Metatarsalgia / Morton’s Neuroma and cycling shoe choice

[Patrick Moore]

I’m trying to self- diagnose a sharp pain in the ball of my left foot that has occurred occasionally in the past, noticed most while standing or walking in thin slippers on a tile floor, but recently — this started back in late April, I think, after I’d ridden ~100 miles in clips and straps. It was undoubtedly exacerbated by early May’s 54 mile ride with a great deal of climbing, and in Shimano SPD shoes with narrow toe box that I now realize might have added to the problem.

On a 20-mile sandy ditchbank ride 10 days ago, wearing the narrow Shimanos, where I torqued hard in deepish sand for longish periods, by the end of the ride the pain almost stopped me from pedaling. So I ditched those formerly comfortable favorite shoes and have been riding since in shoes with a much wider toe box. I also moved my cleats rearward by about 1 cm. Both of these help. On yesterday’s 20 mile ride (72” fixed, about 1 mile total of steepish climbing, much slow-cadence torquing against sou’easterly at gusts to 17+) the pain never rose to the sharp ache + burning in the ball of the foot, radiating thence to the tip of the second toe — this last had me thinking for a minute it might be gout -- but the ball of the foot started becoming numb and aching slightly after the first couple of miles, after which it came and went.

Someone somewhere sometime said that he’d solved a similar problem by buying top-of-the-line cycling shoes with sufficiently wide toe box and, he emphasized this, a very stiff sole. I forget if he mentioned Sidis; Dominators? I’d like to consider this remedy. My question therefore is: what SPD-compatible cycling shoes do you find to be the most comfortable long-term, and why do you think they are comfortable?

Sorry, ain’t gonna use flat pedals. Tried that and disliked it.

Thanks.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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[Mr. Ray]

Sidi Dominators (even their wide offering) are narrow and don't have a wide toe box.  This Spanish brand (John Luck) makes wide and extra wide toe box/barefoot cycling shoes for cleats and no cleats.  The website is in Spanish but your web browser should be able to translate:

https://johnluck.pro/zapatillas-horma-ancha/

[Tyler Johnson]

I second the super stiff sole; that really distributes the pedaling force across your foot. Road shoes are stiffer than MTB typically. 

ctj

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[Tyler Johnson]

Oh, oops. Recommendations. 

I would ask what the roadies are using since they hammer constantly. I normally opt for a reasonable gear. 

ctj

[Joseph Farruggia]

I would recommend Birkenstocks when your not riding to protect your high pressure points on your feet

https://www.birkenstock.com/us/birko-sport-blue-eva/birkosport-repair-eva-0-0-u_7.html

I put these in my non Birks shoes as well as my riding shoes

I use to be an orthotist and cobbler. I have recommend these for decades!

I always say we are buildings and we need to have a solid foundation to hold us up

So i would say arch supports and stretching is key especially for us cyclists

I am currently modding a pair of Birkenstock London shoes to have clipless soles, 

they will still function as regular shoes when off the bike. (they look a lot like Ronnies shoes)

 Once i have them done i will try to post a picture of them

Cheers!

Joseph 

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[Patrick Moore]

I’d probably have less pain if I twiddled small gears, but I do love mashing and have 30 years into the habit. We’ll see what cleat repositioning, better shoes, and Joseph’s (thank you) Birkenstock insoles, but Ouch! $72! Will first try the new shoes that have been sitting on my shelf for almost a year.

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[Sally Bidleman]

Another voice for Birkenstocks! My campus clinic's MD recommended them to me in college after I injured my arch from running. I swam and wore Birkenstocks and healed. I bought my second pair from a long-time store owner in Laguna Beach who said that a lot of his customers were referred by their cardiologist because Birkenstocks helped with circulation (I guess by the way your feet work in them/grip with toes, etc.). I've worn them for years now...always look forward to coming home to family, food and a favorite pair of Birks....!

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