achoo

I've been riding a pair of Shimano R086 shoes for about 6 or 7 months with no problems until recently.

I'm getting a hot spot on the outside of only my right foot once I get to about 40 or 50 miles, right at the widest part of the foot behind the little toe. I first got it a few weeks ago, but attributed it to having overtightened my shoe. Given that the hot spot went away on my next few rides, I figured I solved the problem. But those rides were only about 30 or 40 miles each. The last 10 days or so, I've put in several rides at 40 or 50 miles or even a bit longer, and the hot spot is back.

I figure I simply need wider shoes, as this problem is identical to what I went through a few years back with all my shoes when my feet flattened out and got bigger. I just got bigger and wider shoes - I used to be a 12D, now I'm a 13E/EE. (Don't run in bare feet in the sand on the beach when you get older. Two years of nasty plantar fascitis isn't fun...)

The LBS price on Sidi Mega is currently above my budget. But I can find ones that fit in my budget on the internet. And I do NOT want to go down to the LBS, try on the shoes, then buy them off the internet. IMO that's just wrong.

So, simple question: does anyone know how much wider the Sidi Megas are when compared to a Shimano R086? FWIW, I've worn two other pair of Shimano shoes and the widths are pretty consistent.

rangerdavid

I can't answer your main question, but I can say I dont see anything wrong with trying on the shoes in your lbs and not buying them there. People try on shoes all the time without buying. Before I would pay the kind of money even the internet stores sell Sidi's for I would certainly try them on.

hammond9705

You could order from Performance if they have the model you want, or try them on there if they are nearby. They would exchange them.

I agree that it isn't right to try them on at the lbs and buy on the web.

pigmode

I respect your ethics, and basically feel and act the same. I can't answer you size comparison question but here's a compromise. SIDI half sizes are not longer than solid # sizes, but are a hair wider and may fit your needs. Go to a shop with a good selection of megas and half sizes, and try all for fit. If the half size works, you're good to go. If the mega fits, there would be equal compromise between you and the LBS if you then ordered the megas online. Sounds fair enough to me.

I would also look into the Specialized models that also come in wide. I'm one of those who has perfect fit with SIDI megas, even with the so called cheap insoles. Still, I plan an advanced fit session and will try to find a Spesh S-works shoe that fits my needs, in order to access their variety of insole options. My SIDIs fit so close, there is no room any changes inside.

Jinker

Northwaves are pretty wide.

I ride in Vertigos, and have big flat duck feet.

rangerdavid

I haven't thought of Northwaves. I gotta get a new pair of shoes soon, mine are killing my feet.

mx_599

huh? I do not follow what you are saying?

secondly, where did you find out that the half sizes are only wider and not longer in the Megas?? I wish I had known that before

guadzilla

Well, if you must try on the shoes at an LBS, make sure you buy a bunch of other stuff from them as a silent payment for their time.

But to answer your question - I have super wide feet (Es) and the Sidi Mega 45s fit me perfectly - for most other shoes, I have to go to 46 or even 47 to get a shoe that is wide enough, and with Shimano, not even then.

roadiejorge 

I don't have particularly wide feet but the standard size Sidi models were too tight in the toe box which lead to pain during long rides. I sold the two pairs I had (Genius 5, Hydro GTX) and got the Genius 5.5 in Mega and the Shimano winter boot since they don't make a wider Hydro GTX. My feet are finally happy!

fskywalker

I have the Sidi 5 Mega version and they are pretty wide, I don't believe you will be disappointed. As mentioned above, you can buy them online and exchange if they don't fit from stores like Pricepoint, Performance and Nashbar. I bought mine from Nashbar on sale and end up paying around $170 with multiple savings (On sale pkus 20% coupon), so give them a try.

LAJ

Perhaps Lake shoes may be more in your budget. I plan on looking at them down the road. My Sidi Mega do a fine job, but we always look for more.

ct-vt-trekker

I think the Shimano wide shoes are E width and the Sidi Mega's are EEE.
Last year I switched from Shimano SH-151E (the wide version) to Sidi Genius 5 Megas. The Sidis are considerably wider than the Shimanos. It was perfect for me because the Shimanos weren't wide enough.
Interesting because I usually take an E width dress shoe and EEE are usually too wide, but the Sidi Megas fit me great.

achoo

Well, I went LBS-hopping yesterday. I didn't find Sidis close to fitting my 13EE paddles. I did find one pair of Specialized shoes that felt just like my Shimanos feel for the first thirty miles - fine.

So, I've got my eye on some Sidi Megas on eBay. We'll see. Tough to pull the trigger blind, though.

I did have my 9-year-old daughter with me, and she was really having a good time in the bike shops. I got her a set of gloves, and some accessories for her bike - a Trek MT220. She really, really wanted me to get her some clipless shoes and pedals. "Daddy, this pair of shoes would fit me!"

DrNismo

I tried on the mountain version of the Shimano shoes at a local store in a size 47 and it was too small and a bit too narrow for my wide feet. At another LBS, I tried on a regular pair of Sidis in 48 and they were way too narrow in the toe box and a bit too short as well. They also had a 46.5 mega in stock. I decided to try to stuff my feet in it to see how much wider it would be than the regular width. Amazingly, it fit perfectly and I walked out of there with them.

Doug28450

I'm in need of shoes as well and have a similar although different problem, I need a size 50. Sidi makes teh Genius 5 Pro Carbon in a 50 and Louis Garneau makes the Carbon HRS and Revo XR2 in a 50.

I tried the Sidi on and it felt ok except it felt that it had a high inside arch. Is that typical fit for Sidi or was it that pair of shoes or something else?

I have not been able to find either of the LG shoes locally in a size 50.

Does anyone have thoughts on the LG shoes?