Any girls out there? Need an advice on women shoes

kjoanna

Hi all,
Thinking of buying SPD shoes and (not that I'm surprised) selection of women shoes in Galway shops is very little.
Is it really much difference between men and women shoes? Enough to travel to Dublin? Or maybe all girls get men shoes and don't mind that marketing talk?
Have a good day.

nak

I am a size 39 and just wear cycling shoes, have never bought a women's specific pair - SIDI Ergo 2s on the road bike and Gaerne MTB shoes.

Raam

If the shoe fits, wear it. That's all that you need to go by.

Junior

I knew Gok Raam would have an answer to this ..

QueensGael

Not a bit enough difference to warrant a trip to the big smoke - go with what fits and feels comfortable

silvo

I have always bought SPDs on the basis of if they have it in my size rather than if it is female-specific (I wear a size 36/37). I don't think there is much difference between men's and women's other than colour schemes. Some do say 'women's specific fit' but don't really elaborate much on it. Personally, I find the Shimano ones don't wear out too much and fit well.

Pembily

Look at a shoe that is comfortable and fits rather than anything else. I've male shoes as they were the ones I wanted and were on sale.

kjoanna

Thank you:)
Happy to hear that, means I don't have to go to Dublin!
Nigel's, Kearney's and TriBikes are biggest shops in co. Galway or am I missing something?
I'm not far from Athlone, any good shops out there?

cdaly_

I've heard mention of the bike shop behind the tyre place on the Dublin road near the KFC in Athlone.

kjoanna

Thank you all.
Hope to get nice pair soon:)

velogirl

Would you buy an everyday pair of mens shoes?

Eh No. I didn't think so.

And the reason why not -

there would be a big difference in width, shoe height and heel height. If you have a broad foot and the mens shoes fitted - fine - but I would stick with the womens specific.

roxychix

hi does anyone no anywhere in dublin or kildare do reasonable or cheap shoes to tide me over the summer till I can afford a decent pair again thanks

Ryath

kjoanna wrote: »

Thank you:)
Happy to hear that, means I don't have to go to Dublin!
Nigel's, Kearney's and TriBikes are biggest shops in co. Galway or am I missing something?
I'm not far from Athlone, any good shops out there?

cdaly_ wrote: »

I've heard mention of the bike shop behind the tyre place on the Dublin road near the KFC in Athlone.

http://www.buckleycycles.ie/

Can recommend them, they carry a fairly decent range of shoes including specialized which I think are among the nicest budget shoes.

nak

velogirl wrote: »

Would you buy an everyday pair of mens shoes?

Eh No. I didn't think so.

And the reason why not -

there would be a big difference in width, shoe height and heel height. If you have a broad foot and the mens shoes fitted - fine - but I would stick with the womens specific.

I don't get that at all, plenty of brands make unisex shoes. Most of my shoes aren't gender specific and they fit just fine. I have worn one pair of "women's" cycling shoes and the only difference between them and the men's version was the colour.

kjoanna

As soon as I go around few shops to try them on I'll let you know if there is a much difference.
When it comes to colours... Lets be honest that nice looking bike shoes start with the price of at least €200:/

velogirl

nak wrote: »

I don't get that at all, plenty of brands make unisex shoes. Most of my shoes aren't gender specific and they fit just fine. I have worn one pair of "women's" cycling shoes and the only difference between them and the men's version was the colour.

There is the same difference between them as there is between men and womens ordinary shoes. Sizing would be hugely different - you would need to try them on and mens shoes would run about 1/2 sizes bigger than the womens versions. Also they would be a lot wider so if you have a narrow foot they wouldn't suit.

You wouldn't dream of buying a pair of mens runners - and cycling shoes need to fit extremely snuggly and not be in any way loose

nak

velogirl wrote: »

There is the same difference between them as there is between men and womens ordinary shoes. Sizing would be hugely different - you would need to try them on and mens shoes would run about 1/2 sizes bigger than the womens versions. Also they would be a lot wider so if you have a narrow foot they wouldn't suit.

You wouldn't dream of buying a pair of mens runners - and cycling shoes need to fit extremely snuggly and not be in any way loose

I wear men's runners and unisex saftey shoes all day at work, wear a 39 in all my shoes except my SIDIs that are a 39.5 as they are quite narrow (and they are the men's ones). I am very fussy about shoes and wear what fits, not what is asigned to my gender.

wuzziwig

I recently bought boys cycling shoes in a sale. They are a 6.5 and fit like a glove. They are black with luminous yellow trim and are last seasons colours, or so I was told. But I don't care as they cost me the princely sum of €21.99 and are extremely comfortable.

kjoanna

Went to one of the shops today to try on pair of spiuk zs22. Kind of too tight on a top of the shoes but thats not what I want to talk about it now.
Told him I was looking for SPD shoes because I want to be able to walk a bit in them when needed. He was trying to convince me to buy a road bike (which I eventually did) before, now he was talking about SPD SL shoes that they are much better, so are the pedals. I know that going to shop to get bottle of water with SPD SL on wouldnt be big issue but what if Im going for all day trip and want to eat something or just walk around to stretch my legs? Is it worth it to loose an ability to be "mobile? Im just a beginner and not planning to cycle 50k every day but from other side dont want to get SPD system only to find out that Im not happy with it.

kavanagh_h

Hi im selling spd sl shimano road cycling shoes as a little too advanced for me. I ended up with easier mtb pedals an shoes. Im 5 and half to 6 in yo want to check them out in adverts.ie. h

biomed32

Im not to bothered and will happily wear mens cycling shoes if they fit

DirkVoodoo

nak wrote: »

I am very fussy about shoes and wear what fits, not what is asigned to my gender.

I'm printing this out and showing it to the next person who tells me high heels aren't appropriate for me.

kjoanna

Went to three shops, tried 4 pairs, got shimano wr41 women's which was the only women specific shoes.
If I didnt tried them on I would have probably got chain men's but wasn't fully happy with them so he looked for something different and luckly for me found wr41.
Conclusion: very little choice of shoes in size 38-40, dont mind women's. Was bit disappointed, you see so many road bikers around, I guess choice of bikes in shops isnt bad but very little for beginners/amateurs when it comes to shoes or pedals.
Anyway, Im happy I got shoes and pedals, waiting for rain to stops and hoping I will be able to clip out:p
Thank you again for all your help:)

fat bloke

kjoanna wrote: »

waiting for rain to stop

Ah!!! Ok, now I see the difference. Men's shoes can be used in all weather conditions. :P

kjoanna

Haha:) good point but I have girly bike so I better not risk:)