Do good shoes make a big difference?

[Violara]

Hi--I come from the "what fits and what is on sale" line of reasoning, but I saw some better shoes on sale, and wonder if I could expect a noticeable improvement in performance if I upgrade?

[ny biker]

What kind of riding do you do?

[Tri Girl]

I generally have the same shopping philosophy as you.
I think that when it comes to shoes (and many other things)- you get what you pay for. It's been my experience that the more expensive the shoe- the better quality is in general. Of course, I know that's not always true, but for me it's been true. This coming from the person who bought her first pair of cycling shoes on eBay for $10 (cheap older crappy Shimano shoes) then I bought a pair of $150 shoes on sale was like "HOLY COW these shoes are awesome."

[sarahkonamojo]

Seems like comfort, support, and fit should be independent of price. If you have an easy to fit foot, you can probably pay less than those of us with difficult feet.
An increase in price should improve durability as well as provide better comfort, support and fit.
For me it is bike fit number one. Shoe fit number two. (But that is only when my feet are pain free.)

S

[OakLeaf]

I'm interested in the difference between carbon and nylon soles, too, if that's what you're asking about. I'm very hard to fit, but considering my current nylon-soled Spesh shoes fit adequately, I expect their carbon-soled shoes will fit the same when it comes time to replace them.

Anyone?

[redrhodie]

I'm interested in the difference between carbon and nylon soles, too, if that's what you're asking about. I'm very hard to fit, but considering my current nylon-soled Spesh shoes fit adequately, I expect their carbon-soled shoes will fit the same when it comes time to replace them.

Anyone?

I have both nylon and carbon Specialzed MTBs, and they fit totally differently. Nylon is a roomy 40, and the carbon is a narrow 40.5. You really need to try them on.

[OakLeaf]

Oh, I'd try them on. But how much stiffer are the carbon soles?

[redrhodie]

I don't feel a noticeable difference in stiffness, but I got the carbon ones because I thought they'd help with my IT band issues, and actually, that has gotten better. I did play with my cleat alignment, so that may also be a factor. I've only worn the nylon ones once since getting the carbons, so I guess I like them better.

[Bike Chick]

Good luck finding a shop with carbon sole women's shoes to try on. When I decided to switch to carbon, I couldn't find a bike shop in a 100 mile radius that carried women's carbon shoes in stock. I know I live in a rural area but it seems no one carries high-end women's merchandise in stock. I tried on the nylon sole shoes to get the correct size and ordered the carbons. Like redrhodie said, they ran smaller and narrower.

I won't skip on price when it comes to shoes.

[redrhodie]

Oh, that's true! My shop ordered the carbon ones for me in the size of the nylon, and they were too small. Luckily, they kept them.

To the OP, I really didn't see a big gain in performance from the more expensive shoes. I do think they're cuter, though. That is a motivator for me.

[OakLeaf]

They have them in stock in a shop not too far from me, in fact I was there today but didn't really look at shoes because I don't need any yet.

Really, considering how many miles were on my old Duegi shoes, I may never need another pair of shoes, unless I outgrow these like I did the Duegis.

Okay, okay, I do hope to ride another 40,000 miles in my lifetime, but I don't think I need to go shoe shopping quite yet.

[Violara]

What kind of riding do you do?

I do road but have MTB shoes. I like them because I don't have to worry about scratching the floors getting the bike back in the house, but the soles aren't particularly stiff.

thanks for all the good input--I will probably wait a bit longer to replace these.

[zoom-zoom]

I do road but have MTB shoes. I like them because I don't have to worry about scratching the floors getting the bike back in the house, but the soles aren't particularly stiff.

The shop where I bought my bike has a bunch of nice shoes, but I ended up with Sidi Dominators. I don't ride mtn., but these are essentially the same as a Sidi road shoe (Genius?), only with the mtn. lugs (so they are still fairly stiff, I think). The store owner prefers to call mtn. shoes "walkable," for the reasons you mention. I don't want to feel that I can't walk a short ways to get ice cream or indoors.

[ny biker]

I think stiffer soles would matter if you're doing long rides or you want to go as fast as possible.

Otherwise, if you're comfortable, then it seems like your current shoes are doing the job.

[ridebikeme]

All of you are exactly right, most LBS do not stock highend womens shoes... not enough of a demand quite YET. With that said, I find that there is a hUGE difference between a carbon soled shoe and a nylon. I ride both road and mtn, and find that I climb a fair amount while standing(road). With that said, it definitely starts to wear down my shoes enough that my feet start to hurt, simply because the sole has broken down and isn't supporting my feet any more. (If you were to look in my closet, you would find several road shoes that look like they are in great condition still, but have the cleats taken off and are simply taking up space because of this) A carbon sold shoe( at least for me) will last longer, and give better support throughout the life of the shoe.

Another point that I want to make about good shoes is this: your feet are the foundation for the rest of your body. If your shoes are inadequate, then any issues you may have, then can manifest in your feet OR further up your body over time. My theory has always been buy good quality shoes, and save money in other parts of your cycling wardrode... less expensive jerseys etc... I have a feeling that if you ask Knotted or any of the other PT'S online here at TE, they will share that same thought.