Bike Shoes/Keen question?

[TrekTheKaty]

I have clipless pedals and a pair of Cannondale "tennis-shoe-style" bike shoes (mountain bike shoes?) Now, I'm ready to upgrade. I had a pair of Keen sandals--US size 9--so, I ordered a pair of Keen Commuter sandals in size 9 and they are MUCH narrower. I have a wide forefoot, which was why I liked the Keen sandals I had. Is it normal for bike shoes to be so narrow?

Amelia, the cat jumped in to help--but refused to pose next to the shoe! How do animals know you are taking their picture?!

[KnottedYet]

Try the men's?

I often have better luck with men's shoes when I need a wider toe box. I cycle in my various women's Keen street shoes (on my bikes with BMX pedals) but I've already assumed I'd need to buy the men's Keen cycling shoes to get a wide enough toe box.

(right now I use men's Specialized Tahos on my bike with Speedplay Frogs)

[Blueberry]

Ditto what Knotted said. The men's are wider in the toe box. The women's killed my little toes (blistered them). Unfortunately, the men's don't come in quite as small a size.

Cycling shoes are generally a little narrower (as I understand it) to prevent crank interference. They didn't need to be *that* narrow, though.

CA

[Miranda]

I own those Keen commuter sandles bought off TE here and I really love them. However, I think I figured out why now I didn't need to order a diff size as suggested in some threads. Guess my foot is narrower in ways.

I know the mens was a suggestion, and a good one, it works for me with long fingers and gloves. But, what about letting the straps out all the way on the Keens? I know if the foot bed is too narrow it doesn't help. You want the Keen cinched near the top so the shoe doesn't pop off on the pedal upstroke. Mine have been fine for the things I wear them for.

On shoes being narrow, yes... this is true for my Sidi Zetas. Before I figured out the value of a wide toe box, I refused a pair of PI shoes for this reason. Too wide and loose it felt like. You might check those out at a shop if you can for overall fit. Good luck... cute kitty btw... and yes of course they must always get in the pic.

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm wondering if my Keen's street sandals are mens?! I have a closet full of old shoe boxes--but not for those! The commuter's also feel a little shorter--I didn't try them today because there was a chance of rain, and I may have to return them. My street Keen's do rub on the crank--that is true! I'll call the local REI and see if they have the men's in stock--then I could exchange them--I was so excited to try them--I can't wait any longer!

[malkin]

I have women's street Keen's and they're much wider than the cycling sandals. I'm not sure why all of them work for me. Maybe because I wear medium thick, mainly wool socks that are pretty squishy.