Product Review: TOMS SHOES - a Bicycle Commuting Secret Weapon!

I work in an office and, for fun & fitness, once or twice a week I try to go on a bike ride during lunch. 

Since my bike commute is a short 2.8 miles, I can comfortably ride wearing my work clothes - including casual shoes. The only exception is that on the days when I will try to bike during lunch I wear my cycling shoes during my commute ... and I pack a pair of TOMS.

TOMS are fashionable, great looking shoes, that are comfortable, super light weight and take up very little space in a pack. TOMS are commonly worn without socks, keeping your feet cool and looking good during the summer, and for cold weather comfort, just slip thin wool socks on before your TOMS.

TOMS simply make my bicycle commuting life easier.

Because I represent the Bike Sherpas Touring Co. as the leader of a weekly, lunch time, group mountain bike ride, I need to carry a lot of gear ... and it'd be a hassle (if not impossible) to try and shove common office shoes in my pack.

My TOMS effortlessly slide into the pack, and, as if all the comfort, versatility, style and practicality of TOMS were not enough ...

and get this - they cost only $44.

TOMS are great to pedal in too. My wife and I enjoyed a Bermuda bicycling honeymoon this past June and the only shoes I wore were my TOMS.

Full Disclosure: I have no affiliation at all with TOMS, other than I love them. My beautiful fashion superhero wife introduced me to them and suggested I wear them with my tux during our wedding - which I did - and the rest is history :)

This image depicts everything I pack when I will bike commute and represent the Bike Sherpas Touring Co. as ride leader for the Uptown Joe's "Lunch Vacation" Mountain Bike Ride - a sweet weekly Blue Ridge Bicycle Club group ride. [Pack Contents: East Coasters long sleeve jersey, Bontrager tights, Bontrager reflective wind shell in stuff sack, Salomon XA20 pack, Pearl Izumi bike shorts, Bontrager gloves, socks, reflective pant / ankle strap, 26" & 29" tubes, Topeak Alien II multitool, patch kit, 8, 9 & 10 speed chain quick links, 4 CO2 cartridges, CO2 inflator, Apple, bag of Almonds, Helmet, shoes, Tri-Flow lube, First Aid Kit, saw, emergency blanket.]