So I’m in the market for a new pair of hiking footwear for this season. I wear a size 13 WIDE, and I have flat feet.
I managed to wear holes into the sides of my Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid light hikers, probably because they were not the wide version as much as anything else.
Current short list includes:
New Balance 910v3 (I have used their trail runners in the past and like them)
Altra Lone Peak 3.0 (I have a somewhat worn out pair of 2.5’s)
Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid
Altra Olympus 2.0 (ooooh. I like the idea of more cushion. Does it sacrifice stability?)
Another pair of the Merrell Moab Ventilator mids, but in wide
While I’ve become comfortable wearing trail runners for day hikes and trail running, I haven’t quite gotten over the mental barrier of trying to wear them for longer multi-day backpacking where my total pack weight is in the low to mid-30’s. (I’m often the trip leader, and I tend to be guide-ey and carry more than my fair share of group gear.)
I like the idea of trying the Altra Lone Peak 3.0 mids, but but I’m not a fan of having the WPB neoshell membrane in there. I have a pair of Gore Bikewear WPB socks that I can slip on when I need waterproof.

