Shoe sizing

[Samyoooo]

Im looking for another pair of Shimano RD76 Shoes.. My feet are 11.1.. normal shoes size 11 which are 46.. my old shimano RD76 about 5 years old now.. Cant remember if they were a 45 or 46.. they are very slightly smaller then my size 11 trainers when side by side but dont think that is exactly a good way. my 5 years of RD76 still fit.

My race shoes are northwave, and they are size 46 saying size 12, but I know they are slightly to big when walking in as they slip, but fine for riding in

So I'm now stuck on what size to get..

[dave thompson]

It's been my experience that each brand of shoes has their own version of what a particular size is, which may or may not correspond with another brand's version. The same holds true with the corresponding width, one brand's standard width can be narrower (SIDI) or wider (Shimano) than another's. I've had to try on everything that I've been interested in to find something that was suitable.

Plus manufacturers can, and often do, change their measurement standards through the years.

[Idris Icabod]

Art's cyclery has a cool link if you click on a particular shoe that you plug in your current shoe and it gives you a comparison to a different manufacturer:

http://www.artscyclery.com/Giro_Prolight_SLX_II_Road_Shoes_Fluo_Orange_Black/descpage-GIPSLXF.html?crumb=RDMSHOES

So put in your Northwave shoes and it should give you the equivalent in Shimano. It worked pretty good for Sidi to Giro, I ended up sizing half unit down.

...or try some on at a shop?

[Samyoooo]

I dont think they even sell shimano rd76 anymore -.-

May go with these

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r078-spd-sl-road-shoes/

[batman1425]

What Dave said, there is unfortunately no substitute for trying them on, but this isn't always possible. I was going through something similar recently. I need a bigger shoe to accommodate the custom insoles I got for my new fit. I'm using Shimano R320's and could not decide if I should go up 0.5 or 1 full size.

I tracked down a Shimano Sizing chart where they show length in mm/inches, in addition to their EU/UK/US/etc. sizing, which is REALLY helpful. I don't know why all manufacturers don't give that information - cuts through all the ambiguity.

My foot measures at 283mm which is consistent with the US11 that I wear for most shoes and the 44.5 R320 that I have now which is just a bit snug but not bothersome. All matches up in the chart. The half size up (45) is about 4mm longer, but a full size (45.5) is almost a full centimeter, which would be way too big.

To cover all my bases I decided to order two pairs, a 45 and a 45 wide - which is the width of a 46 in the 45 length - and only keep the pair that works. Not ideal, but being that it would be impossible for me to see these in person a reasonable alternative. Just make sure you buy from a place with a good return policy.

[batman1425]

The bigger issue is toe box and midfoot width, which is hard to estimate. The Art's Cyclery tool mentioned above is the best available tool I've seen to approximate it.

[Samyoooo]

Right..

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r078-spd-sl-road-shoes/

I need a 46.5 in these but they dont do them 46 will be to small and 47 will be to big?

[batman1425]

Half sizes are available for the R170. Can probably score a good deal on some too with the new 171's just coming out.

[Samyoooo]

Ive gone with the 46 fingers crossed.. I know that my old RD76 were never a 47 and they still fit If not I will return and go with size 47, wiggle is good for returns so hopefully all good there.

[batman1425]

http://www.backcountry.com/shimano-sh-r170-shoe-mens?CMP_SKU=SHI0606&MER=0406&skid=SHI0606-WH-S465REG&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&mv_pc=r101&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&mr:trackingCode=CD691A26-A661-E211-A87C-001B21A69EB8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=59230515997&mr:keyword&mr:match&mr:filter=95936018917&mkwid=smWeMZjrL_dc%7cpcrid%7c59230515997&gclid=COHL6t3S7sMCFc8Z4AodrVAAMw&gclsrc=ds

Size 46.5, free shipping. REALLY good shoe. Was one of their best sellers - punched way above its weight (and price).

[Samyoooo]

http://www.backcountry.com/shimano-sh-r170-shoe-mens?CMP_SKU=SHI0606&MER=0406&skid=SHI0606-WH-S465REG&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&mv_pc=r101&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&mr:trackingCode=CD691A26-A661-E211-A87C-001B21A69EB8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=59230515997&mr:keyword&mr:match&mr:filter=95936018917&mkwid=smWeMZjrL_dc%7cpcrid%7c59230515997&gclid=COHL6t3S7sMCFc8Z4AodrVAAMw&gclsrc=ds

Size 46.5, free shipping. REALLY good shoe. Was one of their best sellers - punched way above its weight.

Im not really fussed on what the shoe looks like, I wear overshoes everytime on a bike training/racing/TT/crits/Road the comfort is most important

[batman1425]

I don't recommend the 170 for the looks, I do for the features and quality. Similar construction/stitching and same mold for the full carbon sole as the flagship 320. Only difference is the sole isn't as stiff and the uppers are not the fancy heat mold Rovenica leather.

Looks aside, IMO the 170 is the best bang for the buck shoe for features/quality for the road from any manufacturer, period. $20 bucks more for the 170s in the size you want vs. the 078 is a no-brainer to me, but YVMV.

[Samyoooo]

I don't recommend the 170 for the looks, I do for the features and quality. Similar construction/stitching and same mold for the full carbon sole as the flagship 320. Only difference is the sole isn't as stiff and the uppers are not the fancy heat mold Rovenica leather.

Looks aside, IMO the 170 is the best bang for the buck shoe for features/quality for the road from any manufacturer, period. $20 bucks more for the 170s in the size you want vs. the 078 is a no-brainer to me, but YVMV.

With my overshoes for TTing its hard to put them over shoes with the buckle it eventually rips them

[lucasfarr92]

Shimano shoes fit pretty true to size compared to street shoes. I'd been wearing 11.5 and 45.5 for riding. Now I'm wearing 11s and want to get 45s. Maybe my feet are getting smaller!

[Samyoooo]

Well 46s, fit perfectly for me, just have to try get my cleat positioning right

[Ken Robb]

It's been my experience that each brand of shoes has their own version of what a particular size is, which may or may not correspond with another brand's version. The same holds true with the corresponding width, one brand's standard width can be narrower (SIDI) or wider (Shimano) than another's. I've had to try on everything that I've been interested in to find something that was suitable.

Plus manufacturers can, and often do, change their measurement standards through the years.
I agree with all of this. Years ago when I was a student I sold shoes. One of the hardest things to "sell" to customers was that they should think of "their size" as nothing more than a starting point and let me work with them to find the size/last that was best for them regardless of what number was inside.