[Johnny K]

Looking for some new MTB shoes to replacing my quickly wearing Specialized Comp shoes which have been awesome. These shoes were 85 bucks and allllmost perfect.

What I need:

Wide toebox with narrow heel- odd but that is how my foot is. One just a smidge wider than the Spec. stuff would work.

Low volume foot area- My foot is like a flipper. Wide but I have to resort to an extra insole to fill up the shoe so I don't run out of velcro strap.

3 velcro straps- Velcro doesn't break when it hits rock. SImple.

No toe cleats if possible.

Quite the picky *****fest of a post but hoping someone here has tried on more shoes than I. Thanks, all.

 

[jasonball]

I'm looking for shoes also. how did your specilized fit. compare to sneakers or road shoes.

I'm finding the road shoes I have listed at 44eur/11us are different from there web site.

 

[shiggy]

Looking for some new MTB shoes to replacing my quickly wearing Specialized Comp shoes which have been awesome. These shoes were 85 bucks and allllmost perfect.

What I need:

Wide toebox with narrow heel- odd but that is how my foot is. One just a smidge wider than the Spec. stuff would work.

Low volume foot area- My foot is like a flipper. Wide but I have to resort to an extra insole to fill up the shoe so I don't run out of velcro strap.

3 velcro straps- Velcro doesn't break when it hits rock. SImple.

No toe cleats if possible.

Quite the picky *****fest of a post but hoping someone here has tried on more shoes than I. Thanks, all.

Cutting an under insole from a sheet of cork gasket material (from an auto parts store) can increase comfort and insulate your foot from heat and cold. Available in several thicknesses.

You can also use a piece of Spenco insole under the straps/laces and over the tongue to take up space.

 

[b-kul]

just a comment on 3 velcro straps, the top one seems to loosen if you do any hike a bike. not a big deal but i find it a little anoying.

 

[shiggy]

just a comment on 3 velcro straps, the top one seems to loosen if you do any hike a bike. not a big deal but i find it a little anoying.

I always get a better fit with laces.

Sounds like the OP knows how velcro works for him.

 

[tyler243]

I have a rather flipper like foot myself and found my shimano's to have a massive toebox, almost too much. I don't believe they make the specific shoe any more but they are a lot like the SH-M087G

 

[powpig2002]

look at settes. can't be beat for the $. they're not Italean, but what the [email protected]$k?

 

[yetibetty]

Johnny K, I spent many years trying and buying shoes to fit my flipper feet.
Usually if I found some with a wide enough foot then the ankle would be really loose. I then like you found the Specialized comp and used them till they wore out.

Now use Northwave and my flippers will never put anything else on. The Grifter GTX are nice but may not have enough velcro for you liking.

http://www.northwave.com/world/shoes.php?catid=3&area=3

 

[Pithecoid]

Johnny K, I spent many years trying and buying shoes to fit my flipper feet.
Usually if I found some with a wide enough foot then the ankle would be really loose. I then like you found the Specialized comp and used them till they wore out.

Now use Northwave and my flippers will never put anything else on. The Grifter GTX are nice but may not have enough velcro for you liking.

http://www.northwave.com/world/shoes.php?catid=3&area=3

I've also had a hell of a time finding MTB shoes (well, shoes of any kind) that fit my toebox (Crocs and Birkenstocks, as ugly as some may be, are the ONLY shoes that seem to fit my toes without mangling them).

I landed on Specialized Tahoe as the best I could do, though they aren't great for my toebox. yetibetty, are those Northwaves really significantly wider in the toes than the Specs? Their online photos look like they're as pointy in the toebox as the typical shoe that smushes my feet. Not so???

 

[yetibetty]

I've also had a hell of a time finding MTB shoes (well, shoes of any kind) that fit my toebox (Crocs and Birkenstocks, as ugly as some may be, are the ONLY shoes that seem to fit my toes without mangling them).

I landed on Specialized Tahoe as the best I could do, though they aren't great for my toebox. yetibetty, are those Northwaves really significantly wider in the toes than the Specs? Their online photos look like they're as pointy in the toebox as the typical shoe that smushes my feet. Not so???

Pithecoid, it's more a case of a really nice high, good fitting ankle.
My northwaves are a couple of years old now but assuming they still make them the same fit then the well fitting ankle allows you to pick the next size up if you want (for your toes) or simply means that you don't have to do the shoe up tight to keep it on as this is done with the ankle. The toe box is on the genorous side compared to a lot of other shoes but the ankle is like a vice, you can almost ride with the laces/velcro undone and they still stay on.

 

[Johnny K]

Sweet, good responses. Now to find someone who actually stocks Northwave around my parts (Birmingham, AL)!

 

[bhmax]

I'll be in Birmingham this weekend. Let me know if anyone there stocks the Northwaves

 

[K2Lambo666]

take a look at 5 tens there are awesome shoes. and they have a wide range of shoes for different applications..i have the impact lows and love them..grip like no other!