Shoe sizes -- general complaint

[John B]

While I certainly haven't surveyed every shoe and boot maker, I've looked at quite a few -- Vasque, Asics, Montrail, Adidas, to name but some. The problem is that I wear a size that's somewhere between a 13 and 14. For those with smaller feet, you're probably saying "just get a 13.5." If only I could. Thus far I haven't found a shoe or boot maker that makes half-sizes once you get above 13.

It's a big jump between 13 and 14. 13 is too small, 14 is a bit too big. I get size 14 and then wear a liner and a heavy hiking sock, and I adjust the laces as best as I can, finding that the "marathoner's lace" is best of the bunch for me. I don't like Superfeet, and quite frankly I hate to be put in the position of having to add lots of padding to the tongue to get a shoe to minimally fit (Montrail has this option in some boots).

I've written to several shoe/boot makers arguing that since most hikers buy shoes one size larger than normal street wear, and since shoe sizes over size 12 aren't that uncommon, they could capture a reasonable market segment if only they would offer half-sizes in shoes over size 13. No response yet.

So that's my complaint. Curious if others have had similar problems.

[Mother's Finest]

as someone who works in the industry, I can tell you good luck.

you will find that orthopedic shoe makers generally will carry those sizes (half size up to 14 usually) problem is, you are talking about manufacturers like PW Minor.

my suggestion, is to find a brand that fits small. then get the 14.

peace
mf

[Midway Sam]

Have you tried Merrell? I wear a 12 and bought a pair of 12s that were about a 1/2 size too small. They also have a wider than normal toebox (from what I'm told by a salesperson).

[mudhead]

Try Zappos. I searched there by "hiking" under style or type. Then I used the size search function. Ecco has 13-13.5 (47), and LaSportiva has 13.5-14 (47.5). I think I remembered all that straight. Nothing like a good hoof fit challenge! Can't vouch for either brand. Good luck!

[mweinstone]

first do what moms finery said caus he knows everything about shoes. next, pm bigfoot or homebrew who use these sizes. and finally, fork over 700 bucks for that guy who makes em for you.

[weary]

While I certainly haven't surveyed every shoe and boot maker, I've looked at quite a few -- Vasque, Asics, Montrail, Adidas, to name but some. The problem is that I wear a size that's somewhere between a 13 and 14. For those with smaller feet, you're probably saying "just get a 13.5." If only I could. Thus far I haven't found a shoe or boot maker that makes half-sizes once you get above 13.

It's a big jump between 13 and 14. 13 is too small, 14 is a bit too big. I get size 14 and then wear a liner and a heavy hiking sock, and I adjust the laces as best as I can, finding that the "marathoner's lace" is best of the bunch for me. I don't like Superfeet, and quite frankly I hate to be put in the position of having to add lots of padding to the tongue to get a shoe to minimally fit (Montrail has this option in some boots).

I've written to several shoe/boot makers arguing that since most hikers buy shoes one size larger than normal street wear, and since shoe sizes over size 12 aren't that uncommon, they could capture a reasonable market segment if only they would offer half-sizes in shoes over size 13. No response yet.

So that's my complaint. Curious if others have had similar problems.
I've lived with the problem for decades. Not only do I take a 13.5. I really need a 13.5 W.

Let me know if you find a solution.

Weary

[Nearly Normal]

A lot of those brand names don't have wide sizes either.
Pete

[shoe]

I have the same problem with women's shoes. I need a 10.5 but generally it jumps from a 10 to a 11 and mens are to wide in the heel area for me.

[Jack Tarlin]

Someone beat me to it. I also suggest you look at Merrell; in addition to "half" sizes, I know they used to offer many selections in a "wide" as well as a regular size.

One bit of advice......if you're forced to veer one way or the other, go LARGER than SMALLER. You can always put in tongue or heel pads to take up space, or get a thicker insole. And thicker socks will help, too. But if you go with a boot that's too small, you will be in hell, and there's no two ways around it.

[highway]

You must have looked here but I vaguely recall that New Balance advertises that they carry more shoe sizes than their competitors.

[hammock engineer]

I feel you on this. My size is 12 EEEE. I am pretty much limited to new balances. But I am really happy with those. I hike in their trail runners. They are working out pretty good for me.

I bought a pair of new balance hiking boots from cabela's a couple years ago. They are comfortable and have a waterproof layer in them. I just use them in the winter.

[Mother's Finest]

John B,
You do not mention how wide your feet are. this will change the equation as well.

seek out a competent shoe/boot fitter. www.cpeds.org (http://www.cpeds.org) to find someone in your area.

There are other ways of taking volume out of a shoe beyond tongue pads.

peace
mf

[John B]

I have low-volume feet, which seems to compound the problem. Merrells are listed as better suited to people having high-volume feet.

Right now I use Adidas SuperNova, size 14. They're too long, but the volume fits in the heel (at least better than most) and I don't blister up as much. The downside is that Adidas has discontinued this shoe.

My feet are all messed up (flat feet, low volume, size 13.5).

If I had money, I'd start a hiking shoe company and make a fortune selling to fellow Big Foots who need half-sizes in a variety of widths.

[mudhead]

You may have luck with New Balance then. I find alot of them run small. My problem is wide foot. 124E. The SL-1 last in the NB trailrunners is too narrow, tight archwise for me. Good luck.

[Mother's Finest]

I have low-volume feet, which seems to compound the problem. Merrells are listed as better suited to people having high-volume feet.

Right now I use Adidas SuperNova, size 14. They're too long, but the volume fits in the heel (at least better than most) and I don't blister up as much. The downside is that Adidas has discontinued this shoe.

My feet are all messed up (flat feet, low volume, size 13.5).

If I had money, I'd start a hiking shoe company and make a fortune selling to fellow Big Foots who need half-sizes in a variety of widths.

that is the whole problem cats like you face. there are not enough of you to "make a fortune selling to fellow big foots" the big shoe/boot makers figured this out a long time ago.

Since you described yourself as having flat feet, I second my suggestion to get to a Cped. If you have flexible feet, you will benefit greatly from a properly fabricated custom orthotic. This will help to stabilize your foot in a shoe/boot to give a good starting point for fit.

best of luck

peace
mf

[the_iceman]

I would go with the 14 and "sock up". You can also get insoles that raise your foot making the boot fit better while giving plenty of toe room. I always hike in one size larger and have had few if any problems in the 15 to 20 years I have been doing it. I wear a liner and the heaviest sock I can find. On long trips I carry a pair of Spenco heel wedges so when my socks get matted down and nasty I can lift my heel up to get a tighter fit and not get blisters.

NOTE: I am NOT a doctor or a foot specialist - This approach just happens to work for me.

[OldStormcrow]

I don't think you should go by sizes at all. I sell this stuff part-time and have found that today's manufacturers quite often are a complete size off. In one box you will find a boot that fits like a 12 on the right and a 12.5 or 13 on the left....or vice versa. New Balance is an entire size off on most of their men's shoes, also. Try on more than one pair of the same size and model of boot and you will be amazed at the difference in fit. It could be just because of the day of the week it was made, if the Italian Gomer who made it had a glass of wine at lunch, if the Chinese prison laborer that made it got an extra fish head in his soup the night before, etc. Just try on lots o' pairs and you will find one that fits perfect, but you're gonna run the sales clerk ragged in the process.