Recommend me a boot (low volume feet)

Joined
Dec 7, 2014
Messages
997
I thought I loved my Crispi thors, but I am still getting heel slip. I think I need something for a lower volume foot, no matter how much I try to cinch them down I still get some movement- ending with two heel blisters and hot spots on the outside edge of my big toes after 2 days in the mountains.

Info: I am wearing a crispi 10.5 for the length, but just can’t get the fit right. I normally wear a 9.5-10, but a 10 in the thor felt short. I am also using a Sole Blue insole (thick) with a cheap thin flat insole beneath it to take up even more space. I am also wearing a pair of darn tough mid weight hikers. After hotspotting at the heels I removed the thinner insole and put on a second pair of socks. This seemed to help take up some volume, but I could still feel my heels (may have just been due to the heel already being irritated). I wonder if my heels aren’t sitting as deep as they need to be for good heel lock up, but without a thick insole my forefoot is swimming, and even with it I feel like there is too much room.

Any recommendations would be great! I would love something around the weight and stiffness of the thor- if not slightly lighter and more flexible.
 
I have low volume feet and what ended up making the difference was a pair of custom footbeds. A buddy who works at a ski shop recommended and then fit them for me to my Crispi Nevadas. Incredible fit, not even a little bit of heal slip with great flexibility. My 11.5 felt short until the footbed. My foot doesn’t budge inside. I wore them 10 days straight in CO and couldn’t wait to put them on every day. Love them and solved a huge problem for me.
 
Normal width Asolo Fugitive or TPS 520 are closer to a C width. I can’t wear many of the popular D width boots without going through what you described.

These are popular hiking/backpacking boots and can often be found on eBay in nearly new condition for under $100, especially in your size. Not a lot there now, but they get new listings all the time. Other Asolo boots look similar, but many of them are not as substantial as these. There is a FSN 95 listed, and I’ve worn out a pair of those, but it seems they are slightly lighter weight, but not by much.IMG_0730.jpegIMG_0729.jpeg
 
I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum, with very wide feet. I never found a boot i loved until i had a pair made to order to my measurements by Drews. Not sure I’d go with them again as they were bought by PE and clearly having issues when I sent the boots back in to be rebuilt. If you are ok with heavy, very supportive, old school boots, maybe try whites. The grizzled wildland firefighters I worked with swore by them. The guys that couldn’t afford whites bought Nicks or Drews boots, which are the same quality with out the same prestige.

They do require a break in. A couple 1-2 hour hikes preseason is usually all it takes for me. YMMV.
 
Hanwag Makra Pros + custom orthotics from a foot doc work for me and my narrow and low volume (top to bottom) feet.
 
Narrow and low volume guy here too. Here’s what’s worked for me:
Asolo fugitive with Superfeet
La Sportiva Trango line with Superfeet
Lowa Ticam Evo

And my favorite so far:
Merrell Wrapt Mid. These are low volume, plenty of adjustment for low volume feet. Very grippy and comfortable. They aren’t as durable as the options above but they are awesome in every other regard.
 
Second the LaSportiva boots. The older Trango's were an all time favorite of mine until they were discontinued.
Mammut is what I replace them with, I believe I have the Kentos...great boot. They have been a good all around. Usually leather boots don't fit my foot, but I got a pair of used Schnees Beartooths that I wore this year and I am really liking them so far. I will probably go that rout (Schnees) in the future.
 
I have virtually no arch and pretty low volume feet. I wore out a pair of Hanwag Makra Treks that have been my favorite pair of boots I’ve ever had, but they didn’t last as long as I hoped. Bought a pair of Scarpa Ribelle HD last spring. Put quite a few miles on them since April and they have been awesome. First pair of boots that I can remember that haven’t given me blisters at some point.
 
Salewa Alp Trainer, Its built on a different (smaller) last than the Mountain Trainer. Add a blue Super Feet or Power Step.
 
Schnees Beartooth fit my feet tight but not too tight with mid weight socks and I have similar issues with other boots. They are a little heavier than the Thor though.
 
I have a narrow low volume foot and I’ve had good luck with La Sportiva, Salewa, Technica and Crispi altitudes. Most of the Italian made technical boots are going to have a narrower last and are a good starting point.

I find lacing patterns and tension plus liner socks are keys to dealing with heal slip in a low volume foot as well.
 
Back
Top