Ache/crampiness on outsides of feet...shoes too narrow?

[zoom-zoom]

Yeah, men's shoes are a definite possibility, though I'm not sure that heel fit will be good, as men have wider heels. I really wish there were wide-width women's-specific cycling shoes.

[Ambikes]

I have duck feet too! I ALWAYS have problems finding running shoes that don't give me pinky toe blisters. I had that problem with hiking boots also, until I got a pair of Garmonts (which I highly recommend if you're ever in the market for hiking boots).

I've found that Shimano shoes tend to have a wider toe box than the other brands my LBS carries (Specialized and Adidas, I think). I have two different Shimano models, and one is definitely a little wider through the forefoot than the other, so it might depend on the particular shoe model also.

Lots of people use MTB pedals on road bikes. My riding partner has Speedplay Frogs on both of her bikes. I ride SPDs on the MTB and Look Keos on the road bike, but only because I have problems with numb toes after a couple of hours on the SPDs. The larger platform of the Looks keeps my feet much happier.

[OakLeaf]

partial hijack ...

I can't help you with cycling shoes - my Spec Torch shoes are narrow but acceptable to me, with the buckle positioned in the tighter position and cinched all the way tight.

But for running shoes, try the Nike Zoom Triax Structure 13. Seriously, Nike. I was like, "What?" when the salesman brought them out, but they have a VERY square and wide toe box, plus the overlay is set farther back than in many shoes, so they don't irritate my incipient tailor's bunions, yet with the proper lacing my heels don't slip, either. They come in women's Wide, which is what I wear.

[zoom-zoom]

Oak, I wear a Nike running shoe (Run Avant+...now replaced by the Lunarfly+). Yep, they fit better than current wide-width NBs. NB messed up their entire product line about a year-and-a-half ago. I used to wear their wides, now they no longer fit.

I have a friend with a wide foot who just got Shimano shoes, so I'm definitely looking at those. I wish there were more places near me that carried lots of shoes to try on.

[softthings]

i got my mens spec shoes. i love them. i don't notice that the heel area is too wide either. i also got a carbon shoe. good luck finding a good fit!

[nscrbug]

Take a look at Northwave shoes. I absolutely LOVE my women's Northwave Velvet SBS road shoes...wide in the toe box, narrower in the heel...perfect! I'm not sure what Northwave carries in the way of women's MTB shoes, but if you are even thinking about switching over to road shoes, I would definitely recommend checking out the Northwave line. This is the shoe I'm currently wearing -

http://www.realcyclist.com/roadbike/.../NTW0033M.html

[Aggie_Ama]

Sidis are some of the narrowest shoes out there, they also have a pretty basic stock insole. I replaced my Sidi insole with Aline orthos. My LBS actually does shoe fits, maybe you can find one that offers this?

As for the other question about mountain vs road.... A stiff shoe will help you get the most of out your effort. I also find it more comfortable for me. My mountain shoes (Specialized Riata) have a fair amount of flexing, I wasn't too happy using them on my old commuter especially if I got out of the saddle. That being said some of the mountain shoes are made with a stiffer sole so it may be a different feel. Many people use mountain shoes on their road bikes, it just isn't for me. But then again you may hate trying to walk in road shoes or putting your foot down to stop, it is a different feeling from mountain shoes.