Numb toes - need advice on shoes

[DMJ]

During longer rides (4 hours plus) my big toes tend to go numb.

 

I did Munga Grit (533km) in October which took me about 35 hours non-stop to finish. I waited about 6 weeks to get the feeling back in the front of my big toes. Perhaps I had nerve damage that healed.

 

Is this a common problem? Can anyone give me advice on what shoes to get? Is it a cleat position issue?

 

I have wide "shrek" feet. I usually have to size up in order to not have the shoes be too tight.

 

I currently use Specialized mountain bike shoes, which are apparently wider. But there is space in front of my toes, as a result the shoes perhaps feel *slightly* too big.

 

I use insoles and the smaller size would have been too small.

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[DR ◣◢]

The Specialized insoles made a huge difference for me. Also not having my shoes too tight.

 

I think your next bet would be cleat position.

[DR ◣◢]

Also:

 

Consider trying on cycling shoes right after a ride or consider riding to the shop. Shoe size too big: If there is too much room in your cycling shoes, your feet are in constant tension, trying to maintain a powerful pedaling location within your shoes. This pressure and friction may be causing numbness

[Jbr]

Sorry for high jacking your topic, I'm also interested in feedback regarding which brands for which feet shape. I don't have shrek feet, but my Giro road shoes defnitely kill me after 4-5 hours, at the DC I thought my big toe and my pinky toe were about to explode. On my MTB I don't really have that issue with my scott shoes... But not that easy to find Scott road shoes at the moment... wondering what other brands would suit me ?

 

I read sidi are a bit wider, fizik have specific wider models but not all of them are wide, ... ?

[DieselnDust]

During longer rides (4 hours plus) my big toes tend to go numb.

 

I did Munga Grit (533km) in October which took me about 35 hours non-stop to finish. I waited about 6 weeks to get the feeling back in the front of my big toes. Perhaps I had nerve damage that healed.

 

Is this a common problem? Can anyone give me advice on what shoes to get? Is it a cleat position issue?

 

I have wide "shrek" feet. I usually have to size up in order to not have the shoes be too tight.

 

I currently use Specialized mountain bike shoes, which are apparently wider. But there is space in front of my toes, as a result the shoes perhaps feel *slightly* too big.

 

I use insoles and the smaller size would have been too small.

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

 

get a bike fit done and I'd consider wider shoes. If you have to size up to get the shoes to fit then the last is not shaped for your feet. Consider something from Lakeshoes.co.za.

Their wide is a proper wide, wider than Specialized wide. They different lasts that also cater for different shaped feet.

[Pieter-za]

What DiD said - a better seating position and half size larger shoes cured my numb toes.

[DR ◣◢]

Good read: https://www.bicycling.com/training/a20003992/numb-feet/

[DieselnDust]

Sorry for high jacking your topic, I'm also interested in feedback regarding which brands for which feet shape. I don't have shrek feet, but my Giro road shoes defnitely kill me after 4-5 hours, at the DC I thought my big toe and my pinky toe were about to explode. On my MTB I don't really have that issue with my scott shoes... But not that easy to find Scott road shoes at the moment... wondering what other brands would suit me ?

 

I read sidi are a bit wider, fizik have specific wider models but not all of them are wide, ... ?

 

Lakecycling.com

 

use the sizing calculator. it will reveal a lot about what size shoe you need.

Bont, Lake and Shimano work best for me and then not the top of the line range.

Giro road shoes can just about pass but the MTB shoes kill my feet (too narrow in the toe box).

Fizik and Sidi are too narrow unless I size up and then the heel cup is too big. So with Sidi I'd have to opt for the top of the line range which is too expensive for my bank balance.

Specialized have gone wider, closer to Shimano but still too narrow for me and the wides have too much overall volume and too large a heel cup.

 

In lake I opt for the competition last and a std 42 or a 41.5 wide.

If i opt for a race last I'd have to size up to 42 wide.

[Lance Stephenson]

OK, buying a shoe one size bigger is actually the worst thing you can do, the Last of the shoe changes (we call the shoe shape "The LAST") and therefor the cut in for the toes changes position a shoe size up and you create other problems.  Buying a shoe that is wide enough is you first port of call. Second to see if the Last suits your shape.  (some peoples feet go wide on the outside so they need more support there and others go wider on the inside.)

 

Lake Shoes are renown for the widest range of wide shoes PLUS shapes of Wide shoes.  Honestly I have 3 pairs and I can tell you that I can wiggle my toes freely because my feed spread under load in the shoe but the shoes aren't "too big".  the cut o the shoe hold my feet nicely in place but I have toe room (side to side).

 

Secondly you cleat positioned too closely to the front of the shoe is a major known reason for numb and hot foot syndrome.  Between these 2 things you should find a solution.  Some smart arse here will say "just try the cleats further back on your existing shoes then" but I will say, and all bike fitters will agree that a shoe that is bought one size too big is not correct. 

[Jbr]

Lakecycling.com

 

use the sizing calculator. it will reveal a lot about what size shoe you need.

Bont, Lake and Shimano work best for me and then not the top of the line range.

Giro road shoes can just about pass but the MTB shoes kill my feet (too narrow in the toe box).

Fizik and Sidi are too narrow unless I size up and then the heel cup is too big. So with Sidi I'd have to opt for the top of the line range which is too expensive for my bank balance.

Specialized have gone wider, closer to Shimano but still too narrow for me and the wides have too much overall volume and too large a heel cup.

 

In lake I opt for the competition last and a std 42 or a 41.5 wide.

If i opt for a race last I'd have to size up to 42 wide.

Thanks man, that's very helpfull !

[DMJ]

Thanks very much. Helpful advice!

[Veebee]

Lake shoes in standard fit are wide, and the wide fits are REALLY Wide, so be sure to try them on.

 

I use shimano wide fit, and lake std fit and the lakes have more room than the shimano.

I have the Shimano RC901 and Lake CX237, for me the overall fit and quality of the Shimano is better.

 

Giro and Sidi are too narrow.

[Markellis]

I have also been battling with this lately, watched the below and going to try moving the cleats back as mentioned by others.

 

[SwissVan]

I suffered with numb and sore toes that get worse the more I ride for years, tried it all setup, different shoes and orthotics. The only thing that solved the pain was to move my cleats all the way back. This made a big difference but did not solve it 100%. I then elongated the cleat slots on my shoes and moved them back another 12mm..... Problem gone

 

My issue is due to nerve compression in my feet somewhere around the ball of my foot, basically I have what they call “dropped metatarsals”

 

Moving the cleats so far back is awkward with road pedals and cleats, so I opted to use mtb pedals (Time ATAC) on all my bikes with Speciaized mtb shoes.

[eddy]

I don't know where you are based, but if in Gauteng, go and see Dennis Rehbock.

 

He is a specialist podiatrist and has for many years been the go to guy for sportsmen.

[Vetseun]

Found my happy place with Lake Shoes.

SIDI one size up was fine but hectic expensive.

Love my Giro shoes but not for longer than 5 hours.

If I had to make a choice of one brand it would be Lake FTW.