Help- Finding Cycling Shoes for Women!!

[retread]

I was just fitted for shoe inserts and they are telling me my Sidi's are too narrow for my foot! They are recommending Shiman or Carnac. I want a really good road cycling shoe - does anyone have any recommendations?? I found some awesome Carnac but none small enough. I wear a size 6.5 shoe or something like a 39.5 in Shimano. Thanks for any input

[SadieKate]

Sidi men's shoes come in a mega width. Have you checked their site to see about the women's?

[Crankin]

Sidi women's shoes do come in Mega width. I don't have wide feet, but I do have a bunion on one foot. I got a pair of Dominators in a Mega width, a size larger than my normal size (size 6, usually 37 in Euro sizes, sometimes 36). So I ended up with 38 Megas and they are perfect.

Robyn

[Grog]

I don't really see the difference between women's and men's cycling shoes, except (sometimes) the design. I have very narrow feet and have found men's Specialized shoes to fit me perfectly, same for Shimano. That doesn't help for your width problem, but I guess you could try men's shoes and not bother too much about assigned gender of the shoes.

[SadieKate]

Grog, it depends on the shoe itself. Women's shoes frequently have a narrower heel and may have a bit of a different curve front to back. It's like saddles. Use the ones that fit.

[maillotpois]

I have to wear men's because I am a women's 11 and no one makes cycling shoes that big in women's sizes. But men's can be very loose in the heel, as SK points out. I guess the bottom line is to try on a lot of pairs and see what works.

Or, if you happen to have about a thousand extra bucks lying around, you can get custom made carbon shoes: http://www.lustracing.com/

I have a friend who has them and loves them. Whatever!

[Dianyla]

I have fairly large feet, size 10 US, EE width, and with a very high arch/instep which makes for a very high volume foot. I wear a pair of men's Sidi Mega (wide) Dominators in size 43. Worth. Every. Penny.

[tatormc]

I also wear a 6.5 and have fairly wide feet. Specialized shoes fit me perfectly. I started with a pair of mountain and now have road. Here's the ones I got. http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqP...jsp?spid=10700

[SadieKate]

and with a very high arch/instep which makes for a very high volume foot. I wear a pair of men's Sidi Mega (wide) Dominators in size 43. Worth. Every. Penny.

Ditto on the arch and instep. Sidi Dominators/Genius are the only shoes I have ever found that work with this because the instep strap adjusts from both sides.

[moogal]

I'm using Nike women's cycling shoes. Really nice and pretty good too. They have different road models to suit your budget.

[allabouteva]

I also wear a 6.5 and have fairly wide feet. Specialized shoes fit me perfectly. I started with a pair of mountain and now have road. Here's the ones I got. http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqP...jsp?spid=10700

Hey tatormc,

I wear the same shoe and in the same size (about 37 right?). Funny thing is that I have quite a narrow foot, and I have no complaints either. I just tighten the bindings.

I bought them when I really didn't know much at all about cycling shoes, and the LBS had a very very limited range in women's specific. I guess our size, we have to go women's specific.

I think they're great. Light, stylish, comfy, and easy to wear.

[fixedgeargirl]

Half-sizes in Sidi are wider, not longer. So, if you're wearing a Sidi 38, try a 38.5.

[SadieKate]

Uh, my Sidi 38.5 are definitely longer than my 38.

[Kathi]

If your current Sidi's fit you well I don't see why a larger size won't work.

I wear a full length orthotics in my cycling shoes. I was wearing a 37 Sidi and had to go to a 38 Sidi. Half sizes weren't long enough but width didn't seem to matter. Even with a high instep I have no problems with the Sidi's and my orthotics.

Today I picked up new orthotics made specifically for my cycling shoes. I took my shoes and the insole that came with them. Using the insole as a pattern the orthotic was cut to fit the shoe. Mine are easily trimable.

As I remember my first orthotics were cut to fit my gym shoes. From that model I went out and bought cycling shoes (Sidi's) that fit the orthotics.

If you get a half length or 3/4 length orthotic you may get by with a half size larger. Don't buy any new shoes until you get the orthotic. You will probably have to get new athletic shoes also.

REI had a great sale on Keen shoes. My orthotics work great in them.

Don't try to squeeze the orthotics into the shoes and ride with them. If they are too tight you will get numbness and hot spots.

My knees are so much happier with my orthotics.

[SadieKate]

Kathi, who, what and how on your orthotics? I've been wearing them for 30 years and need to start looking at replacing the current pair. Just looking for opinions and info right now. I assume you are referring to custom orthotics?

thanks.