Hiking Shoes

I would wear what Joe Zpack Valesko wears. http://www.zpacks.com/adventures/ta_gear.shtml

Mud, rain, river crossings, mountain crossigns, etc.,

Of course I am biased. :)

Here’s what our group wore last weekend in the Tetons and it came in handy with the hot and cold and river crossings:

-Barry

-The mountains were made for Tevas

Like you I have a wide foot and low arch (paddle/flipper). I find the Saucony Xodus trail runners (non-goretex, wear one size larger over normal shoe size) fit well and are comfortable, robust and really grippy for mud/loose rocks I use them for all my on and off trail tramping in New Zealand (primarily the Tararuas). I would feel very confident in using them for walking the Te Araroa.

I also use seamgrip on all seams and to form a rand around the shoe to make them last longer.

Recommended Shoes are as follows:

La Sportiva Wildcats

La Sportive Ultra Raptors

New Balance Leadville

Nike Wildhorse

+1 the Saucony Xodus (now 6.0). I’ve worn two generations of these and they’re great for wide feet.

I’d say they’re better than the Brooks Cascadias and far more durable than the La Sportiva shoes – yes I run/hike both in the Xodus and the Ultra Raptors. The sole on the 6.0 model seems even grippier than the previous generations; it’s just not as soft as the rubber on the Ultra Raptor soles and hence more durable.