Foot retention systems

[Darragh]

Just wondering if anyone has experience of using these types of feet straps...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28933
http://holdfastordie.com/store/foot-retention-system
http://www.aurora-collective.com/shop/bike-gear/velcro-straps/

I am thinking of using them on my touring bike. I have fairly big feet and like to wear trail/rock type shoes (they have a big rubber toe) so that I can also go on hikes while touring. I find the toe clips and straps too small. I haven't tried clipless pedals but I'd prefer not to have to carry another pair of shoes.

Please let me know thoughts on these straps as a solution

[Danneaux]

Hi Darragh!

As someone with non-standard feet myself (mine are extra-narrow and when asked my shoe width I point to my feet and say, "Yes, I ski"), I know it can be hard to find a shoe-pedal system that *fits*.

I can't speak to the Aurora Velcro Straps or the Hold Fast Foot Retention Systems you mentioned, though both look really promising and I like their adjustability. My experience has been limited to PowerGrips, and I have yet to trial them in field conditions. For my comments on them, see:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3269.msg21088#msg21088

A quick search of the Forum using "PowerGrips" as a term turned up a reference by user Paul B, which might prove helpful to you:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=1199.msg11524#msg11524

Hope this helps. Please let us know what you end up choosing, and how they work out for you.

All the best,

Dan.

[Pavel]

I have the powergrip and find it works well ... but at the same time I prefer cleated shoes and shimano spd's.  For a while I was going to use the powergrips so that I could use hiking shoes, but I found that my feet ached much more without the bottom being rigid enough, so that is why I went back to spd's.  I have the types that have a regular surface on one side, for those rare times I hope onto the bike with regular shoes.

[John Saxby]

Hi Darragh, and welcome!

Dave Conroy, cycling round the world on a Thorn Nomad, uses Powergrips.

Here's the link to his blog on Crazyguyonabike.com:  http://www.tiredofit.ca/2011/03/10/thorn-nomad-mk2/

If you go to his "Blog" heading, and click "Latest", you'll even see his review of Powergrips from July 2012. Here's the direct link to his review:

http://www.tiredofit.ca/2012/07/11/powergrips/

The whole question of feet-shoes-pedals is very personal--things that work for one person may be torture for another.  Powergrips seem to work for Dave on his Nomad, for sure.

Good luck with it all, in any case.

John