The great lesson in cycling is this: there are 3 contact points between rider and bike and no 2 people will ever be the same interfacing with those 3 contact points.
Recommendations aren't really helpful as they may hold absolutely no value for you.
What is amazing for one will be complete garbage for someone else.
Are shoes worth what they cost? Relative. If someone can't find shoes that allow them to ride without pain and riding is their key to good health both mentally and physically ...and they have the discretionary funds that allow them to absorb the cost without leaving them destitute then.....they're worth every penny.
If they are the "coolest" and Fastest (red is the fastest) shoes known to man but they don't work with your foot then they are worthless.
We all know this stuff to be true but we don't really spend the time thinking about it.
Finding the right shoe is similar to finding the right pair of bibs, gloves, saddle, bars, bike, team/club.... you don't really know what you're missing until you find the right one. When you find the right one it's like experiencing a tiny bit of Nirvana.
I spent decades in this sport only riding what I thought was priced well. I made it happen and it was OK. When I finally had the time and some money I searched and found a store that sold SIDIs . I had them size me and I had them make recommendations. When I put on my first pair it was like dipping my foot in warm butter. It makes me cry to think of all of those years I spent in horrible shoes.
I have since moved on from SIDI. I now find their soles to be too flexible, the fit too inconsistent from shoe to shoe in the same model, etc. I have found great luck with Specialized and Lake and others.
So the right fitting shoe is worth everything. If the less expensive shoes don't fit well then they are worth nothing. If they fit great and make you happy then sure - why spend more. I have personally found that for my tastes I end up having to spend a little more than what most people would find reasonable. Thankfully I'm in the industry and can usually buy at wholesale.
