Road Cycling - road shoe sizing

I'm having difficulty getting road shoes to "fit" my foot...I'm not even sure how they're supposed to fit exactly. I hear some people saying that they should fit "like slippers" or they should be a size smaller because they'll stretch etc etc.

I normally wear a pair of size 10US running shoes...they're a little bit longer than the length of my foot (and I bet they've stretched a bit widthwise due to wear and tear from running). They width is "D" (I think only NewBalance bothers w. this eh?)

I just bought a pair of Shimano SH R125s size 8.5 US

My toes reach all the way to the front of the shoe and actually push up against it slightly (pretty much a "just fit" lengthwise).

However, widthwise, my right foot feels like it's in a bit of a vise - it might be a hyperbole, but it does feel somewhat cramped widthwise. Is this how road shoes are supposed to be like? Or should they slide on with plenty of room?

well...after drawing my foot on a piece of paper...I find out that my foot is about 10.5 inches long and ~4inches at the widest point

That resolves into 9.5US size running shoe and a width between D and E (3.9'' to 4.1'')

Are all cycling shoes standard D width? (they don't seem to come w. width options). Should I go w. a size 9 instead? even if there's a bit of space at the front?

Hi,
shoes should fit. Those shoes do not fit; which should come as no surpise.....as they are a size too small. See if you can exchange them for a larger size. If wiiiidth is a problem, try the Sidi Mega shoes. That is what I have, for my size 11 EEE feet.

I'll Second the Sidi mega, I wear a size 10.5 ~ 11 EE US, and the Sidi Mega in a 44.5 fit me like a glove! I also have a 2nd pair of road shoes, (Shimano SH-R155B in a 45 which fit my wide feet just as nicely. (Had herd Shimano's run a little wide, were right for me ). ;) Carnacs have a wide toe box, but be prepared to spend a little coin!!! Good luck!

In cycling shoes, I prefere a good snug fit...

KT,

Buying cycling shoes can be a tricky thing. One thing to remember is that the European maunfacturers make their shoes smaller than the Amercian manufacturers. And also since the Europeans used the metric sizing system (and the Americans, the English system), you may not be able to find an exact match for your foot if you are interested in a Euro-made shoe.

My rule of thumb when buying shoes: try them on and wear them around the house (on a carpet or a surface that won't damage the sole). If you need to take them back they will be in mint condition. I would NEVER buy shoes online. Shoes can be hard items to return.

I bought a pair of Sidi Genius (not the Mega) a couple of years ago. At first I was sceptical because the shoes fitted a little too tight (I thought). I took them back and got a size bigger. Those shoes felt sloppy on my feet so I took them back and got the original size. I'm glad I did because over the weeks the Sidi leather fitted to my foot and now those shoes fit like slippers. I rode those shoes in the rain, got them all muddy and dirty, and they are still ticking. I have an extra new pair that I got for half price that needs to be broken in. Had no need for them yet though. But I got them just in case.

A couple of other things to look for when buying shoes:

* Your heels should be firm in the back of the shoes (i.e. you shouldn't have any play in the back of the shoes).

* The place/holes where the cleats mount on your shoes should be in the area of the ball of your foot. If the mount points are between you toes and the ball of your foot, they are probably too big. And if they do fit, I wouldn't buy them.

* Try everything in the type of shoe you are looking for; try as many brands as you can. You'll be surprise how a Diadora fits differently from a Sidi or a Shimano or a Carnac all of the identifcal size. Find the make and size that you like.

* Just because the shoes if more expensive doesn't necessarily make it a better shoe for you. Yes the attributes like the stiffness of the sole for max power transfer makes a difference, but, when you comparable shoes, don't overlook the less expensive ones.

* Know what you are buying. What are the features the shoe offers. I personally don't like that Sidi shoe that has the stiffness adjustment built into the sole. Just give me a stiff sole on my shoe and I ready to go. For racing, you want the lightest, stiffest, and durable shoe you can afford. Ask about the return policy and the manufacturer's warranty. Shoes take a lot of abuse and you want to make sure that the product you buy is back by a reputable company. (For instance, there is only one place for Sidi in the US. I had to return a pair of shoes and it took FOREVER to get them back. I had to call and threaten them.) That's how I ended up with 2 pairs - I found another new pair for half price.

Once you get the right shoe (size and make), you'll never want or need another shoe. Finding the right shoe is a very personal choice - what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. And it will be one of the most important peices of equipment you will buy. So don't take this purchase too lightly.

Just some pointers from my experience.
--

like madcyclist says... shoes are one thing you must, must, must try on before buying. every manufacturer has a slightly different implementation of sizes, and each one uses a slightly different-shaped last. sizw 10.5 in one manufacturer might fit slightly differently from another manufacturer.

i wear size 42 [euro] asics training and trail shoes, though i have an old pair in 41 that fit very well [different last]. my cyclocross shoes [diadora] are 42, but my road shoes [sidi] are 42.5. i simply can't get a decent fit in shimano because i find that the last is narrow in the middle, and pinches my foot at the front of the arch. i had a line on a pair of shimano r150s last year for C$150, but i just couldn't get a pair in any size to fit.

the other thing is that, when you try on shoes, you should let them sit on your feet for @ 10 minutes and warm up. most of the synthetic leathers stretch very slightly as they warm up, so what feels snug at first will often feel perfect after 10 minutes.

road shoes should fit like slippers, not sneakers. they should be snugger than mtb shoes. you won't be walking in them, and you want them to hold your feet without slipping... but without pinching as well. if your foot goes right to the end and rubs, though, that can be a proble. one last thing -- and runners do this all the time -- is to kick your heel against the ground when you put the shoes on to force it into the heel cup, then tighten the straps from the frnt to push your foot backward snugly...

hope that helps...

I have two pairs of Sidi wide shoes as well for Mtn. and road, that I adore - they're not mega, but they're fabulous. The fit is perfect. Definately worth the small fortunate they cost. Your shoes sound too small.

I agree with all of the above, your road shoes should be tight but not so tight you feel uncomfortable. My normal shoes i.e running shoes are size 13's US but i wear a size 44 road shoe (11 US). Your foot should move at all really-it decreases your power.
Stew

I've got wide feet too, size 11.5 to 12 depending on the shoe. A few years back I got some Carnac Legends and I love them. They have a wider toe box and a really stiff/firm heel area. The shoe wraps around your heel very securely. They don't stretch. The soles a carbon, the straps are Kevlar and they are made from kangaroo leather (supposedly tuff-stuff?). They also have laces under the straps. I've tried lots of different shoes and I don't care who makes them, if they are too tight they will ruin your ride. I had a pair of mountain bike shoes that I bought from a very young salesman at the LBS that gave me nothing but pain. The guy told me that they have to be tight because you don’t want them coming off in mud and slop that mountain biking is all about and that they would surely stretch. It was like there was a prize to see how small of a shoe he could fit me into. They never stretched either. One day the cleat ripped out of the sole and I bought some that fit. You need room for your toes and a heel that doesn't slip. Too tight = too much pain, too loose = blisters…

thanks for the tips :)

I went back to the store and switched my more expensive Shimanos for a pair of Specialized. I wore them for several hours at home and they're an infinitely better fit (plus they're a LOT cheaper as well)

don't forget that your feet will swell when riding, especially in the summer. The advice I was given was that the shoes should feel as if they are a little looser than a normal walking should would. I followed this advice and have been quite happy. In the winter, I just wear thicker socks, which I need for the temperature anyway.

BTW, American and English sizing are *not* the same. For the same shoe, the English size will be about 1 number smaller.

Cheers,
Jamie