How are bike shoes designed? At a quick glance, it seems like the toes are angled up maybe 15 degrees from the rest of the foot (from the metatarsals). Is there any slight twisting of the foot from the ankle to the toe? I know (all?) Specialized shoes are made to have a small outward lean to them. Basically, how is the positioning of the foot in a cycling shoe different than a normal walking shoe?

(First time in the forums, lmk if there is a better spot for this thread)

Shoes are designed to follow the natural, at rest shape of your foot.

If you relax and place your foot on the floor touching at the heel and ball, your toes are likely not touching. So, the arc of cycling shoes reflects that.

Otherwise the same goes for cycling shoe as any other shoes, comfort trumps all other factors. It's especially important with cycling shoes because there's little to no foot movement, so if there's any pinch or pressure point, you don't have movement to maintain circulation or relieve the pressure, and you'll suffer pain, numbness, cramps or some of all three.