Tour Divide Finishers- Need help with shoes

[Pdk123]

I am lining up in June 2013 and need some help with shoes. I currently( only shoes I have ever worn) have $90 pearl Izmir's. These are my first cycling shoes and I have worn them out.
I am leaning towards sidi Dragon or Drako.  Need feedback, please!

[THE LONG RANGER]

I used some Specialized S-Works MTB Shoes, which actually looks very similar to these two shoes, albeit it doesn't have that fancy heel cup customizer thingy. Other than the weight and the enclosure system, there's not much that I really liked about the shoe *for this particular race* Any other MTB day or less race: fine, but it's a weird shoe for all-day stuff

The all carbon bottom gets worked and the "replaceable" parts were destroyed, by *Lincoln*. I made it to the border with judicious applications of resin. The uppers were fine, but like the two models you're looking at, it's such a minimalist, race-specific shoe.

I'm currently wearing GIRO Gauges, which have a beefier sole, and work better for, you know, walking. Still super stiff carbon sole, but there's a thin, rubbery plasticy coating over the carbon fiber part, that helps things not get so delaminated and destroyed. It's small and simple, but it helps.

If there's any snow on the route, as there was this past summer, really think about your foot health, as people's feet got wrecked, walking for miles in bikes shoes. Even think about bringing along a pair of trail runners, or something. Just a lot of very strong people had to tap out from foot issues.

But shoes are also very individual, so recommendations are hard to make. Consider getting a half size larger, to make sure you fit in your shoes after some inevitable swelling and get comfortable wearing them all day. Get comfortable walking in them for miles. Be ready. I'm not sure if HaB shoes are really needed, but you def. don't need the stiffest, lightest, minimalist pair of shoes available on the market.

[intheways]

I't get these puppies, as long as they fit. http://www.dirtragmag.com/webrag/introducing-pearl-izumi-x-project

[pickupel]

I'm planning on lining up for the 2013 Tour Divide, and this is an issue I've been thinking about a lot — I'd love to hear what other people go with. At the moment I'm using some (very old) Specialized S-Works MTB shoes, and although they're nice to ride in, I can't imagine having to hike with them for a long period of time. I don't think I want to use any specific hike-a-bike shoes for the Divide though, as I find flexible soles to be inefficient and uncomfortable on long rides. I think the Pearl Izumi X-Project shoes look great (thanks for the link) and I'll be interested to see how people get on with them after the general release.

[ascar_larkinyar]

i run a cheap pair of diadora that i usually train with.  they have palstic soles and ridges that have lasted quite long.

i race shorter races with DMT carbon ultra light, but they would not last long walking in.

[Rob Colliver]

I used a pair of Sidi's with carbon sole.... by the time the race started I'd customed them with a lowered heel tab, stretched the width with a shoe stretcher as I'd learnt that feet morph during the race. During the race, I cut out some of the insole where a hot spot developed on the ball of one foot. They were coated in duc tape to keep the snow out for the first few days. And I can safely say I never had a better pair of cycling shoes.
The bolt-on studs on the sole were gone by the end of the race but they are tools; not jewels. Throw them in the trash at the end of the race along with chains, tyres, gears, brain and wallet.

[Pdk123]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Still very unsure about which direction to take. Maybe Sidi Spiders

[Thumby]

2011 I used Mavic Pulse with perfect results.  The same pair is my main shoe still today!  Plenty stiff enough, light, and my feet did not suffer through the extended hike-a-bike days.  Cheap enough too that it's no bankbreaker if they don't work out in training. 

[Marshal]

2011 I used Mavic Pulse with perfect results.  The same pair is my main shoe still today!  Plenty stiff enough, light, and my feet did not suffer through the extended hike-a-bike days.  Cheap enough too that it's no bankbreaker if they don't work out in training. 

I am a big Mavic Pulse fan, AZT 300, AZT 750, CTR, TDR, daily yr round use--on my 2nd pair, bout ready for the 3rd
why--lightest/$, best traction for a light weight cycling shoe due tacky gripy cleat compound, bomb proof 3 strap--fast on/off--ez adjust for swollen feet, thick/thin socks etc, stiff enough to cycle--flex enough to hike-a-bike, dry out fast if you use the stuff with paper trick, of course all this means squat if they do not fit--but they sure do fit my feet

Marshal

[the tortoise]

I used the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek III WRX Shoes and they worked great. Great for hiking in the snow. Water resistant and warmer than full mesh shoes. Go larger so when your feet swell up on the Tour divide (which is almost a guarantee!) they won't pinch you. Also nice to go larger to be able to wear a thin sock and a wool sock. Nashbar has a killer deal on them now, provided they have the size you need. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?storeId=10053&langId=-1&catalogId=10052&productId=534562&utm_source=Google_Product_Search&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=datafeed&cm_mmc=Google_Product_Search-_-PLA-_-Datafeed-_-Pearl%20Izumi%20X-Alp%20Seek%20III%20WRX%20Shoes%20%2039&CAWELAID=1120058772&catargetid=1572651288&cagpspn=pla

[brooklyn]

My setup is not for everyone, but I had fairly good results with large bmx pedals w/straps and sneakers. This worked out great for me because of all the hiking, and the fact that up until then I never had a pair of clipless shoes that i felt comfortable with hiking for miles in. My shoes were slightly bigger to accommodate thick socks and swelling. If I were to go this route again I would take slightly stiffer shoes as I had sore arches the last week of the race.

Take possible foot swelling seriously! I heard of one fellow racer that had to buy a larger pair of cycling shoes to accommodate his swelling dogs during the race. I'm currently testing out a pair of Giro Carbide's with time atac pedals, so far I like them, but we will see. If I'm not 100% sold on them after training with them for awhile I'm going back to bmx pedals.

[Blackhound]

I was happy with my Specialized BG Sport mtb shoe.  Not to stiff for when I had to walk and very comfortable. Not to expensive either.

[Tommi]

I use Good old Vasque hiking boots, with short or long gaitors as required; no need for purpose-built cycle shoes, for me at least.