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I quit with Shimano shoes 15 years ago because other shoes fitted my moderately wide feet better and I didn't need to wear 2 sizes too large to get the width.
ME7s seem to fit every other bill for some replacement shoes, and I've read much in the intervening years about shimano shoes being widened more for the western european foot.
Before I enter the merry go round of sending the wrong size shoes back and buying a different size can anyone advise on their experiences?
For reference, I've been using Northwave enduro mid shoes, and O'neall loam, which seem to be about right.
Gesticulates in a mystical fashion, mutters incantations in strange tongues.
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I've got narrow/normal feet, pretty much everything fits me in "my size", I have to wear thick socks to get the ME7 shoes to snug up how I like them, which is ok, as it means I can use them with seal skins socks.
Thats exactly how I would be using them.
I had MP66's before 2 pairs of ME7's and all have fitted as per the EU size. The ME7's are a little narrower than the MP66's but still true to size (for me anyway).
I think it's important to go off the EU sizing so compare that with past shoes as sometimes different manufacturers translate them to UK sizing slightly differently.
Yeah. Thats a good point.
I'd go with True-to-size - not narrow but not super wide either.
I really liked the concept and they've fixed the element that failed quickly on the older pair I had and meant I sent them back (the indestructible kevlar toe mesh which tore quickly when presented with Spanish undergrowth).
However, my other gripe was that they weren't great to walk in - there wasn't enough of a heel cup to stop my heel lifting.
I've got ME7 and MW7's and as b33k34 says, true to size. Though i will say, the "lace" system under the flap is best left relatively loose as i've found i can get numb feet with it even remotely snug. It's not an issue as they are so well supported around the rest of the foot. ALSO the Sole is sooo much better than the last version (both Michelin grip) as there is no sign of any peeling.
On the MW7's i'd say there is slightly more room as it;s a winter boot, so you don't need to size up for thick socks..
On my wide feet they felt uncomfortably narrow, but then again most cycle specific shoes do.
The blue ME7s were too narrow for my hobbit feet, the Yellow ones fit, albeit slightly roomier around the ankle than I'd like. They feel overall a bit bigger, rather than specifically a roomy toe box. But the ratchet tightens things OK with thin socks, and thick socks are fine.
They are definitely wider than 15 years ago.
Which is annoying as I have narrow feet, Shimano used to be perfect, but now too wide.
I have had two pairs of the original, narrow ME7s, I have long, narrow feet. Really liked them but as the later versions are wider I swerved them and went to Giro chamber 2 which fit ke really well. On that basis I'd think you'd get on well with the latest ME7s @scienceofficer
I’ve been looking at these too. How do people find them for hike-a-bike?
I've recently bought a pair having used am9's for years, they are a fair bit narrower than the am9's and I would agree with this
the “lace” system under the flap is best left relatively loose
Personally, while the tread on the soles 'should' make them better that the am9's for hike a bike/push up riding, I find that unless the ankle ratchet is uncomfortably tight my heels lift when off the bike, probably because most of the soles don't bend when the arch of your foot does. They also let water in far more easily than the old am9 due to the ventilation holes on the toe
Might be a bit late to the party on this, but I wore some AM7s through last winter on the Quantocks (you know well where I ride my big, red Meta) and I really like them. I have massive feet and they fit comfortably, keep a lot of the wet out and are pretty decent and grippy for hike a biking through a lot of the sludge around there, but stiff enough to be a good, strong platform. I hate the closure system, it's unwieldy and a pain in the arse, but it does keep them closed..!
I can wear them with SealSkinz or with normal socks and they're snug, but not tight. I was happy with the purchase overall.
I managed to find some Vaude Downeiville Mids with much cheapness on Bikester so went with those in the end.
As with most cycle shoes, although Im a UK 10.5, I ended up with a EU46 to fit the width.