Quote Originally Posted by Owlie View Post
I keep forgetting about these. I used to ride in my Keen Newports (so, basically the same shoe, but without the cleat holes) when I had platform pedals. I just wonder how stiff the sole is, because my Specialized shoes aren't stiff enough.
I've heard that they are pretty flexible AND they run REALLY narrow...especially for Keens (and a couple of my friends have them and they look VERY narrow). I already find that men's standard width shoes are none-too-wide for me, as is (though my heels slip out of some of them--I got really lucky with the fit of my LG shoes...narrow heels, wide forefoot).

My LG mtn. shoes have very stiff soles (for a mtn. shoe), but still only accommodate small 2-bolt SPD cleats, which I suspect is the root of my issues. A larger cleat/pedal with a stiffer-soled shoe just instinctively sounds like it would relieve the discomfort that I'm feeling in my peroneal tendon area.