Shoes: Specialized Carbon Pro's (Women's)

[Starfish]

Did a little search...not extensive...hope this isn't a repeat.

Yesterday I made the mistake of trying on a pair of the Carbon Pro shoes for women, by Specialized. OMGosh...Sooooo comfortable.

I have to travel quite a ways to find bike shoes to actually try on, and I was coming home from a trip, so decided to stop & play, just for fun. I have always heard so much about Sidi shoes, and assumed I would love and want them. Well, I tried on some Sidi Genius 5's, and they fit fine, better than what I have now...but were "trim" all the way around.

Then, I tried on the Specialized Carbon Pro's, and I just went Aaaaahhhhh. They felt like slippers. The main difference for me was that, in the same length, they had just that tiny little extra bit of room in the toe box.

I wear a women's shoe in 7.5, and I have a pretty normal foot, with good arch, and my foot is a bit narrow, but never enough to buy actual narrow shoes. I have a pretty easy to fit foot. For me, the 38.5 in the Specialized was perfect, and felt WONDERFUL.

Now, to save up that $250 for shoes, and then another $150 for pedals!!

[ladyicon]

Hi starfish. I just bought a pair of the shoes you speak of. I found a store with last years model and only paid $129.00 They are like wearing slippers and the difference in the power you feel when you ride with them is amazing .
The toe box is bigger, but it lets me wiggle my toes a lot, and also I get no holes in my socks at the toe.
Mine have the 3 velcro straps, I am wary of the buckles I see on some shoes. Which do you ladies prefer? Straps or that ratchet buckle thing?

[Starfish]

Wow, sounds like you got a great deal on some nice shoes. I have never ridden with a ratchet buckle, but I intend to! The ones I tried on in the store were terrific. I loved how well they helped the shoes fit just right, and I love the idea, for centuries, of being able to reach down and loosen or tighten just a little depending on how much effort I need for that stretch, or if my feet need a little change in pressure, etc.

I will be curious to know how your stiff carbon soles feel at the end of a long day...like a century.

[GLC1968]

I just bought last years' carbon pro model in the men's (I have quite wide feet) and so far, I love them! I just rode a century this past Saturday, but I used my old (non-carbon) specialized road shoes because I haven't quite gotten the cleat placement right on the new ones, yet.

Have you checked out Specialized's site? That's where I got mine (again, last years model) for a great deal. Perhaps they still have the ones you like available?

[ehirsch83]

I have the same shoes! I got them when i was with the ex fiance, so he EPed them for me(oh how i miss employee pricing!). I have had them since April, I think, and I love them. They are a great shoe. If you can find them at a discount I say go for them!

[Starfish]

Have you checked out Specialized's site? That's where I got mine (again, last years model) for a great deal. Perhaps they still have the ones you like available?

No, thanks for the tip. Actually I forget to check their site for stuff like this, because I find the site loads and navigates really slowly. So, I needed this reminder! Thank you...

[Starfish]

Has anyone done long rides (Centuries or 8+ hours) with carbon soled shoes?

How is the stiffness on all day rides?