View Full Version : Footwear for WIDE feet??
sgt easy
12-27-2012, 19:25
So, my "old" Vasque Clarion GTXs are rotted out; makes me leery of Vasque ('specially since they didn't respond to my email asking about this...); BUT, I'd sure like to hear from other fat-footed thru-hikers about what to wear. Planning early start, so want something substantial (both for warmth and load-carrying ability). The reality seems to be, well, Vasque (like the bitterroot gtx) - I can't seem to find wide sizes (U.S.wide, not Euro wide) elsewhere. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (and for the lightweight crowd, any fatfeet wearing the Salewa Alp trainers?) Thanks, hoping to start in mid Feb.
levidoug
12-27-2012, 19:38
Merrell makes wide sizes as does New balance.
Depends if you want boots or a trail shoe.
Tuckahoe
12-27-2012, 19:53
My Merrells are 13 wide. Pretty happy with them.
Wise Old Owl
12-27-2012, 19:59
This is a tough call - because it sounds like you are trying to buy boots on-line... I used to size men for leather shoes and generally speaking if it pinch somewhere you go up a size, like women (the real expert's in shoes, we get a number in our head and think it never changes. You need to get the right socks (like new) old socks are compressed, and get to an outfitter. You go up to the guy who is running the dept and ask for your size and get one larger and one smaller and before you buy, your toes cannot jamb into the front on a downslope. Ask lots of questions while you are there. Here is why, my boots are one size - my trail runners are a different size, from my low riding hiking sneakers! If it's not right - expect bunions and real issues down the trail!
18628
Hosaphone
12-27-2012, 20:06
My Merrells are 13 wide. Pretty happy with them.
I've worn Merrells for around 8 years now. I always used to have trouble finding shoes that fit me, but no more. I'm also a 13 wide. Currently rocking the Moab Ventilators. Pretty good, I could use even more "ventilator", but eh.
LOVE my Solomon's, lacing system to me was an issue in Vermont, they just sent a free replacement pair
GREAT lateral support, significant difference over Vasque's and others..............took a bit more time to break in but totally worth it.
Going out this weekend to start with new pair, March Section hike...............
Side Comment from Q..............hikers with narrow feet have a really good day going!
Like 1000 options..................
Wide.........10
I too have a big problem with large wide. I really liked the wolverine fulcrum . I had a 12 ew and then after my surgery (plantar facia bone spurs) they did not fit. I ordered the 13ew and they stillpinched my toes. No 14ew in the fulcrum. I found and read that after this type surgery and aging your foot elongates so i am wearing the proverbial boats. Merrell has two or three hiking boots in 14ew and so far so good for me. Us with extra wide feet also have to deal with ordering on line because most outlets do not carry anything close. Good luck. Also i might add wolverine / merrell have a 30 day comfort guarentee return policy.
cliffordbarnabus
12-27-2012, 23:43
Brooks are money
fredmugs
12-28-2012, 00:04
I've worn Merrells for around 8 years now. I always used to have trouble finding shoes that fit me, but no more. I'm also a 13 wide. Currently rocking the Moab Ventilators. Pretty good, I could use even more "ventilator", but eh.
Same here. Wide width shoes = bye bye blisters.
I have used various New Balance trail runners. I love them. My current size tends to be 101/2 4E.
Are y'all sure that Merrell carries EXTRA wide hiking boots or trail runners. (Not just wide--but EXTRA wide--like 4E). I have had various shoe places tell me that Merrell's don't come in extra wide and a casual online search only revealed Merrell's in wide widths not EXTRA wide. If you can locate extra wide Merrell's--where are you doing it. I would like to try a pair.
If you are referring to fat-footed as wide across the forefoot or toebox area or in a high volume instep and want protection and decent support look at the Keens in the mid-cuts such as the WP Targhee II or non-WP Voyager. Go with after market orthotics to dial in the shoe such as volume, arch support, heel cup, sole bed comfort, etc. Obviously, WP is warmer but also has additional pros AND possible cons. Aim for warmth with your sock choices considering construction materiials, wt, etc and how those choices effect interior volume, comfort, etc inside the shoe. Don't make the mistake of looking at warmth of your feet solely from the perspective of your shoe choices. Your shoes ARE NOT the only thing that affects how warm or cold your feet will be! For a mid Feb start, I assume AT NOBO, don't count out dropping a few Toasty Toes Foot Warners or equivalent in your pack for when you need them.
jimmyjam
12-28-2012, 09:11
I've found that Keens are more roomy especially in the toebox. They work for my wide feet.
rusty bumper
12-28-2012, 10:04
I'm on my 4th pair of Merrell Moabs...size 11 wide....couldn't be happier.
A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G (typical North American system)
4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, D, E, 2E, 3E, 4E, 5E, 6E (variant North American)
No real ew in measuring shoe width. Shoe companies coined it so the masses would understand that it was wider than normal. My shoe box has MERRELL 14EW on it. Whther they be 14E or EW they are wider than most shoes i have tried on. You be the judge.
colorado_rob
12-28-2012, 10:17
Yep, wide feet here, I use Merrell's (various low-top models) for long distance hiking, New Balance 4E's for shorter hikes and running.
DeerPath
12-28-2012, 15:42
So, my "old" Vasque Clarion GTXs are rotted out; makes me leery of Vasque ('specially since they didn't respond to my email asking about this...); BUT, I'd sure like to hear from other fat-footed thru-hikers about what to wear. Planning early start, so want something substantial (both for warmth and load-carrying ability). The reality seems to be, well, Vasque (like the bitterroot gtx) - I can't seem to find wide sizes (U.S.wide, not Euro wide) elsewhere. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (and for the lightweight crowd, any fatfeet wearing the Salewa Alp trainers?) Thanks, hoping to start in mid Feb.
I have WIDE feet, 4E, and have a very hard time finding proper fitting shoes and boots. I have purchased Merrell and found them to be too tight because their W and EW are really E & 1E. I did get a great fitting pair of boots from Wolverine "Fulcrum" but they are a little heavy. I just got a new pair of Dunham "Cloud" I'm breaking-in and they fit good and I believe they will hold-up. (Newbalance has taken over Dunham).
Happy Trails
FarmerChef
12-28-2012, 15:50
I too have wide feet (3e) and have enjoyed both NB and Merrells (prior and current shoes). Both have been very comfortable.
10.5 3e
maybe clem
12-29-2012, 06:42
NB are the only things wide enough to accommodate my giant feet + all the stuff I need to do to them when hiking to keep them happy. They make up to sizes 6E in walking shoes.
Bunch of porno star hiking squatches round these parts.
Firefighter503
12-30-2012, 08:59
I wear size 12 E or EE feet depending on the brand, and I have had luck with Solomon Quest 4D GTX boots, and then Brooks Cascadia 7's when I saw the light. Only 1 blister ever between the two, which I don't consider to be the fault of the boot.
peakbagger
12-30-2012, 14:15
I have used 4E new balances for years. Dunham is a trademark owned by New Balance. New Balances tend to run a half size small so if in doubt order the next size up. The stock new balance insole is not very thick, if you plan to buy superfeet or another third party insole make sure you try the boot on with the insole you plan to buy.
Christine_Runs
12-30-2012, 14:39
Montrail trail shoes fit the bill.
If you wear a specialty size shoe, 4E, or other, I would make sure you have a plan to get replacements while hiking. I have wide feet and found it very hard to get shoes that fit me, 13 4E, while on the trail. Proper shoe size and fit is probably the most important gear decision you'll make on the hike. I was forced to wear shoes that didn't fit at different points on my hike and it's not pretty. If your feet are too wide, you'll blow out the sides of your shoes, and it's painful. Blisters and other uncomfortable foot problems can end a hike quickly. Merrell offered some reasonably priced shoes and boots in varying widths. They also have a great replacement policy for through hikers if they fall apart.
maybe clem
01-02-2013, 17:07
If you wear a specialty size shoe, 4E, or other, I would make sure you have a plan to get replacements while hiking.
Yep. Get 'em ahead of time and break them in well, then have them sent to you in your mail drops. That's what I did. I think I went through four pairs on my A.T. thru (a new pair about every 500 miles).
thebrewguy
01-02-2013, 17:19
I swear by Lowa brand boots. The first pair lasted 4-5 years. Current pair is 2 years old. I have very wide forefeet and they make wide sizes. I also use Superfeet insoles. The guy sold me on them with my current boots and I'm very happy with them. Stay away from Merrel with wide feet, all the ones I tried on felt awful for my fatties.
Try finding size 7E. 7'ns are hard enough to find without adding the E.I now have Asolos,i beleive 250tp or something.Heavy leather boots in a D.I lace the lower section a little loose and i think the leather stretched enough that they feel pretty good.Had a pair of Lowas that just wouldnt feel good.Lowa wouldnt do anything for me so i now have them on my shelf{if anyone is looking for size 7 lowas CHEAP}.
gunner76
01-02-2013, 21:23
My Merrells are 13 wide. Pretty happy with them. I wear a 14 or 15 wide depending on the shoe/boot. For me a palce called Shoe Carnival is where I find most of my shoes. Picked up a Columbia hiking boot size 15 and 3 tennis shoes size 14 there a couple of days ago.
New Balance is my favorite when I can find them in my size.
I am a new balance fan. I am a 13 4e running shoe but needed a 14 4e hiking boot. I got the new balance hiking boot 14 4e and it wasn't wide enough. There was no place to turn and then i found a wooden boot stretcher. Got the boot wet and put the stretcher in for the night. In the morning it fit like a glove. for all you other freaks like me either pay for custom boots or try the stretcher!!
As an 11.5 4E guy, my best luck has been with New Balance, usually some type of trail runner, or light hiking boot. If I find a model I really like I buy at least one extra pair, because by the time I need to replace them NB usually has different models available. I can pretty much count on them fitting without trying them on. I will often order from a site that has free returns (just in case).
peakbagger
01-03-2013, 17:24
I do the same with my New Balances, I make sure I have a new pair set aside on the shelf in my closet so I have a new pair ready to go. New Balance doesnt do huge production runs of the wide sizes, last year they were out of stock within weeks of the new model coming out. I had to hit several retailers until I found one who still had on in stock. Cabelas occasionally will order up a run of an older model for their stock. I have picked up a few pairs that way after someone on whiteblaze posted about it.
Be glad, if you think getting hiking shoes are bad, gettiing 4EE steel toes are worse, they usually use a stdnard width ANSI toe cap on a wide last. I usually have to go to a 14 or 15 and then pad the inside of the shoe so that my toes are clear of the toe cap.
I contacted Merrell Shoes this week--as I was hearing conflicting stories regarding whether (or not) Merrell makes hiking footwear in extra wide widths (such as 4E). This was their reply:
Thank you for the email and your interest in Merrell! Throughout our line, we make every model in a regular width and a few select styles in a wide. Our wide width styles are generally equivalent to a 2E. In some cases, individuals who have feet wider than a 2E have found that some of our wide width styles work for them. I have included a link to our website showing all of the current styles we manufacture in a wide width. I hope this information helps and if you have any other questions, please feel free to let us know.
Wide Width Styles:
http://www.merrell.com/US/en/Collections-Featured-WideWidths
Have a great day!
Todd Miller
Merrell Consumer Relations
T 1.800.288.3124 F 1.888.306.0936
http://www.merrell.com
tjkenney67
01-03-2013, 18:45
+1 on Salomans... XA 3D Ultras (12 wide) ... very comfortable after a short break in period....
sgt easy
01-03-2013, 21:32
thanks to all - man, boots are so variable. tried on more than 10 brands/styles over the last week; finally settled on keen gypsum mids in size 12, which is 1/2 to one size up from my "normal". btw, two separate places echoed my concerns about vasque and their shoddy mid-sole material...anyway, with trekking socks and a green insert, they are at least initially the most comfortable hikers i've ever had. the toebox is both roomy and armored, so i should be able to stumble to my heart's content starting in about 6 weeks.
SunnyWalker
03-18-2013, 00:02
Keen hiking shoes/boots.
Carry-On
03-18-2013, 18:20
I am a woman with size 8 long feet, with slightly longer arch lengths. My feet aren't especially wide, but I always seek out wide shoes because there is no way I can get my foot into a size 8 or even 9 in women's. Usually I end up in a 10 or 10.5 in women's, which are much too long. It turns out that I have tall feet, and my third toe is as long as my big toe, so most toe boxes are too narrow or tapered and don't fit right.
So, I have high volume feet. I did my thruhike in Brooks Cascadia 7 trail runners, with blue Super Feet insoles and got no blisters doing that. I first started with the women's size 10, but dropped to a men's size 8 after I realized the high volume foot issue. The men's 8s were nearly perfect, and a shoe "guru" at EMS in Manchester Center, VT showed me a way to lace them to keep my heels from lifting up and my feet from sliding forward. It took a while to find the right shoes, but the Brooks plus Super Feet are perfect for me.
I've found that Keens are more roomy especially in the toebox. They work for my wide feet.
Great shoes and boots - be prepared to replace them every four or five hundred miles as the soles wearout pretty fast, especially when traversing Places like "Rocksylvania"...
Airing out your feet will go a long way to avoid the blisters on a long day's hike.
maybe clem
03-19-2013, 01:35
Do they have to be boots? I wear E4-E6 depending on the brand. I've had varying success with New Balance, Aetrex, Drew and Dunham.