dk needs a new pair of shoes

Have you tried Keens? Wide to box. Sturdy soles. Available in wp and non wp models.

I use Merrell All Out Peaks. A little more narrow at the toes than Altra and much less squishy.

Take a look a La Sportiva Ultra Raptors – on my feet they feel roomy above the toes and they have more rigidity and support than an average trail runner.

Oops, forgot to mention that I’m looking for women’s shoes, but looks like the specific models mentioned above do also come in women’s.  Thanks, guys, I’ll give them a look.

I cant recommend the Nike wildhorse 4’s enough. Such a comfortable shoe. Supportive, locked in fit, wide to box and quite durable. Rubber is not ideal for wet surfaces, but I think it’s only recently that anyone has figured that one out.

Since you know you like the Brooks Cascadia but want a bigger toe box you could try the BROOKS CALDERA .

Debbie I hear ya. When I think back on gear items that have brought the most joy in the last many years, good shoes are at the top of the list.

I don’t have wide feet, but do have a bit of a tailor’s bunion, and have experienced natural foot swelling at the end of high mileage hiking or running days. Years ago after suffering from foot pain from running shoes that didn’t have a roomy enough forefoot, and a horrendous podiatrist who didn’t listen when I initially suggested this as a cause, I invested serious time in finding shoes that work.

I found these qualities made up the magic formula for a backpacking trail runner (for me): Roomy forefoot, low drop (4-8 mm, preferably 4), good torsional rigidity and rock plate to prevent foot fatigue, durable sole cushioning, durable outsole with good grip, breathable quick drying material, good heel fit and a protective front bumper. I like low drop shoes but stay away from shoes with soles that are too flexy and anot well cushioned.

One shoe I found that worked very well and I recommend checking out is the Saucony Xodus. I started with the Xodus 3.0 – the Ms. and I just loved it. Matched all of the above. Wore the Xodus 6.0 after that. Both very well-cushioned protective trail runners with amazing durability. The current version is the Xodus ISO 2 which I haven’t tried yet. Definitely worth trying. Both the Ms. and I size up 1.5 sizes from our actual foot size. Try to measure your foot at the end of a day when you’ve been walking or standing a bunch. My only complaints would be the front mesh material could be more durable and the grip could be better on wet smooth rock, though that could come at the expense of durability, and the grip could be no worse than many other trail runners.

La Sportiva’s closest shoe is the Akasha, which I’d like to try and compare with the Xodus. From feedback and reviews it seems the Akasha also has a roomy toe box, excellent traction on wet rock, a cushioned protective ride and high durability.

So perhaps give the Saucony Xodus ISO 2 and La Sportiva Akasha a try?

+1 on the suggestion for the Brooks Caldera – wide enough toe box like the old Cascadia. I know REI carries them and also a lot of running stores so you can try them out.

BTW I too am a long time Saucony Xodus fan having owned/worn out three pairs Xodus 4.0 and Xodus 6.0. But i’m skeptical of the Xodus ISO from what I’ve seen of it. If you can still find a pair of Xodus 6.0, it might be worth checking out – just beware that it’s a higher volume shoe.

+1 on the Merrell All Out Peaks, although they are now discontinued and getting hard to find.  I banked an extra pair while I could :)

The Saucony Excursion TR 11 might be another one to look at.

JCH, they have a new model called Agility Peak.  They fit about the same, uppers look more durable but I don’t trust their proprietary tread to be better than the Vibram MegaGrip on the older models.  I also grabbed a few older pairs so I’m set for a while.

I am on the lookout for a shoe a bit more durable and protective but I always go back to my Peaks.