Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Still searching for a comfortable wide cycling shoe

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Still searching for a comfortable wide cycling shoe

Old 05-09-21, 07:55 AM
  #1  
InvertedMP 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
InvertedMP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 349

Bikes: 2021 Scott Addict RC 20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 177 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times in 104 Posts
Still searching for a comfortable wide cycling shoe

So at the moment my Lake CX238s are pretty comfortable, but I have bought several cycling shoes that I wanted to like, wanted to work, and they just didn't. I have wide feet and high arches so insoles and a wide shoe is required. I have a bit of an obsession with cycling shoes (and bikes but that is another story) so I have bought several. At the moment, I have the 238s, Lake CX403, Bont Helix, and the latest model Shimano RC902s. I really wanted the Shimanos to work, and even in wide seem so freaking narrow, it almost blows my mind at the idea of how narrow their regular shoe is. I don't have super wide feet, just wide. I could never mold the 403s to fit my feet right unfortunately, and ironically, those are 42.5 and my feet feel more confined in there than my size 42 238s. The Boat Helix is ok, but honestly it isn't a very comfortable leisure riding shoes, and feels more like a no comfort race shoe.
I can live with thee Bont Helix but I do get hot spots on the outside of my feet even after molding. The search continues for the perfect shoe and insole combo. I have been fitted twice so it isn't a fitting issue.

Is there a premium wide cycling shoe that I haven't tried, that I should?
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
InvertedMP is offline  
Old 05-09-21, 08:02 AM
  #2  
Trsnrtr
Super Modest
 
Trsnrtr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,460

Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC

Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10961 Post(s)
Liked 4,616 Times in 2,120 Posts
I have exactly the same problem and even in roughly the same size. I've measured my foot using Lake's instructions and I'm wider by quite a bit than their widest shoe.

I usually buying the widest size the manufacturer makes and then upsize a little. The problem is that I end up with a sloppy heel and loose everywhere except the arch and the widest parts.
__________________
Keep the chain tight!







Trsnrtr is offline  
Likes For Trsnrtr:
Old 05-09-21, 08:05 AM
  #3  
InvertedMP 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
InvertedMP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 349

Bikes: 2021 Scott Addict RC 20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 177 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times in 104 Posts
Originally Posted by Trsnrtr
I have exactly the same problem and even in roughly the same size. I've measured my foot using Lake's instructions and I'm wider by quite a bit than their widest shoe.

I usually buying the widest size the manufacturer makes and then upsize a little. The problem is that I end up with a sloppy heel and loose everywhere except the arch and the widest parts.
It is extremely frustrating, and expensive lol.
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
InvertedMP is offline  
Old 05-09-21, 08:24 AM
  #4  
GrainBrain
Senior Member
 
GrainBrain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Central Io-way
Posts: 2,672

Bikes: LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1221 Post(s)
Liked 627 Times in 471 Posts
Originally Posted by InvertedMP
It is extremely frustrating, and expensive lol.
I bet, if you've gotten RC9's!! I dunno of anyone else but Lake for the wide fit. I used their fit chart and they do have options for me, I just haven't been able to stomach the price! I'm guessing my wide feet are narrower then yours - but have you considered a lace up and softer mesh top for more expansion? Right now I'm actually using an $80 pair of Giro lace ups. They're mesh on the top and let my feet splay out a bit. Not ideal, I've been thinking of getting a shoe in Giro's HV (high volume) size. Same heel width but wider mid arch and out towards the toe box.
GrainBrain is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 03:56 AM
  #5  
sneakerfreaka
Junior Member
 
sneakerfreaka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 16

Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone, Canyon Aeroad 8.0, Canyon Ultimate CF

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Have you thought about trying full custom? Bont have that option (Lake too I think...), so do Rocket7 and Luck. There’s probably a few others and if you’re already spending big on higher end models, go the whole way and something perfectly moulded to your feet.
sneakerfreaka is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 04:32 AM
  #6  
ridelikeaturtle
Senior Member
 
ridelikeaturtle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 1,256

Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Trek Y11

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 596 Post(s)
Liked 478 Times in 258 Posts
Try something that's a full lace-up, you can then at least allow for as wide a spread as possible, more than what you can get from a ratchet-strap-style closure.
ridelikeaturtle is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 07:44 AM
  #7  
InvertedMP 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
InvertedMP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 349

Bikes: 2021 Scott Addict RC 20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 177 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times in 104 Posts
Originally Posted by sneakerfreaka
Have you thought about trying full custom? Bont have that option (Lake too I think...), so do Rocket7 and Luck. There’s probably a few others and if you’re already spending big on higher end models, go the whole way and something perfectly moulded to your feet.
I didn't know this was an option honestly. I will have to look into it.
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
InvertedMP is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 07:53 AM
  #8  
MoAlpha
• —
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,215

Bikes: Shmikes

Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10148 Post(s)
Liked 5,841 Times in 3,145 Posts
Obviously, feets is all different, but I bought a slightly used pair of wide S-Works 7s off a guy earlier this season and they have been life-changing: by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever used. I still like my Lake CX238s, but I get nerve compression under my right foot much faster in them. Might all be a matter of insoles–I need to experiment.
MoAlpha is online now  
Old 05-10-21, 08:01 AM
  #9  
InvertedMP 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
InvertedMP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 349

Bikes: 2021 Scott Addict RC 20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 177 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times in 104 Posts
Originally Posted by MoAlpha
Obviously, feets is all different, but I bought a slightly used pair of wide S-Works 7s off a guy earlier this season and they have been life-changing: by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever used. I still like my Lake CX238s, but I get nerve compression under my right foot much faster in them. Might all be a matter of insoles–I need to experiment.
My first pair of cycling shoes were a 100 dollar pair of Specialized shoes and they were ok. I have been nervous about trying S works shoes as I hear they are narrow, but I have wanted to try them as they look fantastic and I love anything S Works.
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
InvertedMP is offline  
Likes For InvertedMP:
Old 05-10-21, 08:28 AM
  #10  
eduskator
Senior Member
 
eduskator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,108

Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 579 Times in 437 Posts
Have you considered custom shoes? It will run you some $, but a shoes made to your feet would be beneficial IMO.
eduskator is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 08:43 AM
  #11  
dbf73
TFO
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MSP
Posts: 304

Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7 eTap, Felt AR-B, Colnago Master Mapei

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts
Sidis in the Mega (wide) version?
dbf73 is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 09:36 AM
  #12  
topflightpro
Senior Member
 
topflightpro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,569
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 678 Times in 429 Posts
Lake has the best wide offerings. But not all Lakes fit the same. You have to look at which last they are using. Some lasts are wider than others. The 402, for example, is narrower than the 238.

Bont's wides are not wide enough for me.

With Shimano, I did not like the wide options - they outsole was not wider, so the shoes did not feel stable.

Side Megas are supposed to be wide, but in my experience, they just give you the next size up. I don't need a longer shoe, just a wider one.

Specialized used to do wide options, and sometimes they were good, and sometimes they weren't.

Ultimately, I've gone to Riivo. It was worth the cost to go custom or semi-custom.
topflightpro is offline  
Likes For topflightpro:
Old 05-10-21, 04:49 PM
  #13  
Trsnrtr
Super Modest
 
Trsnrtr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,460

Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC

Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10961 Post(s)
Liked 4,616 Times in 2,120 Posts
I agree with everything posted above. Totally my experience, also.
__________________
Keep the chain tight!







Trsnrtr is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 06:48 PM
  #14  
colnago62
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times in 230 Posts
A thought; It might not be a case of shoe fit. It could possibly be an issue with how your foot is oriented with the pedals. Hot feet and other foot related issues can be caused by the foot rocking back and forth in the show.
colnago62 is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 09:57 PM
  #15  
InvertedMP 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
InvertedMP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 349

Bikes: 2021 Scott Addict RC 20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 177 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times in 104 Posts
Originally Posted by colnago62
A thought; It might not be a case of shoe fit. It could possibly be an issue with how your foot is oriented with the pedals. Hot feet and other foot related issues can be caused by the foot rocking back and forth in the show.
Meaning, riding with a shoe too loose?
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
InvertedMP is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 10:44 PM
  #16  
pennpaul
Full Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 368

Bikes: Diamondback Haanjo Trail, Fuji Team Road

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times in 46 Posts
Sidi Megas work for me.
pennpaul is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 10:55 PM
  #17  
InvertedMP 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
InvertedMP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 349

Bikes: 2021 Scott Addict RC 20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 177 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times in 104 Posts
Originally Posted by pennpaul
Sidi Megas work for me.
I’ve been considering those.
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
InvertedMP is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 11:19 PM
  #18  
surak
Senior Member
 
surak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,952

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Canyon Inflite AL SLX, Ibis Ripley AF, Priority Continuum Onyx, Santana Vision, Kent Dual-Drive Tandem

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 871 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times in 436 Posts
I don't have wide feet but the S-Works 7 is night and day different from their cheaper shoes. And they do make them in wide, even though Specialized's website isn't showing them right now. Backcountry/CC seem to have stock, as do some other places.
surak is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 11:37 PM
  #19  
sneakerfreaka
Junior Member
 
sneakerfreaka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 16

Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone, Canyon Aeroad 8.0, Canyon Ultimate CF

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by InvertedMP
I didn't know this was an option honestly. I will have to look into it.
If you do go the custom route, please share your experiences, I too have to wear a wide fit shoe, mostly because my right foot protrudes out at the widest part of the foot. So far, the most comfortable shoe I've worn is the cheaper Shimano R171 in wide fit. They're over 5 years old now and well worn. I recently tried Sidi Mega (not wide at all), Northwave wide (better than Sidi but still had a cramped toe box) and most disappointingly, the new Shimano RC7 (701) in wide fit, their last is totally different from the R171, it has an extremely tight toe box for a 'wide fit'. In the end I bought a pair of Lake 301 wide, they'll do the job but I think I'll go full custom when they wear out.
sneakerfreaka is offline  
Old 05-11-21, 07:45 AM
  #20  
topflightpro
Senior Member
 
topflightpro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,569
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 678 Times in 429 Posts
What do you want to know? I have three pairs of Riivos right now. Two were semi-custom - based off fit of various shoes and a custom molded insole and one is full custom.
topflightpro is offline  
Old 05-11-21, 01:40 PM
  #21  
JohnJ80
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4,673

Bikes: N+1=5

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 875 Post(s)
Liked 244 Times in 181 Posts
Originally Posted by pennpaul
Sidi Megas work for me.
This has worked extremely well for our family. But, as always, shoes are a personal thing and you have to try it.

Originally Posted by topflightpro
Side Megas are supposed to be wide, but in my experience, they just give you the next size up. I don't need a longer shoe, just a wider one.
Simply not true. In Sidi sizing the Mega is substantially wider and is not available in all shoes but only in select models.

From Sidi’s website on one of the mega sized shoes:
Available in a Mega last. 4mm wider across the ball of the foot, along with a higher instep and wider heel cup. For widths up to EEE
In the world of shoe sizing, 4mm is quite a bit. Adding in the higher instep is a bonus.

I think what you’re confusing is Sidi’s half sizes. For example, the 44 and the 44.5 use the same sole but the 44.5 upper is more generous and has more volume. Frequently those who find the whole size too tight can go to the half size up and have more volume for the same size sole. I believe they do this throughout their shoe line.
JohnJ80 is offline  
Old 05-11-21, 02:59 PM
  #22  
Trsnrtr
Super Modest
 
Trsnrtr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,460

Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC

Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10961 Post(s)
Liked 4,616 Times in 2,120 Posts
I’ve had two pair of Sidi Megas in both a road config and a mtb model and they weren’t wide enough. I sold the road pair and kept the mtb pair which I drag out occasionally and then put back away.
__________________
Keep the chain tight!







Trsnrtr is offline  
Old 05-11-21, 08:57 PM
  #23  
InvertedMP 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
InvertedMP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 349

Bikes: 2021 Scott Addict RC 20

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 177 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times in 104 Posts
I actually ordered a pair of Ergo 5 megas to try today lol.
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
InvertedMP is offline  
Old 05-11-21, 09:31 PM
  #24  
colnago62
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times in 230 Posts
Originally Posted by InvertedMP
Meaning, riding with a shoe too loose?
https://blog.bikefit.com/why-wedge/
colnago62 is offline  
Old 05-12-21, 07:18 AM
  #25  
redcon1
Senior Member
 
redcon1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Central PA
Posts: 549

Bikes: Focus Arriba, Specialized Roubaix Expert, Bianchi Impulso Allroad

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 82 Times in 53 Posts
Originally Posted by Trsnrtr
I’ve had two pair of Sidi Megas in both a road config and mtb model and they weren’t wide enough. I sold the road pair and kept the mtb pair which I drag out occasionally and then put back away.
I have both a Mountain and Road pair of Sidi Mega, that fit comfortably with my EE width. Actually once broken in, they are almost too wide with thin socks.
Of course, if your feet are wider than the EEE spec, that's not going to work.

BITD, I purchased a shoe stretcher, mostly for my military footwear:


It worked wonders on Bike shoes that were not wide, as well as other footwear.
redcon1 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.