Numbness in toes

[Aquila]

I get numb feet sometimes, too, but after a bit longer. One thing that helps is to focus on pulling up in my pedal stroke. My pedalling isn't really smooth, and focusing on pulling up makes it smoother AND helps me not get numb feet (or helps the numbness go away fast).

The other folks have probably addressed the root problem, but maybe a short term fix could also help?

[hermitclub]

I was getting numbness too. Started in the toe next to the big toe, then spread to the littler toes. I found that if I loosened the velcro, and concentrated on a smooth, even stroke both up and down, the numbness lessened. Now I seem to only have numbness if I get too lax in my pedaling.
Hope this helps.

[tulip]

I would suggest that feet swell in the summer, thus making it necessary to upsize for summer shoes (which is true), but since you're in Australia and it's winter there now, that theory doesn't work for you.

I like becca's flexible sole idea.

[Kano]

Becca mentioned getting a firmer shoe. I also wore the Specialized Taho for a couple of seasons, and had some trouble with numbness as well. After losing weight, they were way too big for me, and I decided to replace them with the next step up (Becca's $125 version). This season, I'm wearing the firmer, smaller shoe -- and they're significantly more snug than the Taho ever fit me, and I have NO numbness this season!

I use my mountain shoes on my road bike. It took a little getting used to the "knobbier" sole that this new pair has compared to the sole on the Taho, but I do like them -- once in a while, I need to be "unclipped" for a while, and those knobs do a good job of holding onto that little SPD pedal while I'm crossing an intersection, or riding in areas where the extra quick release of not being attached to my bike is handy (crowded areas on the MUT for example)

Karen in Boise