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Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
I don't quite understand what boxy and wider toe box mean, if not that your foot is wide - at least too wide for those shoes, if the side of your foot protrudes over the support area and hurts. The shoes are simply too narrow, or do not have enough volume for your foot, and they are not suitable for you to wear on the Camino. Even if your foot does not swell much on the Camino, the day-after-day pressure of a slightly too narrow shoe will add up and result in blisters and pain.my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide.
You probably won't find a pair that meets all of these requirements. I have sacrificed durability - my New Balance Fresh Foam More, in a generous and Wide sizing, are super comfortable, but I need to buy a new pair every 500km in order to keep the plushness. Comfort for your feet is the only thing that really matters.lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush
After trying numerous different brands, I have settled on Altras as my go-to. I pad the inside with a foam “cut-to-measure” inner sole, which can be replaced as it wears down. The Altra’s wide toe box works for my feet. If I were walking in hot weather I might buy a half size larger to accommodate swelling, but I never walk in hot weather. Choice of footwear is such an individual thing, but I would definitely beware of a shoe that already rubs your feet the wrong way. Such an issue is only likely to get worse after many days/miles. A wider shoe could be a solution but you’d need to try it to confirm for yourself. A shoe that is too wide or too large can also cause problems. There were a couple times when I actually bought shoes mid-Camino, either because my shoes wore out or because my feet needed something different. Finding the perfect shoe always felt like a search for the Holy Grail, until I realized, the stronger and more toughened my feet were from walking, the more abuse they could tolerate. Also, after trying many brands, I’ve gotten to a point where, if a shoe doesn’t feel comfortable the minute I try it on, it’s a reject because small irritations will only become big ones.I’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide. So my question is, when planning for swelling on the Camino, does it make sense to buy these shoes in a wide? Or should I only consider shoe size (not width) for swelling? Or is the thin middle a sign these just aren’t the right shoes?
Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
I too wear New Balance Fresh Foam More shoes in the wide width. As you said, I do have to replace them rather often.You probably won't find a pair that meets all of these requirements. I have sacrificed durability - my New Balance Fresh Foam More, in a generous and Wide sizing, are super comfortable, but I need to buy a new pair every 500km in order to keep the plushness. Comfort for your feet is the only thing that really matters.
The new version V4 has been ruined for me, but I quickly bought 3 more pairs of the V3. The V4 has a new graphic - a plasticky line - that creates an inflexible ridge on the outside of the shoe, exactly at the widest part of the foot. It feels like a seam, but is just a plastic line. Very dumb design change. Now I have 1 year to find another shoe model.I too wear New Balance Fresh Foam More shoes in the wide width.
I’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide.
Oh, I use the regular version, so hopefully you won't have a similar problem.I use V2 Fresh Foam More Trail Runners.
Salomons have wide fitI’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide. So my question is, when planning for swelling on the Camino, does it make sense to buy these shoes in a wide? Or should I only consider shoe size (not width) for swelling? Or is the thin middle a sign these just aren’t the right shoes?
Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
I, too, am in the market for good trail running shoes for my future Camino. I followed the Altra link you provided and a couple of the offerings sounded interesting, including the Olympus 5 you mention as well as the Lone Peak 7. Then I get to the comments sections and some folks rave about their shoes while others, and not just a few, complain about durability issues, inexplicable sizing problems, color schemes (yeah, some are kinda funky) or long for days and styles gone by (like the Lone Peak 6). And for what trail runners go, who doesn’t want a quality product? Fortunately, I live near a “running store” that carries Altras, Hokas, Salomons, et al, and I will walk on over and spend some time chatting up the salespeople, trying on some TRs and hear what my “dogs” have to tell me about each pair. Thanks for all the good info y’@ll have provided on the forum. You give us rookies a good starting point from which to get out and find the gear that best suits all of our individual needs. Buen caminoYou should look at the Altra Olympus - it definitely has the wide toe box that you need, and is very cushioned too. I haven't tried them myself, but a couple of friends love them.
Altra gets bonus points because they have an excellent return policy.
Men's Olympus 5 Trail Running Shoe With Max Cushion and Comfort | Altra Running
The Men's Olympus 5 is Altra’s plushest fan-favorite trail running shoe, with max cushioning and our Original FootShape™ Fit. Run the trails with all-day comfort!www.altrarunning.com
One of the reasons why my friend likes the Olympus is because it has a Vibram sole which is much more durable that the Lone Peaks' sole.I, too, am in the market for good trail running shoes for my future Camino. I followed the Altra link you provided and a couple of the offerings sounded interesting, including the Olympus 5 you mention as well as the Lone Peak 7. Then I get to the comments sections and some folks rave about their shoes while others, and not just a few, complain about durability issues, inexplicable sizing problems, color schemes (yeah, some are kinda funky) or long for days and styles gone by (like the Lone Peak 6). And for what trail runners go, who doesn’t want a quality product? Fortunately, I live near a “running store” that carries Altras, Hokas, Salomons, et al, and I will walk on over and spend some time chatting up the salespeople, trying on some TRs and hear what my “dogs” have to tell me about each pair. Thanks for all the good info y’@ll have provided on the forum. You give us rookies a good starting point from which to get out and find the gear that best suits all of our individual needs. Buen camino
I would also highly recommend you look at different ways to lace your shoes you currently have.
I was a runner for 20 plus years, and always laced my run shoes a certain way. But when I went on Camino I laced my hike shoes normally like everyone else. I was plagued with blisters and more blisters until on the 14th day I looked at my shoes prior to having a taxi pick me up. I immediately relaced my shoes like my run shoes and I swear I heard my feet say .llahhh. 3 days later I was growing new skin and had no more blisters. Google different ways to lace shoes for different feet types
i have wide feet but narrow. Ankle and high instep. I also used the lace lock method of tying my shoes. The combo of slacking and the lace lock …. Brillliant
If anything feels wrong about a shoe initially it is likely to become much worse on the trail. Another area to inspect is immediately over the toe joints - some shoes have a seam there which I haven't noticed initially but soon wears a groove into the tops of my toes.I’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide. So my question is, when planning for swelling on the Camino, does it make sense to buy these shoes in a wide? Or should I only consider shoe size (not width) for swelling? Or is the thin middle a sign these just aren’t the right shoes?
Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
Ah ha. Well, thanks, trecile. I will look into the Olympus as well as some of the other trail runners available and see what is up. It’s much easier to make an informed decision when you have a lot of good info in hand.One of the reasons why my friend likes the Olympus is because it has a Vibram sole which is much more durable that the Lone Peaks' sole.
Never buy a shoe where your foot protrudes over the support area (sole). I walked with a man who got bad blisters after a few days right in the place where I could see his foot protrude over the sole on the right side towards the back.After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
Hey “Tocayo,” (meaning we have the same first name minus the “Rev”) you say your feet are too large to try shoes on in a store. Ok, but have you gone into a dedicated running store to talk to an experienced sports shoe “expert” about your issues? I knew next to nothing about athletic shoes until I went into a local store called, aptly enough, “Runners”. I told the young salesperson what I was planning vis a vis the Camino, my walking experience/history, the issues I was having with my feet, the socks and shoes I was using, the whole enchilada. He then had me walk to check my gait, watched how my feet landed with each step, measured my “dogs”, and even had some gizmo that took a heat reading of the bottom of my feet to check my arch and contact points. He talked to me about his take on a few of the trail runners they carry, insoles, socks and a few other things. I’m not sure if I’m explaining this well or not, but my point is I came away from that store session with a better understanding of my “patas” than I previously had. Now, I read the experiences of and get suggestions from experienced camino walkers on the forum and can take all of that info with me when I’m ready to dish out “la lana” ($$$) for shoes and other gear. Buena suerte with your search, tocayo, and buen caminoI’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide. So my question is, when planning for swelling on the Camino, does it make sense to buy these shoes in a wide? Or should I only consider shoe size (not width) for swelling? Or is the thin middle a sign these just aren’t the right shoes?
Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
I tried these on and thought they felt great. I am considering them.You should look at the Altra Olympus - it definitely has the wide toe box that you need, and is very cushioned too. I haven't tried them myself, but a couple of friends love them.
Altra gets bonus points because they have an excellent return policy.
Men's Olympus 5 Trail Running Shoe With Max Cushion and Comfort | Altra Running
The Men's Olympus 5 is Altra’s plushest fan-favorite trail running shoe, with max cushioning and our Original FootShape™ Fit. Run the trails with all-day comfort!www.altrarunning.com
Thank you for sharing that. I was rather amused that she went to all that trouble to explain how to set up a runner's knot lacing, and then finished with a granny knot. A serious runner or hiker would probably think about finishing it with any of a number of locking knots rather than a granny knot. There were some quite good short videos from REI about different lacing and knots. Ian's Shoelace Site is also a great resource, with many more wonderfully creating lacings and knots than I will ever need other than to entertain my grandchildren.Below is just one of a number of YT vids on the runner’s knot. Happy trails and buen camino
I was also amused because what is effectively a lacing technique seems now to be termed a knot. As an erstwhile competitive walker, the point of a runner's knot is to have a tie that doesn't come undone during competition. It is somewhat the same hiking, where one doesn't want to have to immediately stop if one loses part of a knot. There are several knots that achieve this, ie the knot won't collapse when one side comes free. A granny knot collapses as soon as one side is loosened.You have an eye for detail, dougfitz. I, for one, cannot speak to her reasons for finishing with a granny knot. Perhaps the vid is targeting non-serious types como yo. All I know is the knot has worked for me and that is what counts.
Sounds good. You could always go to the source and take it up with the video author herself.I was also amused because what is effectively a lacing technique seems now to be termed a knot. As an erstwhile competitive walker, the point of a runner's knot is to have a tie that doesn't come undone during competition. It is somewhat the same hiking, where one doesn't want to have to immediately stop if one loses part of a knot. There are several knots that achieve this, ie the knot won't collapse when one side comes free. A granny knot collapses as soon as one side is loosened.
What the video shows might have been more properly called a lock lacing finished with a granny knot. It's probably a moot point here.
I could, but she is merely repeating what appears to have become a common misconception.Sounds good. You could always go to the source and take it up with the video author herself.
She might enjoy the give and take. Anyway, moving right along, have a good day…I could, but she is merely repeating what appears to have become a common misconception.
I never thought to call that "bow" a granny knot, although I see it, now that you point it out. I tied my shoes like that for 60 years, even though I knew what a reef knot was and how it is better - I just never put the two together.then finished with a granny knot.
This is excellent advice. I just made the mistake of buying trail shoes in the morning that fit perfectly in the store, but at the end of my first training walk my toes were bruised and the shoes hurt so badly that I couldn't even get them on for the second day. I got them muddy on the first day so I couldn't return them. It was a very expensive lesson: go for a long walk in the afternoon before buying trail shoes.All I can add is ‘never buy shoes in the morning’; most people’s feet widen slightly during the day - especially after a full days walking with a rucksack.
Exactly the same here Greg.
I've never had a need to question the width of my feet when trying on shoes and I'm in my mid 50's, however I also tried the Challengers this morning and the Stinson 6 last week and both even when oversized were very narrow. Because I've never questioned shoe width previously it was strange to have a shoe good in length yet feeling two sizes down on width. Both have been returned.
There are reports that the latest production of some Hoka shoes differ from previous purchases in both width and sole softness, ie: moderate and no longer plush.
For this reason I've just ordered the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX in a half and full size larger to try as these are reported to have a wider fit as standard. I'm also going from low to mid height GTX having researched the historical weather on my route properly.
Good luck Greg. Its a minefield out there!
Sounds good! Now, can I suggest that you find some very light weight liner socks (wool or synthetic) to take along with you, to provide flexibility in case your feet do swell a bit.The pair sized 10 felt at home the very first stride so will be worn on next months Camino as needed.
1. Go see a podiatrist.I’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide. So my question is, when planning for swelling on the Camino, does it make sense to buy these shoes in a wide? Or should I only consider shoe size (not width) for swelling? Or is the thin middle a sign these just aren’t the right shoes?
Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
I have watched several YouTubes on how to purchase your shoes and things to consider, I went with a size larger then I regularly wear, a zero drop sole and a wider toe box, of course everyone's feet are different. For all the exercise I have done so far I have found these shoes to be very adequate, check out some YouTube.I’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide. So my question is, when planning for swelling on the Camino, does it make sense to buy these shoes in a wide? Or should I only consider shoe size (not width) for swelling? Or is the thin middle a sign these just aren’t the right shoes?
Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
I’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide. So my question is, when planning for swelling on the Camino, does it make sense to buy these shoes in a wide? Or should I only consider shoe size (not width) for swelling? Or is the thin middle a sign these just aren’t the right shoes?
Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
I agree that if you have footwear properly fitted for a walk like the camino, it is likely to be larger by a size or more than one's normal footwear. But rather than use some magic number rule like this, I would recommend that you get your footwear properly fitted at a good outdoors store. It is worth it to prepare yourself by walking as much as you can beforehand, going later in the day, having the socks and any special insoles you are intending to use with you, and taking time in the store to use the fitting slope and pronation test if they have one. Perhaps in the extreme, such as being unable to visit a shop with appropriate fitting equipment, using a rule of thumb like this might be the best way of proceeding, but it is still no guarantee of getting the right sized footwear. (https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/leaving-boots-at-home.48954/#post-529163)
I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
Metoo, same "problem" (buy/return to store). And, testing them inside the house is not the same as long walks..I’ve purchased some Hoka Challengers and love everything about them—weight, comfort/padding, trail/road versatility, except… the arch area is ever so slightly narrow. After two 4-5 mile walks, my feet have hurt some (not a ton) from where the side of my foot protrudes over the support area.
I’ve never had a wide foot—my feet are boxy and need a wider toe box, but have never been wide. So my question is, when planning for swelling on the Camino, does it make sense to buy these shoes in a wide? Or should I only consider shoe size (not width) for swelling? Or is the thin middle a sign these just aren’t the right shoes?
Bonus points if you can recommend me a better shoe for my needs: lightweight, good for boxy feet, durable, versatile, plush (though plush isn’t absolutely necessary). I have large feet and can’t try on in store, so ordering shoes to try on/send back takes serious time. About 1.5 months and six pairs so far.
not quite on topic but does anyone have any opinions on Skechers hiking boots and shoes. Look good but looks are not everything.
I am also going thru the shoe buying process and it has been time consuming, but as so many of the experienced forum participants emphasize, wearing the correct shoes for your feet is número uno. As for the Skechers, yep, they’re comfy, have a wide selection and look ok… but, nah, not Camino material. Not even close. Happy shoe hunting y buen Camino!My husband bought a pair of Sketchers Hiking shoes to walk to work. They look great and he says they are super comfortable, but after only 2 weeks of light walking, the sole was already VERY worn and we had to glue back one of the plastic bits on the side.
So, great for comfort, looks and light walking, but he said it's not Camino material.
Wearing standard cotton socks …,
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