View Full Version : Shimano heat moldable shoes
mcteague
05-03-2013, 10:39 AM
I picked up a closeout pair of Shimano R315 shoes. They feel fine, as is, but really wonder as to the value of the heat molding process. The insoles have a small piece of pliable plastic. I don't see how heat molding will do anything at all here. The material is so soft I can't see how heat will change anything. Same with the shoe upper; it all feels very soft. Anyone gone through the process notice any difference? Nice shoes but this seems like more gimmick than benefit.
Tim
Likes2ridefar
05-03-2013, 10:51 AM
I picked up a closeout pair of Shimano R315 shoes. They feel fine, as is, but really wonder as to the value of the heat molding process. The insoles have a small piece of pliable plastic. I don't see how heat molding will do anything at all here. The material is so soft I can't see how heat will change anything. Same with the shoe upper; it all feels very soft. Anyone gone through the process notice any difference? Nice shoes but this seems like more gimmick than benefit.
Tim
I have a few times. It's not a pleasant experience. It definitely changes the shape of the shoes. Most notably it conforms to the heel better and around the forefoot. But thats about all I noticed.
Did it help? i hated the shoes, so i'm not sure if it was the snug fit or something else. I felt trapped and it made my feet go numb because I could not move around as much as I wanted.
HenryA
05-03-2013, 12:29 PM
I'd get some insoles that give the support you want and then have the shoes molded to your feet with those insoles in place. I have a couple of pair of older versions of these shoes and really love them.
Hank Scorpio
05-03-2013, 12:42 PM
Molding the Shimanos is a two step process. First they will heat mold the insoles. Then they will heat up the whole shoe and put it on your foot with the insole on place. Then with your foot in the shoe they wrap a bag around it and place a cup over the toe box and vacuum bag it.
This is where they ruined my shoes. The edge of the cup created a crease near my large toe that could never be worked out. I eventually sold the shoes.
mcteague
05-03-2013, 12:43 PM
I'd get some insoles that give the support you want and then have the shoes molded to your feet with those insoles in place. I have a couple of pair of older versions of these shoes and really love them.
My point is that the material has so little rigidity that I just can't see how it would ever hold a shape. I plan to just wear them as is, they seem quite nice. It is just that, now that I have them, I cannot see how heat molding this material would do anything other than make you think they fit better.
Tim
TPetsch
05-03-2013, 12:49 PM
Over time during wearing they will quasi heat mold to a degree, I prefer this method myself if the shoe feels great right out of the box. Same with Ice skates, roller blades etc..
Likes2ridefar
05-03-2013, 12:55 PM
Over time during wearing they will quasi heat mold to a degree, I prefer this method myself if the shoe feels great right out of the box. Same with Ice skates, roller blades etc..
I think pretty much all shoes do this to some degree, and perhaps the Shimano custom fit is a bit of a gimmick. My shoes definitely changed but the vacuum is so strong, my feet went numb during the process, that it made them too form fitting so when my foot changed shape they became very uncomfortable.
Formulasaab
05-03-2013, 01:27 PM
I bought a pair of Sidi Genius 5 shoes. In the shop and walking in the house at home they felt fine. Once on the bike, they were the most painful shoe experience I'd ever had. Complete agony after only 10 miles or so.
I went into the shop where I bought them and made an appointment to have a pari of the Fizik moldable insoles fitted.
They completely changed the whole experience. Before, those shoes were worthless to me. Now, they're just fine.
It appears that Fizik has discontinued those insoles though. I don't know why. I'll have to find a replacement for them since I want to get the same treatment for my mountain bike shoes (Pearl Izumi).
Bud_E
05-03-2013, 01:39 PM
I had the heat molding done at the shop where I bought them. They are by far the best fitting cycling shoes I've ever used but I can't swear they fit any better now than before the heat molding. I say if the fit is fine now, why bother ?
Grant McLean
05-03-2013, 01:44 PM
I have 3 pairs of shimano custom fit shoes, and see no reason to ride without
custom shoes and footbeds ever again.
The heat molding process improved the fit for me from great to amazing.
As others have mentioned, what seems like subtle changes can make a big
different on the bike. The forefoot and heal cup significantly changed shape
on my shoes by heat molding in the vacuum. The process hurt like heck,
my fitter likely over did it with the vacuuming, but the result is great.
I use another brand of custom footbed, with more structure than the ones
that shimano shoes come with. I'm a big fan of custom footbeds.
-g
mcteague
05-03-2013, 01:47 PM
I had the heat molding done at the shop where I bought them. They are by far the best fitting cycling shoes I've ever used but I can't swear they fit any better now than before the heat molding. I say if the fit is fine now, why bother ?
I have no plans to have them molded. Just wanted to know what everyone else thought. I tried the Sole moldable insoles, a while back, and that material was far more rigid than what Shimano provides.
I had a pair of Giro Factors but the curve of the sole was killing me. It felt like there was a pencil behind my arch. Sidi shoes feel similar. Shimano is one of the few that have a sole that feels good and provide decent toe room for my long and narrow feet.
Tim
Climb01742
05-03-2013, 01:47 PM
For me, they were more comfortable and fit better before the heat molding. But two variables seem key: your feet and the skill of the person doing the heat molding.
crownjewelwl
05-03-2013, 01:49 PM
i think it is a gimmick
i have road and mtb versions...the road shoes were "molded"...the mtb shoes werent and they're more comfy!!
Hank Scorpio
05-03-2013, 01:51 PM
...It appears that Fizik has discontinued those insoles though. I don't know why. I'll have to find a replacement for them since I want to get the same treatment for my mountain bike shoes (Pearl Izumi).
The Fizik insoles are made by Sidas sports under the Conformables label. I am not sure if they are discontiuned or maybe your shop stopped carrying them. I have an LBS that has quite a good stock of them.
christian
05-03-2013, 01:54 PM
If you want your LBS to order you new Shimano insoles, they can use part number ESMSHR320IN44, for size 43/44. Substitute another even integer for the last two digits for other sizes. They're about $30 I think.
rnhood
05-03-2013, 02:01 PM
I have the R315s and they are so comfy that I see no reason to take it any further. From the moment I put them on they are transparent. No foot issues at all.
Formulasaab
05-03-2013, 02:01 PM
The Fizik insoles are made by Sidas sports under the Conformables label. I am not sure if they are discontiuned or maybe your shop stopped carrying them. I have an LBS that has quite a good stock of them.
I was going to link to the product on the Fizik site for people if they wanted to look... But they aren't listed. That's why I thought they were discontinued.
Grant McLean
05-03-2013, 02:33 PM
I was going to link to the product on the Fizik site for people if they wanted to look... But they aren't listed. That's why I thought they were discontinued.
I have used the conformable by sidas brand custom footbeds for years,
they make the Fizik product if you can't find them with the Fizik logo,
find a sidas dealer.
My main point for posting is to highlight the fact custom footbeds need to be
made well trained person, hopefully by a skilled person with lots of experience
to manipulate your foot into the proper full weight bearing position for molding.
It's something very much misunderstood in the bicycle industry.
-g
HenryA
05-03-2013, 05:32 PM
My point is that the material has so little rigidity that I just can't see how it would ever hold a shape. I plan to just wear them as is, they seem quite nice. It is just that, now that I have them, I cannot see how heat molding this material would do anything other than make you think they fit better.
Tim
Obviously, if they fit perfectly now they won't fit better after molding. The way you put your question sorta precludes any improvement. But my feet really enjoy a properly fit shoe. Its one thing that I find hard to get - a good fit. If molding makes me think they fit better, I can only say that is a good thing. Its not like you're gonna fool me about whether my feet are comfortable or not.
After molding they will hold shape until they get too hot (as in don't leave them on the dash of your car in full sun on a 100 degree day) and they will likely fit better than now, even though they seem to suit you fine as is. And you can mold them again. Its not a one time process.
BTW: The molding process is not painful. Man up, girls.
Grant McLean
05-03-2013, 06:13 PM
BTW: The molding process is not painful. Man up, girls.
I'd suggest it depends on the technique of the fitter. During the first pair
I had done, it broke about ever blood vessel in my foot, which was purple
for about 2weeks after. The vacuum process doesn't need to be that
Extreme, but it can happen. The pressure of the hose on my shin left
a bruise too, the operator needs to be careful how they position the tools.
-g
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.