hiking boots for wide feet - help?

[akjw7]

I've tried on just about every boot in the stores I can find. I have 4e width feet and am not finding a good fit. In the past I've had to get boots much too big for me just to even get my feet in them. Then I end up sliding all over with regular blister problems.

The only thing in 4e I can even find is a new balance offshoot (dunham?) - its a mid height boot at best and although it fit, it wasn't enough support for multi-day backpacking with a big pack. Not looking at a super high top boot, but not a hiking sneaker either. Really liked the zamberlan steep - but they don't do any wide at all.

A few boots - danner, lowa come in a 'wide' width but it's not enough. Vasque boots seemed low quality and didn't fit well.


First of all - not a single store (REI, redwing store, boot country) even bothered to size my feet. There is basically no expertise out there that I've found. Does anyone know of a retailer who actually knows the boots they sell and can help me find a good fit?

Second - anyone know of boots that may work?

Third - anyone know of boots that are able to be stretched? retailers able to stretch boots?


appreciate the help...anxious for summer and getting out (I have several 30-40 mile trips I'm planning), but I need some good boots.

 

[BRWNBR]

i have wide feet and i use miendels from cabela's they have several different styles that come in wide widths if i recal....

 

[Team Kabob]

hiking boots for wide feet - help?

I've tried on just about every boot in the stores I can find. I have 4e width feet and am not finding a good fit. In the past I've had to get boots much too big for me just to even get my feet in them. Then I end up sliding all over with regular blister problems.

The only thing in 4e I can even find is a new balance offshoot (dunham?) - its a mid height boot at best and although it fit, it wasn't enough support for multi-day backpacking with a big pack. Not looking at a super high top boot, but not a hiking sneaker either. Really liked the zamberlan steep - but they don't do any wide at all.

A few boots - danner, lowa come in a 'wide' width but it's not enough. Vasque boots seemed low quality and didn't fit well.


First of all - not a single store (REI, redwing store, boot country) even bothered to size my feet. There is basically no expertise out there that I've found. Does anyone know of a retailer who actually knows the boots they sell and can help me find a good fit?

Second - anyone know of boots that may work?

Third - anyone know of boots that are able to be stretched? retailers able to stretch boots?


appreciate the help...anxious for summer and getting out (I have several 30-40 mile trips I'm planning), but I need some good boots.

I don't know what you want to spend. But, I just bought a pair of lowa tibet boots from shoebuy.com. They have free shipping and return shipping.

Question #1
REI should have a device to measure your foot. I have done it my self.

#2
Measure your foot.
But, look at shoebuy.com at all of there boots.
Or
Hanwag's from http://www.lathropandsons.com/
I choose the lowa boots because they had a 20% off the day I looked.

#3
A local cobbler (first real job) can stretch boots but not by much. you want them to fit before you buy because your feet will swell up.

Or you can go the handmade route. But more $$. http://www.russellmoccasin.com/

Good luck!

 

[akjw7]

Was looking at some of the meindel boots on cabelas - wish I could try some on. Don't even know which style I'd be most happy with. I might order a couple though and see if I can get lucky. Need to go check out shipping and return policies first.


Oh they do have the foot sizer - and I know what my feet are - but if I say 'I have a really wide foot and am having a hard time finding boots that fit' I expect decent help to say 'well lets measure your foot and see what you are exactly and then I know these three or four boots that come in wide and this one runs wide so lets try all of those'

Instead all the employees I seem to find say 'uh...so what would you like to try on?' - or 'I think these are great boots you should use these'

I was hoping to stay in the 200 range. I was reading some other posts about the tibets and they look like great boots, but wow...steep price. The GTX lowas (renegade or something?) at REI looked kind of junky and did not feel comfortable. The tibets look like much better boots. higher, better constructed etc.

Not sure there really is a local cobbler. (fairbanks but even anchorage? is there?)

Thanks for the help!

 

[BRWNBR]

the alaska hunters are a very stiff mtn boot, the canada hunters are more like an all around hunting boot, those are the two i've used...i've returned boots before as long as you just wear them in the house its not a problem.

 

[dirtpig67]

Have a look at Nick's or White's boots in Spokane WA. The make boots as big and wide as you need in multiple width sizes and can custom make them if your feet require after you do a couple of foot tracings and measurements to send to them. Even to order their stock sized boots they will have you do foot measurements and send in to determine your size and width. Propector Outfitters carries both brands if you want to check a few styles they offer. Most of them are the all leather logger style for wildland firefighters, but White's does make this:

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=451

They can make them just about any way you want them so if you wanted them shorter than the stock boot they will do that.

Only downside is that they will be a lot more than the $200 you wanted to spend, but you get what you pay for.

Nicks make a low-arch model specifically for Alaska wildland firefighters similar to the Whites but they are not waterproof. I have a pair and use for fire in certain conditions and they are pretty good boots. They will make them lower in height if that is what you like.

http://www.nicksboots.com/specialorder.asp?myItem=64T+8+inch+Alaska+Tundra&myImage=64TALASK200.jpg&myTxt=%3CBR%3ENicks+Alaska+Tundra+is+%3Ci%3Ebuilt+to+order%3C%2Fi%3E+and+is+shown+in+Chocolate+Full+Rough+Out+with+an+8+inch+top+and+built+on+Toe+No+3.++Stock+sizes+only.%0D%0A%0D%0ASimilar+in+construction+to+our+Forester%2C+the+Alaska+Tundra+was+developed+for+smoke+jumpers+working+in+rugged+Alaska.++Featuring+a+special+Vibram+lug+flat+sole+construction+for+better+flotation+on+soft+ground.++The+Alaska+Tundra+is+ideal+for+marshier+conditions.++Rough+out+leather+provides+extra+protection+from+sharp+rocks+and+branches.++Completely+rebuildable+for+years+of+extended+service.

 

[Team Kabob]

hiking boots for wide feet - help?

I payed $263 for my Lowa Tibets just two weeks ago from shoebuy.com. Worth the extra money to get a better boot! These boots will out last three pair of Irishsetter boots I had. Ya no one wants to measure your feet anymore. That is why I did a mail order to save money and get a better boot.

 

[dirtpig67]

The Lowas are great and I wear them as well, but he already mentioned that even the Lowa wide boots are not wide enough. Stretching boots like the Tibet would be very difficult due to rubber rand which would probably prevent it.

 

[akjw7]

to be fair I couldn't tell if the renegades were just lousy fitting boots or not wide enough....found a danner pair that was ee that didn't feel horrible but again the boots were lousy - too low and shoddy looking.

 

[GD Yankee]

to be fair I couldn't tell if the renegades were just lousy fitting boots or not wide enough....found a danner pair that was ee that didn't feel horrible but again the boots were lousy - too low and shoddy looking.

Were the Lowa Renegades 4E? They were the only pair I could find to fit my feet for a while. For basic hiking/hunting, they are great, even though the soles are a little soft. Rough terrain? I just lace them tighter. I finally tried on a pair of the GTX Sheep Hunters, but they are made on a different last and not as wide. For $200 you're going to have a hard time finding a high quality boot.

Don't buy leather boots hoping to get them stretched. It rarely works. On the other hand, if you come through Anchorage, go to Barney's and try on the Koflach Degre's.

http://www.scarpa.com/scarpa/products/MOUNTAIN-PLASTIC/p_K12316-501

While I haven't done it, they can be heat formed like a hockey skate (take them to a hockey shop). I tried on a pair after I had bought Scarpa Liskamms that fit me. The Degre's were a pretty good fit for my 10.5 4E feet and with heat forming would have been perfect.

If you are limited to Fairbanks, you'll have to find catalog/online places that will let you do return shipping on their dime. I went through 4 boots and none fit and returned them all for free. In the end, Barney's here in Anchorage finally got their shipment in and I found a pair that fit.

Best of luck.

 

[akjw7]

I was at barneys a few weeks but didn't try them on. I just can't go that far towards plastics for regular backpacking, plus I wasn't even considering that price range yet. They'll double as more serious boots on rare occasion, but the main reason is backpacking on multi-day trips with 50+ gear loads.

I have the same problem with hockey skates! It's painful, but I have to wear about three sizes too big and then tighten the crap out of them to the point my feet almost go numb! Can't afford custom skates or hiking boots!

no the renegades were only 2e - same as it looks like the tibets are available in.

dirt pig - I'm definitely looking for a waterproof boot but yeah custom is probably off the table due to price

If I have to go with the tibets I probably can...just need to wait longer. I've learned the 'get what you pay for lesson' though and am more than willing to spend the money for the gear that will last and will not let me down.

 

[fullkurl]

Akjw I feel your pain, literally.
I sheep hunted in Carharts for seven years only because they were the only boot I could find wide enough for my bunioned right foot. To make matters worse my left foot is a full size bigger (14ee) than my right (13 eeee). I always wondered why I could palm a basketball so much easier with my left hand.
It was nuts using the best gear available and hunting in Carharts but hey, it is what it is. They make a WIDE boot. The problem was/is my sheep haunt requires a hike down a creekbed for miles. The Carhartt boots end up wet and heavy.

I've tried most every quality boot available to no avail. Danners are a joke made for skinny feet no matter how wide they say they are, no chance. Meindles aren't any better--very narrow even in wides. Lowa the few I've tried were too narrow so dunno--no one even stocks extra wides! Man without a country.
Haven't tried Hanwags or Zamberlans.
Right now I'm using Rocky cornstalkers in 14M...and they actually fit! Might want to consider them. They are a decent boot but not Danner etc. class. I oil/waterproof them liberally in spite of their goretex construction.

No boot I buy will work without a good month with my stretcher. I live fairly close to Spokane so maybe a trip to Whites boots is in order...

 

[akjw7]

wow, I don't have those boats to deal with but it seems a 10.5eeee is just as tough to fit.

Maybe I should just go back to those dunhams on amazon and risk a broken ankle...:shot:

 

[6XLeech]

Zamberlan's?

Zamberlan's?

I've had good luck with a pair of Zamberlan boots (996 VIOZ GT). I prefer a wide toe box and this pair has served well since summer, 2011. Zamberlan uses more than one last for their boots though, so it's worth trying more than one model. Their website, http://www.zamberlanusa.com/uk/tecniche.html#top, describes their fit as including a "roomy toe box".

I am enjoying trying to wear out these boots. If Zamberlan makes a 9" or 10" boot, I may replace my Lowas with another pair of Zamberlans.

Good luck.

 

[akjw7]

Lowa tibets were the ticket for me - fit great. Love the stud on the tongue and I love the locking lace eye on the lower boot. Perfect height, look and feel great. Very expensive (saving money for good gear is worth it) and on the heavy side. Even after weeks of daily wear they are not even close to broken in, but hopefully will be doing some day hikes soon. Thanks for the recommendations. (beaver sports special ordered them with no hassle even if they didn't fit - which they did. Great local store.)

 

[sellisrulzz]

Lowa tibets were the ticket for me. (beaver sports special ordered them with no hassle even if they didn't fit - which they did. Great local store.)

How do you like your new boots? Were they able to order a 4e for you?