I fancy going on to clipless, recommendations anyone?

Hold on a cotton picking minutes, stiffer shoes does not necessary mean it'll be uncomfortable as long it flex a little bit, walking boots are similar as they tend to be a lots stiffer than conventional shoes (althought they're really uncomfortable when trying to break them in in the first place), even if the MTB shoes does not have carbon soles.

As for sacrificing power/efficiency, it doesn't really matter that much when you're riding your bike on a day to day basis, it's only a drawback when you're doing TT or overtaking nodders on the Spice Route, it's still a lots stiffer and effective than clips.

Ed, I also sold hiking/walking boots for nearly 4 years when I was younger along with all that technical clothing I was rambling on about earlier this week.
You are talking out of your arse mate, walking boot construction is so far removed from cycling shoe construction its borderline comedic.

Walking boot construction key points:

Moderate reverse camber sole to promote an efficient roll of the foot, from the heel to the ball of your foot, when you climb/walk/hike...whatever.

Slightly raised heel profile, dependent on boot design, but again... in aid of promoting the above.

Walking boots when stiffened, for instance Meindls top end boots (which use Vibram soles), use a more exaggerated camber to take into account the added stiffness, which in turn provides better protection for your ankle and reduces fatigue when hiking for long periods of time over rough terrain, as this stabilizes the foot better.

In the stiffer boots especially, the aim is to eliminate side to side flex, and backwards flex to give you more leverage/support, but to still allow the boot to flex forwards enough when hiking up steep ascents.

In summary, what you require from a hiking boot, compared to what you require from a cycling shoe are completely different.

Try and walk over any kind of long distance in a cycling shoe even if its MTB specific is not gonna be good for your overall knee/foot health, because of the lowered heel cup, flattened sole (in comparison to a hiking boot anyway), and the lack of any kind of flex/camber in the sole (in the stiffer high performance models anyway) amongst many other things.
Any decent cycling shoe should be stiffened to optimize power transfer, this makes it less comfortable and less healthy for your feet knees to be walking in over long distances, cycling shoe manufacturers don't carry out the necessary compensation for stiffening in specific areas that a hiking boot manufacturer would carry out for instance, as they are not intended for that purpose.
I don't know a lot about cycling shoes but I know enough about shoe/boot construction to know what counts where.

Ouch.......does that count as a flaming?

We aren't talking about hiking in cycling shoes though.

You're both right.. take it to extremes and walking in any cycling shoe is dumb but for wandering around for a couple of hours after a ride cycling shoes are fine.

Go to shop, find comfy pair of shoes, fit, adjust ride, drink, fight, spew, shut the fuck up.

Ouch.......does that count as a flaming?

Not when he doesn't actually counter any of Ed's points.

Not when he doesn't actually counter any of Ed's points.

I did, just in a nice and constructive way, although I only countered the first point, because I thought the others would have been a wasted effort, since the info was misguided enough that it didn't need me writing a counter-response to show it up as being incorrect, whereas I figure maybe not everyone on here has had the same experience I have had when it comes to hiking shoes,
(its not something that comes up in conversation often for obvious reasons).
Ed if you want to lose power by going for nice soft and flexy cycling shoes, or recommending other people do this, just so you can beat them when you fancy a race out on the mean streets of London, then fair enough..... people like me on the other hand need all the help we can get ;)
But Hippy is right, you should just try them on, go for whats comfortable, and what feels good on the bike, and during a short stroll round the shop or whatever, they are for cycling after all....not walking.

I'd go for the new hybrid option that's about to be released specifically for the fixie market. They're called SPACs.

I believe the PC term is SCOPES

Cycling walking boots...

Sorry Tommy, all I can say to that ^ is......

Well they are for a specific job, I would not ware them around town, I'm far too fabulous for that. They not quite as stiff as normal cycling shoes but still with some good ankle support. Shimano do a version so I'm not alone in wanting this setup. Life is about compromises, mtb shoes are a compromise from a pure cycling shoe.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=22311

When are Nike/Specialized/Vans/etc going to create an SPD-compatible shoe that actually looks good, and normal? All the Shimano designs look bad, as do almost all SPD shoes.. they either look like some special NHS approved foot-problem shoes or they look like £5 Primark shoes!

• I strongly recommend you do not get SIDI dominators with the replaceable sole, the tread wears out ridiculously fast and you will end up spending more than the cost of the original shoe in replacement tread blocks.
  

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=39267

I got these and have done about 500 miles in them in about 4 months. Mine were a tad cheaper than they're listed, but I'd reccomend them as a they're very comfy with decent support. The ratchet velcro strap is actually vg. They do look a bit renaldo esque though.

case in point ;)

don't forget not to use multi release cleats.

I read that as multi-racial cleats.

One word, OP; Feetbelts.

Real men hike in brogues.

Right, I'm done here.

£1

Walking boots when stiffened, for instance Meindls top end boots (which use Vibram soles), use a more exaggerated camber to take into account the added stiffness, which in turn provides better protection for your ankle and reduces fatigue when hiking for long periods of time over rough terrain, as this stabilizes the foot better.

Meindl chainsaw boots ftw! Yet to own a pair but i lust after them so.

want.
Chainsaw boots are pretty much the same as walking boots except for the armour ;)
Would love to ma3k hack a pair for when i have to ride to site with all my gear, currently use bmx flats and the boots are waay too chunky to fit thru powergrips...
I wear chainsaw boots for up to 12hours a day on my feet in all weather doing ridiculous stuff, they are the most comfortable type of footwear i've ever owned. Not so chic as cycling shoes tho...

Btw this thread has made me look into finally going clipless. Ta for infos

yeah i'm gonna ma3k hack a pair too..!

Quality of Meindl boots is amazing, got to try/use so many over the years, never actually got round to owning a pair though as never had the need, the reps always gave us stuff to try though

If any of you do a MA3K hack be warned you may well need a boot / shoe a size or two bigger, I did for my boots.

Def next purchase when my new Cofra Strong 3's die on me

Htfu and try wearing these all day.

If any of you do a MA3K hack be warned you may well need a boot / shoe a size of two bigger, I did for my boots.

also watch for the cleat position so that the shoe doesn't rub the crank!

they are for cycling after all....not walking.

damn straight. ride your bikes, people. Never, ever get of them. And certainly don't push them along. I have see a lot of folk doing this and those people will die.

Get back on the rollers old man.