Coosa
02-10-2013, 00:18
I did a search and could not locate any forum topic about WIDE hiking shoes.
I am a female with a forefoot that is 3.75" and a heel width that is 2.5" and what is called a 'high volume foot.'
Most women's hiking shoes are between 3" to 3.5" at the forefoot and made for Medium volume feet.
The Women's Keens are too narrow. Women's Merrells, Vasque, TNF, anything sold at EMS and REI and most gear stores I've been to along the Appalachian Trail from GA to MA are too narrow.
I've tried the New Balance Wide Width and they're too narrow at the toe because my foot is like a \_/ and my toes are actually as wide as my forefoot and don't go to a 'point' like the NB shoes do. I need a Wide Toe Box.
I'm willing to spend some money if I need to, but not $200 or more for a hand-made shoe.
I wear an 8 and would need a Men's size 6 [and would like to try on a 6.5 for comparison] ... a Vibram soled shoe in that size is difficult if not nearly impossible to find in most gear stores. I've done an online search for men's size 6 shoes, but can't locate all the information I need about forefoot and heel width. I hate buying something online and having to return it. [Did that with Zappos, had to return different shoes 3 times before I gave up.] I'd rather find a store where I can try on the shoe. Unfortunately, the information about forefoot and heel width is missing from the 'details' on men's and women's shoes when I go web-browsing. [Other than EMS which does list the heel and forefoot width of most shoes. Their Men's sizes start at 7 and their child sizes don't list the widths.] I'm going to EMS next week to look at their 'youth' shoes which do go up to a size 6. The Gear Store in Knoxville [http://riversportsoutfitters.com/] did not have any Keen size 6 in stock when I was there a couple weeks ago.
Besides trying the Keen Youth Size shoes at EMS next week, any suggestions:-??
When I get "home" I'm going to the Podiatrist to see if he has something I can wear that's wide enough, but so far all I've found at the Podiatrist's are shoes that do not have Vibram soles or else are considered "walking shoes" and I wonder at their durability and use on the Appalachian Trail. I really would prefer a Vibram sole to a 'walking' sole.
Thank you for your help ...
Coosa
I am a female with a forefoot that is 3.75" and a heel width that is 2.5" and what is called a 'high volume foot.'
Most women's hiking shoes are between 3" to 3.5" at the forefoot and made for Medium volume feet.
The Women's Keens are too narrow. Women's Merrells, Vasque, TNF, anything sold at EMS and REI and most gear stores I've been to along the Appalachian Trail from GA to MA are too narrow.
I've tried the New Balance Wide Width and they're too narrow at the toe because my foot is like a \_/ and my toes are actually as wide as my forefoot and don't go to a 'point' like the NB shoes do. I need a Wide Toe Box.
I'm willing to spend some money if I need to, but not $200 or more for a hand-made shoe.
I wear an 8 and would need a Men's size 6 [and would like to try on a 6.5 for comparison] ... a Vibram soled shoe in that size is difficult if not nearly impossible to find in most gear stores. I've done an online search for men's size 6 shoes, but can't locate all the information I need about forefoot and heel width. I hate buying something online and having to return it. [Did that with Zappos, had to return different shoes 3 times before I gave up.] I'd rather find a store where I can try on the shoe. Unfortunately, the information about forefoot and heel width is missing from the 'details' on men's and women's shoes when I go web-browsing. [Other than EMS which does list the heel and forefoot width of most shoes. Their Men's sizes start at 7 and their child sizes don't list the widths.] I'm going to EMS next week to look at their 'youth' shoes which do go up to a size 6. The Gear Store in Knoxville [http://riversportsoutfitters.com/] did not have any Keen size 6 in stock when I was there a couple weeks ago.
Besides trying the Keen Youth Size shoes at EMS next week, any suggestions:-??
When I get "home" I'm going to the Podiatrist to see if he has something I can wear that's wide enough, but so far all I've found at the Podiatrist's are shoes that do not have Vibram soles or else are considered "walking shoes" and I wonder at their durability and use on the Appalachian Trail. I really would prefer a Vibram sole to a 'walking' sole.
Thank you for your help ...
Coosa