In the category of Best Cycling Shoes

Fiziks surely? Narrow fit. The Overcurve series have a different tongue fit that may work for you?

I'm struggling with the opposite problem, deep feet. Love Fiziks but narrow sizing is no good, that and old school forward cleat positioning...

I have stupid flippers - i'm off the charts width wise for bont, tried the lake CX176 wide with no joy. Have accepted that i need to go to the 238 wide's (wider last). Just a heads up that Richard at SaltDog https://www.saltdogcycling.com/ seems to be absolutely the man to go to for advice on lake. He's worked out his own measuring tool and seems to understand all the last / shoe variations.

Not having much luck with Lake despite exceptional customer service from the above. Seems i'm in between sizes lasts and volumes. The 238 s arrived today - huge step up in quality - lovely soft leather and nice looking carbon - if they fit I would keep them for sure the combination of a lot of heel slip and needing to crank the boas so tight they creased the leather was a decider.

Im going to give a pair of Bont Riot+ a shot in wide. Im hopeful as the shape looks like it might suit my weirdo feet.

They're what I'm currently using and they're pretty good. I will try a pair of lakes when I spot a good deal in the future, or maybe if I ever get to visit the USA for work again

Ah cool - i ordered riot+ wides but just found out they are out of stock until mid may. How do you find the shape ? My issue is that my foot's widest point is at the big toe (which splays out and kicks up) Im about 110mm across the ball of the foot but its in excess of that by a fair way (up to 115ish).

Im hoping the bonts are wider around the toes. Im actually just thinking to pack it in and use old school cages straps and vans. Bike riding shouldn't be this hard/expensive !

I went through the same dance as you. I tried most of the Lake shoes in wide, and the MX238 wide were nearly the one, but returned them because the heel slip was too much.

I also tried the Sidi Megas but couldn't get on with them.

I ended up with the Quoc Gran Tourer. They're not specifically wide shoes, but they feel pretty good - just a touch wider would be great, but I've done 3 hour rides without any discomfort.

Whats better from a fit side of things - big toe touching the front or looseness in the heel.

Odd sized feet means i can't achieve the right sizing in both without having a different sized pair...

I only have internet deep dives to my name on this but I think toes shouldn’t actually hit / touch the toe box at rest - if you can avoid it.

With heel slip - because of the rigid soles (especially. carbon) some heel lift is to be expected when trying to walk in them but supposedly on the bike the forces are different.

I sent my Lake 238 x back because although they were close to being right my big toe was slightly hitting the side of the toe box and with boas unacceptably tight my heel was still lifting almost right out. So my diagnosis is that length was wrong (too long) toe box shape wrong (not wide/square enough) and overall too much volume.

Really hoping the Bont riot+ last will be the one for me - if not there’s a new Lake shoe out with a full mesh toe box and tub carbon sole - doesn’t look practical for shit weather but is specifically for wierd feet.

I have long, narrow, low-volume feet and have had great luck with Fizik Vento X3 Overcurve. The X5 Terra didn't fit me well.

@terlg I had a mammoth trying-on session in Condor a few weeks back then an insole fitting at CycleFit... According to the guys I spoke to, you probably want to avoid both. If the shoe fits you right, you should have a couple mm in front of your big toe and the heel cup should not slip at all as you cycle. As @Sheppz mentions, heel slippage is normal when walking. I have different-sized feet that I couldn't find a right size for in one model of Fizik shoes (X5), but found a perfect fit in the X3. A bit of difference in foot length shouldn't prevent you finding a comfortable shoe, you might have to just do quite a bit of looking around and trying different brands/models on.

@Catriona - interesting, thank you! i think odd shape feet are the issue annoyingly for me.

I too have very weird feet - even the insole fitter agreed lol... I maintain that there are likely to be a pair of shoes out there that will prevent both your toes touching the end and your heels slipping. I had to increase my budget ultimately, but it was worth it. It can be difficult if ordering online, so go to a shop if you can and try on lots of different types - it will become much clearer to you what feels right and what doesn't. Highly recommend Condor and Sigma Sports for selection :)

Sorry, I just double checked and mine are actually not the wide fit - just the normal fit. The toe box is really nice and roomy. I've had issues with shoes squishing all my toes together in the past (so have ended up buying shoes that are too big and then having to do them up really tight to compensate).

I'm not as wide as you (toes are narrower than the ball of my foot). At my widest my feet are around 105mm. My Riots are a size 44.5.

I did have to heat-mold them in the oven when I got them, and use a wooden shoe stretcher to make the sole a little wider at the ball of my foot. Even then, on really long rides I still got hotspots. By the time I realised this, though, it was far too late to send them back. They had been absolutely fine walking around the flat. In the end I solved the issue by doubling up on insoles. I have a really high arch so had some Sidas custom footbeds made when I got the shoes. The part around the ball of the foot is really low-profile, though. Sticking the factory insole that the shoes came with under my custom footbeds just raised my foot up enough that my foot was no longer catching on this hotspot. I've been really pleased with them since, especially for the price.

They're clearly not perfect for me, and one day I will give in and order some Lakes, a wide fit Bont Vaypor (or maybe just a wide fit set of Riot+ now that I know they exist). I just really baulk at paying in the region of £300 for cycling shoes, given that I also need a custom footbed. It would end up being not too far off £400 all-in, and I just refuse to spend that much money on footwear!

Any insight on how Lakes fit v other brands?

I’ve just measured my feet and the chart suggests a 46 wide which sounds too big for me.

Is it better to go bigger if you’re between sizes and then let an insole take care of the slack?

Lake are wide in general and their leather ones expand a bit.

Then Lake have wide versions which are W I D E.

I was a 44 in sidi and 42.5 wide in Lake.
Lake fit me much better, way more comfortable. Make sure you look after the leather.

Also be aware Lake have different lasts depending on which model you choose. I have wide but not high volume feet and the Competition last of the CX 238 was way too big for me, whereas the same size in a CX332 with the Race last was a perfect fit.

Thanks both. Nowhere other than Sigma seems to carry much stock so it’s a bit tough to try any on (I’m a four hour drive away).

Also be aware Lake have different lasts depending on which model you choose.

Ahhh thanks. That puts me in a standard width in that case.

Before brexit I did about £1k order from bike 24, I think 6 pairs or something mad, only kept one.

Yeah buying shoes online is tricky. Sigma are pretty good about it though (pretty sure they offer free returns) so no harm in ordering several pairs to try on so that you don't realise down the track you've made the wrong decision.

It’s time to replace my much loved Rapha climbers which are relabelled giro’s. I’ve still got my Sunday best white ones but the much worn yellow have finally given up
Look at going for the Fizik R4?
I’m a size 12/13 which makes finding shoes a little trickier. Any comments on Fizik sizing?

I need some new mtb shoes (for everything really, cross, road, and turbo).
Things I've liked:
Lake MX237
Sidi Eagles

Things I have on my feet now but I don't want again, because I think they're too small:
shimano xc7

Ideally in a single bright colour.

What size?

7 / 40/41

I blame Valverde. Last Diadoras are still beater after years and years and this after three month. Any ideas can the carbon sole be rebonded?