Hiker with a roomy toe box?

[grfox92]

So I have avoided posting this and have just been trying to find boots that work with my feet, but I'm at my breaking point financially and pretty fed up.

Salomon Quests fit me like the bees knees, but fail on quality and water proofing and I won't settle on the waterproof issue.

I've traced and measured my feet. My right foot is 3/16 wider in the toes then my left foot. My feet do not constitute a WIDE boot as they measure on the metal thingy at the shoe store and the wides I have tried on felt super sloppy.

I've tried Oboz, Zamberlans, Lowa, Scarpa, and Asolo amongst many others. These were all too tight in the toe box for me and the Asolos and Zamberlans pushed the back of my right heel / slipped while climbing causing blisters, but only on my right foot.

I though I found my boot with Crispi Lapponias. Toe box is wide enough and the fit was good. Slight heel slip that I was hoping would go away after they broke in but it actually got worse. I've laced them ever possible configuration and the heel pocket just slides up and down on my heel just walking on flat ground. Only on my right foot though. All of the problems in all of the boots I've tried are ONLY on my right foot.

I've resorted to buying boots at REI so I can return them when they don't work. A lot of people have suggested ordering a bunch of boots at one time and sending back what doesn't work. Problem is, for example, the Lowa Renegades I bought last week felt great all around. It took 3 days of wearing the boots for 12 hours a day at work to develop a blister on my right pinky toe and feel my toes being squeezed in the toe box. Now I have a callous/ corn on my right pinky toe from the boots.

I don't know where to go from here. Does anyone have a similar problem who needs a roomy toe box but not a wide boot? I don't have 400 dollars to spend on Kenetreks, especially with my track record of having boots that don't work for me.

Any advice is recommended.

Thanks,

Gary

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[BG775]

I have flintstone feet. I tried some garmont boots this year and really like them. Seem to be holding up very well so far after 80 or so miles

 

[westsloper]

They aren't in the same league as the boots you've been trying in terms of high-end street cred, but you should take a look at Keen boots, especially the Durand. They might need to be replaced more often than an Italian-made boot, but they are great for people who need room to splay their toes.

 

[Smash]

Try out the altra lone peak 4 mids. They will be a light flexible boot made out of e-vent and should keep you dry. I wear a pair of the mesh ones but will be getting the e-vent ones in the spring. They are branded as RSM (rain, snow, mud)

They will have the widest toe box you can buy. I wish my crispis and my altras could **** and have a little boot baby and then I would have the perfect boot.


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[grfox92]

They aren't in the same league as the boots you've been trying in terms of high-end street cred, but you should take a look at Keen boots, especially the Durand. They might need to be replaced more often than an Italian-made boot, but they are great for people who need room to splay their toes.

My REI has Targee III in stock. They felt great in the store. I might go try them again and see what other keens they have. Thank you.

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[wapitibob]

Keen has a wide toe box, available from rei. If the model isn't in the store they can order. They can order most any brand.

 

[Dobermann]

Hi Gary,

Here a couple of quick reflections, in case any are helpful:

Don't get caught up on whether the Brannock Device (the 'metal thingy at the shoe store') says your feet are wide or not. There is so much variance between different manufacturers' lasts - and between the different lasts a single maker will use for their different models - that it's more important to focus on what boot fits you rather than a preconceived idea of what you'll fit, or what boot 'should' fit you.

Did you try different boots built on different lasts from the manufacturers you listed? If you do a search for Scarpa's last page, for example, you'll see just how many dozen lasts they currently use. The difference between the old Scarpa Triolet and other mountaineering/hiking boots is massive, as just one example. As another, I have wide feet, and pretty much their only dedicated wide last (BXX) is the only one that works for me ... but they're not making anything based on that at the moment.

Even though you may not be a wide, it's worth trying some dedicated 'wide' models, especially if that lets you have the tightness in the heel that you want. Crispis are a good option to experiment with here.

Pretty much all boots need some kind of aftermarket modding to get right, whether it's a full insole, partial insole, heel cup insert, or whatever. Given you already know your right foot is so different, the heel issue you had with the Crispis might be due to the same thing. It's not uncommon to need to mod one boot different from the other.

Small blisters and callouses are not uncommon as you wear boots in to gently stretch them. Did you use liner socks and/or stretch your feet? Did you use new, high-quality hiking socks?

Saving all of the above, have you looked into custom orthotics? Cost a lot up front, but they can make 'unfittable' boots feel like magic, and actually save you a lot of money in the long run. And if your feet are so different as to actually need them, then trying on lots of boots without them is a bit of a waste of time.

Anyway, just some ideas ... good luck!

 

[DmrbigEshotT]

I have flat and wide feet and one is a half size bigger than the other. I also need a wider toe box.

I love my Lowa Renegades and they have held up great over the years.

- - - Updated - - -

I also went a half size larger.

 

[jsb]

Agree with those who suggest Keen for a roomy toe box.

 

[grfox92]

I have flat and wide feet and one is a half size bigger than the other. I also need a wider toe box.

I love my Lowa Renegades and they have held up great over the years.

- - - Updated - - -

I also went a half size larger.

did you go with a wide or reg?


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[DmrbigEshotT]

did you go with a wide or reg?


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Wide


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[Blockcaver]

Meindl Perfekt Hiker (Cabelas) has a wide toe box, as does the Hunter. The other Meindl models did not in my experience.

 

[akrdkill]

Irish setter elk trackers...have similar prob...

 

[cruizer]

Zamberlans are your friend! true to size.

 

[grfox92]

Zamberlans are your friend! true to size.

which Zamberlans have a wide toe box? I had the Civettas and they crazy tight.

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[grfox92]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I'm going to try a WIDE in the Lowa Renegades and of they are too sloppy I will try Keens.

Do the Keens keep their waterproofing well?

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[Dog_Logghe]

fox...it seems as though you prefer a higher end hiking style boot. I have tried a few myself and they all fit like a block of wood on my feet. My go to is the Danner Pronghorn. Do yourself a favor and at least try a pair on...

 

[grfox92]

fox...it seems as though you prefer a higher end hiking style boot. I have tried a few myself and they all fit like a block of wood on my feet. My go to is the Danner Pronghorn. Do yourself a favor and at least try a pair on...

I will give them a look. Thanks.

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[Dunky]

have used the zamberlan vioz plus. it is wide last built. if you go to the zamberlan usa web site you can search by wide last and it will show which models are built on that.

 

[BuckeyeDAN]

I will give them a look. Thanks.

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Hey brotha, I realize it’s been 2 years since you posted this but I’d be curious to know if you found a boot you like. It sounds like my foots like yours as far as narrow heel and then at the toes wide . I started wearing footshape (Altra, Vivobarefoot) but I need something a little beefier for work. You have any luck?