Hi All- I’m currently in the market for a new pair of cycling shoes. My current pair are a women’s specific Specialized shoe. They fit me pretty well lenthwise and in the heal and mid foot, but the toe box is a little tight. I’m just wondering if a men’s shoe might provide a better/wider fit in the toe box. It’s tough to try on mens shoes at my LBS because they dont carry my size in most shoes. So Im just wondering if any ladies out there wear mens shoes…
Also, I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions about which brand I should buy. Do the Sidi’s (Genius/Energy) with the rachet closures require too much effort to take on and off in transition? I mostly race long distance tri’s, but still don’t want to be wasting lots of time adjusting my shoes.
oh- one last Q - Will the sizing be the same? i.e. If I am a 39 in the women’s fit, will I also be a 39 in a men’s shoe?
Hey Sarah - my mountain bike and my old tri shoes are women’s specific, but new my tri shoes are men’s. They size the same lengthwise (39 women = 39 men), but they do fit different. The men’s shoes will tend to be a little wider. I have narrow feet, but I don’t find it to be a big issue with the cycling shoes. I’m sure you’ll be fine in men’s…
Also, if it were me, I wouldn’t get the type that rachet shut. I wouldn’t want to hassle with them in transition. I also slip my shoes off before coming off the bike, though…
I wear men’s shoes (cycling and running) because I have huge feet. I wear size 46 Sidi Dynamics (two velcro straps, no ratcheting) and they fit me great. You may find a better toe box fit in a men’s shoe, but some women find the heel of a men’s shoe to be too wide/loose. Men’s feet and shoes typically taper less from toe to heel than women’s. Of course, it’s impossible to say what will fit without trying them on. A mail-order retailer with a good return policy is your best bet. Good luck!
Count me in the group of women wearing men’s shoes (both running & cycling). I wear a women’s 12 but found with distance running the toebox was too constricting. Moved up to a men’s size last summer and my big toes are so happy now!
Yes, the metric sizing of cycling shoes is the same. And my feet are on the wider size so it works well for me. I wear Shimano (or are they Specialized? I can’t remember) SPD cycling shoes that have 2 velcro closers. I can’t snug them up quite as much as those shoes that have the rachets but I don’t want to give up time in transition either.
I wear Sidi men’s shoes, I dont know what models though, Titans and another one, which is very similar but diff. color, both in a size 39. I usually wear a size 7 women’s dress shoe, and the Sidi’s fit well. I like that they are wider in the toe box, works a lot better for times when the feet swell up.