Are stiff soles in SPD shoes really something we want?

The comfiest pair of cycling shoes I ever owned were not very stiff at all – a pair of Answer Vans styled SPD shoe, still wearable after 12 years!

All shoes these days play the stiff card. All these ultra stiff shoes seem to have given me feet problems i.e. plantar fascitis. I can’t think of any other cause..

Anyone else think that stiff soles can cause foot problems?

If you’re walking in them I can see why they’d cause problems, but them being stiff should just spread the load when you’re pedaling.

No, as long as you ensure they fit properly.

I’ve found soft shoes hurt my feet after a while, as they don’t support me on the small SPD’s – maybe try SPD’s with cages?

I think the problem is with the stiffness whilst riding. I do recall seeing a medical paper online (bookmarked somewhere…!) that did set out to explore how stiff cycling shoes put undue stress on the plantar/arch of the foot.

I think it’s because the shoes offer very little arch support and don’t allow the natural flex of the foot, hence large pedalling loads can flatten the foot.

I think Specialized BG fit innersoles helps. That’s what’s in my Spesh disco slippers and they are very comfy and still stiff.

I might try an insole and maybe try moving the cleat backward..

http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/cleats.html

In answer to the question posed by the title, yes.

ISTM the issue is with not providing proper support to the foot, rather than not allowing flex. Flex has to be a bad thing as it results in spreading the load onto other parts of the foot not designed to take load. I also have Speccy BG shoes, and would now only use other shoes if using BG insoles (or something similar – Bonty shoes come with very nice orthopaedic insoles).

I have problems with plantar fascitis, but get this due to my shoes flexing and putting the load on my foot. No problem at all with it when cycling in ultra-stiff carbon soled road shoes.

These are interesting..

http://www.livestrong.com/article/192414-cleats-foot-pain/

and

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=2640227;

Thanks aracer and others..

I shall try some arch support insoles. Also I will try to move the cleats back like my links suggest?

Plantar fascitis makes you hobble like an old man…. 🙁

Not being a medical chap I can’t comment on the discomfort issue.Mine cuase me no problems but maybe the point is being missed above. Stiff soles give good transfer of effort. Soft ones don’t as far as I can see. At a performance level thats what counts. Comfort comes second and long term issues way down the list.
So yes, from a cycling point of view stiffness is good. Please note that I say nothing about walking.

Yes, the stiffer the better (fnar fnar).

Though you could dare question how much energy exactly can be lost in a stiff shoe. Must be miniscule.