Hoping someone can help me sort out some shoe fit issues.
Need some cycling shoes - foot unexpectedly grew a size in the last year.
So, go to the lbs - nothing fits. Sidi’s toe-box is too narrow and short, Diadoras are too floppy. Find one pair of old Carnac Legends in 45 - nice, but a 45.5 would be best. ~200 for it too.
So, narrow heel, high arch, long and wide toes - I’m a duck. I hear that old Carnacs and Northwave Evo are made for ducks like me.
Problems: 1. lbs doesn’t carry them, 2. I hear rumors that the new Carnacs are narrower, 3. size charts at the mail-order place are all wacked out. (what does it take for them to measure a heel to big toe distance and toe-box width in centimeters?? I mean, they make the shoes, they measure the lasts, why can’t they state the relevant numbers in inches or centimeters, instead of some wacked out specialized sizes that are different from maker to maker and year to year???)
…And worse, Carnacs are like $300 these days - almost as much as full custom! Help!
I wear Northwave on road and Carnac TRS6 for Tri. I wear a 44 in both. I find both to have a wider toe box than Sidi, Shimano, etc. My Carnac’s are fairly new and I don’t think they narrowed them at all. I had to buy and send back several pairs of shoes before I found my fit. Wasn’t thrilled about it but no alternative. Got a good deal on Northwaves thru Nashbar and bought my TRS6s from all3sports.com. I don’t mind paying the extra cash for the fit and comfort of Carnac. They are well worth it. As far as your sizing chart issue, I don’t know why they don’y make it easier. Rather frustrating I know. If you had your size zeroed in on then you could get some killer deals on new shoes off e-bay. Another place called bikefarmer.com was also clearancing out their stock of '03 Carnacs so check there too. Good luck.
I have the same weird feet. Extremly high arches, super wide across the ball of the foot and long toes. I have some 2002 Northwave Kayan (sp) the tri shoes. 2 straps comfy and i actaully can wiggle my toes! I’ve tried some other NW’s and ridden in my friends and all have fit well. Call or search for Trialtor which used to be the importer and they can help you find a lbs that carries them or will ship and restock as you try to find the correct size. I have the 44’s. the 43.5’s were a bit small and the 44’s a touch roomy but fit great. They are rather crash resistant as I slid a good ways on the side of mine @35mph and only scuffed the leather.
I would suggest Rocket 7 shoes. I have not used them (yet), but I have seen a pair in the flesh. There are several custom fit options, including a super stock (which uses a commen last with a footbed moulded to your feet), and a full custom. I just ordered a pair of custom footbeds for my Lake shoes. I will post my findings after I put them into my shoes.