Seeking proper fit shoe last!

Inov-8 Flyroc 310 and Terroc 330 both have narrow heel and wide toebox… but if you want a really stiff plate in the sole you should skip these shoes.

–mark

…

The old (original) XA Pro had a last similar to this. The XA Sport appears to be pretty much the same shoe.

Rod

I like the Golite shoe line for the wide toe box in, I think, all their models (I'm mostly using their Sun Dragons). The heel isn't particularly narrow, but maybe some sort of insert could help that (?). Dunno. What I do know is that after enough miles I get bunionette problems with normal trail runners, and I just don't with the Golites because of the shape of the front end of the shoe.

Bryan,

I have the exact same problem, and I also like the NB SL2 last (I use running shoes made with that last). I have found that the wide version of the Montrail Hardrock fits GREAT. I have also found some Salomon shoes that have fit fairly well, but nothing compares to the fit of the Hardrocks.

Ryan Luke

Speaking of Golite shoes, is there any word on when the second generation will be released?
I was very interested in the Golite design, but I'm glad I held off from buying the first generation.
Lets hope the new models do better in the durability department!

Ryan,

So, the Wide version of the Hardrocks are not too wide in the heel? I saw them at the Montrail website, and will see if I can find a pair locally to try on.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

Now, Ryan, if we could just get NB to pay attention to the our customer needs, that would be great.

Cheers,

Bryan,

I have the NB 1010 which use the SL2 last and agree that it's awesome. They should make a trail running version. The closest fit which I've can think of is the Vasque Mercury trail runner.

http://www.vasque.com/products/m-mercury.cfm

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/31177050/c/111628.html

Vasque has many differnet last and most tend to have very narrow heels and toe boxes. The Mercury's are different in that it has a nice and wide toe box.

Other shoes with a similar wide toe box are the Merrell Moab, Salomon XA Comp 2 and nearly all Keens. All have a slightly wider heel cup though.

The Inov-8 terroc and flyroc may work as well. I have also used the roc-lite 315 and f-lite 300's but had to buy half a size larger.

Good luck,

Roy

P.S. One thing I don't like about the wide montrail hardrocks is that while the forefoot is nice and wide, the toe box is still a bit pointy-ish and not rounded like the SL-2 is.

Check out Pearl Izumi shoes!

Bryan,

I would agree that NB needs to make more shoes in the SL2 last. Hopefully their heightened focus on outdoor pursuits will result in more of those shoes (or at least one pair) made with the SL2 last!

Regarding the fit of the Hardrocks, the heel is narrow and doesn't slip when I hike or run in them. I did have to go up one size from NB (from a 12 to a 13) when I ordered them though. I would have to agree that the toe is more pointy than shoes made w/the SL2 last.

I know that Campmor (www.campmor.com) has the older version of the Hardrocks (in the wide size) on sale in some sizes. Happy hunting!