How should cycle shoes fit?
 

Hi all - just purchased a pair of Shimano SH RT51s, which are SPD shoes and I got a size 44, which is my normal shoe size. They seem a little tight though. After doing a little research, I find that we should buy cycling shoes that are half size larger than your normal shoe. What is up with that??? Why not just make the cycle shoe size correspond with the normal shoe size? Anyway, I was using my brother's size 44 shimano SH RT50s for a few weeks and they seem to be fine - could it be that the shoes need a little breaking in? How tight should cycling shoes be anyway? Once the socks go on, they are very snug indeed. The RT51s are pretty stiff on the bottom, could this be the reason why they feel tight?

Cycling shoes have stiff soles to transfer as much power to the pedals as possible. You buy a half size larger in American sizing, one size larger in Euro sizing, to accommodate swelling of your feet. Different cycling shoe companies measure a little different from one another.

Take me for example: I wear a US 9 1/2 for my sneakers, dress shoes, and work boots with ease. My Specialized MTB shoes are 44 and my Shimano road bike shoes are 45. I always try shoes on before buying them, and never catalog or internet order shoes.

For my cycling shoes, I always wear a thin sock, usually a cycling specific sock. The snug fit helps prevent blisters.

Need to try any shoes on for proper fit and comfort. May need to go a size larger or smaller. Your regular shoe size is a ballpark start and you may have to consider buying a separate pair of shoes for winter to accommodate thicker/warmer socks. The bottoms will be stiffer than a regular shoe for the reasons DieselDan mentioned.

Personally, I find the lack of widths in cycling shoes to be my main problem with fit. Some of us need EEE's...lol.

I buy Shimano shoes 2 sizes larger than normal. i normally wear a 46, and buy 48 in Shimano.

Nothing worse than shoes that are tooooo small.

They shouldn't be so tight that they will impede circulation. Our feet tend to get a little bigger when riding for longer distances than around the neighbourhood, which is why you many people recommend a bit looser fit. You may also want to be able to wear a bit thicker socks in colder weather.

Feet don't really swell that much cycling. The idea to get a half size larger to accomodate swelling is more more weight bearing actvitites like running.

Cycling shows should feel a little snug initially because the uppers get more flexible with wear. The last thing you want is your feet moving around with too big of shows.

Every manufacturer...and sometimes shoes by the same manufacturer...seem to fit differently. Don't purchase by size, purchase by actual fit. Make sure that there is enough room in the toe box to wiggle your toes wearing your normal weight sock, but that the rest of the shoe still fits snug enough to keep it from moving around and causing blisters or sores.

If buying for winter use, make sure you try them on using your winter weight sock(s).

Are you sure it is not a width issue? I have found Shimmanos to be a bit narrow. That is the Lake SPDs. You can get them in a wide width.

Thanks - There seem to be 2 camps of people on this. Most people recommend half size up. But I found that more people recommend the very snug fit, who are probably the competition riders, or those who really serious about riding. I am a little bit of both - I don't want to be uncomfortable, but won;t want the lose anything in terms of efficiency. I've been walking around in the RT51s and I've got enough room at the toebox to wiggle my toes a little bit. I also feel that my heel can sink into the heel cup a little more with wear. And if what you say is right about the uppers getting more flexible with wear, then I think my shoes will be ok cos it feels tight across the top, not at the front. Thks!

As already suggested, I try shoes on while wearing thick socks so they are sure to fit during winter rides. During warm weather riding, I just lace them up a little tighter. I never buy shoes online.

The one who invents "shopping shoes by fit through the internet" will be a rich man!

Not tight. Not loose. I suggest, when you buy a pair. Wear the cycling socks you'll be wearing when your on the bike. And when trying them on, carefully flex your feet into positions you'll likely encounter on the bike....I thought the pair I was wearing were thin enough. Uh Ah.. The pair of PI's I bought are tight while on the bike.. Can cycling shoes be stretched is something I need to know.

You'd think with all of our technology and global communication we could come up with clothing sizing standards with a bit less tolerance...ie if you wear a size 10, you can be sure that the size 10 you just bought is actually a size 10 and will fit, rather than a size 9 masquerading as a 10 because somebody chewed the end off their measuring tape. :eek:

Do not buy shoes (and kind) without trying them on first. If you take two pairs of identical shoes in the same size and put them on your feet, you may find that they fit quite differently. Your shoes might have cost a lot of money, but they were most likely assembled by workers who earn less in a week than you do in a day, so you can't expect them to be made very precisely.

The shoes should be somewhat loose when they are unfastened. Tighten the straps/laces until they fit properly, making sure than there is no pinching. Walk around in them a little and feel for tight spots around the toes or on the sides of your feet.

When I shop for a new pair of cycling shoes, I don't look for any particular model, I just look for the pair which fits the best. Often the most comfortable shoe turns out to be the most expensive, but I've been surprised from time to time.

Glad to read these comments and find I chose wisely.

A couple of weeks ago the LBS guy asked me my US size and brought out 45's in three different shoes. Ended up purchasing a size 46 Shimano SH-RT80. It was just the most comfortable.

Was tempted to order online, but knew I needed to try them on. Plus I wanted to support my LBS.

Took size 44s back to LBS and they took it back and gave me a credit for when the 45s come in. PHEW!!! If I had tried to wear them in and hoped that they stretched to fit, I'd be advertising a "near new" shoe for sale on ebay 2 weeks. Thks guys for the advice.