This one’s for Dave – Shimano SPD Sandals!

by Matt | July 2, 2020 | Filed under 2020, News | 6 replies so far

Shimano SPD sandals and socks SPD501A
Only one Mole has ever had the right amount of special to rock SPD sandals…

Yes, Dave, we are talking about you. A man who was so far behind ahead of his time that he was rocking the hipster bikepacker SPD sandal over a decade before everyone else. Wow! Prescient…

To be honest, the socks ‘n’ sandals look has always had a following, especially amongst British men (imagine an Italian with socks and you see my point). I guess it’s practical and sandals make sense with the bikepacking and touring crowd on hot multi-day rides, but these are very much a niche product. So niche that Dave was running them with 29 inch wheels and less than a full compliment of toenails at times.

That was way ahead of all of us.

Shimano SPD 501A sandals rear view

Now, Shimano have launched an anniversary version 25 years after the original SPD sandal. Sporting a non-standard navy blue upper and classic Shimano logos, with the SD-501A sandal it’s clear they have gone for evolution rather than revolution. You won’t get an overly stiff footbed, but you do get a walkable shoe that just happens to fit 2-bolt SPD cleats and a design that majors on ‘cool’ comfort.

A special shoe for special people, it makes a change not to have the word ‘gravel’ in the marketing somewhere.

Of course, if you really want to be different, try looking for SPD Birkenstock sandals!

Thanks for reading,
Matt

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There are 6 replies to Matt so far

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  1. July 2, 2020 at 8:58 am

    James says:

    Is it April 1st?

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  2. July 2, 2020 at 10:18 am

    MuddyDave says:

    Bloody cheek! I would never have worn Shimano socks with Shimano sandals!

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  3. July 2, 2020 at 12:25 pm

    Lee says:

    Saw these on bikepacking.com yesterday and was immediately transported back over a decade to Mr C rocking these astride his ridiculously big wheels and crooked bars!

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  4. July 3, 2020 at 8:18 am

    Tony says:

    Just when we have all got over the memory of the toenail and sandals issue, it’s come back to haunt us!!

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