The SHIMANO SPD Sandal has spent decades building an unlikely but devoted following among touring cyclists, bikepackers, and especially riders at RAGBRAI. The limited-edition RAGBRAI SPD Sandal celebrates that connection with the same open, two-strap concept that helped make the original design an icon.
Breathable, walkable, and compatible with SHIMANO SPD pedals, the sandal combines cycling-shoe function with the easygoing comfort that makes sense for long summer days on the bike.
The RAGBRAI SPD Sandal at a glance:
- Two-strap open sandal design.
- Compatible with SHIMANO SPD pedals and cleats.
- TPU-reinforced EVA sole.
- Dark blue upper inspired by the original SPD Sandal.
- Special-edition RAGBRAI branding.
Where Did the SHIMANO SPD Sandal Come From?
The story begins with the SHIMANO SD50, developed for bicycle touring and bikepacking in Japan.
Its open construction made sense for hot, humid, and often wet summer riding. Two adjustable straps kept the design simple while giving riders room to fine-tune fit throughout long days on the bike.
What started as a highly specialized piece of cycling footwear eventually found an enthusiastic audience thousands of miles away in Iowa.
Why Did the SPD Sandal Become a RAGBRAI Favorite?
RAGBRAI, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, brings cyclists across the state during the height of summer.
Long days, high temperatures, humidity, changing weather, and frequent stops make the event an unusually good match for an open cycling sandal.
Riders embraced the SPD Sandal for its ventilation, simple adjustment, and ability to transition easily between pedaling and the many off-bike stops that are part of the RAGBRAI experience.
Over time, the sandal became something of a RAGBRAI institution, complete with fan communities and groups of dedicated riders proudly identifying themselves as "The Sandal People."
Meet the Limited Edition RAGBRAI SPD Sandal
To celebrate the long-running relationship between the SPD Sandal and RAGBRAI, SHIMANO created a special-edition version that pays tribute to both the original design and the cycling community that embraced it.
The special edition retains the minimalist two-strap layout that defined the original SPD Sandal while adding details created specifically for RAGBRAI.
Key features include:
- Classic two-strap fit adjustment.
- SPD cleat compatibility.
- TPU-reinforced EVA sole.
- Dark blue upper inspired by the original sandal.
- Prominent RAGBRAI branding.
Why Does an SPD Cycling Sandal Make Sense for Long Rides?
The SPD Sandal occupies an unusual space between cycling footwear and casual sandals.
The open design provides substantial airflow, while the two straps make it easy to adjust the fit as feet change during a long day of riding.
Unlike a traditional closed cycling shoe, the sandal has minimal upper material and does not require the same break-in feel that some structured footwear can have.
For an event like RAGBRAI, where riders spend all day moving between riding, walking, eating, socializing, and everything else along the route, that versatility is a big part of the appeal.
And yes, there's another advantage: very little stands between you and the summer breeze.
What Is It Like to Walk in SPD Sandals?
Because the SPD cleat is recessed within the sole, riders can walk more naturally than they typically can in an exposed road-cleat system.
That makes the sandal useful for events and touring where riding is only part of the day and riders may spend significant time off the bike.
The open construction also makes the sandal especially practical around water, rain, and the occasional post-ride shower.
Why Has the SHIMANO SPD Sandal Lasted So Long?
The SPD Sandal has gone through multiple generations, but its basic concept has remained remarkably consistent: open toes, simple adjustment, SPD compatibility, and a design focused on comfort and function.
That's part of what has made it so recognizable.
While cycling footwear has become increasingly technical over the years, the sandal's appeal remains wonderfully straightforward. It does exactly what its fans want it to do.
A RAGBRAI Tribute to a Cycling Original
The limited-edition RAGBRAI sandal celebrates more than a piece of cycling footwear. It recognizes the riders who turned an unconventional product into a genuine cycling tradition.
The dark blue upper recalls the original SPD Sandal, while the RAGBRAI logo connects it directly to the Iowa cycling community that helped make the design famous in the United States.
It's functional, unmistakable, a little eccentric, and deeply connected to the culture of riding bikes for the pure enjoyment of it.
Some legends are complicated. This one has two straps and open toes.
