I'm curious if anyone out there has good recommendations for mountain biking shoes that have a wider-than-average toebox.
For context, I have learned over many years of trying on all kinds of shoes from numerous manufacturers that my feet are not an "average" shape. I need a wide toebox to not feel like my toes are being uncomfortably squeezed. However, some shoe companies use "wide" as a synonym for "high volume," which doesn't work well for me. I have ridden happily in Shimano shoes for many years, but since purchasing the latest version about a year ago (the current XC5) I am experiencing pinch points and discomfort that weren't problems with earlier generations. Adding a higher-volume insole helps, but doesn't feel like an ideal solution.
If you are also a person with wider-than-average feet, or with a preference for a more "anatomical" toebox, what brands/models of shoes have you liked? (I exclusively run clipless pedals, and am looking for shoes suitable for trail riding as well as longer endurance rides.)
As someone with wide feet in a different spot, I'd suggest trying on Fox Unions. I have collapsed arches, which makes my midfoot wide, but met width is normal. Unions feel VERY roomy up front, much more so than my Impact Pros which are snug but cushioned up front and roomy in the middle.
I have wider feet up front and for trail riding I have the Northwave spider 3, and for downhill i have Leatt 5.0.
The Leatts are a bit wider than the Northwaves and the cleat can be positioned further back. I haven't tried as many Leatts but i believe they're pretty similar between models. Northwaves XC shoes are more narrow up front than their trail/enduro shoes though.
I've had a pair of shimano from their wide size models. They were hard to find so i tried the XC5 in normal sizing and it was way to narrow in the toe-box. I've also tried a wide model from Lake shoes but they were to wide around the heel instead.
I run size 47 on Leatt, 46 on Northwave, 46 wide on Shimano and 46 2/3 on FiveTen/Adidas, my feet are about 29.3 cm.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Lake makes great shoes for wide feet, plus they have a sizing guide in actual measurements, not random sizes.
Actually authored an article just like this a couple years ago. Found that Leatt, Fox Union (So long as the BOA doesn’t break on you), and Crank brothers all did the trick with my feet. I also bought a set of shoe stretchers that have helped with a few pairs of shoes now, not just mountain bike shoes. Allow an extra week for this process to work before wearing and small incremental twists. Imagine the pit of despair from Princess Bride.
Feel free to DM if you have other questions.
Long time Shimano user, bought Fox union boa's after being able to try them in the shop, really comfy and come with 2 different sole inserts with different arch heights.
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