Recommend me some stiff MTB shoes

For the first time ever (and primarily on Zwift), I’ve found that my pedalling is too much for my shoes – they are too flexy.

My shoe selection has always been driven by my (very) wide feet, and never paid attention to flex before. But the lockdown training regime is taking its toll on mny footwear.

The current stable is all Northwave as they seem to fit the best, albeit still not wide enough if I’m honest.

Currently I have a pair of: Raptors; summer shoe with same sole as the Raptor and an old version of the X-Trail.

I’m after something stiffer for MTB and road (where I ride on SPDs).

So, what stiff, wide MTB SPD shoes can the STW hivemind recommend? Budget £150ish.

I have some Shimano XC7
Which I actually bought for road use because I don’t like road pedals and I like to be able to walk into a cafe like a human, not like a duck. List is £175 but you can usually find them for less – think I paid £125.

IME ‘stiff’ MTB shoes are a million miles off stiff roadie shoes. Perhaps I’ve not tried the right ones.

But unless you never ever unclip during MTB rides, a bit of flex is useful.

Sorry I don’t have any meaningful suggestions. I’d look for roadie shoes that are 2 bolt compatible.

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/recon-2-0-mountain-bike-shoes/p/173654?color=272367-173654

If you can find some old stock S-Works XC on sale though, do it. They’re basically the top level road shoe with a bit of sole!

I have a pair of Shimano ME7’s. They are decently stiff and make the Mavic rush mtb shoes feel like jelly in comparison. Also a great mtb shoe with grippy sole and work great in winter with a sealskins sock

Sidi’s carbon soled mob shoes are basically their road shoes with a bit of replaceable rubber grip screwed on. Same upper and carbon sole.

If you can track down a carbon soled Sidi, that will be pretty much the stiffest MTB soles you’ll find.

Cheers all.

I like the look of the Shim XC7’s and they do wide fit too. The only retailer I can find with that stock is Rose (.de) so I’ll speak to my LBS on Monday and see if they can get me a pair.

Also taking a look at the Spesh and Sidi. Although, I tried to try on a Sidi once. It never got past my toes. Lovely shoe, but skinnier than a 20-a-day supermodel.

Look at Sidi Mega. Wide fit.

Lake if you want truly wide fit, they do really wide shoes. Bont are worth a look too, again, they can accommodate very wide feet.

Sidi Mega is a whole new avenue – thanks!

The Lake MX238 looks like the perfect shoe, but about £100 too much.

I’ve had some bont ones for a few years – v stiff. To the pint where I’ve often thought it would be a bit of a disaster to have to walk a long distance as an emergency exit from a ride.

You can also heat them up to help them conform to your foot shape.

The outers are not the most robust in terms of dealing with pedal and rock strikes. Mine are getting close to dying in this respect.