Shoe suggestions: wider forefoot, better padding

[BethG]

Are the super-feet used on top of, or instead of, the factory insole?

[Becky]

Are the super-feet used on top of, or instead of, the factory insole?

Instead of.

[BethG]

Thanks

[GLC1968]

Beth - definitely get road shoes!

I started out with Specialized MTN shoes because my LBS said that they would be fine and "lots of people ride on the road with MTB shoes". When I went back complaining of hot spots, numbness, aches, etc...and told him I wanted road shoes, he kind of poo-poo'd me. I mentioned that after about 30 miles, the pain would be unbearable. He said "30 miles?" "You are riding 30 miles at a time already?" Grrr.

Anyway, I have wide, flat feet AND I have special orthodics for my athletic shoes because of ball of foot pain due to fallen arches. I use Specialized road shoes because they are designed for people who pronate slighlty (which I do). The stiffer sole has really helped with my feet. I also only buy the men's shoes because they have a wider toe box than the womens. They come in smaller sizes (down to a 37, maybe even a 36) in mens...unlike many other brands. Once I switched to road shoes with a stiffer sole, I never had another foot problem again. Plus, there is another advantage to having small, wide feet. When I see GREAT deals on previous year's models at the Specialized site, they still have my size because there aren't too many men who wear a size 5.5 or 6 shoe. I now ride fancy carbon soled shoes that I bought directly from Specialized for less than my original MTB shoes cost me at the LBS 4 years ago!

Just recently, my commute has changed to 19 miles. My commuter is the bike on which I still use those old mountain shoes. I'm starting to notice pain again, so I'm about to re-evaluate my pedal choice on this bike.

[BethG]

As I wear size 9.5, I usually don't have as much luck with sales

What kind of pedals are you using? (I also suspect the SPD cleats don't distribute pressure across a wide enough area, thus adding to my misery)

[GLC1968]

Yup, I also went with the wider platform of the look type pedal (SPD-SL) when I switched to road shoes.

My commuter has the pedal that is SPD on one side and platform on the other, so I think they are a little better in terms of having a wider platform than the plain SPDs, but my shoes are definitely not stiff enough.

Oh, and in general, Sidi and Nike run narrow. I have never tried PI's. My H (who has a narrow foot) loves his Shimano shoes...so I'm guessing those run a little narrow, too.

[Ana]

Beth - definitely get road shoes!

I started out with Specialized MTN shoes because my LBS said that they would be fine and "lots of people ride on the road with MTB shoes". When I went back complaining of hot spots, numbness, aches, etc...and told him I wanted road shoes, he kind of poo-poo'd me. I mentioned that after about 30 miles, the pain would be unbearable. He said "30 miles?" "You are riding 30 miles at a time already?" Grrr.

Anyway, I have wide, flat feet AND I have special orthodics for my athletic shoes because of ball of foot pain due to fallen arches. I use Specialized road shoes because they are designed for people who pronate slighlty (which I do). The stiffer sole has really helped with my feet. I also only buy the men's shoes because they have a wider toe box than the womens. They come in smaller sizes (down to a 37, maybe even a 36) in mens...unlike many other brands. Once I switched to road shoes with a stiffer sole, I never had another foot problem again. Plus, there is another advantage to having small, wide feet. When I see GREAT deals on previous year's models at the Specialized site, they still have my size because there aren't too many men who wear a size 5.5 or 6 shoe. I now ride fancy carbon soled shoes that I bought directly from Specialized for less than my original MTB shoes cost me at the LBS 4 years ago!

Just recently, my commute has changed to 19 miles. My commuter is the bike on which I still use those old mountain shoes. I'm starting to notice pain again, so I'm about to re-evaluate my pedal choice on this bike.

I have small, flat, wide feet too! Just curious: What kind/model of shoe works for you now? I'm currently wearing Men's Sidi Genius 4 in 38.5 but they are becoming a little loose and I have hot spots on the ball of my foot...

Do you have the superfeet in your shoes?

[GLC1968]

I have small, flat, wide feet too! Just curious: What kind/model of shoe works for you now? I'm currently wearing Men's Sidi Genius 4 in 38.5 but they are becoming a little loose and I have hot spots on the ball of my foot...

Do you have the superfeet in your shoes?

I haven't used the superfeet yet. I'm wearing these:


They are the BG Comp Carbon road shoe in a 38. They were $60! They are super comfortable - no foot troubles at all - even after centuries...

Now I want either these:

The BG Pro Carbon MTB shoe

or these:

The BG Comp Carbon MTB shoe

for my commuter.

These are all men's shoes. I tried the women's version in the same size (38) and they were just a smidge too narrow for long term comfort.

[roadie gal]

I wear Northwave shoes. They seem to run a bit wider in the front, but I must admit, I haven't tried a lot of other brands in road shoes. These worked, so I've stayed with them.