Numb Feet Problems

[trek4.5]

I am having problems with my feet falling asleep after about 15 miles of riding. I have tried two different shoes and cleats (and even moved cleats back) and Body Geometry insoles, but still have the problem. I think my first pair of road shoes was too small (Specialized) and then bought a pair of Louis Garneau terra vent sandals. I am looking for a new pair of road shoes and would like to know how others have solved this problem and what type of shoe they bought. I am looking at the new Bontragers right now.

[tctrek]

One foot? Both feet? Toes only or whole foot? I have the toes of my left foot go numb sometimes and I know that my left leg is shorter. I have shims under the cleats on my left shoe to try to even them up, but still get numbness once in a while.

[nscrbug]

I get some right foot toe-numbing occasionally. I have weird toes, though...guess you could call them hammer toes. I used to wear Specialized shoes, but found that switching to a shoe with a wider toe box helped immensely. I now wear a pair of Northwave Velvet S.B.S shoes, and I love 'em! I have also discovered that my toe-numbing issue seems to correlate with the socks I'm wearing. If I wear too thin of a sock (such as the Smartwool Ultra Light cycling socks), the toe-numbing tends to be exacerbated. But if I wear a slightly thicker sock (like the Smartwool Light or Adrenaline sock), then the toe-numbing is much less prevalent.

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, do you suffer from any sciatic nerve issues? Any alignment or back problems? Have you had a professional bike fitting?

At this point, I would start looking at other potential problems as the root cause of numb feet. I've had numb toes every so often on and off my bike. A simple stretch alleviates it almost at once.

[trek4.5]

It is mainly my right foot, but eventually the left goes numb also. I have to wear socks that do not have the seam on top of the toes (Defeet makes a no feel seam sock). They are probably medium weight socks. I wear a Body Geometry insole with one shim under each insole. I heard great things about the insoles and gave them a try, but still have problems. My bike has been professionally fit. No sciatic nerve issues. I'm willing to try new shoes next, but don't know which would be best. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[marni]

my solution to numb feet and long distances is to wear mtb cleats which are level with the sole and can be walked in easily. I ride with double sided pedals with the cleat clip on one side and a plain pedal surgace with friction teeth on the other side. If I am cruising at a steady pace for distance than I unclick so that I can flip the pedal and move my feet around. Also I find that the shimano mtb shoes have a firmer sole and roomier toes, so between being able to move my feet around to vary the pressur points and an easy fit on toes in my socks and shoes, I have pretty much eliminated the problem. It's like having aerobars so that I can move my hands.