OH my achin' dogs

[tzvia]

I like a wider toe box and have very flat feet. So flat, that I wore custom orthotics for years as a child. Didn't do any good and I still have pain in the arches and get hot-foot while cycling sometimes. I've been very happy with Shimano shoes- and found that for me, a stiff sole makes it more comfortable as the sole isn't flexing when I push down. So I use their fiber soled shoes and just love them. Used to love Sidi but maybe my feet got wider because I find them narrow and constricting now unless I wear very thin socks.

I did find a really good (for me) moldable insole, made by Louis Garneau, that you put in the oven to soften, then put in the shoe and stand in them till they cool, and they mold to your feet. I put them in my Shimano mtb shoes and it is a perfect marriage; I have ridden in them all day every day for a week in Oregon on vacation earlier this month and my feet just felt great. I put the Specialized BG footbed in my road shoes and they help, but the LG moldable insoles are awesome.

Good luck finding a setup that works; it's like finding 'the one' saddle. The payoff in pain reduced/free riding is worth the hunt.

[shewhobikes]

I like a wider toe box and have very flat feet. So flat, that I wore custom orthotics for years as a child. Didn't do any good and I still have pain in the arches and get hot-foot while cycling sometimes. I've been very happy with Shimano shoes- and found that for me, a stiff sole makes it more comfortable as the sole isn't flexing when I push down. So I use their fiber soled shoes and just love them. Used to love Sidi but maybe my feet got wider because I find them narrow and constricting now unless I wear very thin socks.

I did find a really good (for me) moldable insole, made by Louis Garneau, that you put in the oven to soften, then put in the shoe and stand in them till they cool, and they mold to your feet. I put them in my Shimano mtb shoes and it is a perfect marriage; I have ridden in them all day every day for a week in Oregon on vacation earlier this month and my feet just felt great. I put the Specialized BG footbed in my road shoes and they help, but the LG moldable insoles are awesome.

Good luck finding a setup that works; it's like finding 'the one' saddle. The payoff in pain reduced/free riding is worth the hunt.

Yay!!! More great advice. TE forum rocks! I will check for the Garneau insoles. And you are so right...saddle, shoes, shorts, it's all about making riding fun and as pain-free as possible. thanks again!

[lo123]

I did find a really good (for me) moldable insole, made by Louis Garneau, that you put in the oven to soften, then put in the shoe and stand in them till they cool, and they mold to your feet. I put them in my Shimano mtb shoes and it is a perfect marriage; I have ridden in them all day every day for a week in Oregon on vacation earlier this month and my feet just felt great. I put the Specialized BG footbed in my road shoes and they help, but the LG moldable insoles are awesome.

I'm sooo looking for those insoles! Thanks

Found em: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLG_1487069.html

[nscrbug]

Chiming in a bit late here...but wanted to comment on the Northwave cycling shoes. I'm currently wearing a pair, and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! I too, deal with a myriad of foot issues - PF in my left foot, toe pain/numbness in my right foot, underlapping toes in BOTH feet. I needed a wider toe box, but not a wide shoe in general. Sidi's just didn't work for me...the regular Sidi is too narrow all-around, and the Mega is too wide all-around. I also tried a few styles of Specialized, but never really found that perfect fit. I had heard about the Northwave shoes having a wider toe box, but narrower heel...which is exactly what I was looking for. I ordered a pair of women's Northwave Velvet SBS, and I could not be happier! They feel like slippers compared to any other cycling shoe that I've tried. Try the Northwaves...I don't think you'll be disappointed.