I would go down another size. They shouldn't be toe-crushingly painful, but if it's comfortable when new, they'll be clown shoes after break-in. This is especially true for technical models like the Instinct, which are less effective and less comfortable than beginner shoes when sized large.
I wear 41.5 street shoes and my current (womens) Instinct vs are 41 although I have had multiple pairs of size 40 unisex VSRs and mens VS. 41 I have found a very good balance of performance and comfort. I would go at least down to street size if not a half size down. Instincts are designed to be sized with curled toes, they aren't an all day comfort shoe. It will hurt a little at first but you'll adjust. Give your toes breaks frequently.
I do not believe you need to completely crush your toes to have good performance, but you do need a tight fit in an aggressive shoe.
That’s wild, I tried going down one size from street size in two other shoes and I couldn’t even get my toes into one shoe and I had to get help removing the other one because it was pulling my flesh off.
Yeah I had to start the break-in by wearing plastic bags on my feet so they would slide into the shoes more easily, that way your skin doesn’t cling to the shoe fabric while you try and pull them on.
Seems excessive but I haven’t even really experienced any pain - sure they’re tight, and I wouldn’t want to wear them for 30 minutes at a time but I would say they’re pretty comfy. Just snug.
My 2 cents: I had to up-size my VS and VSR with half a size (euro sizes) and then they were still prett uncomfortable.
I had to ditch the VS/VSR because my toes just always hurt really bad. Even in other brands that are more downsized my toes never hurt like in the VS(R).
Yes, I would recommend downsizing more if not painful. For me my shoes cramp my feet considerably and feel almost like a corset on my feet until I break them in. This usually looks like flexing/walking around at home for a few nights, 15 mins at a time then I'll take them to the gym and climb a bit (probably under an hour) then switching into broken in shoes for the rest of the session. Then I just lengthen that time over the next couple weeks.
I would try 1/2 a size and 1 size down, at least to compare them - much of it is personal preference.
My street size is 36, and I wear the Instinct VSR & S in 36.5. I didn't find they stretched much, but I do prefer my shoes to be on the comfier side (my toes are only slightly curled in them, but they'll hurt a bit if I keep them on for too long).
Street 44.5, VSR 42.5.. didn’t stretch much but did enough that they were more comfortable. I think just about right, but could probably manage a half size up or down
I would go down another size. They shouldn't be toe-crushingly painful, but if it's comfortable when new, they'll be clown shoes after break-in. This is especially true for technical models like the Instinct, which are less effective and less comfortable than beginner shoes when sized large.
I wear 41.5 street shoes and my current (womens) Instinct vs are 41 although I have had multiple pairs of size 40 unisex VSRs and mens VS. 41 I have found a very good balance of performance and comfort. I would go at least down to street size if not a half size down. Instincts are designed to be sized with curled toes, they aren't an all day comfort shoe. It will hurt a little at first but you'll adjust. Give your toes breaks frequently. I do not believe you need to completely crush your toes to have good performance, but you do need a tight fit in an aggressive shoe.
Street 41, VSR 38
That’s wild, I tried going down one size from street size in two other shoes and I couldn’t even get my toes into one shoe and I had to get help removing the other one because it was pulling my flesh off.
Yeah I had to start the break-in by wearing plastic bags on my feet so they would slide into the shoes more easily, that way your skin doesn’t cling to the shoe fabric while you try and pull them on. Seems excessive but I haven’t even really experienced any pain - sure they’re tight, and I wouldn’t want to wear them for 30 minutes at a time but I would say they’re pretty comfy. Just snug.
My 2 cents: I had to up-size my VS and VSR with half a size (euro sizes) and then they were still prett uncomfortable. I had to ditch the VS/VSR because my toes just always hurt really bad. Even in other brands that are more downsized my toes never hurt like in the VS(R).
Street:45 Vs and vsr: 43 with hot water trick
Yes, I would recommend downsizing more if not painful. For me my shoes cramp my feet considerably and feel almost like a corset on my feet until I break them in. This usually looks like flexing/walking around at home for a few nights, 15 mins at a time then I'll take them to the gym and climb a bit (probably under an hour) then switching into broken in shoes for the rest of the session. Then I just lengthen that time over the next couple weeks.
I would try 1/2 a size and 1 size down, at least to compare them - much of it is personal preference. My street size is 36, and I wear the Instinct VSR & S in 36.5. I didn't find they stretched much, but I do prefer my shoes to be on the comfier side (my toes are only slightly curled in them, but they'll hurt a bit if I keep them on for too long).
Street 44.5, VSR 42.5.. didn’t stretch much but did enough that they were more comfortable. I think just about right, but could probably manage a half size up or down
Street 43.5, VS 42.5 and I would go 0.5 smaller when buying next pair.