When it comes to cycling shoes nothing is more important than fit & how the shoe feels when riding.
Shimano shoes are one of the most popular brands of cycling shoes in the market, & are commonly thought to come smaller than the average cycling shoes in the market. So are Shimano true to size?
From our experience Shimano shoes are true to size. However, you may need to size up depending on the width of your feet. To find the right size compare your foot width with the width of the shoe, if your foot width is one step up from the shoe width, then you need to go a half size larger.
Let’s take a look at what to look for when trying to select your perfect shoe size.
Shimano Shoe Sizing Guide
When it comes to cycling shoes the width is something you want to pay attention to, some cycling shoes are designed to be more narrow whereas some are designed to be slightly wider.
It’s important to keep in mind that Shimano offers different shoes for width, some of their shoes are slightly wider. Shoe width is usually described with letters D is normal width for men & C is a normal width for women. E is a slightly wider option for men & D is a slightly wider option for women.
This means if you have a foot size of 43/E and your desired shoe has a width of D, your recommended size is 43.5.
Measuring Your Foot
First you will need to know the length of your foot in cm, & then match the length with the shoe sizing chart below to find the right length for you.
Then you will need to measure the width of your feet, this will allow you to know whether or not you should size up from your original length based on your foot width.
So now let’s take a look at how to effectively measure your foot.
Step 1 Measuring Your Foot
Take a piece of A4 paper place it on the floor, against a wall. Then place your foot on the paper with your heel pushed against the all. Simply draw a line at the end of your big toe. Measure it in length & your done with step 1!
Note: Always measure both your feet as they most often differ in length & simply pick the larger one as your final measurement.
Step 2 Measure the width of your foot:
Grab a tape measure & simply measure the circumference of your foot. Simply measure the widest part of your foot. Ensure you do not add the 5 mm clearance.
Once you have completed both steps, use our sizing guide below to find the right your shoe based on length first. The use the
Once you measured the width of your feet, use our sizing guide below to find the right your shoe based on length first, then based on your shoe length size use the width guide to match your length to your width size & your done!
So now let’s take a look at Shimano’s sizing guide, note that these guide’s are specifically for Shimano shoes.
Men’s Shoe Sizing Chart
| EU Shoe Size | US Shoe Size | UK Shoe Size | cm |
| 33 | 1.8 | ||
| 34 | 2.3 | ||
| 35 | 3.2 | ||
| 36 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 22.5 |
| 36.5 | 4.2 | 3.2 | 23 |
| 37 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 23.2 |
| 37.5 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 23.8 |
| 38 | 5.2 | 4.2 | 24.2 |
| 38.5 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 24.5 |
| 39 | 5.8 | 4.8 | 24.8 |
| 39.5 | 6.2 | 5.2 | 25.2 |
| 40 | 6.7 | 5.7 | 25.5 |
| 40.5 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 25.5 |
| 41 | 7.6 | 6.6 | 25.8 |
| 41.5 | 8 | 7 | 26.2 |
| 42 | 8.3 | 7.3 | 26.5 |
| 42.5 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 26.8 |
| 43 | 8.9 | 7.9 | 27.2 |
| 43.5 | 9.3 | 8.3 | 27.5 |
| 44 | 9.7 | 8.7 | 27.8 |
| 44.5 | 10.2 | 9.2 | 28.2 |
| 45 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 28.5 |
| 45.5 | 10.9 | 9.9 | 28.8 |
| 46 | 11.2 | 10.2 | 29.2 |
| 46.5 | 11.5 | 10.5 | 29.5 |
| 47 | 11.8 | 10.8 | 29.8 |
| 47.5 | 12 | 11 | 30.2 |
| 48 | 12.3 | 11.3 | 30.5 |
| 48.5 | 13.2 | 12.2 | 31.2 |
| 49 | 14.2 | 13.2 | 31.8 |
| 49.5 | 15.2 | 14.2 | 32.5 |
| 50 | 16.2 | 15.2 | 33.1 |
Women’s Shoe Sizing Chart
| EU Shoe Size | US Shoe Size | UK Shoe Size | cm |
| 35 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 21.9 |
| 36 | 5.1 | 3.1 | 22.5 |
| 37 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 23.2 |
| 37.5 | 6 | 4 | 23.5 |
| 38 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 23.8 |
| 38.5 | 6.9 | 4.9 | 24.2 |
| 39 | 7.2 | 5.2 | 24.5 |
| 39.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 24.8 |
| 40 | 7.8 | 5.8 | 25.2 |
| 40.5 | 8.2 | 6.2 | 25.5 |
| 41 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 25.8 |
| 41.5 | 9 | 7 | 26.2 |
| 42 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 26.5 |
| 42.5 | 10 | 8 | 26.8 |
| 43 | 10.4 | 8.4 | 27.2 |
| 43.5 | 10.8 | 8.8 | 27.5 |
| 44 | 11.2 | 9.2 | 27.8 |
Shimano Shoes With width of D (Normal Width Shoes)
| Foot length | Width | Width | Width | Width | Width |
| C | D | E | 2E | 3E | |
| 36 | 36 | 36 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 |
| 36.5 | 36.5 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 |
| 37 | 37 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 |
| 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 |
| 38 | 38 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 |
| 38.5 | 38.5 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 |
| 39 | 39 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 |
| 39.5 | 39.5 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 |
| 40 | 40 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 |
| 40.5 | 40.5 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 |
| 41 | 41 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 |
| 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 |
| 42 | 42 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 43.5 |
| 42.5 | 42.5 | 42.5 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 |
| 43 | 43 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 |
| 43.5 | 43.5 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 |
| 44 | 44 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 |
| 44.5 | 44.5 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 |
| 45 | 45 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 |
| 45.5 | 45.5 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 |
| 46 | 46 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 |
| 46.5 | 46.5 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 |
| 47 | 47 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 | 48.5 |
| 47.5 | 47.5 | 47.5 | 48 | 48.5 | 49 |
| 48 | 48 | 48 | 48.5 | 49 | 49.5 |
| 48.5 | 48.5 | 48.5 | 49 | 49.5 | 50 |
| 49 | 49 | 49 | 49.5 | 50 | |
| 49.5 | 49.5 | 49.5 | 50 | ||
| 50 | 50 | 50 |
Shimano Shoes With width of E (Slightly Wider Width Shoes)
| Foot length | E | 2E | 3E |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 36 | 36.5 | 37 |
| 36.5 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 |
| 37 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 |
| 37.5 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 |
| 38 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 |
| 38.5 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 |
| 39 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 |
| 39.5 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 |
| 40 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 |
| 40.5 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 |
| 41 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 |
| 41.5 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 |
| 42 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 |
| 42.5 | 42.5 | 43 | 43.5 |
| 43 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 |
| 43.5 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 |
| 44 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 |
| 44.5 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 |
| 45 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 |
| 45.5 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 |
| 46 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 |
| 46.5 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 |
| 47 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 |
| 47.5 | 47.5 | 48 | 48.5 |
| 48 | 48 | 48.5 | 49 |
| 48.5 | 48.5 | 49 | 49.5 |
| 49 | 49 | 49.5 | 50 |
| 49.5 | 49.5 | 50 | |
| 50 | 50 |
How Should Cycling Shoes Fit?
A well fitted cycling shoe offers a snug fit in the heel area with even pressure on the instep.. It shouldn’t be tight nor should you slip out of the shoe when walking. Additionally, you want to keep your forefoot stable, this allows you to transfer the power efficiently without much movement.
Cycling shoes are designed not to stretch, so it’s crucial that you feel comfortable when trying your shoes on. They are supposed to be stable however not cause any compression.
Your shoes are too tight if your toe makes contact with the toe cap when you pedal.
Related Questions
1. What’s The Difference Between Men & Women’s Specific Shoes?
Women’s cycling shoes are designed to be slightly narrower to fit women’s feet more precisely. Particularly in the heel area, women’s shoes have slightly less volume in the heel & toe area to stabilize women’s feet more effectively.
2. Do Cycling Shoes Stretch?
No, cycling shoes are designed not to stretch in order to keep your feet stable even when used extensively. Feet stability is important when it comes to cycling shoes and therefore a shoe designed not stretch will ensure a long lasting fit.
Final Thoughts
When looking for cycling shoes always take into account both the length & width of the shoe, most cycling shoe differ in width. Shimano offers both medium and wide width shoes for riders with wider feet. So it’s always important to first check if the shoe has a normal or a slightly wider width.
If the shoe has a normal width & your feet are wider than the shoe then it’s usually recommended to go up one size to accommodate for the additional width, this is not needed if the shoe offers an E width which is wider than average.