I've been pretty happy with my Shimano MT22 shoes, which are the only cycling shoes I've owned. I got them because they work with SPD SH-52 cleats, have a relatively stiff sole, and don't look stupid. I actually love the way they look. However, on longer rides I notice that my toes get cramped and the pinky toes gets numb. I have fairly narrow feet, but the shoe feels a little too narrow.

I'm thinking of asking for the Giro Republics for my Christmas present. Is it worth the extra money for the lx (leather)? They look boxier in the toes than what I have, but I've read a couple of reviews that mention that they have a cramped toe box. Are there other good looking (and somewhat old school looking) shoes I should consider (assuming stiff sole and take 2-hole cleats)?

I have not tried the republic but I use the giro rumble VR's for my commute and they are great. I can even wear them all day as a normal shoe if I forget (or don't bother) to bring a switch. lots of room, basically a normal shoe that clips in.

the republic is a grade higher and more of a pure cycling shoe.. but I have to give props to Giro and expect good things

I don't have any experience with that shoe, but I have found that leather is more comfortable in the long run. I have a pair of Quoc Pham Tourers that have gotten more comfortable with use.

I have been riding Republics (synthetic upper) for about a year. I was highly skeptical before buying but I now like them.

Cramped toe box??? No way! The toe ox has more room than any other road shoe I've had and is as roomy as most mountain bike shoes.

You can get the synthetic for about $100 less than leather. If you have the money, buy leather. If you're not sure buy the synthetic.

I bought Bontrager Classiques last April, and I love them. Most I've ever paid for shoes (160USD), but they're by far the best shoes I've ever had. I was looking primarily for a road shoe with laces, as my foot is fairly wide I wanted some width adjustment. I find them very light and quite comfortable.

Bontrager Classique road shoes review - BikeRadar

Quoc Urbanite is awesome.

I would have already bought the Bontrager Classique if they were real leather. I didn't know about the Giro LX model. I'll keep an eye out for them on Black Friday.

The Dromarti's are as nice as you can get. They look comfortable.

Leather Cycling Shoes - Sportivo Black ¦ Dromarti

Since we got some straight touring shoes into the mix, I'll add my Mamnick Hibell touring shoes
- haven't been happier with any shoes since Avocet touring shoes in about 1978
yes, these are for toe clips/straps

Great to hear. I've found the leather version in the UK for a decent discount, but limited color selection. I may have to go with the grey instead of the black, though the grey looks good too.

I normally take a 44 in European sizing. They only have 43 or 45 available. I'm thinking of going up a size, and I can change out the insole to something beefier if they're too roomy even with the laces. Does that sound right?

Generally speaking going a size up in a cycling shoe is a bad idea. If the foot has room to float and shift inside, it tends to cause sore feet. When leather laced cycling shoes were the norm, people were generally advised to get the smallest size that would fit comfortably. You don't want them so small that there are obvious pressure points, but a good snug fit is best. The leather will stretch and break in over time.

Your feet swell notably when you cycle - the blood pressure increases in your feet.
I point my toes as high as I can when lacing my shoes to prevent circulation pinch when pedaling.

Vittoria 1976 are another nice choice. I normally wear a 47, and a 46 in them was plenty big. They seemed a bit wider than other Italian cycling shoes.

I advise caution here -


You don't like the color (grey vs black)


They are the wrong size




In my experience, a shoe MUST fit, otherwise, no matter the price, you should not buy them. I mail ordered mine because the shop did not have my size. I went to REI and tried them on, intending to buy them but they were one size too small.

I have a pair of Giro Empire SLX laceups. Lightest shoes I've ever owned. Even lighter than my Specialized S-Works.

I've had several pairs of Specialized shoes, all of them size 46. Also had some SIDIs in 46. The Giros are 46.5 and and are still a hair smaller. Assuming Specialized and SIDI are closer to "normal", I don't think you'll have a problem going up a full size.

I remember that the BKM for a good fit in leather cycling shoes was to hose them down with a water bottle and ride on a dry day. They'd shrink wrap to your feet.

That's the way I was taught, anyways.

I'm very pleased with my Giro Republics

Although not leather, they were comfortable right out of the box. I appreciate the large toe box.

Quick to snug up, stays comfortable on long rides. I'm riding shimano a-520s and have no foot pain/hot spot issues.

Last year REI blew them out during the holidays for $75 - I waited a day too long and my size was gone. (looking for a spare pair)

Kevindale -

A possible quick fix for your current foot discomfort is to buy the Dr. Scholl gel pads that is made to fit under the ball of the foot. It relieves pressure and reduces numbness and tingling. If it works, you can take you time on a replacement choice.

I have a couple pairs of the Republics, and I really like them. The one downside is that the walking pads are really deep and that makes it tough (and impossible) to get into certain pedals (I've had trouble with three different sets of pedals). I ended up taking an exacto knife to the pad to make them fit. Kind of a bummer.

I'm happy with my black Giro Republics, they are the synthetic upper model. Mine were modified to use with toe clips and straps, the front lugs in each side of the cleat point were ground off for a flat sole, save the heel lugs. The front lugs made the shoes sit high, and just didn't work with my NR pedals and toe clips.

I have big feet, period, my shoes are Euro size 46 and they fit me comfortably, and they fit snug enough to stay in place correctly. I would recommend them as being good, quality shoes, at a decent price. Watch for sales, Nashbar had a respectable discount a few weeks back when I purchased mine.

Bill

Because I also use clips and straps, I also removed the front lugs. I infilled with a thin rubber sole.


If there is anything bad about these inexpensive shoes, it's that the toe box is too tall. This makes for comfortable toes but it interferes with the front of the clip (I have XL clips but wear a Euro 48/US 13). This is a minor issue, bordering on irrelevant.


OP uses clipless, so this does not apply.

I'm seriously considering a pair of Vittoria 1976 shoes.

They look cool as hell, come in a variety of sole options -carbon, nylon, spd, 3 hole, touring....
And are quite a bit cheaper than the Dromartis (nylon 3 hole version for about $100-120)....

Thank you for all the additional info. With US sizing, sometimes I wear 10.5, more often 11, every now and then 11.5. I also like to wear fairly think, high quality socks when riding, so I'm not sure 45 will be significantly too big. I have gotten shoes that were a hair to big to fit perfectly by replacing the stock insole with something aftermarket of higher quality, with a bit more density.

My comfort issue with my current shoes are that the toe box is too narrow, so a gel insert would probably make that worse. The soles are fine. Oh, and I like the grey in the Republics, just like the black a bit more.

Anyway, there are some very interesting alternative options here, which give me more to consider. Since I don't live in a place that offers any of these shoes, I'll buy online from stores with good return policies, so I won't get stuck with a shoe that doesn't fit.

10.5-11 is Euro 45 anyway. That should be just about right if you prefer thick socks. Always best to buy shoes in person though if possible.

I only mentioned the size thing because it's a bit different than sizing a say a hiking shoe. Fudging a size upwards just to be sure they don't rub is a mistake. You want them right sized. If there's room for fore and aft movement it can get pretty uncomfortable.

I'm not sure why, but the shoe size conversion charts I find on the web are wrong more often than not, and some of them are way off.

I just picked up a pair of Dromartis. Beautiful shoes. Its been cold & wet so I have not rode with them yet. They don't feel right on my heel, sort of a pinch, and thats without even using them yet. I think they will need some manipulation to break in the heel.
With the thin laces its hard to get a proper fit. I am spoiled by rachet & velcro!
Oh the price for vintage looking shoes!

I find these lacing tips extremely helpful.