What brand of shoes??

[Doctortom]

I just did about 55 miles in VA the AT. It was hot and humid. Not bad but my feet swelled up and made the hike miserable. I normally wear a 10.5 dress shoe, but for hiking I am using a size 12 Merrell Moab, with an insert for the sole, and mid weight smart wool socks. I am 66 and my feet swelled up more than I would have liked. Based on the above, I have two questions, 1) Can any one recommend a boot that has a wide toe box with a medium heel? It appears I need more room in the toe box to accommodate the swelling. 2) The swelling, is this indicative of something else or just a case of hot feet? Let me know. Really need advice on a good brand of shoes, mid height.

[hikerboy57]

I just did about 55 miles in VA the AT. It was hot and humid. Not bad but my feet swelled up and made the hike miserable. I normally wear a 10.5 dress shoe, but for hiking I am using a size 12 Merrell Moab, with an insert for the sole, and mid weight smart wool socks. I am 66 and my feet swelled up more than I would have liked. Based on the above, I have two questions, 1) Can any one recommend a boot that has a wide toe box with a medium heel? It appears I need more room in the toe box to accommodate the swelling. 2) The swelling, is this indicative of something else or just a case of hot feet? Let me know. Really need advice on a good brand of shoes, mid height.
keens have a wider toe box.targhees were my shoes till i switched to trail runners.

[BirdBrain]

I use New Balance. Made in Maine and come in 4E.

[Trebor66]

Another vote for the Keen's. They are the most comfortable hiking shoe I've found, largely because of the wider toe box.

[The Ace]

Have you tried the Merrill Moab's in a Wide? Worked for me. I liked the Targhees' toe box, but my heel would slip.

[wornoutboots]

Brooks Cascadia Trail Runners. They Protect, Breath & are as light as they come.

[wornoutboots]

Sorry I just noticed the "mid height'

[Doctortom]

How are the trail runners. I have thought about them but winder if they can support my feet with about a 30lb load. If os, any brands that stand out or ones that I should stay away from?

[litefoot2000]

I believe that I would address the swelling first and then worry about the shoes. You may be a candidate for compression socks. Weak vascular valves in the lower extremities are more than likely the cause of the swelling. Compression socks may help. I learned this from a very pretty nurse a few years ago.

[Magic_Mack]

Saloman 4D cosmic boots. Just like a pair of Nikes

[chiefduffy]

Lowas work for me. http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/search.cfm?search=hiking

[susiecruise]

I looked at three different sports stores and tried on dozens of boots. I went with Salewa and I am so glad! The most comfortable boot I've ever worn (also the ugliest boot I ever bought). The boots are good for wide feet because they have lacing right down to the toes so you can adjust them for downhill. Also they have a lot of good rubber that wraps around the front of the boot. When I bought mine I thought i may have gotten them too big but I found I needed the extra room for long steep declines and they come with an insert if needed. I LOVE my boots and you don't feel the same way you probably need new ones.

[FarmerChef]

I wear Merrill trail runners and love them. I am also a 3E and typically hike with a 35 pound load (max). The runners can bend and twist and "give" a bit where my foot is wider. And, of course, I buy mine at least 1.5 sizes too big knowing full well they will be "just right" at the end of each day. By the end of a 9 day hike I cannot fit back into my work shoes comfortably so I wear my racing flats to work for a few days instead. :eek:

[jjchgo]

Brooks Cascadia Trail Runners. They Protect, Breath & are as light as they come.

these or la sportive wildcats.

[chiefiepoo]

Keens have the wider toe box for sure. As to your other observation, something else might be revealed by a conversation with your Doc. Fluid build up or swelling from constant friction in your boot? Best to know if you have a medical condition needing attention of if a medication is having a side effect.

[bigcranky]

Honestly I think it might be worth mentioning to your doctor the next time you are there. I just got back from a week in central VA and it was hot -- very hot -- and my feet didn't swell that much, if atall. I wore very light Darn Tough wool quarter height socks and Inov8 Rocklite 315 trail runners. I did size up half a size and I'm glad I did, but that's a common suggestion for the Inov8 brand. The Inov8s were awesome -- light, lots of traction, very cool and breathable, but the nylon fabric kept my feet clean unlike my old mesh Salomon runners. (I don't like waterproof shoes except maybe in the winter.)

[jtbradyl]

I agree with the above. Your swelling is abnormal.