Numb Toes by Mile 30? 7 Reasons It's Your Shoes, Not Your Feet
- 1Numb toes on long rides are often a width problem, not a tightness problem.
- 2Loosening the dials or spending $300 doesn't make a shoe any wider.
- 3The PACE Strata has a roomier toe box, two micro-adjust dials and a stiff sole for $74.95. Riders who've owned Sidi and Shimano call it the most comfortable shoe they've worn.
1. The Cause: It starts where your foot is widest
2. Why The Usual Fix Misses: Looser isn't wider
Not too tight.
Too narrow.
“Shopped and shopped, but could not find shoes that would work for me, even taped up an old pair of Shimano shoes till I tried these.”
3. The Expensive Mistake: A $300 price tag doesn't buy you width
4. What Changes The Ride: Room up front. Locked in everywhere else.
“...the wide toe box is really nice. Budget friendly, too!”
5. Riders who've owned Sidi and Shimano say it's the most comfortable shoe they've worn
“Over the years, I have worn cycling shoes from Sidi, Carnac, Detto Pietro, Deugi, Adidas, Shimano, Specialized, Gianni Motta, and Alpine Stars. Pace are the most comfortable of the lot. Love 'em.”
“I've had many different cycling shoes over my 30+ years of cycling: Shimano, Louis Garneau, Fizik and Sidi. Pace shoes are by far the most comfortable and at 1/3rd the price.”
“...after decades of riding these are the most comfortable cycling shoes I have ever worn. So good in fact I bought another pair.”
Here's how far riders went the very first time they clipped in, in their own words. No break-in period.
“Rode 40 miles today in them for the first time. Amazing fit and probably the most comfortable riding shoes I've worn so far.”Daniel J. · Rider comment
“First ride, a little over 50 miles yesterday with 0 pain. Old shoes are going in the garbage today.”Clarke P. · Rider comment
“I've been riding for 16 years and just had my 1st ride with them this morning. 60 miles and these are without a doubt the most comfortable I've experienced.”Jim M. · 16 years riding · Rider comment
6. The Price: $74.95, because you're paying for the shoe, not a logo
| Compare | PACE Strata | Premium race shoe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.95 | $350 to $530 |
| Toe box | Roomier, toes can spread | Often a slim race shape |
| Shaped for | Everyday riders | Pro racers |
| Closure | Dual micro-adjust dials | Dials |
| Sole | Stiff composite | Carbon |
| Cleats | 3-bolt: Look Keo, SPD-SL, Delta | 3-bolt |
| Try it | 30 days, full refund | Depends on the store |
Premium range based on 2026 US list prices for top road models.
“I like mine more every time I ride. The best value in decent riding shoes I've found.”
7. The Guarantee: If it isn't a width problem, you lose nothing
These are fantastic shoes for the price. Everybody needs a backup pair. Everybody needs not to have to spend 300 bucks. I have two pair of these to go along with my GIRO'S and Shimano.
Thanks for this bc I been looking for an affordable road shoe that didn't lack on quality.
These shoes are a fraction of the cost of name brands and I mean $74.95 instead of $500.00 and they're every bit as comfortable and just as good quality. Try a pair you will love them
I received mine a couple of days ago, put new cleats on and took a ride. I cannot believe how comfortable they are, I highly recommend them.
In almost 15 years of cycling these Pace cycling shoes are the best shoes I've ever had!!! They fit great and are very comfortable. What I like about them the most, is how easy they are to put on. They do not have a tongue that gets in the way when you put them on, and they are so comfortable and well-made. On on top of all this, they are a terrific value for only $75!!!
Just finished my first ride in the new shoes. I'm super pleased, I think I'm gonna like these shoes 👏🥂
I've been an avid cyclist, mountain and road, for over 40 years. Have done many competitive events in California, Alaska, and Washington State. I'm 65 and still hammer out 30 milers like I'm 21. I really needed to upgrade to a new road bike shoe and I took a chance with this Pace product. My last road bike shoes lasted 10 years, but I wanted to try something new. This shoe is flat, comfortable, and is perfect for my needs. It also looks professional and the sizing was right on the money.
These turned out to be a really solid surprise for the price. Snug and secure, but not crushing my toes. I can wear a normal cycling sock and still have a locked in feel without any hot spots. The upper feels like typical cycling shoes, but the padding around the ankle and tongue makes them more comfortable than some of the stiff name brand shoes I have used.
These are awesome! I have trouble finding a pair of shoes that fit me, so I have been wearing the same pair of cycling shoes for 20 years. They finally fell apart so I bought these. They're exactly what I need they look good they fit well. Love them! They run a tiny bit small! I had to go a half size bigger with these shoes and they still fit perfect!
Absolutely love my Pace cycling shoes. I wear these 3-4 times a week on a Schwinn indoor cycling bike. These cycle shoes fit true to size if you have regular narrow feet like me and are extremely comfortable. Very durable and extremely functional. Material allows foot to breathe while wearing. Shoes are available in a variety of colors, I actually have 3 different, the light gray, a black pair and a multi-color pair. For the quality and durability they are a great value and will be a pair of cycle shoes that last!
Questions riders ask before they order
Will they work with my pedals?
Yes, with 3-bolt road pedals: Look Keo, Shimano SPD-SL and Look Delta. Move your current cleats over and ride. Speedplay works with a 3-bolt adapter plate.
Can I use them on a Peloton or a smart trainer?
Yes. Peloton bikes use Look Delta cleats, which bolt straight on. Plenty of riders keep a pair just for the trainer once the clocks go back. As Don F. put it: “Everybody needs a backup pair.”
How do I pick my size?
If you have normal feet, true-to-size will work best. Slightly wide feet we recommend order .5 sizes up. Wide feet should order 1 to 1.5 sizes up. Check the sizing chart for best guidance.
My feet are really wide. Will these work?
The Strata has a roomier toe box than a typical race shoe. If you wear 2E or wider in everyday shoes, look at the PACE Vega, built on a 2E wide last.
Will a $75 shoe hold up?
It's built with a stiff composite sole, a microfiber upper and dual dials, and it's covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee. The best sign we have: riders who own premium shoes keep coming back for second and third pairs.
What's the biggest size?
EU 47 right now. Bigger sizes are one of the things riders ask us for most, and we're listening.
What if they don't work for me?
Send them back within 30 days for a full refund, no questions asked.
Not the lightest shoe.
Not the one the pros wear.
Not the most expensive pair on the wall.
The one you forget you're wearing at hour three.
