Custom hiking shoe/boots

[Michelle B]

Can anyone recommend a custom hiking shoe or boot maker? Between odd shaped feet and injuries I just can’t find what I want already made.  I have looked at a couple custom options but they were leather and quite heavy.

 

Thank you,

Michelle

[Adam G]

Unfortunately, you’re not likely to find anyone that will make custom shoes that aren’t leather. How are your feet odd-shaped and what are your injuries?

[Michelle B]

Adam,

There could be a novel written about how messed up my feet are. LOL I have very skinny feet and am a full size 10. My pinky toe on my right foot was crushed so it requires an extremely wide toe box with no supporting material or tightening in that area. I usually don’t use my first two eyelets to lace up my shoes but even so most shoes won’t accommodate. I have had an Achilles tendon tear so I need custom orthotics with a lot of heel lift. Also due to other injuries my ankles roll out very easily so I need an extremely stable platform. Yeah I know I should probably drive a car rather than hike.

You are probably right about being stuck with leather as that is all I have found. If that is the case then that is what I will have to do but it would be nice to find the lightest option available.

Thank you for your help,

Michelle

[Greg Mihalik]

This thread may provide some insights.

Not “pretty”, but funtional.

Or ….

http://running.competitor.com/2017/05/shoes-and-gear/salomon-customizable-shoe_164129

… yours for only $327, plus a trip to Europe.

 

Where are you located?

Do you have plaster molds you can send?

Is there a dollar limit?

[Medic16]

You might want to contact these guys. They might be able to help.

https://lathropandsons.com/

 

[Michelle B]

Thank you Greg. Salomon is actually the brand I currently wear. I have not had luck with their running shoes but I have worn a couple different mid Heights and one hiking sneaker that I like. They would actually do quite well other than the mashed small toe on my right foot.

The price is fine however I am nowhere near Europe. I live in Oklahoma but will be traveling to Arizona and Reno in the near future if that helps anything. I do not have any plaster molds made. I assume that could be done at a podiatrist if I knew exactly what I needed.

[Greg Mihalik]

Michelle,

If you are not hitting your little toe when you walk, as evidenced by wear or pain, –

Shoe Mods

 

[Michelle B]

Greg, I was actually thinking about trying that out on an old pair of hiking shoes. It wouldn’t even have to be that drastic since I don’t have trouble with my first toe.

[Bruce Tolley]

Marketing claims: Both Keen and Oboz claim wider footboxes than the competition. Keen claims they have their own shoe last and that many other manufacturers use standard lasts so Keen offers a unique fit base on their last based on thier history with sandals.  My wife loved the fit of her Keens but I have no experience with either brand and therefore have no opinion on the accuracy of the claims.  But a $90 pair of Keens would be cheaper than custom made shoes.  I use an over the counter orthotic from Aetrex which takes up a lot of volume especially in the footbox.  Aetrex recently came out with a retail product that allows some customization by removing various parts of the footbed expecially in the footbox. I have not tried the product. Good luck.

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