The right bike shoe for a wider foot
I bought my first clipless bike shoes last summer and while the fit wasnt great, it was tollerable for the limited hours I was using them. Now, halfway thru the OS I am haveing more and more issues with my feet and the entry level shoes I have. Several sore (raw) toes and most importantly - numbness in both feet from the arch forward. For short rides it isn't too bad, but get 90 minutes or more and it really starts to bother. 
I have big feet (size 12) that have a fairly wide forefoot. Across the ball and, the first 3 toes are almost the same length - that's nasty!
. Then, my heel is pencil thin and I have a farily high arch. It seems like the few shoes I've tried are not very wide and the toe box tend to taper too quick for me.
What I have right now that hurt are entry level Specialized. I went to one LBS and tried the other Specialized but they were the same. Another LBS had Bontrager and they 'sorta' fit in the toe area but the heel is a little loose and that bothers me. LBS guy said I could return them if they didnt work.
So, are there any bike shoes that come in widths? Any that have a wider toe box or a round toe box?
If it helps, I have been running 1500 to 1800 miles a year in Asics 21xx series. I try other brands from time to time but always come back to the Asics GT's becuase they just fit. they fit so well that I can run in them with the laces undone (I don't do that very often) and I never have blister issues. If you run in Asics, what bike shoes do you wear?
Last question: what the heck is "Euro Fit" ???? Does that mean super skinny feet?
TIA for any suggestions. Humer is always welcome too.
Comments
Carrie
No idea on shoes but Size 12 YIKES
Steve, I've had similar issues years ago and bounced from manufacturer to manufacturer. I also landed on the Shimano TR51s that Bob mentions abve. They solved the problems that I was having and I would recommend you give them a look.
I got a pair of Bont Sub10 shoes and they are the best I have ever had. You can put them into the oven and mold them to your feet as many times as you need. I was able to get the heel nice and tight while pushing/rubbing out any hotspots I felt. After a few bake and fit sessions they are perfect. I also really like how thin the sole is and the rubber shoe horn is brilliant.
@ Rob, I never considered cleat placement... need to take another look there, thanks.
@ Rich & Bob – looks like I am going Shimano.
@ Carrie – good chance that woman’s shoes are built different… but thanks for the input.
@ Steve – I may not be very fast but I can say I got some freaky anatomy – not only do I have big feet for a skinny guy but I also have a severe gorilla-index of +7. That is, my wingspan, finger tip to finger tip, is 7” longer than my total height……. Makes buying shirts and jackets more interesting.
@ David - I picked up a pair of Bontys (entry level) from another LBS knowing the fit was iffy. I'll give them a test ride tomorrow.
Shoes today:
Triathlesports.com has their storefront here in town so I went there today and tried on every shoe they had near my size and this is what I found:
Pearl Izumi – Tri Fly II and III. (Sizes 46, 46.5 47). Toe box OK but heel cup very high and rubs hard on the Achilles. A little too roomy in the heal too. Velcro closure not enough adjustment. Had to pull it tight to tongue stitching, leaving no room to tighten after break-in.
Louis Garneau – Tri Speed. (46, 47) Toe box tolerable, but not comfortable. Very high volume mid foot, had to over tighten Velcro but never felt attached to the shoe. The uppers seemed unbelievably flexible – in an uncomfortable way. Heel was loose too. Maybe if I went down 2 sizes to a jam fit it might have worked.
Shimano – TR31 (48), TR70 (46, 47). Didn’t have my size in the TR31 so I tried the TR70 for fit and size. First thing I noticed was the very comfortable, gentle taper in the toe box in all sizes. Even the 48’s felt more comfortable than all the other brands. The shape/volume of the mid foot for all 3 very well. Firm and supportive between heel and ball, toes completely unrestricted. No significant heel slip. Simple in design with single wide Velcro with plenty of adjustability for different socks/no socks/swelling. Decided to go with the TR31, couldn’t see spending $65 more for a carbon sole.
Had to order them from Shimano, but should have them for next weeks FTP test.
Thanks to all for your insight and suggestions. Really helped a lot.
Peal Izumis work for me.
The Tri Fly only for short races.
For Ironmans, regular road shoe. Race Rd 5776. I have widish feet. size 12. I have Pearl Izumi 46.5 These work well for me.
One thing I didn't notice before is the large toe vent in the sole. Looks like a air intake on a car hood between the first 2 toes with a hole in the foot-bed to match. Air in, pee out..... nice (got to learn how to do that sometime....).
Dicided to try going sockless on thier maiden ride which also was my week 14 FTP test. The test went well, shoes were comfy to the end. No hot spots from being sockless, and no numbness either. I like the feel of the single wide velco, the way the shoe snugs up around the instep, the wide opening getting in and out, and the over all quality build.
Thanks to all for your input and suggestions - especially Rich and Bob for pointing me in the direction of Shimano.
I ride sockless all the time. The only time I wear socks on the bike is if it's cold or it's a real long ride.
Thanks for this thread everyone! I have a big problem with bike shoes, too (NB 10.5 4E running shoes.) When I'm ready for my next puchase I'll be sure to check out the Shimanos and other recommendations here.
Now that sockless thing... hard to imagine doing the test brand new shoes and no socks. Gutsy!
Cheers,
-Brian
As to the Shimano - I could tell immediatly that they just fit right. Something about the way the the instep volume matched my foot - snug from ankle to ball then plenty of room for the toes.