I have bought 2 pairs of bike shoes in the past 3 years to replace an old pair on Nike one’s I bought on clearance 6 years ago. The other shoes are Carnac -TRS 6 and another pair of Nikes that I don’t remember the name of them. The problem is both pairs give me terrible hot spots and cramping problems that the good old pair of Nikes don’t. After going through over $300 in buying cycling shoes I’m a little gun shy. Even of advice from cycling shops. Does anyone have any specific questions I should be able to answer to find the right pair? I am female, I wear a 8 in women’s (translates to cycling size 38). I race Athena ( let the flames begin hehe). I’m doing an ironman this year.
Post some info on your foot dimensions… Carnacs are great for wide feet, but are too roomy for narrow feet people as a result (in general). Sidis are usually better for narrow feet. I’d give some more info on toebox needs, arch height, etc.
I have a wide foot but not wide enough to have to buy wide size shoes for everyday wear ( though I stay away from narrow shoes). I’ve tried Sidi’s on and they are too narrow. I have a normal arch that is falling a little according to the doctor I went to for plantar problems. I do wear metatarsal pads in my running shoes now. I do need a wider toe box. Does that help?
Shimano’s are great “all around” shoes, and I know several people with flat/fallen arches that find them to be comfortable. I bought a pair of TR-01’s and had to put extra insoles with arch cushions in to take up extra room because I have narrow feet with high arches. My girlfriend who has average (maybe slightly wide) feet with flat arches LOVES her TR-01’s and rides them as she bought them. If you are racing long course, though, you may want to look at Shimano road shoes, which should be built on the same last as the tri shoes, which will hold your foot better than tri shoes.
The new Specialized TriVents are also roomy. Another friend with wide/flat feet uses those and loves them. The two straps also will allow you to tune the fit more than a one strapper.
Diadora and Sidi use the same lasts, so stay away from Diadora.
Carnac road shoes may be a better choice than the Tri shoes
In general, for anything over Olympic distance, I’d say go with a road shoe. For most people, even for short course/sprint, the extra couple of seconds it takes to fasten a couple straps/buckles is miniscule (except in an ITU race), and the fit is ALWAYS more supportive in a road shoe).
I actually had a fit done with the Carnacs. The hot spots were so bad with them it was incredible. I have not tried any inserts. Not even sure where to look or what to look for in inserts. Where do you begin?
Oh, I tried all with speedplays and went right back to Look. I’ve thought about trying the shimano cleat but just bought a new Felt F55 and put Look pedals. And I really like the feel of Look. I think I need more surface area.