finnstones

looking for the least stiff shoes. currently riding fitzik x5 leading to metatarsal pain. CLIPLESS

fietsbob

those shoes with separated toes like vibram 5 fingers ?

pdlamb

Keds. Or whatever the latest, most fashionable sneaker is.

Trouble is, you'll be miserable on anything smaller than a large platform pedal. Which is fine if that's what you want. But if you're clipping into your pedals, that not-stiff sole is going to wrap around the pedal, and you're going to feel like your feet are on fire after 20 miles.

Perhaps you make sure your current shoes are wide enough for your feet at the balls of your foot. If possible, loosen the forward strap(s) to give your feet more room.

finnstones

CLIPLESS sorry

fietsbob

Nope.. maybe hike-a-bike MTB shoes...

philbob57

What's causing the pain? 'Metatarsal pain' isn't descriptive enough.

If it's pressure of foot on pedal, you need more surface area than SPD cleats provide. That means flat pedals like the Ergons that have been mentioned, pinned flat pedals like DMR V12s and a whole lot of other pedals, Speedplays, which claim to have more surface area than clipless pedals, or maybe road shoes and pedals.

I think a stiffer sole will also help reduce pressure (pounds/square inch, etc.). If I were riding clipped in, I think I'd want Bont shoes - the stiffest shoe I've used was the cheapest Bont, and I imagine their more expensive shoes are even stiffer, but I expect all the high end maker make stiff shoes.

I'll tell you, though: I rode with stiff shoes, toe clips, straps, and sometimes cleats, and I like modern pinned flats and Five Ten Freeriders better, because my feet feel better with the modern solution.

finnstones

ok thanks. I am not sure what is causing the pain. it was my most recent bike read about 5 days ago. i think i probably pedal too much with my feet.

AHA, i had it all wrong. yes i need a stiffer shoe to help. currently using a FITZIK TERRA X5. i do not want a flat pedal. I am using DMR V twins.

any suggestions other than Bonta?

canklecat

Try some ProFoot Miracle insoles. They cost only $8-$10 at Walgreen's. I use 'em in my Fizik and Scott clipless road shoes. Immediately resolved some metatarsal hot-foot pain I experienced during long or harder effort rides. Much better than the original insoles included with those shoes, including Scott's fancy looking insole with detachable pads for the metatarsal, arches, etc.

icemilkcoffee 

I had metatarsal pain last year as well. The first thing you need to do is see a podiatrist. The second thing you need to do is to buy an orthotic insole specifically designed to relief metatarsal pain. I use this Lynco insole:

notice that there is a bump on the insole that goes just behind the ball of your second toe. There are also peel-off spots to relieve pressure on whichever spot has the issue (typically the ball if your second tie)

BlazingPedals

The foot only knows about the what the sole is doing. Unless a less-than-stiff sole is deforming, the size of the pedal contact doesn't matter.

philbob57

My bet is that most soles that are in use on bicycles deform to some degree. At least that's what marketers say - one of the differentiators between models is stiffness.

Dirt Farmer

Mountain biking shoes, with Bontrager inserts.

finnstones

that's a really interesting comment! compared to SPD 2 hole small little cleat, i would think these SPD-SL cleats on shoe are much more helpful as they spread force across wider area of the foot, albeit sitll mostly on the metatarsals.

I could also argue that the DMR V-Twin pedal while a wide platform does not matter because the surface area is rendered pointless by the cleat which to a significant degree is mostly the only point of contact during biking?

BlazingPedals

The large cage on the DMR pedal is for when you're using 'regular' street shoes.