Hi !

I plan to purchase spd pedals and mtb shoes for my bike. Since here in india the choices are very limited I have to order online.

I am very confused as to the actual size of the shoe, that I should buy, I will be buying Shimano or Northwave. The deals are quite good, but the sizing is very important.

I have measured my foot size and it is 10 inches in length.

My Fila sport shoes show the following sizes:

us uk eur
8 7 41

Could you please guide me as to what size should I go for Shimano and Northwave shoes.

I am aware that shoes, should always be tried on first and online is risky , since I would not be in a position to return them.

I read on some forums that in shimano you should go A size higher than the actual size, is this true, if yes by how much ?

Really appreciate if you'll could assist me, I am anxiously waiting to ride my Fuji Roubaix with spd's.

regards

My shimano road shoes and my bontrager rode shoes are the same size and both fit. My first pair of road shoes were too big and when I'm trying to spin up the hills my foot was slipping and sliding in the shoe

FWIW, the 3 pair of Shimano shoes I have are true to size 10. I have a pair of Specialized shoes that fit well but say 11.5 US, which is wack.

In Shimano shoes I wear a 42 or 8 1/2 US. In Specialized I wear a 41 or 42. Specializes has a bigger toe box so a tight shoes still fits. The Specialized MTB shoes I have are also a 42. In a MTB shoe like Northwave if you wear an 8 a 41 should give you plenty of room. Unless you have a wide foot then go with the 42.

you want racy performance or touring comfort, + have you considered
Keen or Shimano's SPD Sandals?
hot weather they will be pretty nice, drain well in the Monsoons.

Intersting... me too. I've had two pair of Specialized shoes over the years and both were marked a full US size (two Euro sizes) larger than my normal shoe size. My Sidi and Bontrager are just about right on. Their chart comparing their Euro sizes w/ US sizes was right on for me. They fit differntly - the Bontrager has a wider toe box, but both work fine, just feel a little different in the toes.

OP: ordering shoes online is very tricky. See if you can find a vendor with a reasonable return policy, buy two sizes and return the one that doesn't fit.

Thanks for replying !
So would you say that I should go for a 41 as my actual size or go a size higher.

If your regular shoes are a size 41 then you'll probably need size 41 cycling shoes.

Unfortunately it is a gamble I must take , if the shoe does not fit , sending it back would be too expensive for me. A lot of people have advised that for Shimano or Northwave I should go a size higher ie 42 ( since my original size is around 41). It is a tough call.

I'd say 41 in Shimano or 42 in Northwave or Specialized.

Ok, the purchase has been done. I took the 42 and it was good to go, although a snug fit, did couple of rides of about 100 km, I somehow got to try on a 43 as well and it was much on the looser side. Final conclusion my size is a 42.5 which would be a tough availability.
Just another thing, I am not comfortable when I wear thick socks, is this an issue ?

How hard is it for you in India to return shoes that don't fit?

My regular advice is to buy 3 pairs of shoes that straddle the size you think that you need. Then return the two pairs that don't fit.

@Retro Grouch ,Sugar and Honey to you, if only this was possible here. The availability is the biggest issue, let apart taking 3 pairs....

Probably better to do a lot of E-mailing and measurement sharing,
with the Retail outlet you will be buying the shoes from,
rather than here.