cuffydog

I'm looking for a pair of comfortable SPD compatible, non-road, biking shoes. (I like being able to walk around in the shoes, without exposed cleats.) I was looking in Nashbar and almost all the shoes are for men, though many have european sizing. Can anyone either recommend a brand/model of biking shoes for women, specifically, or tell me if the european sizing means that the shoes will work for women as well as men. Thanks.

hjeand

Best I've seen for the money are the Pearl Izumi Vagabond M3 Women's specific for $85 (same price on Nashbar as my local bike shop).

cuffydog

I think I have to order by mail since I live far from any bike shop that sells shoes. I'm thinking of ordering a man's and a woman's, trying both on, and seeing which fits better, then sending one back. It's a plan, anyhow...

Stacy

I've been wearing Specialized Tahoe. They sort of feel like a lot of shoe but they do the job.

Stacy

slowandsteady

I am a woman with narrow feet, size 8 american, or 39 euro. I have had no problems with the so called men's shoes. I wear Answer Tantric road shoes. I would go with the men's shoes since there tend to many more which drives the prices down.

tulip

I wear the shoes that fit me, mens or womens. I wear size 8 US, 39 or 40 euro. I like Shimano. My last pair lasted 10 years.

cuffydog

All good advice. Thanks. I, too, have been wearing a pair of Shimano shoes for the past 10 years but they've finally disintegrated enough to justify getting a new pair. I think they were women's, but I can't remember. They are pretty narrow, which is why I think that, though I don't have especially narrow feet. I just have to be able to stick an orthotic in the shoe.

fitmiss

I love my Sidi Dominators! They are comfortable to walk in (I just did a 2 week cycle tour in France), and are stiff and not clunky like some of the other MTB shoes. They are on the narrow side and I took a 38.5 instead of a 38. I wear a women's 6 1/2 and do not have narrow feet.

I think men and women's shoes are cut differently. Women's shoes tend to have a narrower heal than men's. The Sidis are expensive but from what I understand, do last a while.

dagna

+1 on the narrower heel--if you don't need it, men's shoes are fine. If you need it, best try women's styles. I've got a pair of inexpensive Nike MTB shoes that lace, and I will definitely avoid laces in the future. I tried on some Sidi road shoes and they were marvelously comfortable (more comfortable than my best pair of normal shoes ), so I have the MTB version on special order.

Dagna

cuffydog

Has anyone tried the Sidi Bullet 2? It's about $50 cheaper than the Dominator. (Team Estrogen has the red ones on sale, probably because they are red.)

fitmiss

I have seen women in my club riding with them. I think they are a nice shoe. What I like about the Dominator is the wratchet on the top strap which the Bullet does not have. When my feet swell when I'm riding or I need to make the strap tighter, I can easily lean over and make the change. The wratchet allows for very small adjustments. This works for me.

I didn't see the Bullets on the Team Estrogen website. Maybe they are sold out. I did however see the Rose color Dominator's on sale for 199.00. I like the Rose color although I do have the Black.

dagna

I have the Bullet 2 on special order. I'll be glad to post a review when they get here. I loved the Dominators, especially the ratchet strap, but just couldn't afford them.

DAgna

cuffydog

FM, that's what I meant--the red Dominators are about $50 more than the Bullet2s. I'm tempted, though they will break the bank, but I'm interesting in hearing from Dagna about the Bullets. BTW, I just did a week through the Loire. It was spectacular.

dagna

Wow.
Green with envy!

I haven't gotten the shipping notice on the shoes yet; I expect it'll be about a week once they tell me they're on their way (group order, so have to wait for the contact person to ship them to me after she gets them). I will post the review as soon thereafter as possible.

Dagna