Shoes

[HipGnosis6]

Merrell was one of my favorite brands for styling and I wish they sold actual athletic shoes... but alas, only their hiking boots and shoes (the Ventilator falls into this category) are worth their weight. It's like calling casual clothes "sportswear". They LOOK all athletic, but they're considered "after-sport" shoes. Stylish but not much for actual support... I bet if they made a cycling shoe it'd be rad looking, though!

[CyclChyk]

..............creeps in quietly to say this..............I generally wear my Animal flip-flops................now quietly creeps off again!

Sally

AAACCKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:

[pooks]

Okay, I LOVE these Shimano MT30s! I love the way they look and I think I love the way they feel.

Here's my question -- are cycling shoes supposed to feel tighter than regular shoes? These have a little wiggle room in my toes -- but they're very snug across the arch/instep. I suppose that's the way it should be?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If your feet start going numb when you ride, they are too tight somewhere.

[pooks]

This is so strange. My left foot is 1/2 size longer than my right foot -- but it's my right arch/instep that feels tight. I've never had that happen before, the right foot be the one that feels too tight. It makes me wonder if the right shoe is mismarked and is actually smaller than it says.

I ordered the next size, too, and they felt better through the arch but when I walked with them my heels were slipping; they really did feel too long. I wonder if this is just not a good shoe for me, which will bum me out because I really do like the way they look.

I'll see if I can loosen them up some.

[CyclChyk]

Perhaps on the bigger sized one an insert would make it fit properly??

My left foot is slightly larger than my right, but my Shimano's seem to fit both perfectly. Lots of wiggle room in the toes and snug enough everywhere else so I fit just right.

I agree that it sounds like the first pair might be sized somewhat incorrectly.
Can you return them? Or swap them for another pair that might end up fitting better??

[pooks]

I ordered them from REI. I could call the local REI and see if they have the same size there, and compare them.

But I think I may have just had them laced too tight. (Duh.)

They definitely are more snug than regular shoes, though. Is that typical of cycling shoes?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Don't forget that your feet will swell a little on a long ride. If your shoes are too snug your feet will get numb. Perhaps a soft cushy sock will make the larger size fit nicely? You'll be needing wool socks soon anyhow when the weather gets cooler...

[pooks]

You make a good point about socks -- and actually, I needed to check the reverse. I was wearing soft cushy socks, which may have made the smaller shoe feel too snug and made the larger shoe feel better through the "middle" even though it was way too long through the toe and my heels were slipping when I walked.

So, to dig out my thinner socks....

EDITED TO ADD: Okay, so even though this makes no sense, I dug out the thinner socks (actual biking socks) and after comparison have decided that the larger pair fit better. So in Dansko boots I take a 42 and in Shimano cycling shoes a 44? Guess so!

I also realized that this may not (gasp!) be the only pair of cycling shoes I buy, and I do love these and they're a great price. From what I'm reading on the REI site they are definitely supposed to be more snug than regular shoes or running shoes, so the fact that they are snug is evidently appropriate. If I do find out that wearing them for long periods doesn't work - well, it will be time to buy another pair of cycling shoes for longer rides, right?

[pooks]

Another question about shoes, specifically the Shimanos.

If it rains, do we need shoe covers for these or will they be okay if they get wet?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If it rains, do we need shoe covers for these or will they be okay if they get wet?

Pooks, be sure to check if you need to get "shoe-cover rain covers" so your shoe covers won't get wet.

We might need to mortgage the house to be able to get all the gear we need!

[pooks]

Please tell me that I used the wrong terminology, and I don't really need two kinds of covers!

[DirtDiva]

The shoes will be fine if they get wet, but if you're going to be out in pouring rain or jumping in puddles, you might want to get the covers to keep your feet dry!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Please tell me that I used the wrong terminology, and I don't really need two kinds of covers!

No, I was just kidding about getting covers for the covers!

The other day I bought a Smartwool head skullcap to wear under my helmet to keep my head warmer in the coming Autumn. Then I thought, but do I still need a helmet cover to keep everything dry in the cold rain? Then I thought, geez, just how many head items am I going to have to layer on?...wool head cap, helmet, helmet cover...

[pooks]

I know the feeling. I keep absolutely finding more things I really really neeeeeeeeeeeed!

How can I suddenly neeeeeeed everything? Sigh.

And I'm not worried about wet feet, Dirt Diva. They'll dry -- glad to know the shoes will, too!