reduce repetitive strain risk.

Anything under 3 miles if its light rain, up to 15 miles if it's OK weather (no snow/ice or heavy rain) generally on roads but I like the park/grass sometimes

Shopping, appointments, visits and cycling for fun oh and I have an electric bike

But I cant walk in a rigid sole I get painful arches (the ones across the foot not long ways)

Ah, usually one doesn’t walk in shoes used for cycling. You’d swap footwear.

Why would you want a rigid sole? I cycle in Barefoot shoes or sandals and they're ideal. Your foot can move and flex with the turning of the pedals. The more directions it moves in, the healthier the joints within your foot and ankle will stay.

But if I'm going shopping I wouldn't have room for spare shoes; I'll need that space for shopping

Im not a proper 'cyclist' so take what I say with a pinch of salt but I just wear normal shoes/ankle boots in winter/trainers

I dont wear nice shoes because I find the toe gets scuffed when I pull my pedal round when starting off

Ok, then I’d recommend Adidas leather zip trainers. Sole is medium.

I wear OC trainers. Don't know if they do a boot, the sole is firm but pliable enough for walking.

How often are you doing 3 miles versus 15?

lots of people comment about 3 miles in regular shoes and never notice anything (at least round here in Cambs). 15 is a little more difficult.

I'll be doing 15 miles (each way) once a week and 3 miles (each way) prob 3-5 tomes a day

I'll have a look like the trainers, thanks

prob 3-5 tomes a day

sorry i mean a week

I cycle commute in Nike trainers, but they’re the leather type ones not mesh fabric. They’re warm, I wear them all winter and in the rain and they keep my feet dry.

you could also look at something like Karrimor walking shoes/hiking fabric boots.

When we go cycling, we go on routes that are over 20 miles, 15 miles would be short for us, we just wear normal clothes and shoes, although ones that can cope with scuffing and mud as we're usually on canal towpaths or railway tracks

Tracey Neuls makes some shoes that are designed to be worn to cycle in but that also function as normal shoes.

https://traceyneuls.com/search?type=product&q=cycle

You can get waterproof overshoes - basically covers that you can pop over the top of your shoes to keep your feet and ankles dry. This kind of thing Though bear in mind that these are sized for cycling shoes which are quite compact so if you want to wear them over normal shoes you'd probably need a size up from your the shoe size.

If you’re not a ‘proper’ cyclist (no Lycra or padded pants!) I’d say wear whatever shoes you want? I have an electric bike for local journeys and just hop on wearing whatever shoes I would wear if I wasn’t cycling - canvas pumps, sandals, Birkenstocks, trainers, boots…I just have normal pedals so don’t need a specific shoe.

Any basic trainers with soft soles will suffice. I do some leisure rides up to 25 miles in trainers but I admit that is dry weather.

Second the suggestion for overshoes to make them waterproof.

https://josefseibel.co.uk/products/js-lina-5?variant=35744423903389&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwseSoBhBXEiwA9iZtxsSh3qq0CKd-JqEZ9kDZfFhK2rjmIECHLoPZXvNbGktieYT2FzGbohoCZNEQAvD_BwE

These are my boots OP, I have them in several colours, I think they are mostly out of stock now, I have some still in boxes where I order for the future when they get all mullered. I wore these all week last week cycling over 25 miles every day, they are absolutely covered in mud now! Very comfy if you can find them, although i find them a bit wide.

Yes an ordinary shoe/boot is my aim, last years are no longer waterproof

I'll buy something I can put that waterproof cover on maybe

I've never really worn trainers as I have allergies to plastics and rubbers and I have innersoles to put in

In the summer I wear earth spirit as they are light, hold my feet nicely and after I wore my first pair for weeks on end with no allergy I bought 3 more pairs!!

But as yet I haven't found a nice winter shoe (since about 2014) so I wondered about asking cycling peeps

Thanks for the ideas I'll let you know if I find something good

You should be okay in almost any comfortable to you short boot. I wear boots that are similar to the Josef Seibel ones above, but that are rubber purely because I am then walking around in so much grass and mud that the leather ones aren't practical enough.

I wear flat leather closed trainer type shoes summer and winter. I note others have said they wear sandals etc - I would recommend you always wear a closed shoe as tarmac or gravel can make a nasty mess of skin if you unfortunately come into contact.

I wear this style in the summer- closed toe as you say for safety

They offer a trainer which I guess I'd be ok with as it should be the same materials - so I'll look at that with the waterproof cover

Oops helps if I add the pic