Are you having fits about  your shoes? How anybody can even stand in high heels, let alone walk in them, amazes me. Just looking at such shoes makes my feet hurt. I\’m glad I don\’t need them for cycling!

If we\’re going to ride a lot, well-fitted cycling shoes are a must. But do pro cyclists go into as much detail about shoe fit as a dancer getting fitted for pointe shoes?

Sickling might not be an issue, but what about bunions? Might the arch of the foot come into the picture? What if you have feet like mine? Wide across the toes, and narrow at the heel?

Pronation, and the need for orthotics, complicates the picture. A pair of custom-made orthotics costs several hundred dollars, a price that made me cringe. I had noticed, however, that my left foot rolled inwards when I rose out of the saddle. This caused the inner side of the knee to feel strained.

I knew that, over time, this was likely to cause serious problems with the knee. That would cost even more than the orthotics. A pair is good for three years or so. I never could adjust to wearing them in my walking shoes, and used them for cycling only. I ride more than I walk, anyhow.

For pro cyclists, shoe fit is vital, I\’m sure. It\’s not a case of one-size-fits-all; that usually means that it \”fits all\” in the sense that it doesn\’t really fit anybody! A pro racing cyclist needs footwear that\’s both sturdy and lightweight; and probably needs a shoe that fits like a glove.

It sounds like a tall order. But if your shoes fit, you won\’t be having fits about foot pain on your next ride.