Loose cycling shoes?

[2IT]

Over 40 years ago when I started cycling many of the available shoes were narrow Italian cycling shoes. I thought these were supposed to be good for cycling - narrow is aero, the foot did not move around in the shoe so "all that power" wasn't wasted, etc. The problem was that my feet also went numb - which also could have been the result of toe straps too tight.

Now I am enjoying shoes with a wider forefoot. There is room for the forefoot to move around. Do like the heel to have a rather snug stable feel.

Am I missing something though? Do proper cyclists run with tight shoes where the foot fits in tightly or have cyclists moved to looser shoes?

PS Also have moved on to a triathlon cycling shoe as I only care to deal with one strap and again I like the looseness in the forefoot - as long as I am not missing out on something significant.

 

[vickster]

What's a proper cyclist?
Wear shoes that are comfortable for you and suit your riding. Why care what others are doing?

 

[Oldbloke]

I wish I could find wide fitting cycling shoes. They're very difficult to get hold of in the UK.

Have you tried Sidi Genius Mega wide? Most comfortable I've tried on my hugely wide feet.

 

[2IT]

I wish I could find wide fitting cycling shoes. They're very difficult to get hold of in the UK.

Recently bought a pair of Shimano triathlon shoes that give me plenty of room in forefoot. Probikekit.com has some. I have not bought the expensive ones and on sale were well under $100. Bought mine at Performance Bike over here.

Maybe it is the one strap in the back rather than the usual three straps that tighten the shoe.

Good luck in finding some.

 

[2IT]

What's a proper cyclist?
Wear shoes that are comfortable for you and suit your riding. Why care what others are doing?

Well I would like to know if proper cyclists are still wearing tight shoes that make their feet go numb. Proper cyclists are potential masochists.

 

[vickster]

What's a "proper cyclist"??

Do you mean pros? I expect they wear whatever shoes their sponsor provides, albeit custom made presumably

Why would anyone choose to wear shoes that make their feet go numb

 

[Sharky]

When I used toe straps and if left tightened for too long, feet could go numb.
With clipless, you generally don't get the numbness, but now relies on the shoe fastening to give a firm footing. With laces or the ratchet type, I can tighten them just right, but with the Velcro straps, they seem to settle into one position and I can't micro adjust to give them a bit of extra tightness when needed.