How tight should shoes be?

[Alembicbassman]

I'm having great difficulty finding a decent budget road shoe.

I tried several makes today, Lake, Shimano and Polaris.

I take a size 10 (UK) training shoe, but all the size 10 road shoes felt really tight with my toe being stuffed up the end.

The Euro sizing seems to be very inconsistent and getting a propper UK 10 is difficult.

I know the shoes are sopposed to be a snug fit, but I don't want my foot feeling like it's going to explode on a long ride.

My 10 year old Shimano SPD size 10s fitted fine, but they're dead now.

Finding a decent shoe stockist in South Yorks is nigh on impossible. JE James (my LBS) just had end of season odds and sods scattered all over the store.

 

[djb1971]

Do not get tight ones because your feet swell when riding. If the shoes are too tight you will get pains in the sides/top of your feet. I personally find specialized shoes a wider fit, Sidi also do a special wide fitting. Cycling shoe sizes vary from brand to brand but you need to try them on for the toe fitting, I always end up getting a larger size than my normal walking shoe size. The more money you start paying you'll find they have better micro adjustments and not just lacing/velcro.

 

[Hugo15]

I have specialized shoes. My LBS recommended I go for a size bigger than my normal shoe size and they were spot on. Would recommend having a look at Specialized shoes, I have been really pleased with mine (I have a pair of road ones and a pair of spd ones).

 

[yenrod]

Generally;

Northwave are widish as are Shimano.

Narrow are; Carnac, Sidi & Time.

Not sure on others..

Size wise; each manufacturer differs a bit.

I know a 10 is about a 44 euro.

http://www.i18nguy.com/l10n/shoes.html

 

[Alembicbassman]

I went for the Specialized BG Sport 08 Road shoe.

Fits really well and comfy too.

Bit more than I wanted to pay, but I guess it's worth it in the end if they last.

 

[djb1971]

Good shoes and will last a while

 

[wafflycat]

Shoes should not be *snug* they should *fit*.
If shoes are *snug* then not only can you end up in pain, you can end up with cold feet in winter as it's difficult for the blood to circulate properly.

 

[Stu99]

There appears to be considerable variation in sizing between and even within brand names. The only reliable method is to forget about sizing and try on a couple of sizes in the brand you want.

An orthotist told me that it was far preferable to err on the big side and that many people underestimate the size of their feet. It was also mentioned that asymmetries in foot size are common so always size the bigger foot.

The following sizing method has always worked well for me: (1) Put on thin(ish) socks (2) Remove laces/loosen straps/lift tongue (3) insert foot in shoe (4) slide foot forward in shoe until big toe reaches the end. If you have selected the correct size you should be able to comfortably insert a finger in the space between the heel of the foot and the shoe. This expansion gap will allow for foot swelling and sock variation (I usually wear thicker socks or two pairs of thin socks in winter).