Road Cycling - How snug should clipless shoes be?

Well, I ordered a pair and, since everyone in the US insists on listing cycling shoe sizes in everything BUT US sizes, I got a pair that's about a size too big. I wear 11's and I got 12's. I have a bit too much room in the toe area but the fit around the rest of my foot is OK. Will this have an adverse impact on my riding (ie. discomfort, etc) or is this kind of size difference a relaticely minor deal. I'm new to clipless so I have no idea...

I hate tight fitting shoes. My riding shoes are the right size for my foot, but I dont pull the straps very tight. I like a little room to move around inside the shoe.

I find a European 44 fits me better than anything I find in the states. I think my foot is an odd, in between size.

Your shoe should be snug but not so tight that it starts to cut off circulation. Your foot shouldn't flop around in the shoe, either. You could go do a store that sells dance (i.e., ballet slippers) and buy some lamb's wool to put into the toes of your cycling shoes. (My wife used to dance and that's what ballerinas put in their toe-shoes to relieve the pressure when they're "en pointe". It should work well for cycling shoes, too, I would guess.)

I would leave the shoes a little loose at the beginning of my ride and tighten them up during the ride, if necessary.

SteveE

...and if you ride in the winter, you will have room for warmer and thicker wool socks. Something to consider if you got a great deal on them.

Jay

I bought shoes one European size too big. That way, in the summer I can use the straps to tighten them to a nice snug feel and in the winter, with heavy socks, they still fit nice and snug.

Thanks for the info. They're actuallylace-up shoes (no straps) so pulling them tighter requires more effort, but they do fit well around the foot. Just too long. Anyway, you all sold me w/ the winter argument. Good call!

The most important thing I've found, other than not being too tight, is not allowing your foot to slide front to back while pedaling. This will cause blisters or hot spots very quickly.