New Balance model reccommendation

[Noah K]

I have a difficult time finding decent hiking shoes due to my large feet – 15 wide in most brands, which most brands don’t make.  However, it looks like new balance makes pretty much everything in large sizes, and they seem to be well liked on here, so I thought I would give a pair of their shoes a try.  I can’t really tell what the best model for backpacking would be though; is it the leadville?

[Roger Caffin]

The Leadvilles are very good. So good that NB departed from industry marketing practice  of making competely new models every year, and the Leadville is now up to V3. I can imagine a V4 next year too.

Yes, we wear them a lot.

Cheers

 

[Curtis B.]

Friend of mine works for New Balance in their R&D Dept. V3 is the end of the line–there will not be a V4. He didn’t elaborate on what will replace it…

 

[Miner]

Typical of New Balance.  Every shoe they have made that I enjoyed was dropped or completely redesigned to be worse.

[Noah K]

Haha I guess I’d better go pick up a pair of v3’s in case they disappear!  Thanks for the insight

[Roger Caffin]

Friend of mine works for New Balance in their R&D Dept. V3 is the end of the line–there will not be a V4. He didn’t elaborate on what will replace it…

Strange. Given the way the Leadvilles have sold, dropping the line seems (to me anyhow) like commercial suicide. Strange.

Cheers

 

[Ken Thompson]

Herblock’s Law.

[Adam G]

If you haven’t tried Altra, they may be a good alternative. You’re probably going to need to go to the New Balance store. While my wife loved them, I absolutely hated the Leadville. They have a posting near the heel which was very uncomfortable for me. I’m currently exploring one of the other New Balance shoes, but the wide sizes need to be shipped specially from the store and it takes ~2 weeks.

[James T]

I’m in a similar boat, but size 16. It seems the Leadville stops at size 15. The 910v2 and 910v3 appear to both come in size 16. Anyone have experience with those?

[Roger Caffin]

Both 910 original and 910V1 have been reviewed here.
https://backpackinglight.com/new-balance-mt910-review-caffin/

Both Sue and I have been happy with those models.

Cheers

 

 

[Matthew S]

I have 12 4E feet and am essentially stuck with Leadville’s. That or using non trail Brooks shoes. Altra has definitely gone too narrow for me. The Olympus 1.5 fit at 12.5, but an Olympus 2.0 size 13 doesn’t fit.

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