Bont and Shimano shoe sizing

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

Post Reply
coneill0422
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:16 pm

by coneill0422

I have a pair of Bont Vapor shoes that I just got in a 42 (size 8 us size and a 263 mm length). They fit like a glove in length but I have really flat feet and Bont's built in arch is killing my foot (no matter how much I mash it down). I was wondering about Shimano's sizing comparing. I have heard that they run a little larger than other brands and just was wondering if a 42 would fit just as well, thanks.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



User avatar
wheelsONfire
Posts: 6280
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:15 am
Location: NorthEU

by wheelsONfire

I have long time been wanting a pair of Bont Vaypor+.
But i currently have 3 pairs of Giro Factor. I use 46½ and they fit me great.
I tried a pair of Shimano (46½), but they put pressure at the outsides of my big toes. Most shoes does.
What i wanted to come to was the insoles of Factor. You'll get 3 pair of interchangable shims you can fit under the insole.
Perhaps one of these shims could help you get a nice fit!?
Bikes:

Ax Lightness Vial EVO Race (2019.01.03)
Open *UP* (2016.04.14)
Paduano Racing Fidia (kind of shelved)


Ex bike; Vial EVO D, Vial EVO Ultra, Scott Foil, Paduano ti bike.

arthurf
Posts: 158
Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 9:13 pm

by arthurf

Can't you lose some of the arch by doing the custom fitted sole in the oven?

spud
Posts: 1261
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:52 am

by spud

I run size 43 in both Bont and Shimano. Have not custom molded the Shimano yet, so I may gain more room once that happens, but out of the box is quite close to Bont.

coneill0422
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:16 pm

by coneill0422

I have a fairly flat arch and even mashing down the arch during the molding process does not get it down to a comfortable arch, so no dice unfortunately. I really like the Bont shoes with the toe box but just can't get them to fit without going semi-custom (which would start at $450 for a pair and that is just too much for me).

For Shimano would you go down a half size from Bont (42 in Bont and 41.5 in Shimano)?

AGW
Posts: 477
Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 2:11 pm

by AGW

Bont's online sizing tool had me at 42.5. I tried a pair of 42 Vaypors locally and they were just the slightest bit too tight. I ended up getting a pair of Shimano R170s that fit perfectly in 42. But then a pair of last year's r240s in 42 were too big. They might use different lasts for different tiers. I hope this helps some.

ETA: Art's Cyclery has an online shoe comparator that will tell you how certain shoes will fit compared to one in their database. It was right on for me on the R170s coming from a pair of Pearl Izumi in 43.

DuncanS
Posts: 143
Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:42 pm

by DuncanS

I'm a 43 in everything - Bont, Specialized, Shimano, Carnac. My Bont Vapor pluses were a a smidge tight on the toes at first, even after heat molding but I persisted and they were "good" after about a week, perfect after two, still perfect almost a year later.

istigatrice
Posts: 849
Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 8:32 am
Location: Australia

by istigatrice

Not a sizing comparison, but I had a similar problem with Bont shoes. I switched to a Specialised footbed and now they feel great :)
I write the weightweenies blog, hope you like it :)

Disclosure: I'm sponsored by Velocite, but I do give my honest opinion about them (I'm endorsed to race their bikes, not say nice things about them)

clarkson
Posts: 190
Joined: Sat May 07, 2011 12:23 am

by clarkson

Shimano also has some arch built into the last of the shoe, which cannot be reduced through molding. Giro shoes have a very flat sole, with all of the arch support built into the insole. If you're having trouble with arches, I wouldn't recommend shimano.

KWalker
Posts: 5722
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:30 pm
Location: Bay Area

by KWalker

If you check the size charts they should include MM length of the shoe.

Specialized, Shimano, and Bont are all identical. I wear a 44 in all three.

Giro, Sidi, and Mavic will require a 1/2 size bigger than the other three. I wear a 44.5 in all three.

My guess it comes down to the shape of the sole and the width of the last.
Don't take me too seriously. The only person that doesn't hate Froome.
Gramz
Failed Custom Bike

coneill0422
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:16 pm

by coneill0422

Just thought I would give an update for anyone out there that might be in the same place, I ended up getting 41.5 size in the Shimano R320 and was a 42 in Bont Vapors.

octav
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2009 12:40 pm
Location: Bucharest

by octav

KWalker wrote:If you check the size charts they should include MM length of the shoe.

Specialized, Shimano, and Bont are all identical. I wear a 44 in all three.

Giro, Sidi, and Mavic will require a 1/2 size bigger than the other three. I wear a 44.5 in all three.

My guess it comes down to the shape of the sole and the width of the last.


So I guess no chances for me to go from Giro Trans 43.5 to Specialized S-Works 42.5?
I can get a very good deal for S-Works but only in 42.5 :(
Also, my feet are pretty wide and Specialized seem to be narrower than Giro.

mdeth1313
Posts: 2066
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:38 am
Location: Dutchess County, NY

by mdeth1313

I wear a 40.5 in shimano (r320) and 42 in bont vaypor (go figure)
Speedplay is the devil!

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply