Cycling shoes, do you splurge on shoes, favorite shoe and how much if you want to divulge

Have you had any trouble with the mesh tearing on the sides? I tried MX241 last spring & the mesh started to tear away from the bottom of the shoe after 4 rides.

No, I haven’t. Been only using them indoors though for TR workouts since Jan. But so far so good.

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I paid a lot of money on qualitative bike equipment because it is not just a hobby, it’s a sport that I like to practice. Regarding the shoes, I have Mizuno Wave Inspire shoes, which are very comfortable… These shoes are suitable for those who have flat feet as I do. Actually, it’s tough to find shoes proper for flat feet. It took me a while to came across the best cross training shoes for flat feet. For me, it’s very important to wear shoes that give stability and comfort and I can pay a hight price for it.

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I splurge on shoes. Switching to custom-made shoes, along with custom orthotics, changed my cycling life entirely.

I’ll admit, I’m an outlier. I have a long, narrow foot with a wide forefoot and very little arch – so I need a shoe that is narrow in the heel and wide in the toe box, which is a problem and always has been. The second problem is the orthotic itself.

Even though VO2 tests I did from '86 to '96 suggest that I was probably over 5 w/kg when fit, I was rarely fit – knee, foot, and ankle problems prevented me from ever getting in six months at a time on the bike, and I always had 2 or 3 months worth of off-bike rest due to injuries, every year. Orthotics in the 90s helped, but it wasn’t until I went to custom shoes that I stopped having problems and was able to train consistently – at 37.

If you have bad feet, splurge for custom shoes.

also liking my Bonts, and looking to get another pair. I have Vaypor + but quite keen on the Helix or Vaypor S

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I also spluge on shoes. I have huge feet and am very flat footed. Had to get custom orthotics to walk right.

Just today got a pair of SIDI Dragon 5 Matt Mega Mtb shoes. Huge but fit me perfectly. Such a difference in clipping in and feeling secure.

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I splurge on shoes but I didn’t use to. I had several pair of quality shoes in the $50-$150 range that I basically wore out. I got a little hotfoot issue on a ride about 3 weeks ago and decided to upgrade to the Giro Prolight Techlaces.

https://www.giro.com/p/prolight-techlace-road-cycling-shoes/350060000100000065.html?dwvar_350060000100000065_color=White

I can’t believe what I’ve been missing, I love these shoes! Adjustable arch supports are something I had never messed with but I was able to really dial these in. They are stupid light, I think I’m in love.

I also decided on the Sidi Tiger and I really like these as well. Very supportive and adjustable. Not as comfy as my road shoes but very nice and extremely stiff. It’s not that they aren’t comfortable, it’s just that the Giros feel like I’m wearing a thin glove and you barely know you have them on. The Sidis are heavier and more robust, but they are MTB shoes so there’s that. :wink:

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On road: Giro Empire SLX
:small_blue_diamond: stiff, lightweight, good fit, awesome looks
On dry gravel: old beaten Specialized Comp
:small_blue_diamond:Using them because of Favero Assioma PM
On wet gravel: Fizik X5
:small_blue_diamond: SPD, decent power transfer, good for muddy and wet terrain

Only Giros are high end, the rest of the lot are mid range at best.

Got to have a splurge on shoes! They make such a huge difference to your comfort and power transfer, plus they look the business!!

Sidi Shots for me in white. Coming from motorbikes I’m a bit of a Sidi fan. Very well made and last a long time if you look after them.

I splurged a massive 65USD(!) on LG Signature 84 lace up shoes. I wanted something like the giro empire but without the cost. I replaced the laces with elastic straps, and I’ve been very happy with them for three or four years.

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Any shoe that works for both cycling and bowling is a winner in my book.

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You sold me. Found them for $233 to my door. Hoping they are a good fit for me. :+1:

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I’ve got some Sidi Wire 2’s which I really like and have been solid for me for the last year or so. Recently switched to Powertap P1 pedals and they have started chewing the sole of the shoe… Has anyone else experienced this?

The claw on the pedal looks like it’s rubbing a valley into the carbon sole every time I unclip.

looks very modern and stylish

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I’m still rocking my 2011 S-Works road shoes, and have some gen 1 Giro Factors too. Have had a few other pairs that have come and gone, like some Sidi’s etc.

If Specialized hadn’t mucked with the fit of the s-works, I’d replace them with a new pair, but they narrowed them up, then changed again and now I will have to try them on and see if they still fit me. $400 is pretty eye watering, but if they fit you perfectly, and you don’t get them wet all the time, then they’re good for years and years or riding.

My shortlist for shoes if I were to shop tomorrow, would be:

S-Works, Shimano (the top two models, around $250 and $400 I think). And maybe Bont. All depends on being able to try them on, and then not have to pay full price.

I made a pretty big purchase and went with Fizik Vento PowerStrap R2 Aeroweave. I got them around November/December purposefully for indoor rides as my prior Giro’s just became water logged with sweat each ride.

These are amazing, stiff but the weave makes the shoe comfortable. Socks are practically dry instead of drenched in sweat.

Added bonus that sock color changes the color of the shoe.

Agree! These shoes are amazing. Stiff as all hell, but very comfortable on a long ride. So glad I splurged and got a pair.

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Not sure how long you have been riding with them (for me 4 years), but what’s interesting is the feeling of being stiff goes away and you wonder how you rode so long with sloppy shoes. And the math (cents/per mile) just drops making it easy to justify.

Recently upgraded my old Fizik Fizik M6 UOMO BOA, splurged, and got a pair of Fizik X1 Infinito.

I bought the M6’s pair when I got into cycling. I wear a size 13 US and I had a hard time finding shoes in my size. None of the bike stores in my area had anything in my size and the ones they did didn’t fit right. The M6 fit but just barely.

Hell I was recently looking at getting a pair of Shimano SH-XC9 S-PHYRE but they top out at a 12.5 in a US men’s.

I tried out the Giro Sector (too tight) and the Specialized S-Works Recon (these shoes are dope but too narrow for my foot, but man were these shoes BLING!).

X1’s fit like a glove. I guess Fizik just fits me best.

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Only had them for a month or two, and like them even more as time goes by. I only paid $320 for mine because as a member of my club, I get 20% discounts at two different bike shops. Definitely worth it!