Shoes should be comfortable, supportive, with sole stiffness specific to the application.
Specialized shoes are corrected 1.5 degrees (most models), varus. The company states that approximately 80% of all cyclists need this correction. I do not agree. It is easily removed by shimming the cleat.
These are still, exceptional shoes. The last is typically very supportive, toe-box moderate (in the standard width), and weight remarkable. You can buy BG insoles, too — red, blue, and green – to accommodate your arch. Each model includes a metatarsal “lift” or “button” and deep transverse arch support. Not bad for off-the-shelf, but my opinion is that the arch is too long for many riders.
Bontrager shoes are WIDE! If you have really wide feet, these are great shoes for you. The higher-end road and mountain shoes are very light, too. E-Soles make the insoles, and while they have some spectacular custom models, I am not a fan of the ones sold through Trek. The arch is interchangeable, but all versions are short, tall, shallow, and prone to collapse.
-Update: Bontrager has new shoes! Not as wide now. Lighter, too.
D2-Shoes rock. Fully custom.
Shimano shoes are heat moldable, available with many different lasts, and in a variety of widths. The top-end road shoe is the stiffest thing I’ve ever had on my foot. Great heel support in the top models, and typically better for a narrow foot in the standard widths. Don’t like the insole. Not much of anything, really. These shoes work great with a good aftermarket insole.
I like Sidi Shoes again! Big improvements over the past 2-years. Outer provides more support, and last is wider.
Louis Garneau? Who would have thought? Also heat moldable and very light. Last is similar (identical?) to Specialized, but without the 1.5 degree correction. Great selection, price, and fit. LG sells a very nice heat-moldable insole, which is a fantastic value at $45.
DMT Shoes are really nice. Loads of instep support in the outer.
Carnac Shoes? What happened to the “Legend”? Wish I had more information here. These were my favorite, back in the day.
Fizik Shoes! Mega-tech, well made, and with great insoles. Hope they are available, soon.
-Update: Have some, and they are very nice. Wish that the Kevlar straps extended to the last.
Rocket 7 make great custom shoes, but really expensive. Custom carbon sole/insole and outer.
Bont shoes are also custom, but minimalist. I’d like to see a little more insole-type-material between the carbon-last and foot. Custom carbon sole/insole and outer.
I have seen a number of other nice shoes on the market, but not enough to form an opinion on what is good or not. Remember that the former statements are my opinion and not necessarily fact.
When trying-on shoe at your local shop, be sure to sample all models possible. Every shoe is slightly different from the next, and models are updated/changed every few years. Don’t expect that your 2007 model will fit like the 2011 version of the same thing.
Don’t buy the idea that they will “break-in”. A shoe should be comfortable right from the box. There is a shoe for every foot. Try a variety of shoes from different manufacturers, and get custom if necessary.
Bicycling does not incorporate the heal-strike of bipedal activities, instead relying on shoe stability to create positive force from hip, knee and ankle to pedal. Every movement between toe-knuckles (distal metatarsal) and heel will alter knee, hip, and trunk alignment.
Mountain bike pedals are for mountain biking; Road bike pedals are for road biking. MTB allow for more shoe/pedal movement with less surface-contact; Road, less movement and more surface-contact. The former is for handling obstacles; the latter, to maintain structural integrity in static positioning.
Feet go numb for a number of reasons. Here are a few that are more common:
1.The toe-box is too tight between the 1st and 5th metatarsal, restricting blood flow and compressing bones/nerves.
- High/hard arch reduces surface area contact in shoe, increasing pressure and compression.
- Low/soft (high/soft) arch collapses and/or expands with restriction/compression.
- Shoe is too short.
- Shoe is too wide.
- MTB pedals used for road application. Increased compression/load on small surface area.
Foot size increases – weight bearing – with altered pressure distribution and loading.
- Many other foot-related disorders that I will be discussed in an “advanced” posting.
Foot Shape/Deformities:
There are numerous products to make odd feet fit standard shoes on the Internet. Always modify the shoe, not the foot. You can stretch, relieve, and support as necessary.
A good fit technician will modify shoes/foot beds/posting to achieve proper foot/shoe/pedal interface, specific to the load necessity of cycling.
Do not accept insoles/modifications that hurt your feet, even if your technician suggests that you will “get used to it” or “it will go away in time.” Adaptation indicates alteration of ligament/fascia/muscle, which can alter foot structure for better or worse.
A good insole modification matches the uniqueness of each foot, making the shoe fit like a glove. These modifications are supportive, not corrective. I suggest seeking a podiatrist for the latter.
