My new running shoes don't work for cycling

[PamNY]

I have regular pedals and bike in all kinds of casual shoes (except for my kitten heels of course).

I've noticed lately that my new, perfectly ordinary running shoes are fine for walking, but one foot starts to hurt if I do even a short (12 mile or so) bike ride in these shoes.

It's not a problem, really -- I have plenty of shoes that work fine on the bike. I just thought it was strange. Has anyone heard of or experienced this? Could it be the soles aren't stiff enough?

[Catrin]

I have regular pedals and bike in all kinds of casual shoes (except for my kitten heels of course).

I've noticed lately that my new, perfectly ordinary running shoes are fine for walking, but one foot starts to hurt if I do even a short (12 mile or so) bike ride in these shoes.

It's not a problem, really -- I have plenty of shoes that work fine on the bike. I just thought it was strange. Has anyone heard of or experienced this? Could it be the soles aren't stiff enough?

Yep, the soles just aren't stiff enough and your foot is flexing overly much on the pedals. I cycled with similar shoes when I first learned how to ride this past winter and I just got used to foot pain. I clip in these days and that has removed most of the discomfort.

It did help me, however, to wear uncleated cycling shoes on my BMX pedals - I wore Keen Commuters - and while they are really not stiff enough to use with cleats (for me) they are stiffer than the usual running shoe and I had much less of problem with hot foot than I did with regular running shoes.

[PamNY]

I spent some time bending the soles of my various shoes. Sure enough, the problem shoes have a good bit of flex in the middle, and my other shoes don't.

Ah well, I knew there was a good reason I bought those pricey trail shoes.