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My old Shimano wide fit m089s are slowly dying - they fit really well but I don’t know how Shimano rate them for stiffness. I have now tried Shimano xc7 wide fit, Specialized recon 3 and lake 237 and 218 wide fit and I get heel lift in all of them regardless of size. I’m assuming these new shoes are all stiffer than my old shoes - should I expect heel lift with a stiffer shoe? Or do I compromise in a less stiff sole to get a better fit. I have small but very wide feet, I never really thought I had skinny ankles
A tiny bit of heel lift on stiff shoes in normal, but not so much they're going to come off. I found I couldn't get XC7s to not have heel lift for me, and the XC5 had comical toe protection akin to toilet paper.
I have exactly the same shoes as you OP. Best fitting MTB shoes I've ever owned for my small but wide hobbit feet. From memory they were in the middle of Shimano's stiffness chart i.e. not as stiff as their XC shoes.
I also own a stiffer pair of Shimano wide fits (XC7s) but haven't noticed any heel lift on the bike.
Sidi do wide versions of their shoes but they are very pricey.
I like my M089's - which meant I could just buy MW7 winter boots on-line as they have the same sole.
I get a little heal lift, but don't notice it - same with my Spesh Pro Carbon road shoes (super stiff).
I actually check I can move my heal a little as it ensures the shoe isn't too tight.
Thanks all, i am only noticing heel lift walking around in the house. the shoes are new with no cleats so I can send them back if they are the wrong size - so i don't know if i will have heel lift when pedalling. But i think bike a hike or cx racing would be difficult with any form of heel lift so I suppose these are going back as well - im running out of suppliers, think I might have to go for a less stiff sole
I don't think stiffness is the issue. I had the same shoes and they died so treated myself to some ME7s. Gave up on them after 3 rides due to heel lift when off the bike and pushing up steep stuff - I tried different sizes but the narrower shape meant I had to go up a size to get the width (and I don't exactly have duck feet and my old MW7s in the same size are fine). They're supposed to have something akin to higher volume / more adaptable to diff feet shape but they don't seem any wider.
I eventually found some brand new wide fit M087s size on ebay for £20 and they're a perfect fit. No heel lift, no rubbing etc. I need some new winter boots but can't see myself buying Shimano again.
Anyone interested in some size 46 ME7s?
You should have a message about those shoes. Im interested.
Ok, I’m trying northwave next as they were recommended as a possible solution from the lake sales guy. I will report back as short wide feet seem quite common here! Not too keen on northwave using their own design of BOA though
Not sure how Northwave's clip shoes are, but the flat pedal Clans I tried were a bit narrow and in particular they were low volume. And they only do UK half sizes, so having full-size feet, I could either get one that's too long (heel lift), or too compact (barely get my foot in).
Not too keen on northwave using their own design of BOA though
Ah yeah, be warned about that, BOA is awesome, North wave thingamy is pants.
Push to release (WTAF would make them think that's sensible?) making it prone to mud ingress and jamming unless they've changed it.
Stiffer shoes will increase heel lift as your foot flexes as you walk. Performance bike shoes do not flex much, if at all, so you'll always have some lift. The toss up is walkability and feel versus power delivery. If you do lots of pushing a softer shoe might work for you. Worth bearing in mind that your older shoes were probably stuffer when new but the polycarbonate mid will have softened over time, thereby reducing the effect of heel lift.