Price Paid:
$185.00
at mail order Favorite Ride:
Chicago north shore Bike Setup:
MTB modified for commuting, light and fast aluminum road bike. Summary:
Commuter who aspires to road racing and is training for it, likes Sidi narrow shoes.
Buying athletic shoes is frustrating for me. I have very narrow feet, probably an A or at best a B width. In cycling shoes the only ones I have seen that are even manageable in a standard width with thick socks are Shimano's M038 -- and that's one of the narrowest standard shoes out there. Sidi's own standard is too wide.
The narrow fits very nicely though. No slop, and finally I can use cycling shoes with a thinner sock as they were meant -- they work great with Pearl Izumi's standard cycling sock, and not bad with the softer $5 club socks. Lorica simulates leather very well, and at least down to 30 degrees you don't need to take serious precautions with foot warming. Fastening system is probably the weakest spot; the buckles seem to want to self adjust at times. But at least they're replaceable. Also I would like Sidi to offer their SRS shoes in narrow; I have a feeling the soles on these are going to wear faster than the rest of the shoe.
Some considerations on fit. Sidi's heel cup is not particularly narrow, so those of you who are narrow at the heel and wide at the metatarsals might not find Sidi a good brand. If your foot is fairly straight up and down, just buy whatever the appropriate width; the standard, Mega (EE) or Narrow (B).
For fit, if you have New Balance running shoes, just order exactly the same size in Sidi (i.e US 11.5-B, go with Sidi 46 narrow). If you use your dress shoe size, chances are you'll end up with a Sidi that is too small as they do tend to go with a "sport" fit rather than a "street" one.
I have a long arch (46.5 indicated at the metatarsal) and short stubby toes (45-45.5 for overall length). 46 proved to be a good compromise for me but if my toes were of a more normal length I might want longer.
Got lucky on the price but they are good value for money even at list. I think the road shoe is slightly better value than the MTB because of questions I have on the MTB sole -- the road sole's contact points with the ground are of course entirely replaceable what with the cleat and the heel cap. Strengths:
Excellent uppers.
Security Vel-Cro really works.
Lorica really works.
Narrow fit just right.
Very stiff in the sole for a MTB shoe, usable for road. Helped by stiff inner, with the screw plate for the cleat sandwiched between a screwed-in hard inner sole plate, and the outer sole plate (some shoes basically just have the outer).
Excellent insole -- light years improved on the older Dominator and Genius 4.
Weaknesses:
Sole tread is questionable -- please offer SRS in a narrow shoe
Self-adjusting buckles?? Hope I don't have to warranty it, but if I do at least it can be dealt with by way of a single Phillips screw.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano M038 -- good value cross shoe but let down by crummy insole and has to be laced up as well as Vel-Cro'ed
Tried on Specialized BG, mid- to high-end Shimano products, standard width Sidis, all much too wide if you are narrower than a C foot. 
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