Numb Foot

japes wrote:

I had the same thing, seems strange but it turned out that my saddle was too narrow and was pinching a nerve resulting in foot pain. might want to get your sit bones measured. 

I’ll second measuring your sit bones and getting a wider saddle. It’s common to assume that wider saddles are for the wider riders, but the width of your sit bones isn’t related to your weight (although your weight does affect the width of your rear end).

I’ve been trying to sort out

I’ve been trying to sort out two problems that I’m pretty sure are unconnected.  Numb smaller toes on the right foot and a over tight ITB on the right thigh.

I’ve been able to reduce the tightness of my ITB by correcting the angle of the cleats so I’m more heel in.

The numb toes have bothered me for almost two years, I’ve tried various shoes, even splashing out on specialised s-works XC shoes for their wide toe box.  I eventually realised the problem came on with shoes that I never previously got numb toes with.  Losening the straps or boa dials didn’t make any difference.

My girlfriend noticed I over pronate when running so bought some running shoes to over come that issue.  I started thinking the support in those shoes that resolves that problem might help prevent numb toes on the bike.  I got some Giro Supernatural insoles and use the medium support.  This actually feels better and it prevents numb toes for a while but doesn’t stop the issue.

After much annoying research online, as so many forums and articles contradict each other, the thing that fixed my numb toes was moving my cleats as far back as I could.  Ball of foot is now about 10mm infront of the spindle.  I also can’t feel any difference in power output or climbing ability, but I don’t race and don’t use a power meter so I’m just going on ‘feel’.

What worked for me might not for you.

The next thing I want to try to completely stop getting a tight ITB is to lower my saddle 1mm.  I’m weary of this as I’ve issues with overly tight hamstrings with a saddle being too low!  

I have this problem with my

I have this problem with my right foot. Right hamstring also gets a little hot as well. Probably some biomechanical issue as I get it whether I’m on flats, road or mtb spds. The skin on my right big toe is a lot more flattened and calloused as well. 

If I stop for 5 mins every hour or so it kind of resets to normality, so it’s rinse and repeat. 

Yes, me, many times. You can

Yes, me, many times. You can call it a numb foot, but it’s really a lack of blood flow to an area within your shoe.

It could be a number of reasons why you’re suffering, however the first thing to check is that your cleats aren’t too far forward, this can causes your foot to be forced into the shoe harder than needed. (Too far back has it’s own issues, so try moving in increments)

Under or over pronation, same thing but on a sideways axis, forcing your foot into the shoe in a position the foot does not like.

Your shoes could just be too tight ‘generally’, but I’m presuming you’d feel that when you put them on before peddlling.

I still suffer with numb feet when I put certain (constricting) overshoes on or when wearing thicker socks.. my shoes are right on the limit of my feet size wise. 

All shoes unless specified will take Look or Shimano cleats. As for reccomendations, we don’t even know if you need new shoes yet, could just be one of the issues as above?

Genuinley shoe fitting is a problem in the UK more than you’d imagine, some of the UK disti’s do not import the half sizes or wide sizes of some shoe brands such as Shimano.. so you can’t try on a pair of wide fitting shimano’s for example. Also (a lot of) shoe brands use different ‘lasts’ by model.. so you might fit great in a pair of X brand shoes which cost £80, but the £200 model by the same manufacturer are a different shape.. Some are really narrow across the range.. some aren’t as deep on the midfoot, some have large ankle openings.. I’ve been on a bit of a mission recently looknig for a decent reasonably high end pair of shoes.. I’ve tried on Shimano, Giant, Northwave, Mavic, Specialized, Giro, Gaerne, Bontrager.. I want a very stiff, light, low profile shoe, (in white ideally) which I can adjust on the road and am willing to spend up to £250/£300 maximum. As ‘all’ shoes proport to be light, stiff, and low profile at that end of the market you’d think I’d be laughing.. but not one of the brands mentioned have a show which fits me.. I have ‘slightly’ wide feet and size as a UK 8.5 nothing too unusual really, it’s a really poor showing from the market I feel not to be able to take my money from me for a pair of simple cycling shoes I feel…  and breathe.. #rantover