1. Experience level: 30 years of road and off road touring with traditional racks and panniers. Crossed U.S. twice; ride dirt roads, canal routes, rail to trail, fire roads, single track, and pavement.
2. Average trip: 200 to 500 miles, one week normally. Have spent two months on bike tours.
3. Footwear used: These days, one pair of trail running shoes like Brooks Cascadia using Flat Pedals.
4. Time riding each day: 8 hours average.
5. Issues with footwear: None. I choose running shoes with flat pedals because time on and off bike is much easier. Stopping for breaks, bathroom run into the woods, walking in small towns. Touring wear is different than performance race wear I learned over many years. Touring is slower paced, clothes and shoes need to be more comfortable because you are on the bike all day.
Observations: 50 mile carbon road bike ride with friends takes three hours. Lycra shorts, socks, cleated shoes, jersey all get tight and wet during a hard ride. Can't wait to peel them off and jump in the shower. Touring 50 to 80 miles over 8 to 12 hours through hot valleys, and over mountain passes, road cycling apparel gets uncomfortable as each hour passes while the clothes are wet and sweaty. On a fast ride the tight fit helps support muscles against strain, by 2pm that snug fit works against the touring cyclist.