Gear Gallery……Keirin Shoes from ASICS
A stylish, retro-looking shoe made by the Japanese company ASICS. These Onitsuka Tigers are modeled on classic Keirin (i.e. track racing) shoes of the 1970s. They don’t seem to be genuine cycling shoes, however — they have a slightly spongy sole which isn’t usually what bicyclists want. But they are on sale at Zappos (as of 03/29/12) and so I took a risk and ordered a pair.
This purchase is part of my never ending search for the perfect cycling shoe (see this post and this one too for the earlier chapters in this on-going saga).
Oh man, when I saw these I, too, thought they may be the end of my search. But, I’m concerned about the sole. My old vintage shoes have a plastic sole, super stiff. Please post a review of these. If they work out for you, I may stock up. Thanks!
Lee
5 Apr 12 at 6:42 am
Lee/ my shoes arrived, but felt a half-to-full-size too large. They would have been no problem for general use, but I still have this notion (correct or not) that cycling shoes should fit a bit snugger — so I returned them.
The sole was certainly not “super stiff” but it wasn’t that soft and spongy either (as I had originally feared). There was a little give or cushion, but really not too bad. I’ll probably re-order in a different size.
I noticed that a new review has gone up on the Zappos site by someone intending to use these Keirin as an actual bicycling shoe. He reports that the tread pattern makes it a little tricky to slide the shoes into place when used with toe clips and straps (the upside being once they’re in place — you’re really locked in nicely).
fridaycyclotouriste
5 Apr 12 at 8:32 pm
Thanks so much for the feedback. I decided to give them a try and just ordered a couple of pairs. I’ll use these for commuting (a not insignificant distance) and bike camping.
Lee
6 Apr 12 at 1:04 pm
Man, these look amazing. Don’t know why, but they look like a dragon :)). Until asics makes some proper cycling shoes, i’ll stick with sidi as my “wannahaveshoes”
Flex
11 Apr 12 at 8:23 am
http://www.quocpham.com/products/fs0904.html
Available at Mission Workshop
LeVelo
16 Jul 12 at 8:41 am
What size are the Onitsuka Tigers that are too small for you?
If you want to off load them and they are my size, I’d be interested
Thanks
sooper8
26 Jan 13 at 12:52 am
sooper8/ so sorry friend. i returned them already for a different size. I actually bought two because I became quite pleased with them.
fridaycyclotouriste
26 Jan 13 at 2:05 pm
Hi, a little while since posts on the subject! There is a British manufacturer of cycling shoes called R.EW. Reynolds, they appear to make cycling shoes in the UK. All leather, hand lasted. http://www.reynolds-England.com
H
21 Jul 15 at 4:13 pm
H, I’m very happy to see these available. First impressions from a quick look at the Reynolds website seem quite positive. Thanks for sharing!
fridaycyclotouriste
22 Jul 15 at 3:54 am
H, great to know these types of shoes are available again. First impressions seem extremely positive. Thanks for sharing!
fridaycyclotouriste
22 Jul 15 at 3:56 am
Hi, I found this site while I was looking for some classic NIKE touring shoes which I had in the mid 80’s. They were very comfortable, and lasted a good 7-8 years, (before I grew out of them). I have recently purchased a pair of Specialized Primo shoes and have found them to be somewhat reminiscent of my old NIKE’s in terms of fit and comfort. They have a somewhat lugged sole, and an indentation for SPD cleats, but I have been wearing them as is, without the cleats with clips and straps and am very satisfied with them.
George Owen
20 Aug 15 at 7:43 pm