I have been very pleased with my (bright pink) Specialized Cadette SPD cycle touring shoes but fear they may no longer be available. Before that I had some good hard-wearing Shimanos. I see that Lake, Muddy Fox, Pinnacle and Bontrager all do something.

Muddy fox used to be a very good brand unfortunately they were bought by Sports Direct, and the quality of their stuff has plummeted. Pinnacle is also owned by Sports Direct and although the quality seems better I would also be warey. I have shoes by Shimano and Bontrager that are lasting well. Planet X frequently have sales of their own brand Carnac, they also do free returns so you can try different shoes and return the ones you don't want.

My wife and I both user Shimano shoes with SPD cleats.  These have the advantage that the cleats are sunk into the sole of the shoe and do not extent below the sole.  This means they do not scratch floors, and do not upset the owners of coffee shops, etc.  We also use Shimano Click'r pedals which do not grip the cleats as tightly as standard pedals, making them much easier to release.  We have not had any problem of unwanted releasing.  Older models of the pedal can be clipped into on either face of the pedal.  The newer model can be clipped into on one face only, with the other face a standard flat pedal.

Shimano make SPD in road and mountain bike. You need the latter because they are set within the shoe, whilst the road SPD are set proud of the shoe so you will totter when walking. Walking on mountain bike SPDs is no problem, in addition, walking on road SPDs can wear them down as well as being uncomfortable. 

Shoe models change all the time, but a rule of thumb is to try bending the sole. For touring you want a bit of bend (so they are comfortable to walk in), for racing no bend at all. I have found that Shimano entry level shoes usually have a bit of bend in them and Specialized recently had a shoe with STRIDE TOE-FLEX emblazoned on its soles, I bought a pair a few months ago and they are great but don't know the model name. 

Essentially, mainstream shops have road or mountain bike shoes, but you are looking for touring shoes. I've always found something suitable in the mainstream shops but spend a morning going round them.

Do not buy loose fit shoes, you need tightness to transmit power, but don't buy ones that are too tight to walk in. 

When SPD pedals were new, you got two pairs of cleats free with the pedals or shoes, but now shops charge £14 - £18 for one set of cleats. But there are loads on ebay for a few quid because people like me have them in their garages unused or part used. Just search for which model cleat fits your pedal and be aware that there will be two types of cleat for each pedal - one with very little lateral movement (quite stiff) and one with some lateral movement. Start with the latter and move on to the stiff one when you are confident.

Incidentally, in the 90s, Carnac were a great French brand, but Planet X bought them. I still buy Carnac (gloves) - it's not the quality it once was, but isn't premium priced anymore. My Carnac shoes bought in the mid 90s are still worn by my son.

 

Do not discount SPD sandals! I have raced various disciplines for many years and have and still do use various systems subject to what we are doing. A few years ago, I would have never entertained such nonsense as cycling in Sandals. 
 

But my word, we have had some for about two years now and they are fantastic. So convenient and practical. 
 

We used them for a 1200k tour in Eastern Europe this year, both directions of the Hebridean Way, and several other short tours and Tandem Club rides. 
 

On the Hebridean Way, we used Seal Skin waterproof socks for warmth when we had wet days. 
 

However, when we are riding Audax, stiff road shoes are our choice, they offer the best power delivery along with Speedplay pedals, but these are not for walking any further than bike to cafe to bike!

For general use, I'd use as recommended in other posts, although check out todays gravel shoes, they are quite smart, and offer a good balance of stiffness and walk ability, much like cycling shoes from days of old. 
 

 

 

My wife Jill is on her second pair of Specialized Tahoe shoes. Wore the first pair out. SPDs. Great for club cycling (social rather than fast rides) and touring (including long distance multi-day e.g LEJoG). Don't know whether they are still made or the same as Specialized tend to change things (not always for the better) but retain the same name. Still worth a look. Make sure you get the multi-directional (easy) release cleats (side to side and pull up) which also have some float.

 

My wife Jill is on her second pair of Specialized Tahoe shoes. Wore the first pair out. SPDs. Great for club cycling (social rather than fast rides) and touring (including long distance multi-day e.g LEJoG). Don't know whether they are still made or the same as Specialized tend to change things (not always for the better) but retain the same name. Still worth a look. Make sure you get the multi-directional (easy) release cleats (side to side and pull up) which also have some float.

 

Thanks for the really helpful information on Touring shoes and pedals.  Xmas is coming and im already trawling the web for suitable gear!  The beauty of the discussion posts is i have always had fantastic support and direction when requested. Merry Xmas to you all.

We use https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-PD-ED500-SPD-Pedals-2-Sided-Mechanism_122215.htm

Picked up some North Wave touring shoes couple of years back on offer, nice wide fit, both use them, impressed I bought a pair of their winter boots.

Walked 2.5 mile pushing a tandem with a blown out sidewall ( another story) shoe still feet fine. 

We use https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-PD-ED500-SPD-Pedals-2-Sided-Mechanism_122215.htm

Picked up some North Wave touring shoes couple of years back on offer, nice wide fit, both use them, impressed I bought a pair of their winter boots.

Walked 2.5 mile pushing a tandem with a blown out sidewall ( another story) shoe still feet fine.