Cyclocross - Which shoe would you choose?

Last season I used my old Sidis (which are to narrow) and my feet hated them. So I'm thinking about Northwave Striker SBS, Northwave Rebel SBS, or Bontrager? Anyone race in any of these or other wide shoes and have opinions?

I did search for wide CX racing shoes, but none make specific comparisons Thanks in advance

Specialized shoes are fairly wide. I like 'em

I believe Lake shoes have wide sizes available.

Sidis also have a wide version.

Watch the weight. Last year I bought a pair of Lake wide shoes and they weigh a ton, probably because they use a Vibram sole. I just replaced them with Sidi Megas.

Sidis also have a wide version.

You still need to try them on. I've only checked the lower-priced SIDIs, but the normal squish my toes while the wides leave my feet swimming.

thanks all for the notes. i went to my lbs which carries specialized and asked about the pro "wide". they said specialzied's wide version have the same soles as the norma version, but with a larger foot volume...they also said sidi megas are wider (which i have currently and are too narrow).

i'm a 40-eee which is a hard size to fit :(

I have wide feet and found Adidas shoes a while back, road shoes but they feel good. Now they need better insole inserts but still feel fine width wise.

I also agree Specialized seem to be wider than most euro brands. Just got a set of mtn specialized shoes ad they fit very nice. I've still got to put some mils on them to see how they fare long term.

...i went to my lbs which carries specialized and asked about the pro "wide". they said specialzied's wide version have the same soles as the norma version, but with a larger foot volume...they also said sidi megas are wider...
I ordered "wide" in the Pro MTB, it was not wide enough, and it certainly didn't have enough "volume" for my high instep, in fact it wasn't any wider than going up a full size & half in regular width, which for Specialized is quite a bit larger. I think you made the right decision avoiding those with your EEE foot.

I ordered "wide" in the Pro MTB, it was not wide enough, and it certainly didn't have enough "volume" for my high instep, in fact it wasn't any wider than going up a full size & half in regular width, which for Specialized is quite a bit larger. I think you made the right decision avoiding those with your EEE foot.

thanks Werkin. did you end up trying another brand?

Diadora, Lake, and Shimano; a Lake road shoe felt good standing, but produced hot spots on the bike, and were too thick on the inside ankle causing crankarm contact, the BOA wires on that model dug-in also. I realize you are interested in Cross use, I mention the Lake road shoe because that model in CX/C size was the widest to date, more so than the MX/C MTB shoe I tried.

I'm waiting for Sidi Megas, and I hope to have better fit than your experience. I've been stuffed into standard width Sidis for ten years (Megas weren't available when I purchased), a distributor spokesperson said the last changed in 2010 so Mega sizing overall should be larger than previous versions.

Diadora, Lake, and Shimano; a Lake road shoe felt good standing, but produced hot spots on the bike, and were too thick on the inside ankle causing crankarm contact, the BOA wires on that model dug-in also. I realize you are interested in Cross use, I mention the Lake road shoe because that model in CX/C size was the widest to date, more so than the MX/C MTB shoe I tried.

I'm waiting for Sidi Megas, and I hope to have better fit than your experience. I've been stuffed into standard width Sidis for ten years (Megas weren't available when I purchased), a distributor spokesperson said the last changed in 2010 so Mega sizing overall should be larger than previous versions.

Werkin thanks again. Let me know your experience with the 2010+ Sidi wides...as mine are pre-2010. As for Lakes, I did try on a pair and were too narrow :( They also seemed very heavy + somewhat flexy sole. both not really desirable for norcal cross courses.

How about Shimano Sandals? then, width is an adjustment of the straps .


Back of Velo News has custom cycling shoe makers listed.

.. the last resort of the chronically hard to fit.

I am STARING DOWN THE BARREL at these:
http://www.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/medium/20-5647-BLK-ANGLE.jpg
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/img/product/full/m/mavzfqa8.jpg
and also thinking of specialized, sidi and shimano.

i don't need or want to spend much money on shoes but i really really need something better than the paincases that are my three year old adidas marathon mtbs.

How about Shimano Sandals? then, width is an adjustment of the straps .


Back of Velo News has custom cycling shoe makers listed.

.. the last resort of the chronically hard to fit.

thanks, but i'm not ready for last resort or sandals for racing. i did end up getting custom d2s for road racing...but dirt seems a bit harder on shoes.

I am STARING DOWN THE BARREL at these:
http://www.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/medium/20-5647-BLK-ANGLE.jpg
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/img/product/full/m/mavzfqa8.jpg
and also thinking of specialized, sidi and shimano.

i don't need or want to spend much money on shoes but i really really need something better than the paincases that are my three year old adidas marathon mtbs.

if your feet are wide, you won't like mavic. i tried them on and they're the most narrow on your list

thanks for all the comments. i ended up with northwave rebels. a lbs had my size. they're not the lightest, nor stiffest, nor sexiest...but they fit! if you have wide feet, i'd recommend checking them out.

... i ended up with northwave rebels...they fit!...
Glad to hear, good for you!

My Mega Sidis arrived and they are plenty large enough; whole size for wide feet, half size for huge feet. I have the half size and if I wasn't desperate for toe room, I would exchange for a whole size. The extra space does allow more air circulation. The sole has a little flex BTW.

Glad to hear, good for you!

My Mega Sidis arrived and they are plenty large enough; whole size for wide feet, half size for huge feet. I have the half size and if I wasn't desperate for toe room, I would exchange for a whole size. The extra space does allow more air circulation. The sole has a little flex BTW.

Werkin, thanks for all the advice and comments. good luck with the Sidis...and have fun riding!