eb314

Are sizes relatively standard? Anyone buy shoes online? I'm worried about getting the wrong size / buying stuff I haven't tried on.

Dubbayoo

Don't do it!

Scorer75

Sizing is not standard, not even close.

As far as buying shoes online, I've done it. I bought 7 pairs of shoes, tried them all on, and returned 6. I don't pay return shipping so it worked out well for me.

Even if you paid return shipping, it's nice to be able to try them on and spend as much time as you like in them before deciding. Also, if return shipping and sales tax are close to the same $$$, it's a win/win.

YMMV.

Booger

They are not at all standard. You would be best served to try them on first. Performance carries Sidi's, and I didn't feel too bad about "abusing" the LBS inventory given the amount of misc. crap I buy there. Well, and it's Performance. Alternately, some choose to buy 2 sizes and return the pair that doesn't fit.

eb314

Thanks guys.

pilam99

I bought Diadoras and from their size chart I was able to get the correct size.

Shimagnolo

Normally I buy everything *except* footwear online. As a classic example of why, I once replaced a worn out pair of Nike Pegasus running shoes with a new pair of the same make/model. I had to go up a *full* size to get the same fit as the 2-year-old worn out pair. And I tried on various pairs of each size to be sure I hadn't grabbed a mis-labeled pair.

When I bought my first pair of clipless shoes last spring, I first checked my LBS, but their size selection was lousy, and they didn't have any models I liked. However they did have quite a few Pearl Izumi's, so I tried on a few to determine my size. Then, assuming (hoping) PI as least had consistent sizing across their line, I ordered a pair of PI online. It worked out well.

RacerOne

I had an old pair of Shimano size 43's, I bought a new style of Shimano size 43's, they fit pretty much the same.

blue_nose

I would only buy shoes I have tried on.

sshakari

try the shoes on in a store. You can buy from Performance they will take returns in store even if you wore the shoes. As an example of strange sizing of shoes in Sidis I am a 44, Specialized 42.5 but in real shoes I wear a 8/12 or 9. Tough to get the sizing right on road shoes.

challaday

+1,000,000

Being too stupid to learn the first or second time, I did it a third time and still didn't get a shoe that properly fit.

What I have learned is that I wear a US size 7 men's in just about every normal shoe there is: Nike, Reebok, Bass, etc.

For cycling, though I wear a 41.5 Duegi, a 41 Sidi, and 40 Nike. I found this out by purchasing a 41 Duegi, a 41.5 Sidi and a 41 Nike.

My son got use out of all those shoes as he was growing past me in size.

Motman320

I just got some new shoes today!(and pedals, and a bib, jersey tomorrow)

I would never order shoes online though.

I got a 44 forte`, and I wear 11.5's. 46 too big, 43, too small.

sac02

To repeat the same thing for the 13th time, don't do it. Shoes are a very personal fit thing, try before you buy. Period.

Mac

Machka 

I have bought all five of my cycling shoes online, and they have all fit me just fine. In fact, they are my most comfortable shoes!

Go for it! Worst that can happen is that you have to return them. But if you've got a good idea about European sizing, you should be all right.

Kambei

I wear US size 12. The EU size 45.5 PI's I bought online fit in length but are very narrow.

Kambei

[QUOTE=Scorer75;7591759]As far as buying shoes online, I've done it. I bought 7 pairs of shoes, tried them all on, and returned 6. I don't pay return shipping so it worked out well for me.[QUOTE]

What online shop lets you do this?

Hask12

You can buy on line but you need to use a store that has a real good return policy, and you need to have a bit of patience. You may luck out and get the right size on the first shot but chances are you may have to return a pair or two before you get the right size. And each return will cost you postage. Also keep in mind the sizing is different between each brand. Your other option is to find an LBS that carries the brand that you you want and be fitted properly, although you may have to pay more then you would online.

merlinextraligh

Did you disclose to the store that: "I don't have any intent to buy these shoes from you, but I want to take advantage of your inventory, and use your employee's time to get my size for an online purchase"?

If not, then you're making an implicit misrepresentation to the store, for your personal gain, and at their expense.

I wouldn't advertise that fact.

mmerner

I've bought 3 pairs online (sidi, lake and pricepoint brand). All have fit fine.

weavers

i don't think its abusing the lbs inventory either. i mean we all do the same thing with clothing stores. we go in, try on a bunch of cloths and walk out looking for a better deal or a better fit/cut, or a different style. i'm all for supporting local business, but i'm a college student and i need to save money where and when i can. even if means buying something online and i save a 1 dollar and wait a week on shipping well sometimes that is worth it. other times i save hundreds by buying online. anyways i sometimes buy stuff at the lbs or get things fixed or trued when needed.

i suppose i'm also cheap for cooking at home rather than eating out every night and suporting local restaurants too.

merlinextraligh

Neither of your analogies are analagous. If you have a good faith intent to buy a shirt from a store, there's no misrepresentation in trying on shirts at several stores, and then buying the shirt from the store with the best deal.

However, if you have no intent of buying the shirt from a store, and you just want to find your size to order it on line, then you are misrepresenting yourself to the store, and you are in fact using the store as a means to an end. (read Kant's works while your at School.)

And as for cooking at home, that's fine, but do you expect to go to a restaurant and take up the Chef's time asking how to cook a dish at home, when you don't eat at his restaurant?



A couple of easy tests to determine if you still think this is acceptable behavior:

1) Would you be comfortable walking in and telling the clerk, I want to buy this shirt, this shoe, etc. on line, but I'd like to take up your time and use your inventory to figure out my size. If you'd be uncomfortable telling the clerk that, then it tells you about whether your conduct is acceptable.

2) When you graduate, and whatever field you go into, would you want people to come to your office/business, and take up your time pretending to be perspective customers, or clients, when all they wanted was as much information from you as possible with no intent to even consider retaining your services, or nuying your product.

You should treat people the way you would like to be treated.

JMRobertson

Ethics... they used to actually teach that in schools.

Dubbayoo

Actually the worst that can happen is they refuse to refund your money and you have to Ebay them for a $100 hit.

BananaTugger

See my sig.