Wide shoes

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paintrain
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:44 am

by paintrain

Hey all,

What are some shoes that are good if you need something wide in the toe box and more high-volume? I have had sidis ergo 2s, but they are two narrow and not tall enough in the front. Just got some new Mavic Zxelliums, hope they work out...

Northwaves I've heard are famous for being wide, but I have never tried them, am wondering if that is something to check out. I am a girl so I have small feet (size 40 in sidis) but need a little more room in the toe box.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated! Thanks!

by Weenie


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Sybarite
Posts: 467
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2003 3:10 am
Location: Airport Lounge

by Sybarite

The Mavics are worse than the Sidis in terms of the volume and width. Try Sidi Megas (a larger volume/width option on the Genius model), Shimano wide fit models, Northwave (although the build quality is getting worse), Bonts. Carnacs were wide, then narrow, but I hear the latest are more generous again.

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boneman
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:18 pm
Location: Singapore

by boneman

Sybarite's covered it pretty well. I used Carnac Lemond/Legends for a long time. Well built but heavy and utlizing an insert for different pedal drillings. Then switched to Northwave Evolutions, also wide in the ball area of the foot although not as much volume as the Carnac's. I also have a pair of NW Aerators, 3 velcro strap model which are both wide in the ball area and with generous volume in the toe box. I heard that in the last couple of years they started making them on a narrower last but I haven't tried them. Current usage includes Sidi Mega which are nicely made, wider than their normal fit and with toe box volume that is nicely proportion, ie neither too much or too little. I'm also using Shimano R215, V1 and V2 as well as R220's. These are excellent shoes, well made with good fit and reasonably light. The last few months I've been using a pair of Bont A1 semi-customs. I really like their fit and stiffness although their production quality needs some improvement as they go from being a small niche producer to something bigger. FWIW, I've had excellent customer service but I live in Singapore so dealing direct with the company in Australia is pretty easy. For most people and because they're more widely available, I would recommend trying the Shimano's in E width followed by the Sidi Mega's. If you don't mind the time needed to get it right, the Bont's are amazing shoes but they may need to be heat molded for the correct fit.
The facts, while interesting, are not relevant.......

RollingGoat
Shop Wrench
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:18 am
Location: Boston

by RollingGoat

Specialized. I have super wide feet and Specialized is the best fitting shoe I've tried yet.
I'm so rubbish at this.

jasjas
Posts: 439
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:15 am

by jasjas

NorthWave Airlite 3 every time! (i cant get on with the ratchet straps of ANY manufacturer)
They are just so comfy, super thin carbon sole and far far better made than either the Sidi Ergo's, Shimano R160's or Spesh Pro's i have tried before, no hot spots under the feet and no heel lift at all.

Of course shoes like saddles are subjective and they ll be many different opinions.

Wingnut
Posts: 2196
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:41 am

by Wingnut

I have pretty wide feet and have found Sidi's to be the best. I tried the Mega's in the same size 42 as the standard width I'm using & found them a touch long so I tried the next size down & they were too short so I ended up staying with the current ones. I found the Northwave Aerators were nice and wide but had no space or give in the toes, mine were squashed flat! Carnac's used to be great but don't compare to Sidi. The DMT's were pretty good width wise if I remember correctly.

I'd just try as many on as you can, you'll learn pretty quickly which feel the best. I also discovered a few shoes that fit great but the cleat screw holes were too far forward so that buggered me up. Many shops won't let you fit your cleats (which isn't surprising) so take your current shoes with you to compare sole dimensions.

Or you could just go a pair of customs...

HUMP DIESEL
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Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:19 pm
Location: South Carolina
Contact:

by HUMP DIESEL

Wingnut wrote: Or you could just go a pair of customs...


I tried that once before and actually get a better fitting and feeling shoe out of Northwaves with custom insoles.

I have been thru many, and Northwaves so far have been my favorite.

I would love a pair of Sidis, but my wide feet probably would not allow it.

HUMP
Why are the best things in life always the ones you start last?

JohnnySea
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:51 pm
Location: London

by JohnnySea

Totally agree with Sybarite and Boneman.

For years I persisted with shoes that were too narrow for me and suffered hot spots and general discomfort whilst riding. To overcome the issue I once even tried a pair of custom shoes but despite providing an outline of my foot the fit using a crush box the fit was far from comfortable.

If you've got a wide foot you simply can't go pas the wide last Shimano R310. it might not be the sexiest or the lightest shoes on the market but for me it is by far the best fitting.

From time to time I'm seduced by the promise of something new. I currently have a pair of Biomac mxc2, Time Ulteam RS and Mavic Zxellium's in the closet to prove that this is the case. They've all been used once or twice but they now remain in the cupboard for none of them can come close to matching my R310's for fit and comfort.

Only one other thing to add, I love Sidi shoes. The finish is second to none but the last time I looked the only model they made which came in a wide last (mega exo) was the Genius 6.6 carbon and even then it only came in a matt black finish.

HUMP DIESEL
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by HUMP DIESEL

Has anyone tried the LAKE fully moldables? I wonder how they would work with wide feet? I have a friend of mine who said that the Shimanos were the most comfortable shoes he had.

HUMP
Why are the best things in life always the ones you start last?

garysol1
Shop Owner
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:33 pm
Location: Michigan

by garysol1

Specialized offers there Pro Carbon shoe in EE sizes.
Emonda SLR
Kona JTS
Specialized AWOL
Trek Stache 9.7
Specialized Fatboy

JensW
Posts: 759
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:41 pm
Location: Uppsala, Sweden

by JensW

RollingGoat wrote:Specialized. I have super wide feet and Specialized is the best fitting shoe I've tried yet.



not the s-works mtb model at least. had those, and they where not wide at at :D

shimanos models with a E are extra wide. don´t know how it´s in the rest of the world, but in sweden (or nordic countries) there is a model with a E on the end, that are alot wider.

other wides shoes is Sidis Mega modells and also scott limited shoes, they works perfect for be, and i have REALY wide feets

andrewwong2000
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:09 pm

by andrewwong2000

I have wide feet.. like duck's feet.

I've been using Size 42 Shimano R130s for the past 4 years and had issues with pins and needles in my toes.
Still reasonably comfortable and OK for rides if I don't do them up tight.

Recently tried :

1. Bont A2 Size 41

This was the right size in Bont. In the store, they were a great fit for my wide feet.. Plenty of side room for my toes since they are a kind of square toe profile as opposed to a more conventional pointy toe. On fit alone, without even the heat moulding these were a great cut. But let down by finish. The upper looks like it is definitely hand glued. Cut isn't perfectly straight so you see a slight uneven edge where the leather/microfibre joins the carbon sole ( 12 month warranty ). The buckle on the A2 is screwed into the carbon sole with a threaded washer on the other side and on the shop sample was pretty finicky. The guy at my LBS was pushing the Sidis hard, but the fit of the Bont was great.

2. Sidi Genius 6.6 Size 42 M

This should have been the right shoe, but the Sidi sizing was not wide enough, and suggested a 43M was a better fit. The 42M was still nowhere near wide enough for my feet. Even though the sizing charts and measurements suggested it was the right size. Cramped toes, a really painful left foot fit in 42M.

3. Lake CX401 Size 43 X-Wide

Pretty happy with this shoe.. am going to keep it. Plenty of room like the Bont. Build quality looks more consistent and factory. Mildly concerned about the Boa breaking issues, but you don't need to do this up very tight. Will put a couple of thousand kms on it and see how I feel.

4. Time RXR Ulteam

These weren't bad at all.. But alot of plastic.. But worth a try.


Also tried Specialised S-Works and Northwave equivalent.. Way too narrow..
That sums up most of the available "high end" shoes I could get hold of and what worked for me.

HUMP DIESEL
Posts: 892
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:19 pm
Location: South Carolina
Contact:

by HUMP DIESEL

3. Lake CX401 Size 43 X-Wide

Pretty happy with this shoe.. am going to keep it. Plenty of room like the Bont. Build quality looks more consistent and factory. Mildly concerned about the Boa breaking issues, but you don't need to do this up very tight. Will put a couple of thousand kms on it and see how I feel.

Were the Lake shoes molded to your feet? I would love to try a pair, just for the heat moldable part. I have had pretty good luck with Northwaves, but with my insoles I do get heel slippage. I have a wide foot , but it is flat, with not a lot of wolume, but I do have some serious bony/ugly feet.

LAKES are expensive to just try out.

HUMP
Why are the best things in life always the ones you start last?

andrewwong2000
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:09 pm

by andrewwong2000

I did the heat moulding myself yesterday, and then did a 100km ride today.

It was a battle to stop and take the shoes off, because I wasn't used to them.
Kept shifting my feet around trying to find comfort on my left foot.. the right foot was happily sorted.
At about 50km, for some reason everything clicked.. I had no nerve pressure, hot spots, discomfort.

One thing I've noticed is how the cut of the Lake seems to give me loads of instep support where I didn't have it in
my old shoes. Out of saddle climbing/sprinting is great. no front foot pressure spots.. my legs give out before my feet feel stressed.

I have to do more moulding on the left foot to find the right shape.. but for a first go it's been pretty great..

Lakes are as expensive as off the shelf shoes go, but I paid about US$120 for a visit to a podiatrist.. so a few of those, and I figured
a top quality shoe is a worthwhile starting point. And my foot and bike fit comfort means I will happily ride any day I can.

by Weenie


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HUMP DIESEL
Posts: 892
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:19 pm
Location: South Carolina
Contact:

by HUMP DIESEL

andrewwong2000 wrote:I did the heat moulding myself yesterday, and then did a 100km ride today.

It was a battle to stop and take the shoes off, because I wasn't used to them.
Kept shifting my feet around trying to find comfort on my left foot.. the right foot was happily sorted.
At about 50km, for some reason everything clicked.. I had no nerve pressure, hot spots, discomfort.

One thing I've noticed is how the cut of the Lake seems to give me loads of instep support where I didn't have it in
my old shoes. Out of saddle climbing/sprinting is great. no front foot pressure spots.. my legs give out before my feet feel stressed.

I have to do more moulding on the left foot to find the right shape.. but for a first go it's been pretty great..

Lakes are as expensive as off the shelf shoes go, but I paid about US$120 for a visit to a podiatrist.. so a few of those, and I figured
a top quality shoe is a worthwhile starting point. And my foot and bike fit comfort means I will happily ride any day I can.


So you did the molding and not the podiatrist? They are expensive, and you rarely see them on Ebay or the like, so that may say something. GloryCycles had a review of them and Clive said that he was in love with them.

HUMP
Why are the best things in life always the ones you start last?

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