Help With Trail Runners

[Rex Clifton]

Hi:

I need help finding a pair of trail runners. I currently have La Sportiva Wildcats and, while these are great shoes, they are too narrow for my feet. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated concerning similar shoes with a wider fit. I generally section hike typically hiking around 10 miles a day with a load of 25-30 lbs.

Thanks all.

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[hubcap]

If you can, find a local running store that "fits" runners. They will take a look at your feet, your stride, etc... and find a great fitting shoe for you.

That being said, New Balance tend to fit a lot of my trail running friends who have wide feet pretty well.

[shelb]

I have wider feet, but narrower heels. Soloman Mission XR has been a phenomenal shoe for me - little break in/ no blisters for a 110 mile A.T. section last year!

[Dogwood]

Hi:

I need help finding a pair of trail runners. I currently have La Sportiva Wildcats and, while these are great shoes, they are too narrow for my feet. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated concerning similar shoes with a wider fit. I generally section hike typically hiking around 10 miles a day with a load of 25-30 lbs.

Thanks all.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I have wider feet, but narrower heels. Soloman Mission XR has been a phenomenal shoe for me - little break in/ no blisters for a 110 mile A.T. section last year!

As Shelb is offering it depends partly on where you have narrow feet. Some folks have a narrow heel but wide forefoot. Others may have a narrow foot overall, etc. It also depends on the version of the Wildcats you have experienced. For example, the 3.0 has a slightly wider forefoot/toebox than previous versions. Also note LaSportiva shoes tend to run narrow to begin but the Wildcats were one of the wider forefoot models. Note also the Wildcats came in a WIDE version. Rex, you don't include any of these important details.

In previous to the 3.0 version I personally saw high wear areas right behind the small toe bumper and since having wide forefeet with my feet hanging slightly over the width of the sole despite having the WIDE 3.0's experienced abnormally high wear in this area as well admittedly on rocky tread. The cush I so desired also resulted in flattening out rather quickly. The narrowish heel did cup my heel well which was increased by removing the stock foot bed adding SOLE Karneze's high arch orthotics/foot beds. I had some rolling issues as well using the Wildcat 3.0's on a LT thru-hike. The LT has very rocky trail segments though so experienced high wear. Those 3.0 Wildcats were done after only a 300 mile LT thru-hike. These were the last Wildcats are owned.

[Dogwood]

What I find also helps if you have non WP trail runners is to spray the very upper with a WP spray like Grangers Spray On WPing or Gear Aid ReviveX. These products can be found on line and at local outfitters like REI.

[Traveler]

Hard to get the opinion of others who have different foot parameters. Best option is to find a store like Runners World or New Balance that has some technology to help assess your feet, stride, and footfall impacts as a front end solution. Back end solution is to literally try on every shoe that comes close to your size to find the right one. There is only one "best shoe", which is the one that fits you.

[Ankle Bone]

Hard to get the opinion of others who have different foot parameters. Best option is to find a store like Runners World or New Balance that has some technology to help assess your feet, stride, and footfall impacts as a front end solution.

There is only one "best shoe", which is the one that fits you.

Amen. Ignore any other advice and let an expert fit you up.

[MuddyWaters]

La sportiva is too narrow for everyones feet, which is why you size up extra half size in them.

Seriously order from either Zappos or running Warehouse. Both have free shipping and free return shipping. Try as many as you can to find the shoes that you like best.

[Huli]

I too find shoes usually too narrow. I love my Altra Superior 2.0

Going to try out their new Lone Peak 2.5, they are supposed to be more durable for long trips.

[mortonjl]

I believe in Altra, wide toe box and zero drop.

[Feral Bill]

I believe in Altra, wide toe box and zero drop.

I recently bought these, and they are great for me. Could be awful for the OP. Or not.

[garlic08]

Ditto New Balance widths--several options. But some say my favorite shoes feel like the box they came in.

[Slo-go'en]

If your hiking with a 25-30 pound load, I'd think you'd want something a bit more sturdy then a trail running shoe. But I'm old school.

[Another Kevin]

If your hiking with a 25-30 pound load, I'd think you'd want something a bit more sturdy then a trail running shoe. But I'm old school.

I broke down a few years ago and made the switch. New Balance 610 with green Superfeet worked for me. They have the disadvantage that after 4-500 miles they're totally shot. Still, they're cheap enough that I can buy a couple or three pair for the price of a pair of sturdier shoes. I do need the Superfeet, the insoles on the New Balance are worthless. The shoes fit me well enough that it's worth it to me. Life is full of tradeoffs.

I still go back to the big heavy boots in shoulder season, when I might need to put on spikes. (And of course, I go to even bigger and heavier boots for full-on winter, because snowshoe and crampon bindings need a stiff boot.)

I find that as long as I've waxed my feet (I use Gurney Goo, since Hydropel isn't being made any more), I'm ok with wet feet in warm weather.

[Frizzle]

I recently bought Altra Lone Peaks 2.5 and tested them out on some shorter distance hikes. They are AWESOME. Super comfortable, super lightweight, but also supportive. I got them pretty wet and they dry out quickly. I also have a wider foot, and the wide toe-box is accommodating for that. I also know of a lot of people who have used them for thru-hiking with great success (see here: http://yelling-stop.blogspot.com/201...ltra-lone.html ; http://alicehikes.com/2015/01/pct-clothing-review/ ). I have a bias for trail runners since I am short and weigh about 115 lbs, so I don't like heavy shoes and these are a great alternative to boots for me.

[martinb]

If your hiking with a 25-30 pound load, I'd think you'd want something a bit more sturdy then a trail running shoe. But I'm old school.

I was old school too until i switched to runners and hiking poles. Never going back to boots unless it's the dead of winter.

[Huli]

I finally made it out to try the Altra Lone Peak 2.5. I really like everything about them except they are too squishy for my taste. I am sticking to the Superior 2.0 with hopes Altra changes the fabric as they do not dry very quickly.

I hike with a pack 30-35 lbs, either of the Altras were fine.

[Dogwood]

I recently bought Altra Lone Peaks 2.5 and tested them out on some shorter distance hikes. They are AWESOME. Super comfortable, super lightweight, but also supportive. I got them pretty wet and they dry out quickly. I also have a wider foot, and the wide toe-box is accommodating for that. I also know of a lot of people who have used them for thru-hiking with great success (see here: http://yelling-stop.blogspot.com/201...ltra-lone.html ; http://alicehikes.com/2015/01/pct-clothing-review/ ...

I finally made it out to try the Altra Lone Peak 2.5. I really like everything about them except they are too squishy for my taste. I am sticking to the Superior 2.0 with hopes Altra changes the fabric as they do not dry very quickly.

I hike with a pack 30-35 lbs, either of the Altras were fine.

Were you both using the LP WP versions? I'm wondering why the discrepancies in evaluating dry times? I'm not so utterly impressed with the Altra uppers non WP versions dry times either. Took a full two days in 90* hot sunny conditions to dry Altra Superiors in TX and AR while wearing them with merino ankle socks. Anyone else wish to offer their opinions on Altra upper dry times?

[Namtrag]

Rather than create a new thread, I thought I'd ask here. I just finished a section hike from Bears' Den Hostel to Harper's Ferry. There were a couple of pretty steep downhills, and the shoes I thought were a perfect fit didn't work. My right foot especially started jamming in the toe area, and my big toe is now numb on my right foot.

I wear an 11 most of the time, and my foot is right on the edge of measuring wide. I believe it is an E width on the Brannock Device, but barely. Interestingly, my length on the Brannock measures a 10, but 10's never fit!

I know you should go up a half to full size in your backpacking shoes, but if I did that with my current shoes, they'd be way too lose on the flat and uphill sections. Could it be that I just need a wider toe box, and not just a larger size?

I'd like to try some Altra's, but I can't find anyone who carries them.

[MuddyWaters]

I'd like to try some Altra's, but I can't find anyone who carries them.

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