As I stood in my living room, staring at my new size 47 torture devices, I was suddenly transported back to a spring evening ride in 1981, when a young me traded his teenage kicks for a red village phone box while in near-tearful, excruciating pain. The shoes, with their faux black leather and perforated uppers, looked uncannily like a reincarnation of the painful Duegi shoes I’d been wearing all those years ago.

  • My experience with Duegi shoes was far from the first time I’d had to ditch new cycling shoes for being ridiculously tight and narrow. I’d had this problem before, and it was a recurring theme throughout my cycling career.
  • Duegi shoes were supposed to be “the dogs” in fancy Italian cycling shoe terms, and I was eager to try them out. However, they turned out to be just as narrow as I expected, and I soon found myself wishing I’d gone with a different brand.
  • I’d already been pushing my paces in pain with the Duegi shoes, which had zero flex in them. I assumed it was due to the solid soles and teenage growing pains – but it wasn’t.
Cycling Shoe Brands Characteristics
Sidi Narrow
Rivat Reasonable fit
Duegi Narrow, solid soles

I’d learned a lot about the biomechanical system of cycling through my experiences, including chats with cycling specialist physios, bike fitters, and manufacturers of sports shoe inserts. It seems I’m not alone in my struggles with tight-fitting shoes.

“The hard way” is how I like to think of it when I’m describing the process of learning about the biomechanical system of cycling. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it.

As I continued to transition through my latest batch of big shoes, I realized that brands are missing out on the potential sales returns from offering wider options. It would be an expensive implementation, but surely it would be worth it to cater to a wider range of customers.

I’ve been in a part of the world where big shoes of any ilk are impossible to find, so I’ve had to rely on mail-order options. It’s not ideal, but it’s something I’ve learned to live with. I’ve also had the opportunity to try out some custom-made shoes, which have been a game-changer for me.

Some people might say that comfort is overrated, but for me, it’s essential. I believe that comfort is speed, and that’s what matters most in cycling. Of course, others might have different opinions, but I’m convinced that comfort is key to unlocking your full potential on the bike.

As I looked down at my new shoes, I couldn’t help but think about the future of cycling shoes. Will we ever see a wide range of sizes available, or will we be stuck with the narrow, rigid options that are currently available?

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