Threads seem to be all over the place on sizing for these shoes. I wear a 42.5 in Pearl Izumi Tri Fly IVs (actually - the pair I have is a 43 - but they’re a hair big). I’m an 8.5 to a 9.0 in all of my running shoes and my cycling shoes are a 9 as well (Northwaves and Shimano MTB).
Bont’s online sizer has me at a 41 according to my foot measurement (which is like a size 7 US). I’ve found a couple of screaming deals on a Bont Sub 9 (as a size 42) and a Bont Sub 8 (as a size 43).
Any thoughts as to which way to go from people who’ve worn the shoes?
Bont has a sizing guide on their website. I’d advise using it as, for me, their sizing ended up being very different from Sidi’s (which I wore previously).
Any thoughts as to which way to go from people who’ve worn the shoes?
Yes, find a different shoe. I’ve had a a pair for a few years now and wouldn’t buy another. My biggest complaint is the loop. Cheap, and comes off the shoe way too easily. A few other things, but that’s the biggest.
I second the OP on going to the Bont webpage and using their measuring guide for your correct Bont size. My Bont size and Sidi Size are considerably different.
Also have not had any issues with the quality and workmanship of my shoes - post heating them up and fitting them - they are very comfortable.
I bought mine on sale at Excel Sports in Boulder - screaming deal.
I have two gripes about the bont sub9. First the rubber pads on the bottom aren’t attached to well and fall off eventually. The other and my biggest complaint is the loop. I always leave the shoes clipped in and practice mounting the same way I would in a race so I use the loops. Take a look at where they’re attached to the shoe. That’s it, that’s all there is. It doesn’t run down the heel and after a while it pulled off.
Hopefully you won’t experience the same, but once it happens and without the loop, for me anyways, it’s now a road shoe.
I take 10.5 with all my other shoes, but size 9 Bont Sub-9 are a good fit with bare feet. That’s consistent with the size guide predicting 1.5 sizes smaller than normal for you.
My running shoes are typically 41.5 euro sizing and I use a 40.5 in the Bonts. I went off their size chart, and ordered the last that was about 5-6 mm longer than my foot. After heat molding they are fine - don’t be dissappointed if they feel like crap straight out of the box. They are designed for heat molding, I needed a couple of attempts to remove some pressure points on my feet.