Stretching Shoe Lasts

[Miranda]

I wasn't sure if this post fit best in apparel, gear, or almost like a prep/maint question, so I decided to just put it here...

Has anyone every taken your road or mtb shoes to a professional quality shoe store and had the shoe stretched?

I think it would help tweek some shoe issues for me, but wondered if this would impact the integrity of the cycling specific sole?

TYIA

EDIT: oh my goodness... alright, thx... I fixed my "lasts" to read shoe... I guess I mean to say "upper"... the fabric/material thingy that goes over the top of your foot. Gheez, how's that for technical...

[SadieKate]

Um, no since a last is the form used for making the shoe.

[Miranda]

Um, no since a last is the form used for making the shoe.

Thx SadieKate ...

I hope my post makes more technical sense now, gheez.

[indysteel]

I had the toe box of my Sidis stretched "professionally" and I later used this medieval-looking device that a friend of mine has to further stretch it out. The shoe did indeed stretch a bit. It did not fix my hot foot problems, however.

[Jiffer]

I have the opposite problem. My feet are too narrow for my shoes, so I'm looking for things to "fill them up" instead of ways to stretch them out! Seems like a good idea, though. But, I think you're right to try to get input before spending money and altering your cycling shoes.

[SadieKate]

Thx SadieKate ...

I hope my post makes more technical sense now, gheez.

Much mo' bettah.

[Miranda]

I have the opposite problem. My feet are too narrow for my shoes, so I'm looking for things to "fill them up" instead of ways to stretch them out! Seems like a good idea, though. But, I think you're right to try to get input before spending money and altering your cycling shoes.

If this is any help on the narrow find...

I was going to post my mega blab about my Sidi shoe store in that thread when I finally own the pair that works, but alas here's one try on of mine...

Mens narrow in Sidi, is indeed narrower than the womens... very shallow compressed upper and narrower through the heel area... don't know if in all models, but some. These were the 5.5s

Specialized does make a narrow in mens too in the higher $ shoes. Those I have not tried, but I would think it would be about the same deal as the Sidis.

Birkenstock makes a narrow width in shoes. I bought some sandles, and that particular model I fit the narrow? But, now they really hurt my heel. I think it goes back to my foot funky thing.

[Miranda]

Much mo' bettah.

*snork*

Thx

[Miranda]

I had the toe box of my Sidis stretched "professionally" and I later used this medieval-looking device that a friend of mine has to further stretch it out. The shoe did indeed stretch a bit. It did not fix my hot foot problems, however.

Oh, that really sux... I feel your pain... LITERALLY.

I am finally getting into the pod doc next week after a month wait as a new pa. I was hoping to get in sooner with all the year end shoe close outs. Thus, I could show the doc the shoes and get some pro help if I should be wearing them or not.

I'll probably end up getting cust orthotics made with my very high arch. Any otc insert doesn't come close. The womens Sidis fit perfect everywhere but the ball. Especially the right foot.

As far as I can self-help google, I think I have a toe bunion lump that is probably too large in the shoe. Well, plus some other pain things. The larger lefty feels fine. I don't think I'm bad enough to get it operated on, nor would I want to, so I think there has got to be a way to make the bump fit in the shoe.

That's why I was kinda hoping maybe a pro stretcher could push out that spot enough to provide extra space for the lump. Sorta like I read on TE of folks smashing dents (by hand or other means) into their Brooks saddles in lieu of a cut out while breaking it in everywhere.

Saddles have cut outs, maybe my Sidis could have a cut out? Hmm, I think I just heard someone faint in Italy. It makes me bummed because of the shoes I'm tried the Sidis fit the best everywhere else, except the goofy spot *sigh*.

I know there are also even cust Rocket7s, but wow, that's way up there $.

[pmarcolini]

Sidis run a bit too narrow for me and Specialized a bit too wide. And since my shoe size is small (US 5.5-6), store selections were limited. My solution was to remove the insoles from the Sidis and now they fit perfectly.