Trail runners for wide feet?

Hi Randy,

What kind of drop are you used to? Is a rock plate important?

I have a pair of inov8 Trailroc 245s with a 3mm drop. I quite like them for on-trail use. However the company recently consolidated from three different lasts to two, and I don't know if the 2015 model is narrower.

Altra are known for their wide fit. I have a pair of Lone Peak 1.5s that are zero drop, and I'd say their sole is better for mixed on trail off trail use. Altra seem to change models as often as I change shirts. The Lone Peak 2.0 was a very different construction, one that I thought was overbuilt. But the Superior might work for you.

Hey Stuart,

Only 6 days until you're free again??? :) The NB's are usually 8-10 mm drop. I don't think I'll have much luck in a shoe that doesn't come in at least a 2E version. Really the 4E NB's are perfect width. If I could just find a place to try them on, I'd happy stick to them.

Hi Randy

We (my wife and I) get the latest NB size 10 width 4E low cut joggers via the NB web site (no try-ons) and wear them. We haven't had a failure yet.
But we KNOW what shoe size we take, and NB stay very close to the stated sizes.

Cheers

Hi Randy,

I feel your pain. I have 14 4E feet and wear NB/Dunham shoes almost exclusively. Having such boatlike feet, I got used to going to stores and asking them to bring out everything they had in my size. I stumbled across the NB store in Greenwood, IN (South side of Indy) years ago and felt like pampered royalty when I could point at a shoe and they would bring it out for me to try on because they actually stocked my size. Crazy!

Now I live in Columbus, and the local NB stores do not carry as large a selection of shoes as the Indy store. My only suggestion is that Zappos is your friend. Free shipping, and free return shipping. I have ordered 4 or 5 pairs of shoes at a time and returned what didn't fit right. Another good place to look for NB shoes at a bargain is Joe's New Balance Outlet.

NB has a wide variety in their lasts, so 14 4E in Dunham dress shoes or CX shoes does not equal a comfortable 14 4E in NB boots or trail runners. Heck, some of their trail runners in 14 4E feel like 13 D's to me. When I inquired about that, NB said that they wanted a slimmer profile and more athletic fit…. which makes no sense to me…

I have had luck with the NB fresh foam trail shoes (discontinued), and I really liked the Leadville's too. But both proved to be really fragile for me though. I use the fresh foams for general walking and around town, but they almost immediately formed wear holes on the outside of my pinkie toes. I don't feel like I have used them enough to warrant what amounts to a repetitive crease tear in the external mesh and fabric liner.

I have had luck with Merrell's, but their "wide" sizes still squeeze my toe box too much. And I'm not sold on their quality.

Keen's have a wide fit on their standard shoes. Almost wide enough to accommodate my flesh skis. The shoes they make in a "wide" size are luxurious for my feet. But they love leather, so good luck finding a runner that fits your preference.

Zappos VIP member here. Free overnight shipping and free returns. With size 15s I gave up hope of shoe shopping at an actual store long ago. Would love to be able to try many shoes that get high praise here, alas I haven't worn a size nine since I was a child. So many manufacturers have such limited sizing.

Thanks for the replies. I called around town and no running shoes store I talked to even carries wide in anything. Looks like Zappos it is. I'm usually pretty consistent in New Balance shoes but the last 2 pair have fit differently than previous pairs. The ones I just bought have a pronounced heel slip, even when using the anti-heel slip lacing technique. It feels like my foot is not sitting down far enough into the shoe. I tried taking the insoles out and it's much better but that isn't going to work. Th pair before that has taller sides then the rest and it's noticeable when wearing them. I kept those anyway for wearing casually but wouldn't walk any long miles in them. I'll have to check into Zappos return policy to see if you can buy once and return a few times to get the right fit. Or buy multiple pairs and return the ones that don't fit.

I've also heard that the Leadvilles and the foam models do not hold up well Mike. So I'll probably not go that route.

One things to keep in mind is the last the shoe was built on. New Balance is one of the only shoe companies that tell you the last they use. Typically this info can only be found online. For me a 11EE in a PL-1 last fits perfect, however I agree New Balances are not always consistent shoe to shoe.

I just bought a pair of 710's from Joe's New Balance Outlet for $60 shipped. When I go to the New Balance store they only have a couple shoes in my size and spend well over $100. Even if 1 out of 3 shoes I buy online doesn't fit, I still come out ahead. If I am unsure about a particular style I buy from Zappos where returns are free and easy.

Hi,
,I've been on a search for a wide trail runner for years.The lone peaks work but don't last long. I've tried NB 14 4es and found them to be tight. I got a pair of inov8 trailroc 255s and they are working just fine for me.They also don't feel like clown shoes as do the altras.The last on the trailroc has gotten much wider as I have tried this shoe in the past.
My two cents.
TomL

"I've tried NB 14 4es and found them to be tight. I got a pair of inov8 trailroc 255s and they are working just fine for me.They also don't feel like clown shoes as do the altras.The last on the trailroc has gotten much wider as I have tried this shoe in the past."

Tom,

Thanks for your comment on the trailroc 255's. I will have to check those out since you and I seem to be "blessed" with the same size feet.

Mike,
Good luck with the Inov8s. They, right now, feel great , but I've had so many disappointments on this search that I'm waiting for some seam or the other to rip. So far so good. I've got about 100 mi on these shoes and they look great.
I've been walking on Minnesota sand, mud and grass, so their wear ability has not been tested by me.
I'll be wearing them farther north as the season develops and they'll see much crappier surface. The bottom line for me though is if the width works or not.Overall , this far along ,I love these shoes.
They are not bright coloured and this was a plus for me. Two years ago my RED lone peaks attract ed a lot of attention and I'm not into that. I've never understood the brilliant colour schemes on running shoes.

Widest toe box in the biznus. 2nd most popular shoe on the PCT.

> Widest toe box in the biznus. 2nd most popular shoe on the PCT.

I currently own a pair of Altra Lone Peak 2.0s and love how they feel and fit: wide toebox, zero-drop, super comfortable. They're much better made than the Lone Peak 1.0s which I also own.

The one serious issue with the Lone Peak 2.0s is the lack of durability – they are seriously worn after a mere three months of use. I've used them a fair bit for trail running and hiking/backpacking putting an average of 30-35 miles per week since late December. They are one of three pairs of shoes I use for running/hiking/backpacking (the others are Brooks Cascadia and Saucony Xodus 4). I probably put 10-15 miles per week on the Lone Peaks.

The other shoe worth mentioning is Topo Athletic Oterro: also zero drop and wide toe-box. The Oterro feels less cushioned but also very comfortable. I haven't put many miles on the Oterro yet.