The Ergonomics of Biking Shoes

[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.

[GLC1968]

I would also like to mention that my foot specialist liked Specialized shoes for me because their shoes are designed to support people who pronate. If you don't, then they probably are not the right shoe for you.

(most people tend to pronate, so they made the right gamble by trending that way)

If you were to look at my foot while it was suspended in the air, it doesn't look wide. Until I put weight on it. I have flat feet (low volume) and my toes spread like crazy. Because of that, I need shoes that are wider. I've never discovered a shoe that was too wide...BUT, since my feet are also short (wms 6.5) finding shoes is tough. My theory is that if you are a woman and if you don't know if you have wide feet by the time you are an adult, then you don't. You would know if you spent your life searching for shoes that didn't hurt your feet something awful! (Men may be more clueless since men's shoes trend wider anyway - and pointy toes are not in fashion for them either).