I am a special case because I ride using Speedplay and insist upon having a Speedplay specific sole.
I used Lake CX401 in 45.5 for about 5 years. I thought they were pretty damn good at the time. Nice and stiff and I liked the BOA.
In reality, they simply didn't fit well, but they fit better than the competing DMT offering (which was the only competitor at the time).
When SIDI came out with their version I tried it in a 45.5 and 46. The heel retention on the SIDI left all others in the dust. However, whilst the 46 SIDI had enough toe box (and the 45.5 not enough), neither was wide enough for my foot.
I then found a pair of Bont 2016 Vaypor+ in 46 wide on the cheap, with Speedplay drilling and thought I'll give them a go.
The first time I tried them on (sitting in a chair) I knew these shoes were so close to the mark it was not funny. My foot was instantly comfortable and that has never been the case before in any cycling shoe.
Then I rode with them using the rubbish stock inserts. Nope. Then I tried Spesh reds and blues. Nope.
Moulding definitely required. More width required. So, a few shims strapped onto feet (toes) under socks and a few times slipping them into hot shoes out of the oven followed by a few rides. A few goes with ring and ball moulding tool for spot work.
Bingo. Width sorted. Feet love the width. Well, the pinkies because there was always plenty of comfort on the big toe side and I ascribe some of that to the near impossible to change arch support. Nonetheless, almost there but I felt it was the inserts causing problems rather then the shoes.
Switched to Icebug slim inserts that have a very pronounced metatarsal bump. Better, but could be improved. Used two part epoxy putty to fill in the underside of the metatarsal bump so it would not compress under load. Major improvement and that is where I have stayed.
Loads of width. Lots of toe wiggle room. Very comfy indeed. Best I have ever had.
Heel, however, has never been tight and I've yet to sort that part out. A few trips to the oven should sort them out but the issue is a bit minor and I am loathed to mess around with a fit that works.
In essence, the Bont 2016+ Wide worked for me. I now also have Vaypor G, also in 46 Wide. Those are based on the newer last of the Vaypor S. That S last is a fraction narrower than the 2016+ and requires far more work to make it fit. I have managed, but I swear they are at their utmost limit now.
If you want wide, you have to choose the 2016+. It's the widest you're ever going to get unless you go custom made.
A key point is that most moulding is intended to shrink the shoe to your feet, not enlarge it. Shrinking is easy. Stretching is not and it requires far more patience (and tools like ring and ball) to get right.
All that said, I have tried on a set of Lake MX161 wide in 45 and they felt pretty damn good. Very wide indeed. However, I have not ridden in them. I suspect they will feel fine for about half an hour and then be a fail. The lack of ability to mould them would be their ultimate downfall, I suspect. But, I have not ridden with them so it is pure speculation.
I used Lake CX401 in 45.5 for about 5 years. I thought they were pretty damn good at the time. Nice and stiff and I liked the BOA.
In reality, they simply didn't fit well, but they fit better than the competing DMT offering (which was the only competitor at the time).
When SIDI came out with their version I tried it in a 45.5 and 46. The heel retention on the SIDI left all others in the dust. However, whilst the 46 SIDI had enough toe box (and the 45.5 not enough), neither was wide enough for my foot.
I then found a pair of Bont 2016 Vaypor+ in 46 wide on the cheap, with Speedplay drilling and thought I'll give them a go.
The first time I tried them on (sitting in a chair) I knew these shoes were so close to the mark it was not funny. My foot was instantly comfortable and that has never been the case before in any cycling shoe.
Then I rode with them using the rubbish stock inserts. Nope. Then I tried Spesh reds and blues. Nope.
Moulding definitely required. More width required. So, a few shims strapped onto feet (toes) under socks and a few times slipping them into hot shoes out of the oven followed by a few rides. A few goes with ring and ball moulding tool for spot work.
Bingo. Width sorted. Feet love the width. Well, the pinkies because there was always plenty of comfort on the big toe side and I ascribe some of that to the near impossible to change arch support. Nonetheless, almost there but I felt it was the inserts causing problems rather then the shoes.
Switched to Icebug slim inserts that have a very pronounced metatarsal bump. Better, but could be improved. Used two part epoxy putty to fill in the underside of the metatarsal bump so it would not compress under load. Major improvement and that is where I have stayed.
Loads of width. Lots of toe wiggle room. Very comfy indeed. Best I have ever had.
Heel, however, has never been tight and I've yet to sort that part out. A few trips to the oven should sort them out but the issue is a bit minor and I am loathed to mess around with a fit that works.
In essence, the Bont 2016+ Wide worked for me. I now also have Vaypor G, also in 46 Wide. Those are based on the newer last of the Vaypor S. That S last is a fraction narrower than the 2016+ and requires far more work to make it fit. I have managed, but I swear they are at their utmost limit now.
If you want wide, you have to choose the 2016+. It's the widest you're ever going to get unless you go custom made.
A key point is that most moulding is intended to shrink the shoe to your feet, not enlarge it. Shrinking is easy. Stretching is not and it requires far more patience (and tools like ring and ball) to get right.
All that said, I have tried on a set of Lake MX161 wide in 45 and they felt pretty damn good. Very wide indeed. However, I have not ridden in them. I suspect they will feel fine for about half an hour and then be a fail. The lack of ability to mould them would be their ultimate downfall, I suspect. But, I have not ridden with them so it is pure speculation.