Ankle pain with new shoes

[bluebug32]

A friend gave me a really nice pair of Specialized S-Works road shoes. They fit me very well when I'm seated and pedaling, but when I stand, the top ridge of the shoe by the tongue rubs against the bottom of my ankle bone on the inside of my foot. It feels a little better if I drop my toe, but it still hurts. Has this happened to anyone else? Is there anything I can insert into the shoe or on the upper part to make it softer?

[OakLeaf]

My issue is a little different - it's the laces of my running shoes, through the tongue, against the tendons of my ankle. I cushion them with the foam pads that came with a swimsuit bra. They're exactly the right shape and size. Might work for you too.

Mine are wearing out and I've googled bra pads. They're available online (these look similar, but I think thicker than the ones I've been using), but I'm thinking I/you might be able to get them at a sewing store or a swimwear store. The ones I have are just plain polyurethane foam. I don't think the ones with a fabric cover would work for running, but they might for cycling.

[azfiddle]

I recently got Specialized shoes, and I had a problem with just the right one for a while- I was kind of worried because they were pretty expensive.

I moved the tongue around a lot, and tried keeping them looser or making them tighter, tried bending the area near the ankle, and eventually it quit hurting after a few rides. I bought them in December and haven't really noticed anything for a while.

I don't know if that is helpful or not.

[Seajay]

I'm looking at the Spec S-works road shoes right now. I have a couple questions.
1. Are you sure the shoes are not a tad large for you? This sounds like a "foot pumping in the shoe" issue. They need to fit more snugly than a lot of people think.
2. I'm looking at the tongue of the shoe. It comes a long ways back in the shoe. Can you confirm its the side of the shoe versus the side of the tongue that's causing you pain?
If it's the tongue, maybe you can just trim it back a bit.

[Jo-n-NY]

A lot of riders in our club wear the Sp. S-works, both men and women. That is a first I heard of the problem that you mention. I know Specialized has a shoe fitting system. You might want to check with your LBS. There are a few different inserts that they made depending on the arch of your foot. You would stand on a "pad" best I can explain that gives an outline of your foot.

I wear the Specialized Ember and went up a size from a Specialized Mtn shoe that I had since 2005. The tongue is a bit longer. I don't walk on it much at all so I did not find it to be an issue.

I am not sure if this info helps, but it could be the way your foot sits in the shoe. Just my 2 cents.

[OakLeaf]

Are you sure the shoes are not a tad large for you?

Remember that ankle size isn't necessarily proportionate to foot size. My issues (I do experience it just a tad with cycling shoes, but a LOT with running shoes) stem from the fact that my feet are enormous but my ankles are proportionate to the rest of my body. I've got size 43EE feet attached to ankles that would probably fit fine in size 36B shoes. The result is that I have to close the ankle opening tighter and higher on my ankle than the shoe is really made for. I wonder if the OP's issue isn't similar.

[bluebug32]

Thanks, everyone! I've had this problem with other shoes (hiking boots) rubbing against that part of my foot. Specialized still seems to fit me the best, as they are the only cycling shoe I've tried that hug my narrow heels.

I'll give the moleskin a shot, try adjusting the tongue and keep wearing them to hopefully break them in. I already have Specialized's specific insoles for them. Thanks for the input!