Time for a new pair of shoes

goonz

So I'm in the market for a pair of blingy road shoes. I have been doing a bit of research and have narrowed the list down to a handful of brands. I want a top of the range shoe so money not an issue. I will be using speedplays.

I have tried on a few brands but still have to try on Sidis (hopefully tonight).

My list consists of in order of preference:

Sidi Wire Carbon Vernice
Northwave Extreme Tech Plus
Giro Factors
Giro Prolight
Bont Vaypor+

The Sidi's are top but mainly because I am a tart and they are the shiniest. They look great and have great build quality so will last. Sizing is the main issue as I do not have narrow feet so must try before I buy.

The Northwaves look great and blingy and having tried another model of the NW they fit pretty well and were very comfortable. Come ready prepped and with extra insole for speedplays so big advantage for me. Not sure about build quality...

The Giros were also very comfortable but lack that blinginess and the lack of boa and other tech makes them pretty basic. Again no idea about build quality.

The Bonts are on the list because the more I read about it the more I like the idea of heat mouldable shoes. The cons for me outweigh the one positive however. They look wrong, the boa-esque (atop) system is no where near as good as boa, and the build quality is extremely shoddy. Not really what I would expect from a £250 shoe. A colleagues pair have pretty much fallen apart albeit with fair bit of use in a year. I would not use them more than 2 times a week I reckon.

Can anyone recommend/reject any of these shoes from their own experiences?

northpole

Not exactly answering your question - I reckon Sidi make the best quality shoes on the market - build quality that is. My most recent shoe purchase is the Spesh S Works. I'm not into bling and opted for the black version. They are remarkably light, very stiff soles, great adjustment with the boa system and I have found them remarkably comfortable over long distances. The only possible downside I would highlight would be that their uppers may be a bit flimsy/ prone to scuffing and they don't look as good as the Sidi.

Peter

goonz

Yep did try on the S-works too and surprisingly width wise they fit but the lower boa dug into the top of my foot when I tightened it hence it not being on my list. I was wearing merino socks on that day which may not have helped but I may try them on again with thinner socks I have today and see how I get on....

Bar Shaker

Once you buy a pair of Sidis, nothing else will ever do.

I love mine.

Mavic are worth a look too.

goonz

Bar Shaker wrote:

Once you buy a pair of Sidis, nothing else will ever do.

I love mine.

Mavic are worth a look too.

Tried Mavics, too narrow but again was wearing thicker socks and didnt try the next size up either. Will try them again today if I can. Hope Sigma stocks everything I need...

styxd

I have a pair of old Sidi Ergo 2s which have seen alot of use and still work fine. I would say the fit is quite narrow though.

Have also had Giro Factors which were very light and stiff and had a nice thin sole. Quality didnt seem as good as other shoes though. Also, the uppers were a bit stiff. They were quite a narrow fit too.

Had some Bont Vaypors which didnt fit, a strange shape, looked like they'd be good if they fit your feet.

Currently using Fizik which are top notch and cheap.

Top of the line Shimano must be worth a look? R320 I think? Heat moldable aswell.

goonz

Thanks...

I dont really like the Shimano styling, I use Shimanos as daily commuter shoes and they are great for that but not for my best road shoes...

Wouldn't mind Fizik but think they may be too narrow again.

funny you say that about Factors being narrow I tried a 43 in them and they fit me very well, so perhaps my feet are not overly wide and I simply perceive it. Will find out when I squeeze my feet into some Sidis.

giant_man

I have 4 pairs of Sidis and one pair of Giros. Says it all really.

goonz

I REALLY hope they fit! Might try squeezing my feet in them.

Weeman1973

Sidi do the MEGA range for wider feet so the fit shouldn't be a problem.

If I had the money, i would have these at the drop of a hat:

http://www.leisureoutlet.com/cycling/Ro ... wwodt7YABA

I've had a couple of pairs of lake's and found them to be the roomiest

northpole

If you are trying on Sidi's, from my experience, what is essential is to take out the Sidi insole (aka cardboard) and insert something like Spesh footbeds and then decide if the fit is good. Sidi make fab shoes, but got bored when it came to the insoles bit which are rubbish.

I have their Ergo 2's but it was their Genius 6.6 which have thus far proved to be the most comfortable bike shoes I've had. (those plus the S Works!).

Peter

giant_man

does anyone know how the Lakes come up size wise? are they smaller or larger than Sidis for instance?

sloppyschleckonds

Swapped my sidis and s-works for these DMT vegas

Weeman1973

giant man wrote:

does anyone know how the Lakes come up size wise? are they smaller or larger than Sidis for instance?

I think they are larger than Sidi in my experience. I am a 40.5 in regular shoes & a 41 in Lakes (had CX170 & CX 236) has been the best fitting road shoes I've had.

In Sidi I am a 41.5, same for Bont. My Diadoras were tight at 41 same for DMT Prisma.

goonz

So visited Sigma and tried on a few pairs of shoes. Bonts have a boat like carbon sole which wouldnt be to everyones liking. They definitely do not look as well made as any of the other brands. Doubt they would hold up very well to lots of use.

The Sidis looked awesome and I tried them on in a 44 which fit very well. Had a little space for toes to move but not too much and no real pressure points anywhere. The Ergo 3 felt better on my feet than the Wires but very glad they fit ok.

odessouky

I've recently purchased Loius Garneau LS-100 Carbons, and for £139, I think they are fantastic....and in black look great..!!

bernithebiker

You should definitely check out Lakes.

My CX236's were the most comfortable shoes I ever had, but were quite heavy; the 331's are more racey (and heat mouldable).

I dropped Sidis over 7 years ago; too pricey by far, and they seem behind the times in design stakes (simplicity).

goonz

Thanks for the shout on Lake but I can only purchase through the C2W scheme via Evans who dont stock them.

If all else fails and I have to buy outright I may take a look at them too.

Have decided to go for the Northwave Extreme Tech Plus in floro orange. Will let you know how I get on.