Another Shoe Thread With a Twist

I recently bought a pair of New Balance MT610BY Trail Runners off the shelf at Fred Meyer that were in an E width. That was surprising, but I have monster bunions and these shoes have plenty of room to accommodate my bunions plus a good sock. I paid about $65 for them. I've hiked in them now several times and they're comfortable and don't rub anywhere. They have good tread. The sole feels a little thin, but they're a nice light trail runner. I had seen a thread recently that said NB's weren't holding up very long so I can't speak to durability and will have to post up on that after I've put more miles on these.

Thanks. I appreciate you turning me in that direction. One question, though: can they be worn (comfortably, for long periods) without socks?

Durability is less of an issue for me with shoes. I'd like to get three trail miles per dollar at a minimum (what my knockoffs were getting; they'd last between sixty and eighty trail miles on average, which is three to four weekend trips for me), so they don't need to be able to hold up to an entire through hike.

'Preciate it!

I just looked on the New Balance site and those 610's don't look very wide to me. They are built on the SL-1 last, whereas the SL-2 last is for folks with narrow heels and wide forefeet (like me). The 610's are also curved, and I prefer the straighter shoes (which the SL-2 last gives you). I know – picky, picky, picky, but my feet ARE picky. If the shoes are right, no blisters. Otherwise, trouble.

None of the New Balance trail runners seem to use the SL-2 last, so I am sticking with their running shoes. I was wearing 580's until they changed them. I've got a pair of 587's on order. Hope they do the trick or I'll be in trouble next month on my 6 day backpack.

If you find anything else, shoe or sandal, that works for you, please post it. Your foot sounds a lot like mine!

Thanks for the information. If (and when; I'm not gonna stop looking until I find something) I find one, I'll let you know!

I tried out the men's Vibram Bikala (last year's model; picked 'em up secondhand for $45), and they seem okay for running. Walking, I would want something a little looser; I could feel where my toes would get a little too constricted without constant high-volume blood flow. Also, they definitely require you to use all of the muscles in your feet. Went for a two-mile run (I'm up to about five in my old shoes right now) and my feet (and, especially, my shins) were sore at the end.

Anyway, the search continues…

John- in answer to your question, I think whether you could go without socks or not would depend on your feet. I don't feel the shoes rubbing anywhere, but I don't hike in shoes without socks. That said, every other shoe/boot I've ever worn has given me blisters on my bunions and my achilles and occasionally on the top of my foot. On my last trip I wore these shoes for the first time and had one blister in between two toes- in no way the fault of the shoe.

Alice- I would imagine these NB shoes come in variable widths. As I mentioned, I found them in an E width, and they are the widest shoe I have ever found. They are the only shoe that does not contact my bunions. The width of my foot, if this helps, at the widest point (which would be the bump at the base of the little toe to the edge of my bunion) is 4-5/8" on my left foot, 4-3/8" on the right and neither foot gets rubbed inside the toe box of this shoe.