Are your cycling shoes the wrong size?

Are your shoes the wrong size? 

I'm seeing a number of people with the wrong size shoes. 
Cycling shoes fit differently than running shoes and street shoes. The fit needs to be tighter and more precise with less movement of your foot inside the shoe. Movement of your foot inside a cycling shoe, whether it is a road shoe, mountain shoe, or a triathlon shoe, creates symptoms that may lead you to believe the shoes are too small- when they are actually too large. If you experience numbness, hot spots or even blisters in a cycling shoe the likely cause is the shoe not fitting precisely enough. Movement of your foot inside the shoe creates friction, friction creates heat and the accumulation of heat creates hot spots and blisters. Numbness is often caused by repeated low level impact of the forefoot with the toe box inside the shoe due to movement from a sloppy fit. The foot usually goes numb first, in the first 30-60 minutes of a ride, then becomes painful.

“Never try on cycling shoes while standing”

How do you Know your Cycling Shoes Fit Correctly?

A few quick tests reveal if your triathlon cycling shoes fit correctly.

Never try on cycling shoes while standing, and do not stand in them to evaluate the fit. Standing in cycling shoes spreads the entire weight of your body over the surface area of the shoe sole. This will never happen on the bike, even when pedaling out of the saddle. Always remain seated while evaluating cycling shoe fit and do not stand up. The shoes will not fit or feel right when you stand in them.
“Never try on cycling shoes while standing” 
How do you Know your Cycling Shoes Fit Correctly?
A few quick tests reveal if your triathlon cycling shoes fit correctly.
Never try on cycling shoes while standing, and do not stand in them to evaluate the fit. Standing in cycling shoes spreads the entire weight of your body over the surface area of the shoe sole. This will never happen on the bike, even when pedaling out of the saddle. Always remain seated while evaluating cycling shoe fit and do not stand up. The shoes will not fit or feel right when you stand in them.
Check the heel counter of the shoe for fit. Cross you left leg over your right leg and grab the left heel counter. If you use your hand to pull on the heel counter, is there any play or movement of the shoe? If there is, the shoes are too large.

Movement of the foot inside the shoe will create friction and heat, leading to numb toes, hot spots and discomfort. This may also allow your feet to swell from edema during a long ride. A precisely fitted shoe mounted to a well adjusted pedal system resists numbness, hotspots and swelling with a snug, precise fit free from movement and hot spots. If you have hotspots, numbness, swelling and other foot discomfort it is likely a result of your shoe size, selection and or pedal cleat adjustment.

Once you have verified that the shoes are reasonably snug, the upper does not wrinkle when closed, the straps line up correctly and your heel does not slip when pulled it is time to have your cleats mounted!
Check the heel counter of the shoe for fit. Cross you left leg over your right leg and grab the left heel counter. If you use your hand to pull on the heel counter, is there any play or movement of the shoe? If there is, the shoes are too large.
Movement of the foot inside the shoe will create friction and heat, leading to numb toes, hot spots and discomfort. This may also allow your feet to swell from edema during a long ride. A precisely fitted shoe mounted to a well adjusted pedal system resists numbness, hotspots and swelling with a snug, precise fit free from movement and hot spots. If you have hotspots, numbness, swelling and other foot discomfort it is likely a result of your shoe size, selection and or pedal cleat adjustment.

Once you have verified that the shoes are reasonably snug, the upper does not wrinkle when closed, the straps line up correctly and your heel does not slip when pulled it is time to have your cleats mounted!
Movement of the foot inside the shoe will create friction and heat, leading to numb toes, hot spots and discomfort. This may also allow your feet to swell from edema during a long ride. A precisely fitted shoe mounted to a well adjusted pedal system resists numbness, hotspots and swelling with a snug, precise fit free from movement and hot spots. If you have hotspots, numbness, swelling and other foot discomfort it is likely a result of your shoe size, selection and or pedal cleat adjustment.
Once you have verified that the shoes are reasonably snug, the upper does not wrinkle when closed, the straps line up correctly and your heel does not slip when pulled it is time to have your cleats mounted!
Once you have verified that the shoes are reasonably snug, the upper does not wrinkle when closed, the straps line up correctly and your heel does not slip when pulled it is time to have your cleats mounted!


Once the shoes are on and the Velcro is closed, observe the upper/toe box of the shoes: does it lay flat with ripples, wrinkles or any deformity? If you see wrinkles in the upper of your cycling shoes they may be too wide, too large or both.