Road Cycling - Road shoe fitting for different-sized feet (L-R)?

I'm sure most folks have one foot a hair larger than the other; left-right asymmetry is common in mammals. But I think my feet are an extreme case. My right foot is just over a size 9 (US Men's), and my left is almost a 10. There's more than 1/2 size (but not quite a full size; maybe 3/4?) difference.

I'm in the market for some new road shoes. I sure can't justify buying two pairs of shoes, and using only one from each, and I'm not about to do a regional search for someone looking for a similar pair, but with "complimentary" sized feet :) . So which foot determines the size? The hinky thing is, of course, that road shoes should be snug. So if I size for my left foot, my right will move around too much in the shoe. But if I size for the right, I'm concerned my left foot will be "bound". Remember, it's not just about length; it's the overall dimensions of the foot that varies. And that's where the problem is. I tried a coupla pair of Sidi's last night. The 44's (they must run small) fit my right foot nicely, but pinched my left. The 44.5's fit my left foot nicely, but left my right foot "sloshing" in the shoe. Yes, even a Euro half-size makes that much difference.

Geez, now that I think of it, this may be why it's my right foot that sometimes gets "tingly", no matter what bike I ride, what shoes, what position, etc.

Any ideas what I might do? Hmm, maybe there's a "filler" insole I can get? Thing is, I don't want something that's the least bit cushion-y; that'll allow for too much movement as well, and will make for uneven transmission of energy from foot to pedal between my right and left feet. That will lead to no end of problems, I'm sure.

Has anyone else, by any chance, encountered this? Anybody wanna switch feet (or one foot, at least) with me?

Two options:
1. Buy the pair for the larger foot and have someone make you a custom insert for the small foot.
2. Buy two pairs and sell off each shoe you don't need on ebay. Betcha find buyers.

Have you asked any LBSs if they will mix? Many shoe stores will do this, even for expensive shoes. I bought >$100 hiking shoes in mixed sizes. If they won't, look around.

Al

I've got a similiar problem. I bought some Lake wide shoes in size 10. ( I normally wear a 9-1/2 shoe). The left is fine, the right a bit tight.

I've removed the standard insole and replaced it with some Spenco flat inserts (green neoprene, available at Big Five, running stores, etc.). Be sure to buy the flat, not the arched ones. This allows for more foot room and seems to have helped. Additionally, I've got one of those shoe devices, piece of wood with a handle, that is used to keep the insides smelling nice. I've put that inside to help stretch out the shoe a bit.

I'm doing a metric century tomorrow and will see if any of this helps!

Sheldon

Have you asked any LBSs if they will mix? Many shoe stores will do this, even for expensive shoes. I bought >$100 hiking shoes in mixed sizes. If they won't, look around.

Al Well, I kinda jokingly hinted at that as I was trying on the Sidi's. Didn't seem to go over with him. I'm hesitant to impose on them; it's the same owner as the shop that gave me a $35 Park Tool floor pump to replace a $17 Blackburn pump that was acting up, just 'cuz they didn't have a working Blackburn in stock. If they weren't about to go on sale and out of season, they might consider it, but the shelf life on them is getting short. 'Course, maybe, as the season draws, they'll strike a deal on both pair.

But I'll ask around at others. Can't hurt. Thanks for the idea.

Its not just an idea, its pretty standard practice at most shoes stores. For example: REI offered to do this for Shimano shoes when I was measured without me even asking, the locally owned hiking store where I bought my hiking boots did this for me as part of the fit process, a mall shoe store said no problem when I asked if I could mix running shoe sizes.

I don't think its a cost burden on the store - I think/guess that the shoe manufacturers/distributors must offer some exchange to retail, probably because as you pointed out L/R sizes that need a half size shoe difference are quite common.

Al

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/1994-02-02/news3.html

Two things, and you didn't hear the first one from me.....

1. Bike shops with gray matter between the ears instead of rocks, will sell you the pair you need, put the other pair in one box, and tell the manufacturer it came that way....please fix it?

2. Sidi did have a special needs program that would put together odd pairs for a nominal fee ($50?).

I had been told about the Sidi special needs program, but I have no personal knowledge of it.

I have leg-length inequality, and so do some of my friends, but some of them in addition also have different-sized feet, and at least one of them has gotten help from Sidi's program. Try calling Sidi and begging......