Hello everyone. This is my first post here. I’m looking for a little help if I can get it please.

I’ve been running myself ragged for a couple of months now trying to find an SPD shoe to use on my newly acquired TerraTrike. I currently own five pairs of shoes; Bostonian wingtips, casual Florsheim’s, Reebok BMX walking, and two pairs of New Balance running shoes. All of them are size 8 with an EE width, and fit me perfectly. So far, my findings are leaving me with the observation that, for some reason beyond my understanding, cycling shoes are made narrower than everyday shoes.

EVERY cycle shoe I have tried in a wide width, claiming to be an EE width, fit’s me like a standard E width, at best. I have tried all of the Sidi Mega (3 models), the Lake –X (3 models), the Shimano wide widths (2 models), and Forte wides (at Performance bicycle). Today, I found a pair of Shimano SPD sandals on close-out ($25), so I bought them. They’ll get me through the short term, but they aren’t what I want.

I’m thinking of going to a cobbler and get his opinion of having him ‘stretch’ the width of a pair of the EE width shoes from Lake (because they cost less than Sidi or Shimano). Does anyone else know of a Mountain bike shoe that comes in an EEE or wider width?

I sure would appreciate some useful information. Thanks. Gary

I have not done that much looking but my guess is that you may need to do the stretcher thing... Or at least that is what I did. I have a pair of stretchers that I made myself. Took a pair of wooden stretchers and added epoxy paste in the form of my foot. After a ride while the shoes were warm I would shove the stretchers in and the next ride was a little better. Just a idea ....I too have wider than EEE feet.

I have wide feet, and I found the Shimano SPD MT41 fit me just right.

Was this model one of those you tried?

Hi Floyd. I called a local cobbler today and asked him if he was a) familiar with SPD cycling shoes, and b) if he could stretch a pair a couple of width sizes. He said that he knew what SPD cycling shoes were, but not being a cyclist, he had not paid much attention to how they were built. He said if I brought in a pair, he'd look at them and let me know if he could stretch them two sizes. It would depend on materials and actual construction of the shoe. I guess I'll order another pair of Lake's and take them in to him. I'll let you know the results.

Hi GreenGrasshoppr. Yes, I tried the Shimano SH-MT41G. If I remember correctly, it was like a definate E size (which it is advertised as). I think it was about the widest Shimano I tried, but alas, not wide enough.

To take it a step further...before you invest...maybe ask the cobbler what kind of material would work best for the stretching. Although I have stretched just about anything I have and only one or two pair would show 'stretch marks' ...nothing ventured, nothing gained peace

Lake cycling shoes... specifically wide sizes available... order factory direct.

LINK (http://www.lakecycling.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MX101)

Hi Shaman. I appreciate the suggestion and it's link; however, as I mentioned in my original post, I tried three models of Lake shoes in their supposed wide widths. I tried the MX165, the MX190, and upon the suggestion of Chris at Lake Cycling, the MX170. I actually liked the MX170 the best because of it's softer leather and BOA lacing system (although I don't know how long they would last), but it too was just too narrow. The MX170 is what I'm going to get again and take to the cobbler. Gary

I got ya, Guns. I can't fit into 99.5% of the 11.5-12 shoes comfortably and I went for the MX101 Wide direct from Lake with a money back satisfaction guarantee. I was surprised when they fit perfectly.

Good luck on you quest for the right shoe.