Sounds like we are of the same lineage....bear traps to cages (metal and then short plastics) to SPDs (which I used for years) to flats with Vans and eventually proper shoes. I tried the combo pedals, but went back to freeing the feet.
I've been a 5.10 fan for a few years...and yes the insoles are flimsy, but most shoes have crappy insoles. I'd rather have a proper fitting pair of shoes and and upgrade the insole than to switch to a lesser shoe with a better insole. I bought a pair of "Sole" for my trail runners (same issue...crappy insoles are rampant) and it was a massive improvement, so I use them in all my shoes now. No need to buy new insoles for each pair of shoes. I have 2 sets of Soles that I move around between trail runners and cycling shoes. Happy feet, happy trails.
As they say...."If the shoe fits, wear it".
Nov. 7, 2020, 10:52 a.m. - mudrunner
Sounds like we are of the same lineage....bear traps to cages (metal and then short plastics) to SPDs (which I used for years) to flats with Vans and eventually proper shoes. I tried the combo pedals, but went back to freeing the feet. I've been a 5.10 fan for a few years...and yes the insoles are flimsy, but most shoes have crappy insoles. I'd rather have a proper fitting pair of shoes and and upgrade the insole than to switch to a lesser shoe with a better insole. I bought a pair of "Sole" for my trail runners (same issue...crappy insoles are rampant) and it was a massive improvement, so I use them in all my shoes now. No need to buy new insoles for each pair of shoes. I have 2 sets of Soles that I move around between trail runners and cycling shoes. Happy feet, happy trails. As they say...."If the shoe fits, wear it".