Road shoes

I've been looking for a good pair of road shoes. I'm tossing around a couple of brands, but I'm not sure if there are brands that are just as good or if I should just get something that costs a little on the high side that'll last a long time. I have a pair of Bontrager MB shoes right now. They've already stretched out pretty badly after only 6 months of riding on weekends only. Ugh. The two brands I'm looking at are Specialized & Sidi. I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on those two as well as what you prefer yourselves. Thanks in advance!

I love my Specialized

I have SIDIs and my husband has Specialized raod shoes. We both love them. Each fit a little differently and sizing is different from street shoes, so
go to a store and try them both on if you can. I have a narrow heal, and SIDIs fit me best in this regard. They also have a narrow toe boz, so keep that in mind of you have wide feet. They make a "mega" for wide feet, but I don't remember if they come in women's. Even SIDIs lower end models are nice and will last a long time.

I've had both and prefer Specialized, which is what I have now. They are both great shoes but fit completely different. SIDI's were just too narrow for me and I had hot foot issues. If you have a wider foot, I would suggest the Specialized.

I like my Sidi road shoes though the toe box is pretty narrow (and they're very -- almost a little too much -- low profile). I looked at Mavic's shoes but felt that their velcro closures seemed flimsy (and I've heard that the ones with the elastic cord cored ones have I guess been known to stretch?). My Genius 5s have reinforced-like velcro closures to help with the "grabbing" and to reduce slipping. Mine are over a year old and haven't stretched at all. With cycling shoes it's most important to try them on as they all fit very differently!

I have both as well. Bought the Specialized first and the Sidi's second. They are very different, the specialized seem to have more room in them. The clips are also placed diffrenently on both shoes. The Sidi's have the clips more up front. (if that makes any sense).

Do take the time to try them both on. You want to make sure they are a good fit.

I love my Sidi's and would definately buy another a pair.

Good Luck! Would love to know which pair you end up with.

I like Sidi & Northwave shoes

Another vote for Specialized. Love mine.

Sidi and Northwave for me too, although they fit completely differently. Like others have said, you just have to try them on and see what fits your feet.

Thanks ladies! I know I can always count on you for great info. I'm going to try them both on in a couple of weeks. There's no selection for women here. We'll have to take a trip to Austin or San Antonio for sure. Thanks again! :D

Sidi, Sidi,Sidi.......These are the best cycling shoes (road or mountain) out there IMHO. Sidi's are so comfortable right out of the box that you can ride sockless if you wanted to. They do cost more but you can get pretty good deals around this time of year. How can you go wrong with Italian made shoes! :0)

You can go wrong with them if they don't fit you! I can't think of too much worse than ill fitting cycling shoes. If Sidis do, however, fit, then I can't recommend them enough. And a lot of times you can find them for quite a bit cheaper online.

I found a pair of women's Sidi Genius 6.6 (white, red & black...matches my bike...hehehe) at a bike shop about 3 hours away. Regular price over $450. They must be clearing out their stock of shoes or something. They're on sale for $190!!!!! Not very many sizes left & the size 42 might fit if they run small. I normally wear about a 8 1/2 to 9 shoe. More like a 9 usually. I'm going there on Sunday & I'm keeping my fingers crossed they're the right size. They would be awesome! Ooooooh...I hope I hope I hope!:D

Depending on how you like your cycling shoes to fit they may work for you. I can wear an 8 1/2 to 9 1/2, sometimes 10, in regular shoes (I know, right!? I must just wear weirdly sized shoes..) and my Sidi's are 41's and 41.5's (I could maybe wear the 42's, but I haven't tried them).

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Originally Posted by LivetoRide

Depending on how you like your cycling shoes to fit they may work for you. I can wear an 8 1/2 to 9 1/2, sometimes 10, in regular shoes (I know, right!? I must just wear weirdly sized shoes..) and my Sidi's are 41's and 41.5's (I could maybe wear the 42's, but I haven't tried them).

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Thanks LivetoRide! I'm going Sunday. Hopefully the 42's fit, but if not, it was worth a try. By the way...what's up with the huge range in shoes. I'm that way too & clothes are even worse!!! It's so hard to just order stuff online. It's always a crap shoot!

No problem. And yes, clothing sizing is horrible too (one of the worst are the breeches I need for horseback riding...Ugh!)! Zappos and similiar sites (like their sister site 6pm, etc.) are your friend when they have what you want and at a decent price becasue of their fast and free two-way shipping. Anyways, I hope the 42's work for you!

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Originally Posted by LivetoRide

Depending on how you like your cycling shoes to fit they may work for you. I can wear an 8 1/2 to 9 1/2, sometimes 10, in regular shoes (I know, right!? I must just wear weirdly sized shoes..) and my Sidi's are 41's and 41.5's (I could maybe wear the 42's, but I haven't tried them).

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Yes - I'm the same. Wear an 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 in US sizing for shoes and wear a 41 in Sidis (and also 41 in Shimano). Could get away with the 41.5 too I think but might find the 42 a bit too big.

I have had Shimano road shoes for a long time and liked them well enough - nice and roomy in the toes. But when I put on those Sidis (Genius 5.5?) it was like the angels singing! I think they are just the right shape for my feet (skinny heels and long skinny toes, if just a little broader through the ball). It all just comes down to what suits your foot best. I just bought myself some Sidi Giaus I don't really need in the sales because I like the Sidis so much).

The Sidis fit like a glove, whereas the Shimanos fit like a mitten!:D

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Originally Posted by pinkbikes

I have had Shimano road shoes for a long time and liked them well enough - nice and roomy in the toes. But when I put on those Sidis (Genius 5.5?) it was like the angels singing! I think they are just the right shape for my feet (skinny heels and long skinny toes, if just a little broader through the ball). It all just comes down to what suits your foot best. I just bought myself some Sidi Giaus I don't really need in the sales because I like the Sidis so much).

The Sidis fit like a glove, whereas the Shimanos fit like a mitten!:D

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I too, found some of my Sidi's on major sale (online) and had to get another pair (they discontinued the blue flower color I really like). :D Sidis fit me well but I wouldn't complain if the toe box were a little larger.

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Originally Posted by pinkbikes

Yes - I'm the same. Wear an 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 in US sizing for shoes and wear a 41 in Sidis (and also 41 in Shimano). Could get away with the 41.5 too I think but might find the 42 a bit too big.

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Sizing is so weird. My husband just bought me size 41 Sidi's for Christmas (my Shimanos are 41s) and they were *way* too small. I wear a 9, 9-1/2 or 10 in street shoes, depending on the shoe. The 41.5 Sidi fit but was snug, and I knew that once I put a different insole in there, they'd be too small. The 42 feels great though.

I wear anywhere between an 8-1/2 to 10 in street shoes. I wear a 41 in Specialized. I tried on a pair of size 41 Sidis and it was on the small side. My guess is that I probably need a 42 or 42.5.

I'm treating myself to a new pair of road shoes before the riding season kicks in and am looking at Specialized.

I ride with Sidis now, actually it's all I've ever worn, but I'm going to go with Specialized; in part because of the wider toe box but also because of the Body Geometry footbeds and shims.

Those that have Specialized, which shoe do you have? Thanks. :)

I wear a 9.5 - 10 tennis shoe, but my Sidi's are a 41.5 - 42. I actually like the 42's best b/c they have room for my thicker socks.

I wear a 10 in street shoes, and a 10.5 in running shoes. I've tried on Sidis in the past, and even the 43 felt snug and my toes felt squished together. I've owned a few pairs of Specialized MTB shoes in a 42, and those felt a tad bit roomier. But it wasn't until I discovered Northwave cycling shoes, before I truly felt comfort. I have 2 pairs of Northwaves now...road shoes for my road riding, and a pair of MTB shoes for spin classes. I wear a 42 in Northwaves and the fit is simply perfect. The toe box is wider, giving me plenty of room to splay out my goofy hammertoes...while the heel area is slightly narrower to prevent heel slippage. My only gripe is that I wish Northwave produced a larger variety of women's road shoes. Their men's line is substantial, but the women's line is lacking.

If you haven't already, you may want to check out Sidi's "Mega" shoes.

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

I wear a 10 in street shoes, and a 10.5 in running shoes. I've tried on Sidis in the past, and even the 43 felt snug and my toes felt squished together. I've owned a few pairs of Specialized MTB shoes in a 42, and those felt a tad bit roomier. But it wasn't until I discovered Northwave cycling shoes, before I truly felt comfort. I have 2 pairs of Northwaves now...road shoes for my road riding, and a pair of MTB shoes for spin classes. I wear a 42 in Northwaves and the fit is simply perfect. The toe box is wider, giving me plenty of room to splay out my goofy hammertoes...while the heel area is slightly narrower to prevent heel slippage. My only gripe is that I wish Northwave produced a larger variety of women's road shoes. Their men's line is substantial, but the women's line is lacking.

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I've never looked at Northwaves, but based on the wide toe box and narrower heel they might be just what I need. Thanks.