Calling all shoe guru's !!!

[88BlueGT]

OK well, unfortunately I am forced to prematurely retire my NorthFace boots as of my last trip. I have narrowed my selection down to 2 different shoes.

1) Merrell Moab XCR's
2) Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2

USE: NY/NJ/PA hiking, lots of rocks, rugged terrain, etc.

Any pro's and con's to eachother or is it just a preference? Both of these shoes get awesome reviews but I notice that alot of the 'reviewers' are just using them to go on jogs, etc. I'm looking for a potential thru-hiking shoe! Something comfortable on my feet for long periods of time, long miles, lightweight, breathable, etc. Both of these shoes SEEM to fit the criteria so I'm calling on the guru's to point out anything I may not see/realize/ or take into consideration. Any advantage/disadvantage to each shoes tread design? I was a little worried about the Saloman's 'pull string' for tightening shoelaces, not sure if I feel really comfortable about this, any insight?

Thanks guys (and girls) :D

[88BlueGT]

28 views and nothing? Maybe some links will help :-?

Merrell Moab XCR
http://www.shoemall.com/product/Merrell-Mens-Moab-GORE-TEX-XCR-Hiking-Shoe-Chocolate-619337/

Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2
http://www.shoemall.com/product/Salomon-Mens-XA-Pro-3D-Ultra-2-Oxford-Swamp-627454/

Initially, the first thing that I notice is the difference in the front toe. I really like the way that Salomon has their toe box designed, looks like it could withstand alot of abuse... PLUS!

Than theres the fact that its a pull-string lace system. I don't have personal experience with this but I feel it could be problematic. I usually tuck my laces inside the boot and I know this is not possible with this system because of the knob on the end. Is it annoying having them flap around? Any opinions?

Open discussion ....

[frisbeefreek]

These shoes are pretty different fits - Solomon's run narrow. Quality wise, I would go with the Solomon based on reputation (I've owned Merrell's and don't really like them). I recently moved to Inov-8's and really love them. Well constructed, great grip. They have a wide, comfortable toe box.

[Rocket Jones]

The best shoe in the world is junk if it doesn't fit your foot. Try 'em on first.

[Toli]

OK well, unfortunately I am forced to prematurely retire my NorthFace boots as of my last trip. I have narrowed my selection down to 2 different shoes.

1) Merrell Moab XCR's
2) Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2

USE: NY/NJ/PA hiking, lots of rocks, rugged terrain, etc.

Any pro's and con's to eachother or is it just a preference? Both of these shoes get awesome reviews but I notice that alot of the 'reviewers' are just using them to go on jogs, etc. I'm looking for a potential thru-hiking shoe! Something comfortable on my feet for long periods of time, long miles, lightweight, breathable, etc. Both of these shoes SEEM to fit the criteria so I'm calling on the guru's to point out anything I may not see/realize/ or take into consideration. Any advantage/disadvantage to each shoes tread design? I was a little worried about the Saloman's 'pull string' for tightening shoelaces, not sure if I feel really comfortable about this, any insight?

Thanks guys (and girls) :D

Salomons rock!!! Stay away from their Gore XT Wings... Keep ur feet dry 4ever, but once they wet thru, take 4ever to dry... Kinda an oxymoron... How did the Kettle cooking go??? Inquiring minds dontchaknow...

[88BlueGT]

^^ Good tip, thanks!

Rocketjones, I agree. No matter what shoe I choose from function, look, performance, etc. the ultimate decision will be the feel. I just have a great jump start if I have a selection to work from.

I read a bunch of reviews on the Salomans and alot of people complained about the lace system being horrible. Different stories of the pull knob breaking to pieces of the lace breaking. Thinking maybe if the holes are big enough on the connecting piece if I could use my own lace with the boot so I don't have to use their system? Anyone have any ideas on this?

Toli, I did mess with the Kettle a little bit an hour or two ago, I will post in the thread now. Thanks for reminding me!

[Kevin A. Boyce]

Just remember that the Moab is a trail/hiker and the Salomon is a trail runner. Depending on your use the Salomon may not get the same milage as the Merrell.

[Bearpaw]

If fitting a narrower foot is your biggest goal, you may find the Salomon XA series of trail runners to work well for you. But you will have to check out the lacing system for yourself and see if it snugs up well for you.

You might want to consider Oboz as well. They are solid in quality, from the folks that originally created Montrail. They are especially good for narrower feet.

[map man]

I like a light shoe for hiking but the weights aren't mentioned on the pages you linked to. I'm guessing the Merrill is a little heavier since it uses some leather. The Salomon mentions there is a "pocket" to tuck your laces into and in the one pair of shoes I have with this style of lace "lock" (a pair of Goretex New Balance Trail Runners that I don't hike or run with, but use as a waterproof street shoe) this pocket (near the top of the tongue) works pretty well. What I don't know is if the locking system would have problems if your laces picked up a lot of mud, which they will on the trail. Do you have access to a shoe store where you could try these on?

[88BlueGT]

Mapman, I have a local EMS but I don't believe they carry this shoe. I will call tomorrow and check. I am about an hour from campmor though, so thats always an option.

Glad to hear that there is some kind of pocket on the Salomon! Everyone is saying that the Salomon shoes run narrow so I really need to be careful with that, I do not have wide feet but I do not want a narrow shoe. My brother, who has about the same size/shape foot as me, tried the Merrells before and said he had to take them back because he felt that they ran narrow. Guess I need to just try them on for myself and see what fits best.

Oboz will be considered, I will look into them ASAP.

[Dogwood]

The best shoe in the world is junk if it doesn't fit your foot. Try 'em on first.

BE REALLY REALLY CAREFUL WITH SHOE REVIEWS!!! It's good. It's bad. I loved them. I hated them. They lasted a long time. They fell apart after 400 miles. I got them on sale. This so and so place currently has them on sale. They had my size. If I apply my rebate, etc They work well in this or that terrain, etc etc etc. It all means little if they don't compliment your intended use and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the characteristics of your feet!!!

IMO too, when it comes to hiking shoes, what determines what WILL WORK FOR YOU, what will be BEST FOR YOU is fit!! MATCHING YOUR FOOT TO A SHOE MADE FOR YOUR KIND OF FEET! It should be at the forefront of every GOOD SHOE REVIEW/recommendation!

[Tagless]

After wearing out a couple pair of Montrail Hardrocks, I wore Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2's the last 1000 miles of my 09 thru. I highly recommend Salomons based on this experience.

Yes - there is a pocket in the tongue to tuck the laces, so they do not flap around. The system works well.

I did have a lace failure and had to do a field repair with some string. It would be a good idea to carry a spare Salomon lace kit.

[Wags]

i have heard the salomon's were recently having longevity issues. i don't know if that's verified or not though. these will be my next trail runners:

http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_La-Sportiva-Men-s-Wildcat-Shoe_10090706____?cm_mmc=CSE-_-GoogleBase-_-na-_-La-Sportiva-Men-s-Wildcat-Shoe&ad_id=GoogleBase

[Trailbender]

I got 1700 miles on my merrell moabs, but they look like hell. I am really good at fixing things. Replaced the laces with paracord and reattached the upper.

[Egads]

Try on the store and take the best fit

[goody5534]

I have used the Moab and Refuge, and I find the extra $$ on the Refuge was well worht it. This makes the Moab non-sensical.
Like wearing Air Jordans on the trail. The only gripe I have about the two is the soul is not rigid enuff to protect my arches from a well placed stone stabbing my arches. Sals, idk...

[Papa D]

I know you say you've narrowed it down to two - you might want to check these out though - I have several pairs of La Sportiva Shoes - they are my favorites - very good quality.

www.lasportiva.com/catalogue/catalogo.php?cat=19&cod3=881&Language=EN

[Tinker]

I don't think anyone has said it yet, so I will. You mention Gore-Tex and breathable together.
You will find that anything waterproof will be hardly breathable at all and your feet will get sweaty. Also, once the inside gets wet from sweat it takes longer to dry out.

You're better off with a really breathable shoe and carry a pair of waterproof socks for days when it gets ankle-deep wet. You will find out soon that your feet will be damp most of the time anyhow, and that attempts to prevent it will only delay it.

Also, if you weigh in the 200lb. plus range you probably won't get more than 400 miles per pair from any lightweight footwear. I wear the outside of my heels first, and the cushion gets compressed to where the lack of it is noticeable by 200 miles or so.

Most importantly: If it doesn't fit perfectly it's going to give you trouble, and on a long hike your feet will probably swell (though a few don't have that problem). You may need to buy a larger pair after a few weeks on the trail. My feet swell so quickly that I need to start off with thick socks and switch to thinner ones after just a week, normally.

[Lord Helment]

i'm using merrell moabs for my sobo thru hike this summer...not the goretex version though...i agree with the earlier post regarding waterproof and breathable....haven't had good luck with them.....love the merrell fit...make sure to try them on and spend some time in them prior to purchasing....my local outfitter will actually let me take them home and wear around the house for a couple of days to insure it's the right fit...also i'd shy away from asolo...both my daughter and i have had bad luck with the soles delaminating...not because of our neglect and asolo customer service was pathetic...only support i received was from my outfitter

[88BlueGT]

Thanks for all the tips guys, this is exactly why this thread was made!

I feel kind of dumb that I said I narrowed it down to 2, I did, BUT if I try them on and I don't like the feel of either of them I will certainly be open to suggestions. I think I may be taking the Merrells off the table due to the tread pattern. Like posted before, I do alot of NY/NJ/PA hiking and I don't think these would really be the best fit.

I'm always open to suggestions so..... suggest away and I will research! Thanks for everything guys.

[Rocket Jones]

The best thing you can do is to know yourself and your stride pattern. Someone above mentioned how they wear the outside of the heels first. That's the kind of important information that will help a knowlegable shoe fitter select a shoe for you. I spent over two hours with a guy that really knew what he was doing, and he finally decided that I could either special order a pair that he thought would be perfect (but he didn't stock) or go to another store that did stock them (he gave me the address of the other place). After that kind of service, I special ordered them and he was right, they're perfect for my foot.

Once you find something that's right for you, *then* research durability, etc. If it doesn't look like it'll last, then you can ask for something that has a similar fit but better quality.

Don't feel you have to walk out of the store with a new pair. Making a second or even third visit makes sense if you're spending money on what is arguably the most important piece of equipment you'll have.

[Papa D]

Well, 88Blue, the reason that I suggested the La Sportivas is 1) because I like them a lot and 2) because I also am a climber and a lot of what I do is intertwined with rock climbing - La Sportiva is known for its rock climbing and mountaineering footwear - therefore, their trail shoes are especially suited for rocks - you mentioned PA and rocks, so I thought they would be especially apt

[Driver8]

I love this thread! Right where I'm at right now.

So, more about store than shoes - is there better than REI out there for finding good shoes and getting smart help? Is there a place between Boston and New York where one can get a first rate treatment of special foot concerns (I have a couple of foot issues - extra wide feet, 11 EEE, and a problem with my left heel which may be PF and may just be due to an injury incurred in college).

I think I'm gonna go check out the Saloman's and my local REI. Been hiking since last August or so in Merrell trail shoes. I like them but have enduring soreness in the left foot, especially the heel, I'd like to try and remedy. Any helpful thoughts will be appreciates. The La Spotivas look nice, too, but it's not clear that REI carries them.

[Papa D]

I have found that REI is sort of like the Home Depot of outdoor stores - with exceptions, most of their employees have some general knowledge of things (like footwear) but often, they are just there to earn their pay-check. If you can find a specialty outfitter store in your area, chances are that the staff members are serious about backpacking (or climbing or whatever) and can give you some specific and detailed advice on footwear - that said, beware that a lot of salespeople still insist on trying to sell overtly heavy shoes for backpacking (traditionally, "backpacking footwear" has meant boots) - you need to ask specifically for "trail running shoes" "approach shoes" which is the footwear of choice for most serious long-distance hikers. Obviously, HYOH.

[Driver8]

I have found that REI is sort of like the Home Depot of outdoor stores - with exceptions, most of their employees have some general knowledge of things (like footwear) but often, they are just there to earn their pay-check. If you can find a specialty outfitter store in your area, chances are that the staff members are serious about backpacking (or climbing or whatever) and can give you some specific and detailed advice on footwear - that said, beware that a lot of salespeople still insist on trying to sell overtly heavy shoes for backpacking (traditionally, "backpacking footwear" has meant boots) - you need to ask specifically for "trail running shoes" "approach shoes" which is the footwear of choice for most serious long-distance hikers. Obviously, HYOH.

Yeah, the Home Depot concern was my thought exactly. I went ahead and tried a couple of Salomons and couple of Keens. Hated the Keens - way too stiff. Liked one pair of Sals and LOVED these, which I'll be buying asap. They come narrow, but for whatever reason, the 12s fit me perfectly and aren't even too long. My feet were in heaven in them, excited to get them soon! I like my Merrell Moab cross-trainers, we'll stay friends and all, but it's love with the Sals.

[Driver8]

Yeah, the Home Depot concern was my thought exactly. I went ahead and tried a couple of Salomons and couple of Keens. Hated the Keens - way too stiff. Liked one pair of Sals and LOVED these, which I'll be buying asap. They come narrow, but for whatever reason, the 12s fit me perfectly and aren't even too long. My feet were in heaven in them, excited to get them soon! I like my Merrell Moab cross-trainers, we'll stay friends and all, but it's love with the Sals.

Sorry, loved these: http://www.rei.com/product/772097/salomon-xa-pro-3d-ultra-gtx-trail-running-shoes-mens

[Dogwood]

I've related this info several times before here on WB. I sometimes include it after seeing one of the many threads where an OP asks about what type of shoe someone else recommends.

You can visit some serious/hardcore/advanced running shoe websites(not a generic shoe outlet or a store that sells shoes among many other things) and they often have info about learning what kind of feet you have, your stride pattern, pronations, etc, for example, and matching your specific type of feet characteristics with specific shoe models made to support specific feet/uses. You can also do this with after market orthotics rather than taking generic advice about shoes and orthotics as if what hiking shoe worked for someone else will work for you/everyone!

You can also patronize hiking outfitters that have certified shoe specialists that will spend the time to comprehensively exam your feet, etc based on more than 25 foot characteristics, stride patterns, pronations, arch type, etc., Then inquire about intended use, inquire about how you hike, where you will hike, and match your feet to shoe models that will BEST SUPPORT YOUR FEET, INTENDED USE, etc! This is typically a free service! Once you learn these things you can apply what you have learned about your feet, etc anywhere you might buy hiking shoes. IMO, if an outfitter spends this extra time training and certifying their shoe/boot fitters that indicates to me they are serious about their patrons walking out of the store with properly matched hiking shoes. That's where I'll choose to spend my hiking shoe money!

And, understand when I say certified shoe specialists, I'm speaking about employess that work, usually solely in the shoe/boot department, or solely for shoe stores, that receive additional shoe fitting education sometimes by outside educators and/or shoe fitting associations/specialists!

It also helps when a hiking shoe company or company that makes hiking shoes or an outfitter that carries hiking shoes provides specs on just what models will fit/support just what type of feet best.

It may seem overkill or too much hassle to get specialized trained hiking shoe advice or go to the extent that I've described to educate yourself but consider that hikers can spend SO MUCH TIME, AND SOMETIMES EXPENSE, educating themselves and purchasing backpacks, shelters, sleep systems, cooking gear, wt of gear, blah, blah, blah, etc(I can do that too!) and disregard/spend not enough effort with hiking shoes, which, in my book, all those other things hinge upon!

I notice quite a few hikers having hiking/medical/physical/comfort issues because their shoes are not supporting them on their hikes the way they can AND should!

Unhappy feet usually lead to an unhappy hiker OR the inabilty to hike!

[Kevin A. Boyce]

Driver and 888 and everyone else... If you have the chance stop by an Eastern Mountain Sports and ask to make a Footwear Guru appointment... It is a program that many shoe companies have set up with EMS to train some staffers to truly fit a foot to the right shoe.

888, stop by the Paramus EMS and ask for me I will put you through the paces; pardon the pun.

Disclaimer... Long time WB member and EMS manager.




So, more about store than shoes - is there better than REI out there for finding good shoes and getting smart help? Is there a place between Boston and New York where one can get a first rate treatment of special foot concerns (I have a couple of foot issues - extra wide feet, 11 EEE, and a problem with my left heel which may be PF and may just be due to an injury incurred in college).

[88BlueGT]

Kevin A Boyce, I REALLY do appreciate the offer but I don't think I will ever go to an EMS again, I have just had bad experiences at the EMS local to me (Princeton Market Fair, Princeton NJ). I received ZERO help when I went in there to try on shoes. Heres a little funny story for you...

So I walk in an immediately ask if anyone knows anything about the Salomon Ultra 2's. The kid laughs and points to his feet. He has them on! I think, GREAT, this guy can definitely give me some feedback. I proceed to ask him about the shoe in which he has NO answers for me. I ask him how they feel on his feet, he responds, 'awesome'. I than ask him how they feel when hes hiking, he responds with, 'I don't hike'. OK, thats fine. So what outdoor activities do you do in them? Well, I wear them here. That was the extent of his knowledge........ and this guy works at Eastern MOUNTAIN sports? hmmmm.....

Anyway, I tried them on, they felt really good. I asked him about the return policy in case I took them out and they didn't feel right. He informs me that I should wear them around my house to determine this! I tell him that I won't really know until I go through the motions and take a trip in them. He kind of argued without arguing with me but basically shrugged it off. So anyway, I purchased them, wore them for a few days and I have someone taking them back for me as we speak. They are a TAD bit narrow so I'm going to order a pair in Wide from campmor and hope that they are good (in which they should be). The shoe felt awesome, tons of support, cushioned out the butt, etc. I tried to purchase the wides through EMS but they INSISTED that Salomon doesn't make them in a wide so now I will take my business elsewhere.

Kevin A Boyce, I wish you were closer or I would stop in and see you to get some PROFESSIONAL advice, unfortunately my car situation right now sucks and I'm not able to make it up there. Once again, thank you for your offer. I really do appreciate it.

Lets hope the wide version is better.

[Kevin A. Boyce]

888... Well I am sorry for your experience at one of our stores!

Next time you have the chance and you are in the area, please stop by the EMS in Paramus and I hope my crew can change your mind about shopping at EMS.

Feel free to PM me here if you have any questions... I will do my best to help you.


Kevin A Boyce, I REALLY do appreciate the offer but I don't think I will ever go to an EMS again, I have just had bad experiences at the EMS local to me (Princeton Market Fair, Princeton NJ). I received ZERO help when I went in there to try on shoes. Heres a little funny story for you...

So I walk in an immediately ask if anyone knows anything about the Salomon Ultra 2's. The kid laughs and points to his feet. He has them on! I think, GREAT, this guy can definitely give me some feedback. I proceed to ask him about the shoe in which he has NO answers for me. I ask him how they feel on his feet, he responds, 'awesome'. I than ask him how they feel when hes hiking, he responds with, 'I don't hike'. OK, thats fine. So what outdoor activities do you do in them? Well, I wear them here. That was the extent of his knowledge........ and this guy works at Eastern MOUNTAIN sports? hmmmm.....

Anyway, I tried them on, they felt really good. I asked him about the return policy in case I took them out and they didn't feel right. He informs me that I should wear them around my house to determine this! I tell him that I won't really know until I go through the motions and take a trip in them. He kind of argued without arguing with me but basically shrugged it off. So anyway, I purchased them, wore them for a few days and I have someone taking them back for me as we speak. They are a TAD bit narrow so I'm going to order a pair in Wide from campmor and hope that they are good (in which they should be). The shoe felt awesome, tons of support, cushioned out the butt, etc. I tried to purchase the wides through EMS but they INSISTED that Salomon doesn't make them in a wide so now I will take my business elsewhere.

Kevin A Boyce, I wish you were closer or I would stop in and see you to get some PROFESSIONAL advice, unfortunately my car situation right now sucks and I'm not able to make it up there. Once again, thank you for your offer. I really do appreciate it.

Lets hope the wide version is better.

[Driver8]

88Blue:

I've had good results with the Hartford-area EMS's. I'd chalk your experience to one bad apple, or maybe a subpar store. Wouldn't write off the whole chain based on that one day. Hope your shoes fit well for you!

[88BlueGT]

I will keep an open mind to other stores but my local EMS doesn't carry too much that I like anyway, no biggie.

If I'm in the area I'll certainly stop by, thank you.

Hopefully I'll have a good update in a few days with the new runners.

[Dogwood]

LOL! Sounds like so many outfitter stores 88BlueGT. However, not all outfitter branches have the same level of qualified or unqualified associates, as Kevin Boyce has demonstrated. Can happen at any outfitter with multiple store locations. Some are better than others.

Consider that the Paramus EMS is located RIGHT NEXT to Campmor. You could hit up both places for shoe advice on the same trip! AND, consider that these two stores compete with one another so they tend to have qualified/more qualified associates! Greater variety too! PLUS, get the two of them into a price matching war if BOTH stores carry the same shoe you want! LOL! Might make up for the bad experience you had at the other EMS!


How about visiting the Marlton REI? There's an EMS not too far down the road in Moorstown too! Inquire about certified shoe specialist before going anywhere!

[88BlueGT]

I forgot that that EMS was right next to Campmor! I have never been in there (been to campmor a few times though) but it looks to be a nice store (pretty big as well). If I get these shoes in the next few days and its not the fit I'm looking for, I will definitely be traveling as it will be my last option!

As far as the bidding war goes, I like the sounds of that! haha I certainly won't argue. I'll just jump from store to store and tell everyone at EMS that the guys at campmor said 'you guys are a bunch of skirt wearing slackpackers w/ no hope'... see what I can stir up! lol

edit: no offense to ya if you wear a skirt :)

[88BlueGT]

Soooooooooooo I got my 'WIDE' Salomons today from Campmor. Goods news first, I got them in the blue/black/orange scheme (only color in wide) and I like it better than the black/black. Bad news, they still don't seem to feel right. With the last pair I had the same problem, the inside of my right foot felt like it had an 'extra' piece of padding under it, kind of felt like a hump. Its not that it feels uncomfortable I just didn't have that same hump in the left foot. I thought that this had something to do with the shoes just being too narrow and one foot maybe being wider than the other but now I have the new pair and I seem to feel the same thing (just in a different spot of my foot, a little more inside now).

So Kevin A Boyce, I think I may take you up on your offer. I'm going to try and get down to your EMS this weekend, maybe Saturday or Sunday. What are your stores hours for the weekend?

[Trailbender]

If you are really good at fixing stuff, you can get a few thousand miles out of a pair of good shoes. I have about 1700 miles on my current pair of Merrells, I reattached the upper with paracord, the soles still have plenty of wear.

[Dogwood]

I got my 'WIDE' Salomons today... Bad news, they still don't seem to feel right. With the last pair I had the same problem, the inside of my right foot felt like it had an 'extra' piece of padding under it, kind of felt like a hump. Its not that it feels uncomfortable I just didn't have that same hump in the left foot. I thought that this had something to do with the shoes just being too narrow and one foot maybe being wider than the other but now I have the new pair and I seem to feel the same thing (just in a different spot of my foot, a little more inside now). - 88blue gt


DITTO!


Thought I was the only crazy person or person with weird feet to have experienced this EXACT same issue as you describe with some of the Soloman's. I tried everything I knew to eleviate this issue still couldn't get this brand in several models to fit me correctly! Even after replacing stock orthos with after market ones I still felt that little hump under one foot. It helped some with the after market orthos but it was still annoyingly there.


88bluegt, seems you and I must have slipped on the same rock resulting in a bump under one foot!

[Tinker]

Soooooooooooo I got my 'WIDE' Salomons today from Campmor. Goods news first, I got them in the blue/black/orange scheme (only color in wide) and I like it better than the black/black. Bad news, they still don't seem to feel right. With the last pair I had the same problem, the inside of my right foot felt like it had an 'extra' piece of padding under it, kind of felt like a hump. Its not that it feels uncomfortable I just didn't have that same hump in the left foot. I thought that this had something to do with the shoes just being too narrow and one foot maybe being wider than the other but now I have the new pair and I seem to feel the same thing (just in a different spot of my foot, a little more inside now).

So Kevin A Boyce, I think I may take you up on your offer. I'm going to try and get down to your EMS this weekend, maybe Saturday or Sunday. What are your stores hours for the weekend?

I owned one pair of Salomon shoes about 10 years ago. I found that the shoe broke in unevenly, in that the middle of my foot seemed to sink into the footbed while the outside perimiter of my foot did not, which made them unwearable after a month of occasional hiking and wear at work.
They turned out to be just a tad narrow in the forefoot as well, where this situation was most noticeable.

[88BlueGT]

I got my 'WIDE' Salomons today... Bad news, they still don't seem to feel right. With the last pair I had the same problem, the inside of my right foot felt like it had an 'extra' piece of padding under it, kind of felt like a hump. Its not that it feels uncomfortable I just didn't have that same hump in the left foot. I thought that this had something to do with the shoes just being too narrow and one foot maybe being wider than the other but now I have the new pair and I seem to feel the same thing (just in a different spot of my foot, a little more inside now). - 88blue gt


DITTO!


Thought I was the only crazy person or person with weird feet to have experienced this EXACT same issue as you describe with some of the Soloman's. I tried everything I knew to eleviate this issue still couldn't get this brand in several models to fit me correctly! Even after replacing stock orthos with after market ones I still felt that little hump under one foot. It helped some with the after market orthos but it was still annoyingly there.


88bluegt, seems you and I must have slipped on the same rock resulting in a bump under one foot!

That's makes me feel so much better and worse at the same time! LOL Better because I know I'm not nuts nor are my feet warped and worse because now, chances are, they will go back :( I feel like I could probably trim the insert up a bit for a better feel but I don't want to risk cutting them, still not feeling right and not being able to take them back. So I think I'm going to pass on that route.

Guess I'm on the prowl again, may check out some nice NB trail runners. Are the NB trail runners the 8 or 9 series?

[sbhikes]

The NB are both the 8 and 9 series. I personally don't like the feel of the New Balance, but the width is nice. I can't walk very far in them, maybe only 10 miles, before they hurt too much. That's the trouble with shoes. You have to really take them for a long walk before you know, but then you can't return them.

I don't believe there is an outfitter shoe salesman anywhere who knows anything about long distance hiking and real feet. They can fit you well for hiker fashion and for little hikes but none of them understand long distance hiking.

On a long distance hike, your foot will force itself to become natural, like primitive man, all wide and beefy and if you try to stuff them into these tight little fashion boots they make with their tapered toeboxes and the shoe guy telling you your toe should be close to the end with a snug fit, you'll be plagued with blisters and neuromas.

If your feet are shaped anything like mine--duck feet, no deformed toes folding under each other, space between each toe--prepare to break a lot of rules about footwear to get a shoe you can actually walk 2000 miles in. For me that meant 2-4 sizes larger than normal, as wide as possible (4E felt best), flexible sole (no motion control), relatively soft sole, low heel, loosely laced almost to the point of not being laced, and lots of different insoles to swap out throughout the hike.

[88BlueGT]

Everyone has different preferences especially when it comes to feel. These Salomons must run very narrow because I have never worn a wide shoe in my life.

[Kevin A. Boyce]

888...

We are cosed on Sundays; all of Bergen county NJ is including our neighbors Campmor.

I will be at the store on Saturday from 10am-530p... If I am not around you want to talk to Chris; this guy can tweak shoes like very few including hammering leather boots to add pockets, stretching leather; he is in from 11am till 730pm.

Just come in and ask for me and we will do our best to make sure you are walking out with happy feet. Bring your shoes and the socks you plan to wear with them so we can use those as a start to work with.



Soooooooooooo I got my 'WIDE' Salomons today from Campmor. Goods news first, I got them in the blue/black/orange scheme (only color in wide) and I like it better than the black/black. Bad news, they still don't seem to feel right. With the last pair I had the same problem, the inside of my right foot felt like it had an 'extra' piece of padding under it, kind of felt like a hump. Its not that it feels uncomfortable I just didn't have that same hump in the left foot. I thought that this had something to do with the shoes just being too narrow and one foot maybe being wider than the other but now I have the new pair and I seem to feel the same thing (just in a different spot of my foot, a little more inside now).

So Kevin A Boyce, I think I may take you up on your offer. I'm going to try and get down to your EMS this weekend, maybe Saturday or Sunday. What are your stores hours for the weekend?

[ekeverette]

i have both pair. the salomon's are great, but narrow narrow. the merrells are beefy and i think will hold up to trail conditions much better. but i love both of mine.