How do you pick and buy new shoes

[Jurgens Smit]

I'm in the market for some new road shoes.

 

How do you guys decide, I find that the 10mins or so in store is not nearly enough to make a decision which should last for a long period of time.

I have a fairly wide forefoot with a relatively low arch. Cyclefit advised me to stay away from the european brands as they tend to favor narrower feet. 

 

Are there places that have demos available?

 

Also on laces vs boa, I tend to adjust the tightness of my shoes as I ride so the logical choice would be boa for me. But it seems if you lace them correctly the laced shoes last the entire ride so I suppose one could get used to it.

 

Any advice would be awesome

 

[nonky]

i have fat / wide feet and find Spez shoes (MTB) to fit decently, as they come in half sizes.

 

 

Even then, it can be a bit tight if i wear the wrong socks or it's very hot.

[Letum911]

On my previous pair (I moved to flat pedals now) I did loads of research and reading.

 

Factors that I kept in mind that eventually got me a par of Louis Gaerne carbon's:

1) Budget;

2) Design and fit, I went for valcro straps as I can adjust the tension on a specific part of the shoe, also when trying on the shoe I made sure that there's very little pressure from the sides;

3) Desired stiffness;

4) Weight;

[Popit]

Carefully .... very Carefully .....

 

Not an easy thing if you aren't sticking to 1 brand .

Budget is obviously a big factor , but comfort to me is most important .

 

I have BOA dials on all my shoes (4 pairs) and find them to be easy and micro adjustable . I use Specialized shoes by the way .

[GLuvsMtb]

I have used Specialized shoes for the last 4 years (3 pairs, all still in very good condition). I find them comfortable and durable. Why 3 pairs of shoes?

1st pair - BG Comp with the ratchet strap) bought after finding the Sidi's I had was just too uncomfortable (I used to take them off at water points to massage my feet, thats how bad they were) - Now used for Cadence

2nd pair - Comp with S2 Dial) were bought when I forgot my MTB shoes at home and only realised it when I was on my way to a race, so bought a new pair of shoes rather than missing the race. Use it if I expect it to be a wet ride.

3rd pair - F2O Cliplite - Christmas pressie. Use it for most of my training rides etc. Love these shoes.

 

I could never get used to the Sidi's, they were always just not comfy. Had a pair of Olympics when I started off, and they were not bad actually. Also had a pair of Shimano shoes at one stage, but did not like them as the ratchets kept "slipping" while riding, meaning I had to stop often to tighten them.

[Jurgens Smit]

I'm not too fussy about the brand, as long as they look well and fit well.

 

Budget is not really an option, looking at top of the line models(so 5-7k)

They need to be stiff as hell, and lightweight as well.

 

Currently looking at

Spez sworks

Giro Empire SLX

Sidi Shot

Fizik R1b 

 

I've tried them all in store except for the Giro and the Sidi Shot, I have tried the Sidi Wire Carbon though 

[Jurgens Smit]

... ratchets kept "slipping" while riding, meaning I had to stop often to tighten them.

 This is my current problem. I don't mind as I adjust them anyway the tightness anyway, its just irritating to do it so frequently when it's not necessary.

[Boerklong]

My girlfriend goes for the "mooi is vinnig" approach

[ilubinsky]

I'm in the market for some new road shoes.

 

How do you guys decide, I find that the 10mins or so in store is not nearly enough to make a decision which should last for a long period of time.

I have a fairly wide forefoot with a relatively low arch. Cyclefit advised me to stay away from the european brands as they tend to favor narrower feet. 

 

Are there places that have demos available?

 

Also on laces vs boa, I tend to adjust the tightness of my shoes as I ride so the logical choice would be boa for me. But it seems if you lace them correctly the laced shoes last the entire ride so I suppose one could get used to it.

 

Any advice would be awesome

I also have broad feet. I found Sidi to narrow. I have road and MTB Spez shoes with boa which are perfect. I also have a pair of road Gaerne also awesome fit

[Veebee]

I'm not too fussy about the brand, as long as they look well and fit well.

 

Budget is not really an option, looking at top of the line models(so 5-7k)

They need to be stiff as hell, and lightweight as well.

 

Currently looking at

Spez sworks

Giro Empire SLX

Sidi Shot

Fizik R1b 

 

I've tried them all in store except for the Giro and the Sidi Shot, I have tried the Sidi Wire Carbon though 

 

Have you looked at the Shimano s-phyre RC9 ? They come in a wide fit also which may be more comfortable when spending many hours on the road. These are around R6300.

 

I also have wide feet and find it difficult to find a comfortable shoe.

Have tried the below and all were too narrow.

Sidi Wire

Mavic Cosmic Pro - 2016

Suplest S7

 

I've heard that the Giro and Fizik's are a narrow fit so have stayed away from them.

 

The new Mavic LTD shoes have a wider fit to the older models, tried one on lastweek and felt good. Retail is just about R5k.

https://shop.mavic.com/en-ca/cosmic-pro-limited-edition-shoe-c4776.html

[Raemondo]

Stiffness - full carbon sole

Two boas - adjust during ride, your feet can swell etc on longer, hotter rides

Must look like it fits like a new leather golf glove fits your hand, and then feel like that when you put it on.

After finding a few that fit those criteria, read some reviews online - bikeradar etc. 

[T-Bob]

I've got fairly wide, well actually hobbit shaped feet, that I struggled with pain after a distance using a few different brands. I ended up settling on top end Gaerne shoes by accident and never looked back. They are European but their sizes are real, none of this italian sizing and guessing if it's going to fit. 

[V12man]

I'm in the market for some new road shoes.

 

How do you guys decide, I find that the 10mins or so in store is not nearly enough to make a decision which should last for a long period of time.

I have a fairly wide forefoot with a relatively low arch. Cyclefit advised me to stay away from the european brands as they tend to favor narrower feet. 

 

Are there places that have demos available?

 

Also on laces vs boa, I tend to adjust the tightness of my shoes as I ride so the logical choice would be boa for me. But it seems if you lace them correctly the laced shoes last the entire ride so I suppose one could get used to it.

 

Any advice would be awesome

Sidi have a wide last called the mega across several lines - currently on sale

 

http://www.sidionline.co.za/road/sidi-ergo-4-carbon-en/

 

There are cheaper shoes - but these will last years.

[Veebee]

Sorry to pull up an old post.

 

Have you found a pair yet ? I am looking for something new, popped into CL and they have the Sidi mega on clearance. The fit is good and there is enough space in front, but the closure system is putting me off.

 

The new Shimano RC9 fits great, a precise fit with the dual boa. But at R6k + I am not soo eager to spend my money on them.

 

There wasn't anything else with a wide fit.

[Patchelicious]

Look at the Shimano RC9, I just got Ryan a pair and he loves them.

 

I have switched to the XC9 on MTB and love them.

[Vetseun]

Red shoes are faster