Shoe suggestions: wider forefoot, better padding

[BethG]

Anyone have any suggestions on whose shoes tend to have more padding/cushioning, and a wider (relative to the size) forefoot area?

I’ve been sorting out some foot-pain have figured out that at least part of the problem is that my current shoes (specialized taho) are too hard and too narrow. I’m looking for an entry level shoe.

Mercy buckets!

[roadie gal]

Road or mountain shoes?

Also, you might try putting an insole in your shoes. I had terrible arch pain until I put an insole (green Superfeet) in mine. That completely resolved my pain.

[beccaB]

I was using the Tahos for road miles, around 100 a week, on 3 or 4 days a week. I had terrible hot spots, pain and numbness. I switched to motodivas, and there is some improvement. The farthest I've gone is 32 miles in them, but my feet feel better.
Maybe you need a stiffer show than the Taho?

[BethG]

Maybe you need a stiffer show than the Taho?

I'd be up for stiffer shoes, but I do think the biggest issue is the Taho's being too narrow. The Taho's give me numbness in just a couple of miles, and it starts to get uncomfortable by about 10 (I did 24 with my partner and by the end I felt like I had farm animals standing on my feet).

I did 12 miles in my adidas trail-runners the other day (my pedals have a cleat on one side and a flat on the other) and I was pain-free an only had a teeny bit of numbness near one toe at the end.

roadie gal, I ride on roads, but I'm not sure I ride enough (or ride seriously enough) for it to matter? The woman who sold me the Taho's a my LBS thought mountain shoes would be fine for what I do - but if someone disagrees, I"m certainly open to hearing it.

[Becky]

A stiffer shoe might really help with the numbness.

I have 2 pairs of MTB shoes: very stiff Sidi shoes, and a softer pair of Nike shoes for commuting. I notice that even on a short commute (~8 miles), I do get some numbness from the softer sole of the Nikes. But they're easy to walk in, and rather incognito for bike shoes, so I keep wearing them. I can ride all day in the Sidis without any trouble.

I recall that the Pearl Izumi shoes that I tried on seemed wide to me, but otherwise plenty stiff.

I second the recommendation for Superfeet. I have blue ones in my MTB shoes and gray in my road shoes. They make such a huge difference (once they're broken in, that is!).

[BethG]

Are the super-feet used on top of, or instead of, the factory insole?