Shoe help!!!

[nickcube]

Hi guys,
Looking for a new pair of shoes soon now that I think my feet have probably stopped growing(I'm 17). I brought a pair of eu44 Shimano XC70's which I had custom fitted about a year ago, thinking my feet would grow into them pretty well, turns out they haven't budged a millimeter. I'm actually pretty happy with the fit (and the shoes overall), even when I'm probably a 42.5 or 43 instead of the 44, but adjustment straps are right on their limits still. The problem is that I'm about to have the soles warrantied for the second time now since they keep delaminating from the upper, so I guess it might just be new shoe time!!

With the money I'd get from the refund I've narrowed it down to a couple shoes, namely the Giro VR90's, something from DMT(not fussed on what model), possibly sidi, specialized or maybe even bont vaypors, though I would like a boa system over ratchets (the VR90's are a bit of an exemption is guess). I race both CX and XC if that sways anything
If anyone has any reviews on any of the shoes or any other suggestions that'd be sweet as, cheers!

[simoncx]

I have the giro vr90, lake 237 and shimano xc90, all are really nice shoes. I use them all and I can't really say if one is better, all have there good and bad. Giro are really form fitting and once you get how tight you need them the laces aren't a problem. Shimano's heel material is better it holds the foot from lifting better then any of the other. The soles on the giro and shimano are stiff but there not too stiff that running is a problem like the lake's. The sole on the lakes is like a road shoe almost no flex which is good for riding but running is not great. Also lakes are overall wider everywhere, I like using them on the cx bike riding on the road and in the winter because I can run a thicker sock no problem. Best bet is to try them on if you can because the fit is alittle different on each shoe. I used sidi years ago and really liked them but haven't tried there newer shoes.

[DanW]

The build quality on my DMT's left a lot to be desired and I ended up returning them.

The Bont's have a very distinctive shape in the sole of the foot which I couldn't ever get to adjust to my feet. These are unused and I am selling- I can double check the size. The plus in their favour is they are the widest I've had, both in terms of toe box room and range of adjustments on the straps.

If I was in the market for new shoes then I'd have a good look at the fit of the Giros but keep on coming back to S-Works time and time again. They just work best for my feet and there isn't really any substitute for trying lots on.

[the_marsbar]

I'm on my second pair of S-Works shoes (latest generation, the wide model). They are the best shoes I've had on my feet, and I've tried a lot (incl. most of the brands you mention). They are available in a stealth black version, which I really like. I don't like their bikes too much, but the shoes are the best (for me at least).

[Strongsson]

Shimano xc90 is very comfortable shoes. But make sure you will take the right size.

[nickcube]

Definitely buying in store as I'm still confused as to what size I am, plus all the brands measure quite differently. Unfortunately here in Australia availability is a hit or miss. A quick search confirmed to me that dmt's would be a pain in the are to get in, so they're scratched off the list and from what I can gather Sidi doesn't have any representation either.
The funny thing here is that spesh's shoes here are the most expensive, at $500AUD and more surprisingly(for me at least) is that i can get the bonts for $320(i think that's the rrp), the giro's are the cheapest at $285. I'll definitely give the lake's a try to and see how my feet like that stiff of a sole(I do a fair bit of running too), and also the s-works just in case. Just checked out bont's sizing wizard which says i'm around a 42 which is hopefully a good starting point

[nickcube]

Shimano xc90 is very comfortable shoes. But make sure you will take the right size.

This is where it gets confusing for me, do I buy a new pair of shoes or size down when i get my warranty replacement? I'll try on some shoes and see how i feel. The heels on different shoes might sway me as i hear shimano's is top notch.

[Junior7]

Buy a website, and be happy ....

Comfortable, beautiful and easy replacement of all parts

[Liggero]

Sidi

[TheRookie]

I'm on my second pair of S-Works shoes (latest generation, the wide model). They are the best shoes I've had on my feet, and I've tried a lot (incl. most of the brands you mention). They are available in a stealth black version, which I really like. I don't like their bikes too much, but the shoes are the best (for me at least).

I still have 7 year old Spesh Tahoe's for my commuting shoe, they've done about 7000 miles so far. I picked them as they look reasonably like trainers for walking into the office.

[jerrybrabus]

Try Shimano xc90 and you`ll be satisfied

[AugustBystrup]

I've had pairs from Giro, Shimano, Bont, Sidi, Specialized and Lake. Some are quite similar in the fit. They excel at different things. Allround I've had the best experience with Giro and Lake. They just fit me the best. Haven't really had any problems with any of them. I find the last on the Lake shoes really comfortable for longer rides, whilst I use the Giro for racing, as it is just a bit more snug. Try some if you can.

[sefton]

bontranger xxx

I prefer them over my other Specialised sworks

stiff!

[F45]

The VR90 are really nice but I hate scraping them on rocks! I went back to a cheaper pair of Sidis.

[Kristinka]

I have good experiences with Shimano shoes. This season I was able to get new Giro VR90 pink edition from local distributor.