Need your advice on sizing of road shoes

mp31

I'm new to cycling (new bike approx 8 weeks ago) and have been doing 20k spins approx 3-4 times a week. (I know it's not a lot compared to some of ye but a fat old baldy bloke has to start somewhere )
Currently I'm using toe clips and wearing runners but would like to get road shoes and Look pedals (cant' decide between Classic or Plus ...but that's for another thread)

I've tried on a few different types of shoes (with thick sports socks on) and I experience heel float/slide with all of them i.e. when I flex the foot, the back of the shoe slides up and down my heel - there's approx 1/2inch movement with the shoe fitted snugly.

Is this going to be a problem and give me blisters on my heel or can I get away with fitting some some heel pads or something into the shoe?

I take a 44 in street shoes and have been trying 44's in bike shoes and making sure there is some toe clearance (to cater for foot expansion) - is that the right approach or should i try 43's so that they are very snug?

I'm veering towards the Shimano R087 in a 44 :-

I have broad feet and my toes have plenty of sideways room in these.
Other shoes tend to have a narrower toe section (maybe for style) which makes them quite tight for me.

My current runners also slide up and down but when I'm pedalling the action pushes my foot into the front of the shoe and the back does not rub on to the heel.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Garret C

I'm completely the opposite. I have to go a size bigger on shimano shoes or else there way too tight....!

triggermortis

I have Shimano mountain bike shoes that I needed to go a size up on and my road shoes - Gaerne - are the same size as my normal shoes, although I did need insoles after my bike fit to stop my arch falling and twisting my knee.
I would go to a shop that can offer you advice on each shoe and allow you to try them all on - don't buy online unless you know exactly what you need

Carpenter

I have to also go up 1 size

macnab

My advice would be to wear cycling or running socks which in my collection are all quite light in construction, you will probably be doing most of your cycling in mild or warm weather. I have over shoe covers that I use in colder weather and find them to be a better idea than wearing thick socks. Different shoe makers will have their own shape and size so a 44 might fit you in Brand A, but you might feel better in 43 in Brand B, or even a 45 in Brand C etc. Try on lots of brands and sizes before you buy.

Bunnyhopper

I have Shimano R086 and I had to go up a size. They do a wide version, so that might be worth trying if you have broad feet.

seven stars

I bought Shimano online. Bit of a gamble, but from the research I did it seemed the consensus was to always go up a size when you're buying Shimano shoes. Worked out perfect for me - I'm normally a 10.5, which would be about 45, so I bought a 46 (cheap, on ebay) and they fit perfect.

mp31

Thanks for all the replies...much appreciated.

I've tried a few shoes on now - Specialized, Mavic, Shimano, Northwave etc but I still find a small amount of heel slip in them (some more than others). Should I be worried about this or if I can't avoid it then can I get heel pads to minimize the amount of slip.

Put it another way, are heel blisters common with badly fitting shoes?