Shoe Fit: toe room?

[VeloVT]

Very interesting. I buy running shoes 1/2 a size to a size larger than my street shoes (they usually have a generous thumb's width of room, I'm quite particular about this since I have, ahem, sensitive toenails).

But my cycling shoes have way, way less room. They fit more like climbing shoes or pointe shoes. My toes are all in a natural, non-cramped position with my foot flat on the ground, and I can move them a little, but I can't fully stretch and wiggle them all.

However, I've never had numbness, swelling or discomfort, and I can't imagine how much I'd be sliding around if my shoes fit like running shoes.

(I wear a 7.5 street shoe, an 8 to 8.5 running shoe and a 39 Sidi).