Sidi Genius 5.5 Shoe Last (W)...

[Miranda]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSD_1250205.html

For anyone that owns this shoe (link above, sold here on TE) :

1)do you think the last is fuller or the material stretches more than some of the other Sidis?
2) how does the shiny material hold up for scuffs? Same/better/worse than other Sidi lasts?

I own the Sidi Zeta in a 40.5 and the short story is it's too uncomfortable small for me. I wanted to upgrade to the stiffer sole at some point anyway, so I also went up to a 41 in the womens. Which I have at home now and am deciding if I should keep it, or return it.

I tried mens in the same size, and some mens mega for comparison. Trying to get more room in the toe box. But, a mens Genius 6.6 shoe I have in my "home store" currently seems to have the same sized last as this version of the womens?

The womens heel cup fits better of course. So, I'm thinking I'll keep the womens. I just don't want another pair of shoes that ends up being too small again (like my Zetas). I'm just surprised it fits the same as mens it seems when I heard that the mens last run wider. SOOOO... my only conclusion is that it is the shiny material in the last specific to this shoe?

Ops? Thx

[aicabsolut]

I just tried on a bunch of Sidis last weekend.

I think that anything below the 6.6 fits the same (so these will fit like your Zetas). I thought they felt a little bit shorter but roomier (volume) than the 6.6. The 6.6 seemed to be more form fitted, but there was extra length in the toe for what seemed like the proper size. I was trying on 40.5 and 41. The ball of my foot hit at the right spot in the 41s.

To elaborate: My toes felt cramped in length in any shoe below 6.6 (5.5, 5, and under), but there was more volume in the mid and forefoot. I needed 41s, but they seemed a tad wide. 40.5 in the 6.6 seemed like the right length, but a little narrow, and the wide part of my foot hit in front of the wide part of the shoe. Good in the heel cup. 41 seemed like the correct length for the last shape even though there was empty space in the toe, and the midfoot was more comfortable. I would have to adjust the heel cup retention thingie smaller.

Hopefully those comparisons can help you make your decision.

I usually wear Specialized shoes in 40s, but I have some heel slip, so I wanted to try the Sidis. I'm not sure they're worth the extra $$, because I'd want 6.6 or ergo2. That's good to know about the men's last. I couldn't find any men's to try on in my size in those shoes to compare.

[Miranda]

I just tried on a bunch of Sidis last weekend.

I think that anything below the 6.6 fits the same (so these will fit like your Zetas). I thought they felt a little bit shorter but roomier (volume) than the 6.6. The 6.6 seemed to be more form fitted, but there was extra length in the toe for what seemed like the proper size. I was trying on 40.5 and 41. The ball of my foot hit at the right spot in the 41s.

To elaborate: My toes felt cramped in length in any shoe below 6.6 (5.5, 5, and under), but there was more volume in the mid and forefoot. I needed 41s, but they seemed a tad wide. 40.5 in the 6.6 seemed like the right length, but a little narrow, and the wide part of my foot hit in front of the wide part of the shoe. Good in the heel cup. 41 seemed like the correct length for the last shape even though there was empty space in the toe, and the midfoot was more comfortable. I would have to adjust the heel cup retention thingie smaller.

Hopefully those comparisons can help you make your decision.

I usually wear Specialized shoes in 40s, but I have some heel slip, so I wanted to try the Sidis. I'm not sure they're worth the extra $$, because I'd want 6.6 or ergo2. That's good to know about the men's last. I couldn't find any men's to try on in my size in those shoes to compare.

Yea... thx for posting this. I was just having one last Sidi shoe store try on as another size order came, and I'm down to the wire on my return on the first batch. Ugh, what to do...

I think I can relate to what you are saying about the widest part of the ball of the foot. I keep going back to my right foot on the inside is hitting something wrong (that's my smaller foot, larger lefty was ok). It's like the flare of the shoe there, and my foot, are off. I just don't get it. I do think also that the 6.6 IS more form fitted, mens too.

I have a couple Specialized high end mtb shoes in my store in 39s and those are TOO small. Even though they were suppose to be my size by the chart. I might try an exchange to a 40 or 41.

I've pondered having a higher end shoe store try and stretch part of the last. But, something about leaving the carbon sole shoe with a non-bike-shop shoe store scares me.

[aicabsolut]

To stretch leather, do a online search for equestrian "boot stretch" products. There are some sprays that work for all kinds of leather uppers. I'm not sure how well it'd work on Lorica, but if it doesn't work, I don't think it'd hurt anything.

You spray the inside of the shoe lightly and then you put the shoe on for a while.

If you don't want to try chemicals, you can try soaking some towels in hot water and wrapping them around your feet while wearing the shoes. The uppers will soften and stretch.

You can try wearing a slightly thicker sock to do that, but be careful you don't stretch them too much.

I just wish I could install a Sidi heel cup on Specialized shoes. Then I'd be really happy.

[Miranda]

To stretch leather, do a online search for equestrian "boot stretch" products. There are some sprays that work for all kinds of leather uppers. I'm not sure how well it'd work on Lorica, but if it doesn't work, I don't think it'd hurt anything.

You spray the inside of the shoe lightly and then you put the shoe on for a while.

If you don't want to try chemicals, you can try soaking some towels in hot water and wrapping them around your feet while wearing the shoes. The uppers will soften and stretch.

You can try wearing a slightly thicker sock to do that, but be careful you don't stretch them too much.

I just wish I could install a Sidi heel cup on Specialized shoes. Then I'd be really happy.

Thx for sharing that tip on stretching. I know... that womens Sidi heel cup is perfect. I have been hoarding all these shoes in lieu of the pod doc appt. next week. I am so glad it's almost time. For my shoes that I have been holding out of my TE order thx the lord for 90 days to decide. Maybe there's hope. The ladies are much nice looking than a lot of the mens. But, crud... it's rare to actually get function and fashion to work in one package.

[aicabsolut]

I was thinking... I know Northwaves run large and seem to be for a larger volume foot than some other brands. I don't know if they make women's shoes, but you might want to look into that if you strike out with all the pairs you're considering now.