Originally Posted by
WhyFi
Leather cycling shoes aren't really the norm, anymore, either - Lake still has some as does Sidi, IIRC - so stretching may not be an option for many of the shoes with synthetic uppers out there. Then there's also the matter of High Volume (generous/stretched uppers) vs Wide (wider lasts/foot beds) - people with moderately wide feet seem to be able to get away with HV (which is the majority of the cycling shoes marketed as Wide) while those with true flappers need the wider foot bed.
I can highly recommend knitted material. I have the Bontrager Ballista Knit now, but I believe I saw other brands have similar materials. Only shoe I immediately felt comfortable in. And with the BOA system you can get them just tight enough without causing discomfort. Other shoes felt tight and hard immediately, never mind what they would have felt after hours riding.