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I’m after some new walking hiking shoes. I have wide feet and according to web site my feet are “Greek style”. Hilarious that each type of foot has a slang name.
for info I switched a few years ago to Altra running shoes and they fit so well, but they’re not exactly robust or hard wearing and whilst I know they do trail shoes, I’d like a pair to last a good while.
I've gone to the usual outdoor shops, go outdoors etc etc and found bugger all that remotely fits. I have previously tried merrell and others and they all cause proper discomfort after a short while and cramp in my toes. In fact I should sell them all. I am finding this a bit of a pita to be fair, why are so many shoes so damn narrow.
I’ve also looked online, and most options look like trainers tbh - like Topo athletic and Altra, brooks etc which is ok, but I’d rather they didn’t if possible.
Any suggestions from the STW assembly?
I’d be tempted to ensure they are waterproof, but at this point, I’ll just take the fact they fit, comfortable and grippy.
Anywhere down south (or anywhere uk) that can be recommended to do fitting and try on options, like altberg etc. not that I want or need the traditional walking boots, but I am curious if they’d be an option, as they do different width options from what I can see.
I have wide feet. I fitted in the Altberg extra wide fitting. I'm on the look out for alternative replacements at the moment. For me i'll be taking my preferred insole to any fitting sessions as that makes a big difference to the process of choosing my footwear.
Keen and Meindl would both be worth a look. Can be tricky to find shops that stock them if you want to try something on though.
Another vote for Meindl. Cotswold Outdoor near Reading did the fitting, there's also a branch in Hedge End village near Southampton. Have both walking boots and walking shoes in men's.
Keen routinely get recommended, but I tried some targee’s on & they didn’t fit well, they definitely weren’t as wide as I’d expected, also views of keens robustness vary hugely, esp here at STW.
Keen are wide fit but their quality is rubbish of late - last 2 pairs I’ve had fell apart/wore through in no time.
I have a set of Alt-Berg XW that I've not used since having them resolved. 8 moved over to barefoot a few years back and no longer fit them.
Point being, if Altra (I wear the Superior) are a good fit, I don't think XW Alt-Berg will be.
I use Freet and Xero walking boots but they are both sorter than normal boots, the Freet very much softer.
Even Vivo barefoot shoes feel a bit too narrow.
The shift towards wide altra style fit doesn't seem to have happened in the more mainstream brands ime. I've got pretty wide size 9s and the brands I look at are quite limited. To me there seems to be much more emphasis on climbing/ technical fit footwear - perhaps more people have a narrower foot, I don't know but it's annoying.
My current shoes are a altra olymp 5, very comfortable but with the integrity of wet cake, a pair of old school meindl wide fit leather boots, and my favourites which are a la sportiva tx4 mid gore tex boot. I've had a few pairs of these and they are pretty good. Very light and comfortable, the gtx has never failed over several years. The downside is the sole wears and although very grippy rubber, eventually they aren't up to hill use. There is now an evo version with a better sole though.
Madame has Hobbit feet and has had hoka boots but they just don't last either. Currently she has a LA sportiva tx5 mid which she really rates, and is an excellent all rounder
I have wide feet and bought the teva grandview gtx mid. They are excellent and have an altra shape.
Mrs jeffl has similar Hobbit feet, don't tell her I told the internet. She's currently rocking some hooka walking shoes which she's really getting on with.
Mrs has wide feet and uses meindl comfort fit , hanwag also do a wide fitting
I've two pairs of Keen shoes, one waterproof walking pair and one lightweight pair I use mainly in the gym. I won't comment on longevity as they don't get much hard use but my feet are full hobbit and they fit just right.
For big walks I've a pair of Berghaus boots (old school leather). I cannot get on with their shoes at all but the boots fit really well.
Personally I'll take comfort over longevity but I'd pay more for both. I hate the landfill issues that brings but ultimately I need something that fits as I don't want deformed and knackered feet in my old age.
Have tried a special order set of Altberg (trip to Richmond to fit for mixed sizes and xw fit) and wasn't overly impressed. They were heavy and very stiff, and when they came months later one was mislabelled on the width and always too tight (but they were adamant it was made on the correct width last).
As others have said, Keen are comfy but not durable.
Three years into some Grisport Fuse (will wear the sole out in about another year). They have been great and fit very similar to Keen wide / old Brashers. Still waterproof but not sweaty. Minimal seams to leak and quite lightweight. Good quality soft leather so minimal breaking in. I'll be buying more when they are done.
As I've got older, my feet have got wider. These are excellent, if pricey, but mine get battered/slogged with very regular use. So I constantly keep an eye out for sales and usually have a spare pair in the garage.
https://www.meindl.co.uk/product/mens/shoes/rapide-gtx/
I have never paid anything like the price above
Meindl have a specific range for wide fit
https://www.meindl.co.uk/?s=wide+fit+mens&post_type=product
Some of the Keen range are nice and wide as well but I'm not so sure they are that durable.
Topo Trailventure 2 doesn’t look too trainer-y I don’t think? Can’t comment on longevity but I got a pair of terraventure 4’s recently for trail running and I’ve started using them for a lot of walking too, they’re very comfy (and spacious toe box)
Another flipper footed primate here.
I find comfort in the fit of a Salomon Quest 4 GTX
On my second pair, last pair did 12 years*
I also have a set of Keen Targhee for scruffing about in**.
Going on for 5 yrs and seem to be holding up fine,uppers good and soles wearing well.
* I am not hard on footwear, but they did a fair few long distance walks
** Dog walking and a good amount of pavement miles.
I have a set of Alt-Berg XW that I've not used since having them resolved. 8 moved over to barefoot a few years back and no longer fit them.
Point being, if Altra (I wear the Superior) are a good fit, I don't think XW Alt-Berg will be.
I use Freet and Xero walking boots but they are both sorter than normal boots, the Freet very much softer.
Even Vivo barefoot shoes feel a bit too narrow.
I have the Altra Olympus and the fit is brilliant, durability is not as good as the fit, but it is a trainer / running shoe, but mine were knackered a lot quicker than I’d wanted or expected - given how much they cost to purchase.
I’m intrigued by the barefoot options as they look like they’re the right shape for me, if only they didn’t quite look so special footwear needs.
I have Salomon X 4 Ultra in wide fit. They're the only wide fit shoes I've ever owned, and the only ones that fit perfectly.
Try Lowa Renegade wide version
Thanks all, some brands I’ve never heard of before, Lowa, Grisport and hanwag. The grisport look good.
interesting re the Salomon, I’ve always found them to be super narrow in the std fit, but will see if I can find any wide fit to try on.
also teva grandview gtx mid, teva used to be fabulous when I had their sandals (a very very very long time ago now), looks like they’re discontinued that shoe now.
hardest part of this is finding any to try on.
Yep. Wide feet (H fitting) and a bunion to add to the equation. Meindl wide and Meindl comfort fit are good for boots. Meindl Guffert are my go to full leather and goretex boots as they have a wide fit and an oversized toe box. Whalley Warm and Dry near ClitHero do a fitting service and will ease the leather near the bunion joint as part of their service. Spendy, but worth it as they're also good quality long lasting boots. I'm off to find t a pair of comfort fit walking trainers/shoes over the next few days and Mendl will be my first port of call.
My shoe width is G. I have some Lowa Renegades which are great and have been for many years. Also two pairs of Innov-8s, one Gore-Tex, one very well ventilated for summer outings, which have been really comfortable, but these might be a bit too trainer-ish for you.
I've destroyed 2 pairs of innov-8 within a year, I'll be moving away from them. Before that Merrell's that lasted about as long as both pairs of Innov-8s.
I have a wide forefoot and narrow heel plus bone spurs that invoke some fun Plantar fasc in my right foot. Add to that a dog to walk daily and I'm a footwear killer.
Summer I tend to use Nike Terra Kiger, now seem to be discontinued so I'll be looking for replacements. Winter is a waterproof boot but walking boots lack cushioning which I need because of the foot problems, I cannot find a good solution, I even thought about trying the Killean Journet Nobody boots next, but they are reportedly very warm and I never need foot heating from footwear!
Vasque talus do a wide fit, though I went for the standard ones and they seem fine (I'm not overly hobbity), they're not a heavy duty boot, but I use them all winter without issue
Salewa seem to come up very wide...
Can any Vivobarefoot wearers comment on the sizing? Internet wisdom seems to suggest choosing a size lower than what you usually wear, but wearing shoes too small is a painful business.
I go down a half size in vivobarefoot. I am size 12 for most things, 13 for cycling shoes. But 11.5 in vivo is a very good fit. It's such a shame the look so goddamnawful!
My feet are wide at the toes, narrow-ish heel. (Bont calls this Asian fit.) I'm sure there's a lot of us out there with these feet, but most shoes are incredibly uncomfortable! It's really hard to find footwear that fits well.
Salewa seem to come up very wide...
the shoes look really good - but no wide fit option, never heard of the brand before and suspect these will be even harder to track down to try on.
Another vote for Meindl.
The Meindl 'Philadelphia' nubuck leather / goretex trail shoes I'm wearing right now (just back from a walk in some woods with my dawg) are wide fit model. Defo happy with them (to a point where I bought a 2nd pair, reserved for Sunday best and used on the 21+ mile Grindleford Gallop (more like shuffle for me !). One of the rare goretex shoes or boots I've owned where they'll be worn out before the goretex fails
I have Flipper shaped feet, wide at the front and narrow at the heel which means getting something wide enough in the forefoot that isn't a sloppy mess at the heel is a challenge. I have also had some Plantar Fasciitis of late too.
Keen were OK but fell apart quickly.
They are for general hill/dog walking
Looking for my next pair I ended up ordering a load online and tried them on with different socks at different times of the day. Some wide fit and some wider fitting brands in both a 9.5 and 10.
I ended up with a pair of normal width Meindl Tonale with a pair of superfeet insoles. They can be laced all the way down to the toes so the forefoot width is tweakable. Superfeet insoles make a big difference to comfort too.
Thanks - what’s the benefit of the superfeet insoles ?
Keen routinely get recommended, but I tried some targee’s on & they didn’t fit well, they definitely weren’t as wide as I’d expected, also views of keens robustness vary hugely, esp here at STW
KEEN has two lasts. The original US one, which is very wide and high volume ime and a later European version which is still quite broad, but trimmer than the US one. I can't remember which models use which last, but there is a difference, so it may be worth trying some other models.
More generally, Berghaus has a pretty wide, high volume fit, particularly the stuff that used to be Brasher, but also a broad heel, which may or may not work depending on your foot shape. Hanwag does great outdoor footwear and has a wide last option, though not sure if their shoes are available in that fit. Columbia Montrail does a good line in shoes with a roomy-ish forefoot, though ime not super durable.
Salomon has wide fit in some of its hiking shoes. I really like their footwear generally, so that may be worth a look. The old model X-Ultra shoes were fantastic in a 'walking shoe meets running technology' way, the X-Ultra 4 is a more sturdy beast, but the X-Ultra 360 is very similar to the original. But anyway, wide fit Salomon worth a look if you're that way inclined.
Mostly you just need to try a bunch of shoes from different brands until you find one that works for your foot shape. Don't get hung up on particular brands in advance, just be open minded about it. A good boot fitter will have a good idea of what might work from the shape of your foot. If you find yourself in the Peak District, Outside in Hathersage is a good call, lots of very experienced staff, good range of footwear.
Inov-8, nice, but not durable is my experience too. I don't †hink of Meindl as being particularly wide ffwiw.
the shoes look really good - but no wide fit option, never heard of the brand before and suspect these will be even harder to track down to try on.
Salewa? I've worn them, they're actually quite narrow ime. Alt Berg tends towards traditionally robust, which is fine if that's what you want, but a bit clumpy. There's generally a trade off between comfort and longevity, but they fall on the robust end of things for sure. But really, go try stuff on, it's a far better way than buying online and the only real way of working out which last is closest to your foot shape.
Sorry, I'll shut up now 🙂
Thanks - what’s the benefit of the superfeet insoles ?
More cushioning (good for my knackered knees) and arch support (good for my grumbly feet). They also change the fit slightly vs normal insoles, which may or may not be a good thing.
More cushioning (good for my knackered knees) and arch support (good for my grumbly feet).
This sounds like what I need. But, which ones do you have? There seem to be quite a few options on the website and at that price for insoles I'd rather get it right first time.
the shoes look really good - but no wide fit option, never heard of the brand before and suspect these will be even harder to track down to try on.
Salewa? I've worn them, they're actually quite narrow ime. Alt Berg tends towards traditionally robust, which is fine if that's what you want, but a bit clumpy. There's generally a trade off between comfort and longevity, but they fall on the robust end of things for sure. But really, go try stuff on, it's a far better way than buying online and the only real way of working out which last is closest to your foot shape.
Sorry, I'll shut up now 🙂
thanks, I was quite keen on the altberg’s but they don’t really sound like what I’m after. Same goes for salewa, if they’re narrow.
i am all in favour in trying on first. Easier typed than done though.
Interestingly berghaus haven’t come up in any searches. Never heard of hanwag either.
Hanwag.
Multiple lasts for the same style.
Everything still made only in EU.
all styles re-soleable.
good quality - but not cheap.
Hanwag.
Multiple lasts for the same style.
Everything still made only in EU.
all styles re-soleable.
good quality - but not cheap.
Proper, thoroughly engineered German footwear. On a par with the likes of Meindl, Scarpa etc. Back in the day did some of the earliest 'sticky' rock boots. Part of the same group as Fjallraven and Primus. Not cheap, but good.
Had these 2 months and I find them excellent.
Men's Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX® Wide Width
Quick update and thanks for all your suggestions, some of the brands mentioned I’ve never heard of
Finally got to a cotswold outdoor shop at the weekend.
the knowledge shoe person after a quick chat and foot measure & a “yep you’re feet really are wide” moment. Said there’s really only two out of the entire wall of shoes.
meindl comfort for and the keen target iv.
the meindl were amazingly comfy, light as a feather (not sure on longevity from the complete lack of weight). the activo gtx was what I tried and they are ridiculously lightweight. Really good for, but very trainer-ey in style.
but will be getting some meindl for waking and for work. They are fantastic.
also tried on another pair of keen targhee the 4, not the 3 or whatever it was the last ones I tried on and unless there’s a huge inconsistency in manufacturing, the 4 fit like really well - I really like them.
seen them on sale, so will try these.
the store didn’t have any lowa in wide fit, but the boots they had look very nicely made.
its a shame the meindl are so damn expensive. The activo I tried on are £170 - wowser.
also tried on another pair of keen targhee the 4, not the 3 or whatever it was the last ones I tried on and unless there’s a huge inconsistency in manufacturing, the 4 fit like really well - I really like them.
Brands often tweak their lasts - basically a solid plastic foot-shaped thing that each boot is built around - and quite often have different lasts, 'fit' basically, for different types of boots. It's why a lot of footwear reviews are effectively a bit useless.
What you're after first is a brand that uses a last that is as close as possible to your actual foot shape. Trail Magazine used to give the Scarpa Manta 'Best Buy' in every group test with the result that a lot of people bought the things even though they didn't actually fit them well, cue lots of uncomfortable days on the hill and a ready supply of lightly used secondhand Scarpa Mantas.
Good on you for taking the time to do some real life trying on before buying.
Ok didn’t know that
i really wanted the scarpa to fit, they look quite cool, but I could hardly get them on.
Ive tried a lot of brands walking shoe now. Even went into bloody Clarks - but same narrow shoe shape, the wide fit on one shoe didn’t make much difference either tbf.
Despite the wide fit question coming up here quite often, the norm must be the more common narrow fit.
I’ll see if I can find Lowa somewhere.
Despite the wide fit question coming up here quite often, the norm must be the more common narrow fit.
I think most brands are somewhere in the middle, because that's where the majority of feet sit tbh, so you sell more boots if your lasting is in that medium wide, medium volume sort of space. I'm fortunate in that I can wear most outdoor footwear brands quite happily for an hour or two at least, though I struggle with really high volume lasts, like the original KEEN and also Berghaus, which has a wide forefoot, but also a wide heel, so heel lift is a big problem. You can tweak fit a bit with volume spacer footbeds, SuperFeet do some, and inserts that sit in the tongue area, but it's always better to get boots that fit well to start with.
It does sound like your feet are genuinely quite wide, but more generally people's idea of 'wide' van be quite variable, mostly I guess, because we have just one pair of feet and not much firsthand experience of anything else... It's also, for the same reason, quite hard to find outdoor footwear based around a narrower last.
Salewa ime, Arc'teryx for some reason, AKU to a point are all quite narrow, but not much else. And then there's the difference between 'wide' and 'high volume' and the relationship between forefoot and heel. Some stuff which you wouldn't expect, has really good lasting - for me anyway - TNF's footwear, nice forefoot fit, good heel hold for example.
But anyway, the answer is pretty much always 'try stuff on' and be wary of reviews because fit is personal and it's hard to love a boot that doesn't fit your feet. I'll shut up now.
its a shame the meindl are so damn expensive. The activo I tried on are £170 - wowser.
I bought a pair of those on Thursday. Hill and Dale, Sowerby Bridge and paid £143.
They’re still that price on their site
I’ll pay good money knowing I’m getting a pair of quality shoes
That’s a little bit more palatable, purchased.
wonder if they’re any cheaper in Germany.
Lowa Renegade in wide fit are not wide! But really well made boot. 3 pairs of Keen Targhee fell apart, each in under a year and I was refunded on all of them but they were very comfy. I've settled on the widest fit Altberg Fremington for rocky and wet and Meindl Journey Mid gtx ( comfort fit ) for summer. Both have the width but I need to put a Sorbothane double strike inner sole in both to take up the volume. I bought two sizes of each to work out the correct size. Good luck, it's a frustrating process
thanks, really disappointed to hear about the keen durability, they looked really solid in store. I’m so tempted to try them, but only a years use would be really annoying.
Those that that buy different inner soles, how do you find out which ones to buy ? Is there any benefit ?