Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

[SalsaMTB]

Ok, it's time for a pair of new mountain bike shoes and I'm running into some problems finding a pair. So, hopefully you girls can give some suggestions. I posted this in general instead of mountain because I figured if a company makes road shoes, they'll probably make off-road also.

What I'm looking for....high end shoe, prefer carbon sole, in a size 38/39.

Brands I've eliminated for various reasons and I won't be convinced otherwise.....
Nike
Pearl Izumi
Lake
Sidi
Shimano
Louis Garneau
Specialized

Price isn't really a concern. Some brands I was looking at but know little to absolutely nothing about:
DMT
Carnac
Diadora

Any suggestions? Women carbon soles would be ideal, but that seems to be impossible to find (Sidi doesn't even make this combination for off-road).

HELP! I really want a new pair of nice shoes!

[sundial]

Here you go:

http://www.rocket7.com/

These babies are custom made to your foot. They send you the kit and you mail back the impressions. These babies are super light but they come with a $$$ price tag.

[smilingcat]

I've never worn expensive shoes... but I can say about the entry level and other cheap shoes.

I like my old Sidi revolution 2 and my new shimano SPD SL.

Sidi pair I think I paid grand total of $20.00 at a clearance sale and my Shimano I think I paid about $80.00.

Neither shoes gave me a hot spot or have a pressure point. so I'm happy. I wouldn't discount some of the brands without at least trying them on. And the Velcro only closure has been more than adequate for me after all the years of riding and riding REALLY HARD.

Smilingcat

[Trek420]

SalsaMTB,

Why oh why don't you like Sidis?

I can't wear mine, they are 38's. I found out the hard way on ALC that on the left foot they felt like bunny slippers, but because of a previously injured right toe they went from mildly irritating .... to painful .... to excruciatingly painful on the long ride.

I'm going to see if the right one can be stretched 'cause hot d@mn they are puhrty. But if I can't it's back to cheap but oh so reliably comfy Shimano ATB.

It's not worth anything to further injure the foot, I'm just now getting back on a bike/spin.

Hmmmm, full custom shoes? hmmmmm.

[surgtech1956]

Bike Nashbar has all their shoes are sale right now.

[ehirsch83]

all 3 of the brands you are looking at are great shoes! I don't know anything about MTB shoes, but they all make amazing road shoes, and can't imagine it not carrying over to the MTB shoes. I say at this point, it is all about going for which fit you the best, they are top of the line shoe companies.

[VenusdeVelo]

I have since become a fan of Sidi over the years but I can comment at least a little on the Carnacs and DMTs as I have had both in a road shoe at least. I probably like the Carnacs better than the DMTs with regard to fit to my foot. I have a smaller heel (part of the reason I gravitate toward Sidi for women) and the DMTs, although they fit seemed to run a little wider, front and back. I also never felt the DMTs conformed well to my foot, and I ended up periodically with cramping on the side of my foot on longer rides. The Carnacs did a little better that way. My HB had Carnac MTB shoes and they did wear like iron. I had the "custom" (the molding they conform to your foot with that machine) orthotic mad for my DMTs also but it didn't seem to help that much.

Bike shoes to me (after going thru many over the years!) are like bikes -- they have to fit for you to enjoy them. So the best advice is try them on, even try them on if you can and ride on a trainer in the shop. The mfrs brands do run differently on different feet. I may love Sidi, but you may hate the way they fit.

If you fall in love with a pair, and if you can, it's worth the extra dollars -- I avoided spending the $$$ on Sidis because I thought they were too pricey, but I ended up going thru 2-3 pairs of less $$$ shoes not liking them and finally bit the bullet. I have both Sidi for road and for MTB.

Good luck with your quest!

[batsheva]

i have diadoras both road and mtn - i take 36 usually but need at 38 in these for length but they are great for 'birkenstock' shaped feet - not narrow at the toe end and never got hotspots on my feet or anything - that's why i have 2 pairs - both perfect from first ride if you have squarer foot rather than narrow at the toes shaped feet-- they were about $85 each

[Running Mommy]

Don't forget about Northwave. They have some really nice shoes!
I'm trying to get them in the shop, but they are out of stock.

[DirtDiva]

Shimano do a women's carbon mtb shoe (I tried them on and they were purdy!) But you say you won't be convinced, so I shan't bother.

I don't think Diadora do a women's mtb shoe with a carbon sole, but their race last is fairly narrow, so unless you have very narrow feet you would probably be fine in their men's shoes (which I think go down to a 38 or so). I only ended up with Diadora road shoes because the shop didn't have anything else much in stock in my size and they'd do a great deal on them for me, but I've been really happy with them.

[mimitabby]

i love love love my sidi mtb shoes. I am sort of a rebel, and fought AGAINST owning them because they were so popular. Then i tried a pair on...
!!!!!!

[spokewench]

Well, you pretty much decided against all brands so I don't know what to do to help you.

But, WHY? Carbon? soles?

I know they are stiff, but I hate to tell you this - tho you should know already. sometimes you walk with your mountain bike - due to really bad conditions, wet, muddy, etc; or because it is Just TOOO Technical? Maybe you are too good to get off for technical but mud will get everyone!

I think because you do get off and walk, that is why they do not make carbon soled mountain bike shoes. Also, it might be hard to make the lugs that are on mountain bike shoes for traction in carbon? Just a guess?

I've worn Sidi for both mountain and road for years and years. I love them.

spoke

[Zen]

Featured in the 'gear' section of the last bicycling mag i received (the one with the Dave Z article) are ***red*** Adidastar(?) carbon soled mountain bike shooze.

[SalsaMTB]

Thanks for all the advice. I didn't even consider custom...hmmm....

Right now, I'm leaning a bit toward the Carnacs.

As for why I want a carbon sole....same reason people want carbon sole road shoes....stiffness resulting in better transfer to the pedal. The shoes still have the rubber treads for grip, so it shouldn't be much of a concern (trust me, I get off and walk )

Zen-I'll definitely look into the Adidastar shoe...red shoes would be sweet! Thanks for the suggestion!

[Andrea]

I have some non-carbon Northwaves that I love...

The Northwave Raptor carbons look freakin sweet!