Shoes - Why oh Why

[RMurphy195]

So I want to buy new cycling SPD MTB-type shoes to replace my umpty-teen-year old ones which have worn to the point where I am walking on the cleats.

Shoes are something that you need to try on - they might pinch, not work very well for walking etc., whatever

Tried several bike shops (yes, Evans and all) and found

Maybe they only have a couple of different ones to try, neither of which suit.

Or they don't have your size.

or whatever.

So methinks I'll try online after all, and send 'em back if not suitable. BUT after a fruitless hour trawling through sites looking at likely shoes - they don't have my size, they're out of stock altogether etc. etc.

AAArrgh!

 

[vickster]

Are you looking for a bargain? Then yes you may struggle if you're a standard sort of size. I'd be surprised if you can't find this year's model though

Wiggle, chain reaction, sigma would be my first ports of call as they have wide ranges and free returns via collect plus. Most other retailers charge for returns

Evans, you can order into store via their website where the range is much more extensive and return immediately if no good

 

[RMurphy195]

I'm male, size 43 so shouldn't be too difficult.

I'm quite frustrated that my 2 most local shops

• Neither stock Torers when I was looking for one recently
• Neither had reasonably-priced wind proof/shower resistant jackets in my size
• Neither had my choice in shoes to speak of - one had only one MTB shoe,the other had none. Both stock loads of MTB's, both had several "road" shoes to choose from.
• And my "local" Halfords (both of them) - just the same

Any wonder that I feel I'm being driven into internet shopping?

 

[vickster]

Bike shops often don't have the space for loads of stock in lots of different sizes, when honey can make more selling whole bikes, accessories and through their workshop. Which is why Evans, cyclesurgery, halfords offer Click and collect and in store returns. Many will understandably use shop floor space for more costly, bigger margin kit too (depending on your definition of reasonably priced)

Your fairly common size 43 will often preclude you from the best clearance deals

Sigma have a deal on giro at the mo, and 10% off other stuff too

If you want MTB kit, there are retailers that specialise in the activity, in a more built up area people are looking for road and commuter kit more

 

[RMurphy195]

Managed to get what I need, from Swinnertons on Cannock Chase. Had plenty to choose from, and had my size in a handy shoe. Well done to Swinnertons, they had plenty of stock still in quite a small display. And somewhere to sit to try them on!

 

[Mike!]

Along these lines I think i'm going to be forced into www shopping for new shoes, my current DHB (EU43) have seen better days and also cause me numb feet as they are a bit narrow for me. I've now been to 3 LBS's and none of them have anything wide enough in stock (maybe i have hobbit feet?!).

Have tried Shimano, Specialised, Mavic, Lake & Giro (even the Giro wide fit still pinch a bit)

 

[HertzvanRental]

Along these lines I think i'm going to be forced into www shopping for new shoes, my current DHB (EU43) have seen better days and also cause me numb feet as they are a bit narrow for me. I've now been to 3 LBS's and none of them have anything wide enough in stock (maybe i have hobbit feet?!).

Have tried Shimano, Specialised, Mavic, Lake & Giro (even the Giro wide fit still pinch a bit)

You might want to look at Exustars. I have large, wide feet and find their shoes very comfortable.

 

[Milkfloat]

Along these lines I think i'm going to be forced into www shopping for new shoes, my current DHB (EU43) have seen better days and also cause me numb feet as they are a bit narrow for me. I've now been to 3 LBS's and none of them have anything wide enough in stock (maybe i have hobbit feet?!).

Have tried Shimano, Specialised, Mavic, Lake & Giro (even the Giro wide fit still pinch a bit)

Shimano also sell a wide fit in some of their shoes - they are one of the few shoes that fit me. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r088-spd-sl-road-shoes-wide-fit/

 

[vickster]

If looking for a road shoe, these come up wide. I went back and forth thinking I wanted spd-sl and of at least 15 pairs of shoes these were the most comfortable width wise (free returns and haribo too) and not crazy money like the wide sidi ones for example

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r20c-carbon-road-cycling-shoe-1/

The shimano wide were much less comfortable and felt much cheaper materials wise

These weren't too bad width wise, but they came up very small

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/gaerne-g-avia-road-shoes-wide-fit-2015/rp-prod129990

 

[Mike!]

Thanks for the suggestions, my current DHB (not the carbon ones) are causing me issues with the lack of width, not sure if the carbon are any different to the non carbon models but i'd kind of ruled them out because of that.

I currently have a pair of Shimano wide fit and Sidi Mega on my wishlist at wiggle whilst trying to find more info, i wish they'd specify the actual width in the measurements though, they can do it for the length!

 

[e-rider]

So I want to buy new cycling SPD MTB-type shoes to replace my umpty-teen-year old ones which have worn to the point where I am walking on the cleats.

Shoes are something that you need to try on - they might pinch, not work very well for walking etc., whatever

Tried several bike shops (yes, Evans and all) and found

Maybe they only have a couple of different ones to try, neither of which suit.

Or they don't have your size.

or whatever.

So methinks I'll try online after all, and send 'em back if not suitable. BUT after a fruitless hour trawling through sites looking at likely shoes - they don't have my size, they're out of stock altogether etc. etc.

AAArrgh!

I would be cautious about online 'ordering and sending back' - have you looked at the cost of shipping a shoe box with Royal Mail recently - it's cost a F-ing lot of money! Some online shops do free returns with collect+ so I'd look at those retailers only

 

[vickster]

Are you looking for a bargain? Then yes you may struggle if you're a standard sort of size. I'd be surprised if you can't find this year's model though

Wiggle, chain reaction, sigma would be my first ports of call as they have wide ranges and free returns via collect plus. Most other retailers charge for returns

Evans, you can order into store via their website where the range is much more extensive and return immediately if no good

@e-rider

 

[Ciar]

I just bought these pair of SPD shoes mainly for commuting, but if i was ever to start clipping in on the MTB then i would buy another pair, very comfy great pair of shoes with a firm sole, no complaints from me so far, i followed other peopls advice and we half a size up to 9.5 and it worked a treat.

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/mavic-crossride-elite-mtb-shoe-449378

 

[Mike!]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sidi-genius-5-fit-carbon-mega-road-shoes/

Ordered, if the measurements are true they should fit fine, fingers crossed

 

[User6179]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sidi-genius-5-fit-carbon-mega-road-shoes/

Ordered, if the measurements are true they should fit fine, fingers crossed

Sidi shoes come up small like Shimano , 43 would be a 44 in Sidi if that's not what you ordered?