Bont Shoes - updated - problems molding shoes

Ka12

I am trying to find a pair of wide fitting shoes and wondering whether to try a pair of bont shoes.

For those that have tried them would you recommend them?

I'm also very flat footed and wondered if these would be good to try due to the heat moldable footbed, has anyone got flat feet and find bonts work for them?

Hopefully will be able to find somewhere in lancashire to try some on at weekend.

sharky1029

http://www.saddleback.co.uk/stockists
Should allow you to easily find your nearest store with bonts available to order but they may not have your size in stock.
They also have a size calculator on the website.
Also they are not always fantastically comfortable before molding but they should not be uncomfortable

righty_ho

I suffer from wide feet and decided on Bont Vapor shoes as they do a wide fit option and have a square toe box. Most stockists only supply the wide fit option as special order but they are well worth it.

Got mine from South Down Bikes - very competitively priced and fast delivery.

If you can't find anywhere to try them on I can fully recommend the online Bont sizing calculator (available on the Bont website). I ordered mine just based upon this and they fit perfectly.

Sammyw23

I have just bought the wide fit Vaypors - 2 cooks in the oven to get the fit right and one ride in and they are great.

I just went to local stockist and they ordered them in for me - took a couple of weeks

Sammyw23

Just one point to note if you do get the wide fit version, mine came with 10cm ladders for the ratchet buckle which were ridiculously long and hit the floor when I walked. Had to order the normal 8cm ladder from Sigma Sport (saddleback sent all their Bont spares there recently).

Ka12

Thanks for the info

Struggling to find a local stockist, rang 5 shops this morning but they don't stock the wide fitting. Also struggling online to find anywhere with stock of wide A2 or A3, can find the vaypors but think they are prob a bit OTT for the kind of riding I do.

Will try ringing a few more stores this afternoon.

Sammyw23

Doubt anywhere will have them in stock - you just need to find a helpful retailer who is willing to order them in from saddleback

staffo

I ordered a pair of size 41 wide A3s direct from Bont based on their sizing tool. Unfortunately they were too small and I ended up getting a pair of size 42 wide from Bike Science here

I still have the size 41 wide if you're interested in trying/buying.

Ka12

I am normally a 42 in road shoes so have gone for a 43 - Bont size guide put me at a 42 but lots of advice online about sizing up one size for Bonts. Have ordered online from Sigma Sport as they have free collect+ returns - hopefully they will fit.

Ka12

Even though I had ordered some online I spent last night wondering if I had picked the right side so managed a trip out today and managed to try on a regular width bont shoe, the regular is plenty wide enough for me and the velcro fasteners are fully fastened with enough room to wiggle toes! Have emailed to cancel the online order.

Tried A-threes, A-twos and the vaypors on, the A-twos felt the best fit and went for a size 42.5. Going to try and get an oven thermometer tomorrow before heat molding them.

Ka12

Hi,

I tried moulding my bont shoes last night and again tonight but I don't think they are going to work for me

My feet are nearly flat footed and I keep getting a pain under the arch and it doesn't seem to ease the problem by heat molding them.

Really disappointed to find out this evening that I may have to order a custom bont shoe with no arch support in it for it to fit properly.

Anyone any other recommendations for getting a good fit or should I look at other makes?

Thanks
Sarah

Grill

The problem is that you're most likely not flat-footed. If you were, fitting would be a breeze as the truly flat have few issues and are simple to fit. If anything you probably pronate to the point that your arch collapses giving the appearance of flat feet. You'll most likely need footbeds with the shoes as the pain is likely due to lack of support. A proper footbed will create the windlass effect which will stop collapse and restrain hypermobility. You really need to see a fitter, be it Solutions4Feet, Profeet, or possibly Cadence Sport.

imposter2.0

just a comment on 'sizing up'. I took a 43 in all my previous road shoes - and I also take a 43 std in Bont. no sizing up needed.

Ka12

Sorry should have put that I over pronate, my knee joints are now 10 degrees out of alignment due to this not being picked up as a child. I now get more pain trying to wear orthotics which are custom made, than wearing shoes without orthotics.

I am just not sure that keeping heat molding them will make them any better. I have previously worn specialized shoes with the red insoles without any issues but the new 2013 s-works didn't fit me as good as the 2012 ones did.
Have tried the Bonts with red specialized insoles but they don't feel any better.

Grill

A sports-specific footbed is completely different to something a podiatrist would make (as they generally have no idea what they're doing when it comes to specific sports).

Did you form the Bonts with the Spec footbed in it (added after it was removed from the oven), or just try and slip it in afterwards? That may be your issue...

I'd still recommend going to see a pro as they will guarantee their fit.

Ka12

Just put the Bonts back in the oven, going to heat them just a touch longer and put the spec footbeds in straightway.

I really like the wide fronts on the Bonts so will keep trying, may have to go and have some footbeds made.