Tell me more ×
Bicycles Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people who build and repair bicycles, people who train cycling, or commute on bicycles. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite
1

I have mutant-wide feet and it's generally impossible to find comfortable shoes for any occasion. For the most part my only options in life are New Balance. I'm cycling a lot lately and would like to take advantage of cleats. So, does anybody actually manufacture 4E shoes? I'd rather not try stretching them out with mink oil/boiling water/wooden shoe stretchers and the pain from narrow shoes can be pretty excruciating. My google-fu is coming up with a few dozen forum discussions with no real solutions.

share|improve this question
I also mostly wear NB 4E. Didn't try that hard, but pretty much gave up on finding cycling shoes. I seem to recall hearing that some people have had good luck with cycling sandals, since sandals tend to be a bit more forgiving on sizing. – freiheit♦ Dec 7 '11 at 23:35

6 Answers

up vote 7 down vote

Sidi make a wide fitting version of their shoes.

I have a pair of Sidi's and they have been the best fitting, most comfortable shoes I've ever found. From their website:

Mega sizes are cut with more material throughout, and a larger-volume heelcup. Mega sizes roughly correspond to a EE/EEE width on the Brannock sizing scale.

Possibly still not wide enough for your needs but they're worth checking out.

share|improve this answer
Thanks for the info on Sidi. I just bought new shoes recently and totally discounted Sidi, never even looking them because of past experiences with them being narrower then other brands. I will have to try on some of these. – Glenn Gervais Dec 8 '11 at 15:28
I'm going down to Sports Basement to try out the Shimano M087GEs and Northwave Lizzard Pros today. I tried to buy a pair of Sidi Megas but apparently the customers of the high-end bike stores never have feet longer than 42s, which made me feel like even more of a mutant. – mhalligan Dec 12 '11 at 23:13
@mhalligan I had to order my Sidi's as I couldn't find any shops that stocked them. I got them from a specialised cycling shop, not just a standard LBS. – Mac Dec 12 '11 at 23:31
1  
I picked up the Shimano M087GEs from Sports Basement in San Francisco tonight, they feel flimsier than the Sidis but wider and more comfortable. I'll have a better idea as to their fit after a few days of wear. – mhalligan Dec 13 '11 at 5:39
up vote 2 down vote

Yes, D2 Shoes will make you a custom extra-wide shoe.

Good info on the D2 Shoes website. 41 sizes, 9 widths available. $975 price tag is tough, but looks like D2 Shoes will manufacture you an extra wide road or mountain shoe.

The widest off the shelf bicycle shoe I could find is the Shimano SH-M087GE Mountain Bike Shoes. The GE version is a wide version of the regular SH-M087G.

share|improve this answer
On that note, the Lake MX400s might also be an option, at 1/2 the price of the D2's .. $975 for a pair of shoes is pretty obscene. But man those Lakes are fugly! – mhalligan Dec 12 '11 at 23:29
I have not tried heat molded shoes (Shimano makes a shoe you heat up too) but even the $480 on those Lakes is too much in my opinion. I don't know how much the material will stretch with the heat molding. – Glenn Gervais Dec 13 '11 at 0:51
up vote 0 down vote

Once met a guy who had had his shattered foot "reconstructed" with screws, etc, and it was about half-again as wide as his other foot. He was riding in custom-reconstructed cycling shoes. He told me that the cobbler took two regular bike shoes, cut them apart, and sewed them back together as one.

As I recall (it's been maybe eight years), the shoes had cleats, probably SPDs.

(Of course, I have no idea who did the work for him, but probably an outfit that does "orthopedic" shoes.)

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

I found a cheap pair of shoes from Specialized that are awesome for wide feet. The Tahoe From Specialized. Note: this isn't a 'competitive' shoe; it's classified as recreational. I ride a hybrid for fitness, and I wear 10.5 US 4E New Balances when I buy athletic shoes. I paid $85 from a retailer but I think you can get them cheaper.

The shoe works because of the construction. They're built like Keen or Merrell sandals, meaning they wrap around your foot in a basket-like construction. It's not a sandal though, in that the sides of the shoe have strips of leather and nylon that flex around the toe box.(don't know if I'm using the right terms) Again, I'm a fitness rider, and I need a versatile shoe for commutes and long rides. And I've been wearing them on long rides for two weeks without any pain. These have a pop-out section on the forefoot to accomodate a clip if you want to install one.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

It's also possible, if you have the tools and the inclination, to make your own from a pair of non-cycling shoes that already fit correctly. Ideally these should have a flattish outsole (so they don't catch on the pedals) which is also thick enough to recess the cleats.

You'll still ideally want the stiff insole from a cycling shoe (as here) to spread the pressure from the plate the cleats bolt onto. So, you need a donor cycling shoe whose sole isn't too narrow, but at least it doesn't need to fit around your feet for this to work.

share|improve this answer
up vote -1 down vote

You may also want to check out custom=made shoes from BONT. They aren't cheap though!

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.