The Ergonomics of Biking Shoes

[OakLeaf]

Lake's website says they have a North American distributor, Stage Race. But if you go to Stage Race's website, they don't list any Lake dealers. Maybe people could ask their larger LBSs to inquire about stocking Lake shoes. I'm so very glad I got mine from an overstock site before they all went away (thanks to Colby for the tip!). My men's EE Lake road shoes are NOT too wide in the heels and only press on the sides of my toes a tiny bit, although I really need to take mine to a cobbler to shorten the instep strap. (I tried on a couple of pairs of Northwave shoes once and found them super pointy in the toes ... YMMV.)

The foot measuring deals only show me being between a D and EE. I have long toes, and I think that has something to do with it also. It means that my feet are wide through a greater length than someone with shorter toes. My foot volume is actually on the low side, so instep height can cause me as much trouble as heel width.

[FlyingScot]

OT trivia. The "foot measuring thing" is called a Brannock Device. Go forth and educate.

That is all.

[FlyingScot]

Actually that isn't all. About 3 months ago I switched to the entry level Specialized road shoes from mountain bike shoes. The shoes combined with Speedplay X pedals have virtually eliminated my knee pain. I did find that I had to go up one size in the shoes (I normally wear a 36) but this allows me to use slightly thicker socks. I can really tell a difference in the angle of my knee when wearing the Specialized shoes with the wedge design.

[itself]

I think there might be something to the Specialized shoes. Now the knee improvement you are seeing is from the Speedplay pedals, as I went to these pedals years ago for that reason.

[FlyingScot]

I think there might be something to the Specialized shoes. Now the knee improvement you are seeing is from the Speedplay pedals, as I went to these pedals years ago for that reason.

Oh, agreed! But I do think that having my knee, given its anatomical wonkiness, appreciates being aligned properly in relation to my ankle. It takes the stress off of it. However, I do so love that 15 degress of float with my Speedplays!

[itself]

The Specialized BG footbeds are also getting good reviews. I have custom orthotics but am tempted to try them. No question I am having better luck with the Specialized shoes. Very few online dealers unfortunately.

[OakLeaf]

Just have to add my obligatory reminder that "arch support doesn't come from shoes," on the bike any more than it does running - at least for most people, without knowing your "anatomical wonkiness" (love that phrase ).

It's important to have shoes that fit and cleats and cranks that don't pull you OUT of alignment, for sure. But all that being equal, we need the hip abductors and external rotators, and all the muscles in the feet, to bring everything INTO alignment to begin with.