Cycle shoe sizes

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Krypton

New Member
Location
UK
I keep reading that you should get them 1 size bigger than your shoes - is this right, and if so, why?
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Not always - best go to a shop and try a load on ! Each make differs widely in size and width.

It's far more important to get proper fitting cycling shoes than day wear shoes - all your power is going through your feet, too much movement in the shoe, too tight, etc will lead to foot pain, and even knee trouble.
 

Membrane

New Member
Actual sizes differ depending on manufacturer. FWIW compared to the "regular" shoes I normally wear I need one size bigger when buying Specialized cycling shoes, and two sizes bigger when buying Shimano cycling shoes.

When buying your first pair of cycling shoes from a certain manufacturer, make sure that you've tried them on first, for size but also for comfort. I developed an injury from wearing Specialized shoes, had to sell them and get Shimano's instead.
 

monnet

Guru
Make sure you get good quality ones that will last. DON'T try to economise. Once they're bedded in they are nice and comfy but when it comes time to buy replacements you'll be faced with the hell that it adjusting cleats by the millimetre, adjusting the saddle height which could lead to adjusting the stem... and it goes on.

Replacement shoes are the only cycling item that I truly despise buying.
 

bonj2

Guest
i had some shimano shoes and had to get 12s when i'm usually 11 'cos 11s were too small, but my current specialized shoes are EU 46 (UK 11) which is my correct isze
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
My Spesh shoes are 43 compared to 42 in normal shoes, very comfy fit, but found if the top strap wasn't really tight - i.e. the ratchet, then I'd get hot spots - Spesh Pro Carbons. My old Sidi's are very narrow (Genius 2), and nothing like as comfy as the new shoes. Gonna be cheaper Spesh for training shoes one day. Problem is, get a good pair of shoes, and you won't want to put them down.
 

yenrod

Guest
Krypton said:
I keep reading that you should get them 1 size bigger than your shoes - is this right, and if so, why?



The way I did it was like this.

I used to ride a Sidi 41...but after many many years growth I now feel I'm a 42 euro size.

This is EXACT for me as taking into account growth etc...

Most of the time a fairly narrow fit shoe can after wearing it in can shape into an incredibly comfortable fit..

Lets not forget a cycling shoe is different to a normal shoe = because it doesn't need the space for rthe foot to move around yet have a CLOSE FIT.

Wearas' the Cycling Shoe requires you to lose the space your foot to move around in yet not pinch or infringe on circulation. So, generally smaller is needed also dynamics (cycling) ie the weight on a bike is totally different on a normal shoe compared to a cycling shoe.

This is where a SIDI shoe is superior as they have brillaintly designed leather/uppers = soft!

And I ride Northwave too :ohmy:
 

Noodley

Guest
Yep, try them on. I now know what size I need for different manufacturers (not just for shoes!) but it took a while to find this out.
 
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Krypton

New Member
Location
UK
It's hard to try them on sometimes, especially if you have limited local bike shops to chose from.

Wiggle often have good offers on for older/overstocked shoes, but you can't try them on - is it still worth a punt?
 
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