B1KE

I jsut got a new set of tires and I was really excited to put them on and take them for a spin. During this time I didn't both to tighten my cycling shoes very precisely, in fact I left them a bit looser than usual and strangely I noticed my foot being able to spin more freely and naturally. I felt more in rhythm with the pedal stroke. Maybe all this time I was tightening my shoes too tight.

What's everyone's take/opinion on how tight/loose do you buckle your cycling shoes?

12strings

My sod shoes just have 2 velcro straps. I can cinch the lower strap (closer to my toes) as much as I want and it's fine. But I purposefully leave the upper strap injury shy of loose. If I tighten it too much there is too much pressure across the top of my foot and it can impede circulation

JohnJ80

That would suggest to me that your pedal set up is incorrect and you're using the loose shoe to accommodate the float you need.

J.

FlashBazbo

I buckle mine juuuuuust right. And adjust them on the fly during a ride.

(I suspect that isn't helpful, but I tried.)

DrIsotope

Diadoras with double-BOA. Ratchet them all the way tight while getting the bike ready. By the time that's done, everything will have "settled," and I can put 2 clicks on the upper BOA and one on the lower. This is full tight, and they (generally) don't need to be touched again for the rest of the day.

FBinNY 

I have high arches, and intentionally never buckle shoes tightly. It's never an issue, but I will sometimes crank them down another click when climbing a steep hill.

I prefer shoes to be on the loose side, since I don't compete, and can spend many hours (up to 24) on the bike, so have no wish for unnecessary foot pain.

nycphotography

Too loose and you get hot spots, jammed toes, or chafing.

Too tight, and you get numbness, tingling, or pinching.

I try to stay between those two extremes.

hagak

27.5 in-lb on the lower BOA and 25 in-lb on the upper

Seriously you just adjust the pain away, if you can't then look into new shoes.

caloso

Depends. If it's a 45min crit, pretty tight. 100 mile training ride, pretty loose. JRA, somewhere in between.

79pmooney

My left foot is flat and always settles so I lace or strap my left shoes tight but my higher arched right foot needs a not-so-tight shoe.

So I say "it depends". Go by feel. Try different settings. Observe.

Edit: For me, the best invention ever for shoe comfort is laces. The ability to fine tune different parts of the shoe, the lack of a hard strap sitting on my boy protuberances and the wide comfort range makes it hard to beat as long as you can afford to take the time to tie them right. When I raced, laces were the only option. Now I take my favorite shoes, remove the straps and install grommets and laces.

Ben

memebag

I have no idea. Not tight, not loose. I never have foot pain or numbness.

Fett2oo5

So tight they cut off circulation to my feet. My hope is that the feet will die off and then I'll have stumps at or above the ankle. Then I can get cups or sockets on the crank arms that my leg stump will go in. This will turn my legs into more efficient pistons, with the added benefit of getting lower on the bike. MOAR AERO! And when I get off the bike I can get some re-curve carbon Lt. Dan special shoes; and be able to run faster and jump higher as well!
So, how tight you ask me? Until the wire cuts through the flesh!!

kbarch

Depends on the fit of the shoe. For me, evenness of fit is key. I tighten them until they feel equally snug all around, then just a tiny bit more, but never so much that it no longer feels even. The range isn't much, but some shoes it seems I'm pulling them tighter than others to achieve this.

San Pedro

Not so tight they hurt/cut off circulation, but not so loose my foot feels like it's moving up in the shoe when going up a hill.

f4rrest

Barely 1 ratchet click.

I prefer 'em looser.

Ghazmh

I think that as they warm up the material might soften and stretch a tiny bit. I have Sworks road shoes with BOA's and often give them an adjustment or two at red lights.

WhyFi

I want it tight enough to keep the heel in place, but with a little room for my feet to swell during the ride. I also like it roomy at the forefoot area.

TMonk

Pretty loose unless it' go time - then I ratchet them down tight

Trsnrtr

Makes perfect sense to me. I often have to loosen slightly on a hot day to allow for swelling.

Panza

Until they won't click anymore ... I want them as tight as possible during races. If you watch sprinters after the race, like Peter Sagan, many of them release the tension in their shoes just after the finish line.
For casual riding, I leave it 1 click out from max but if I know a big hill is coming up I'll tighten them before the climb because I'll rely on my upstroke for extra power.
I use a rachet system with two velcro and not a BOA though... I really want to try the BOA shoes ...

deapee

Fairly loose, personally.

02Giant 

A little looser than I used to. My feet swell slightly while riding, starting on the slightly loose side works better over the duration of the ride.

catgita

No flop, no compression. I usually leave them loose and tighten a click or two during the first mile until I don't feel my foot sliding inside the shoe.

f4rrest

I've never adjusted them after starting the ride.