Road Shoes : buy size up or not ?

Raffles

Ive always used spd shoes, but ive got a lovely set of 105 5700 pedals and need a set of road shoes and cleats for them. Ive looked at the DHB road shoes which look very nice, I wear a size 9 shoe and should I buy the road shoes in that size or go for the 9.5 ?

Brakeless

Order them both and send back the one that doesn't fit.

nevman

I always go one complete size up to fit thicker socks in winter and swollen feet in really hot weather (ie Alps)

bernithebiker

They should be nice and tight so that your feet cannot move in them. I would NOT size up.

imposter2.0

bernithebiker wrote:

They should be nice and tight so that your feet cannot move in them. I would NOT size up.

The obvious answer is to try a few pairs on. I am consistently one size bigger in cycling shoes than I am in regular shoes.

nferrar

You can't really tell from the stated size, how they actually fit varies between manufacturers and models. Most cycling shoes are fairly narrow (compared with normal shoes) so a lot of people size up for the width rather than length (some shoes are available in a wide version to though). Although cycling shoes should be a close fit they shouldn't be tight until you've done them up, you need to factor in what types of socks you'll be using with them to. I've not used DHB shoes myself but have heard they're a traditional fairly tight fit so you may well need to size up - however given they're from Wiggle then you're best off following the advice already given and ordering a couple of sizes and sending the ones that don't fit back (it's free and relatively hassle-free is you have a Collect+ pick up point near you).

m4ttc

I bought 44s in Shimano shoes despoite being a size 9 which is traditionally 43. I was told by various sources that they are notoriously small fitting

sunburntknees

I've never owned a pair of socks that required me to wear oversized shoes. Winter socks (eg Woolie Boolies) are not that much thicker than 'ordinary' socks.

If, in summer, my feet swelled to the extent my shoes became uncomfortable I would seek medical attention.

soundb0y

I bought my DHBs in my regular size and the fit is perfect

iPete

What SPD shoes are your wearing? If Shimano get the RO version. As someone with odd shaped feet I try and goto a LBS to try and buy there.

Steve236

I've got a pair of Specialized Sport Mtb (SPDs) in a 45 that fit fine so I went for the Shimano R106 in a 45 but they were just too small. The width etc was ok but my toe was touching which didn't seem right.

Have a 46 on order now. So, I'd say, you really need to try or as suggested, get both and send the wrong ones back.

Raffles

although my normal work shoes are size 9, my shimano spd shoes are 9.5. the dhb road shoes are the £45 R1.0 type and I wonder should I go for the 9.5 in them too.

macleod113

i normally wear a 46 shoe/trainer. i bought some Shimano RO86's a couple of years ago and had to buy size 47. I've just bought some Shimano RO87's and had to but 48's. very random but if you are in the saddle for an age you need comfort and not pinching of the toes.
try some pairs on in you LBS and see how you feel. if you fancy the DHB's and have the cash then getting 2 and returning 1 is a great idea.

giant_man

The problem is, some you can buy the same size as your regular shoes and some come up slightly narrower and you have to go up 1/2 size, so with shoes, I always say try before you buy to get a good fit, kind important imo

graham_g

bernithebiker wrote:

They should be nice and tight so that your feet cannot move in them. I would NOT size up.

Useful post... it's probably best if you can actually wriggle your toes comfortably whilst feet sit in the last firmly and held nicely back in the heel cup by the top strap.... :roll:

iPete

Raffles wrote:

although my normal work shoes are size 9, my shimano spd shoes are 9.5. the dhb road shoes are the £45 R1.0 type and I wonder should I go for the 9.5 in them too.

Assume your mtb shoes are something like MO77, so if they work why not just buy the RO77?

Anonymous

sunburntknees wrote:

I've never owned a pair of socks that required me to wear oversized shoes. Winter socks (eg Woolie Boolies) are not that much thicker than 'ordinary' socks.

If, in summer, my feet swelled to the extent my shoes became uncomfortable I would seek medical attention.

smidsy

IME there is no substitute for trying them on before buying.

There is simply too much variance in sizing between makes and styles.

Just when you think you have it sussed per manufacturer they change the fit on their next model.