What's Wrong with my SIDIs?
 

I purchased the 2007 SIDI Genius 5 Hi-Tech Carbons from Nashbar and got a great deal. I paid $175 for a shoe that normally costs $299.

Anyways, the shoes (size 45.5) fit perfectly in length and width. The problem is that the part on the inside of the shoes that supports the arches of the feet feel pronounced and are putting pressure on both arches. The best way to describe it is that it feels like I am standing on a baseball bat perpendicular to my foot.

I am not flat footed or have ever needed "wide" shoes. Does this mean that my feet cannot fit in wonderful Italian road shoes? Even if I remove the insole, I still feel this pressure although its slightly less pronounced. Is there a special insole that can counteract the high arch support? Do I need the "mega" size shoes that may relieve this pressure?

I'm asking for any help since I really want to keep these shoes.

one thing's for sure, they stretch a LOT! I have 2 pair that have stretched quite a bit.
Perhaps walk around the house in them for a while

Have you tried riding with them yet?

Dont stress after (insert unique time frame here) your feet fully adjust to sidis in my experience. I went through exactly what you are describing. It just takes a bit of time. I no longer feel it and I also no longer get 'hot foot' in my sidis (unless some barstid has me on the rivet for more than 1hr).

Sidi have a particularly narrow last (shape). I can't wear them at all. What were you using previously?

abh will be in in a minute to set things straight for you

Yeah, my 5.5 HTCs felt exactly like that at first too, compared to my old Genius 2s. The feel perfect now. Obviously the sole didn't break in, but whatever happened, they really feel perfect.

+1 mine feel like that when walking too, but I don't notice it while riding. You probably just have a fairly wide foot like most Americans.

Just buy low-arch insoles. I know that Specialized makes insoles in multiple heights; I think Superfeet may also.

After nearly a decade in my flatter Shimano shoes, my Ergo-2's felt exactly like that.
It felt completely foreign at first, but after a few months they feel MUCH more comfortable and efficient than my flat-footed Shimanos. (While pedaling, not necessarily while walking around on slippery supermarket floors.)
+1 on the break-in. After a few weeks, that Italian leather fits like a wet-t-shirt on a sorority sister during Spring Break. :)

ripped?

Find it interesting that Specialized supplies the insole with all their performance shoes with the insole listed for flat feet, if I read that correctly. $47 for insoles, they better work!

Hopefully, for that price! I've never tried them, but they've been recommended to me.

Did you use SIDI cleat screws?? That could be the problem. screws are penetrating into the toe box, reducing overall volume!

Mine feel like that - but I'm flat-footed. The arches are mighty high inside the Sidi's. I've yet to get around to finding new insoles, but it hasn't really bothered me a whole lot on rides. I just loosen up the straps a bit (enough to give me some room, but not too much where the shoe is loose).

SIDI's are ridiculously cut narrow and overpriced Italian crap to boot. Dump em get some Specialized BGs or Shimano 151s. Roomy toeboxes to accommodate feet swelling

I have a funny story to tell. Today I brought my SIDIs to a store that sells SuperFeet insoles. The store associate chose the Black version designed for people with flat feet. Although it put slightly less pressure on my arches, it really made the entire shoe feel tighter since the insoles filled up more volume.

I'm walking around the store and the guy says "Hey, did you ever ride in those new shoes yet?" I said, "Not yet, since I wanted to be able to return them if there wasn't anything that could make them more comfortable" The store associates laughs and says "Get out of my store, get on your bike and ride for an hour. If it bothers you afterwards,THEN come and see me!"

I'm glad to hear others experiencing the same arch pressure issues initially, but hope that it goes away like you mention. We'll soon see.