BigPoser

I've been wanting some new shoes lately and considering ponying up and getting some proper wide shoes. My right foot is bigger than my left and is 110mm wide. So I'm thinking Lake CX237 or Bont Vaypor S. I'm currently wearing Shimano R171 Wide, but from what I've read, their wide versions only add material to the standard last. I'm only considering the new RC7's as they look great, but not sure if they'll just add the material as they have for their previous wide versions.

Thoughts and opinions are welcomed.

Thanks.

Brandon

Seattle Forrest

I'm using R171s and need new shoes. If you go with RC7 I want to know what you think of them.

Considering what you pay for them, and how long they last, you want to get this right. If it's at all possible to try the shoes on in person, you should.

redlude97

My foot is a EE and I've been drooling over the Lakes. If you end up getting them would love to hear your opinion. Running Shimano XC5 for cross and while its not marketed as a wide, its wider than most standard shoes so I would expect the RC7 to be wider. The footbeds are pretty narrow though so I suspect they just add last material

bbbean 

Check out the Garneau "X-comfort zone" shoes. They solved the biggest part of my wide foot issues. Their return policy is pretty good, too. I've been riding the Course Air Lite II this year, and am considering getting one of the MTB shoes for CX season.

WhyFi

You've just gotta try them on.

I've been shopping for an eventual replacement to my 5 or 6 year old Specialized shoes, and wide shoes are a great big pain in the ass in the US. From import to retail, Bont and Lake aren't easy to come by, so I'd almost say that a patient, mail order process (with an outfit with free returns/return shipping) might be better than dealing with the LBS. My shop was awesome in getting in a handful of Bonts to try on, but QBP only brings so many in to the country, so you might not have too many options and you're still going to play the waiting game. Lake seemed to be the same story, but I was suffering from too much shoe shopping fatigue to continue - maybe in the spring.

Good luck!

BigPoser

Thanks all. Yeah none of the LBS in town carry Lake or Bont so it'll be online for me. Unless I can find an shop in the LA area that I can swing into when I'm in the area, which isn't very often, I'm stuck. There is a shop that I can get Garneau and at cost so that might be an option for sure.
@seattle - I completely understand. I've had my R171 for a couple years and got them at a $100 and they've been pretty good, but want something new. Had I paid full price I would be keeping them much longer.

Dendroica

I have EEEE wide feet and have been happy with Lake shoes. I started with the CX217 and recently got a pair of the CX237s. For me the CX237 feels wider in the forefoot and seems to fit better. I also like the fact that the 237 has the duel Boa so you can adjust the tightness better.
Lake has a chart on their website where the show the width and length of each size. Since I also had no choice but to buy them online i just followed the chart and it worked well for me.

sdmc530

mahons

+1 - I have a wide forefoot and went with the Lake CX237 (Wide) and my feet have never been happier on the bike.

crazyravr

Why not just get what is working for you now? They are cheap these days and work for your so........... If it aint broke...

Trsnrtr

Glad to hear about the Lakes working out. I was scared to order after checking my size using their measuring method. My 8E feet were still too wide for their shoes according to their charts.

WhyFi

You must be a hell of a swimmer.

Koyote

I've tried on some of the Specialized wide models, and they are very wide. They also have a 30-day return privilege, even for items that have been used, for what it's worth.

Dopefish905

Trsnrtr

Didn't need flippers.

Bah Humbug

Fast swim, slow bike.

Maelochs

One never knows what another means by "very, very wide."

My feet are actually shaped luck duck flippers---widest at the toes. I have some wide Lakes and they are okay ... But i would like to go wider in the toe box and nowhere else in the shoe. A "very wide" Specialized might be as wide as or almost as wide as or even wider than the Lakes ... or the width might come in the ball/forefoot area and not in the toe box.

So far I think I have heard that Every make of shoe is "unusually wide" and also "not wide enough" from one poster or another.

rob214

I have EEEE feet and am using giro, they're ok but would really love wider shoes. I wish shoe manufacturers would make athletic shoes instead of formal dress shoes. I might try sidi mega next. I've used lake also and after a while it was just to painful so I moved to the giro.
good luck

topflightpro

I have wide feet. They are wide across the toes, but narrow in the heels.

I've done:

• Specialized Wide
• Sidi (regular and mega)
• Lake Wide
• Shimano Wide
• Fizik
• Northwave
• Giro
• Diadora
• Bont
• Riivo (semi-custom)

If they aren't a wide option, they aren't wide enough for me.

You are correct about Shimano. The last isn't wider. They adapt the narrower last with a foam oversole. It creates a not very stable platform, which is fine for many.

Sidi Mega was just too big everywhere. It was like a 44 wide was really just a 46.

Specialized Wide is pretty good. The first pair I had, ca. 2008, were awesome. They tore though, and Specialized provided a newer version as a replacement. They were not as good.

The Lakes I had - CX236 - fit great, but they were super hot, and the BOA system did not hold my foot securely. Basically, if I pulled up like in a sprint, my heel would slip and the BOA would tighten across the toes to allow the heel to move. Newer designs may be better. Note - Lake has two lasts. Be sure to measure against the appropriate last.

I'm currently on two pair of Riivos. They are semi custom and very pricey, but mostly comfortable. They aren't perfect, and I often complain about them, until I put on my old Specialized shoes, at which point I remember how fantastic the Riivos are.

BigPoser

Do the Lake's not have good ventilation? I've heard a few times that they are hot. I do race a little bit and love a good sprint while racing and on group rides so my feet need to be planted in the shoe.

Also checked for local Bont and Lake dealers and non are anywhere close so online sales it will be.

sdmc530

BigPoser

I was checking out some reviews of the CX 237's and discovered that the BOA's are only one way which means you have the pop them open the loosen them rather than just turn back the dial. That is a major disappointment. For that kind of money, I would think they would have the better BOA dials.

Also emailed Bont and was told that they aren't making the Vaypor + any longer. Couldn't find ANYONE that had any Bont in a wide version, but they do have them on their website. Albeit for $379.

Anyone know when the new RC7's will be released?

Sy Reene

FWIW, most don't know that Giro offer wide shoes also.. though can't say I have any experience with them.
ie. their "HV" version of some shoe models, eg.
https://www.giro.com/us_en/products/...a-hv-plus.html

RShantz

I don't know which BOA's are officially better. My S-Works have the type that ratchet both directions & the Lakes have the pop up to loosen/turn to tighten type. I like the Lake BOA's better. Easier to put on and off. I just recently got the Lake's and the pop up dial was a pleasant surprise for me.

My Lakes (332's) are hotter than the S Works.

RShantz

I just looked at the 237's. They may have a different BOA than my 332's so you may want to disregard my previous input.