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Recommendations Please! – Fell/Mudclaw shoe that accepts orthotics


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Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) Recommendations Please! – Fell/Mudclaw shoe that accepts orthotics

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  • #3707570
    ROBIN F
    Spectator

    @fryerrobin

    Hi,

    I currently own a pair of Hoka One Speedgoat 4s which take my custom orthotics which are 3/4 length. I like the wide toe box as I’m wide and flat footed. I need the insole so please refrain from suggestions that are barefoot inclined.

    The problem with the speed goat is its not great for mud, I want something more wet and muddy suitable with a more aggressive tread for my less frequent but more muddy runs.

    I bought some inov8 talon 260 Ultra X, really nice wide toe box and without the insole in fit perfectly. But after I stick my insole in the heel does slip quite a bit, and I can’t really take them for a trial run as they don’t allow returns after running.

    So criterion are:
    -Fell/Mud tread (think mudclaw)
    -Wide toe box
    -Accepts a 3/4 orthotic
    -Cushioning preferable but I can live without if the shoe fits well

    Thanks in advance!

    #3707615
    Geoff Caplan
    BPL Member

    @geoffcaplan

    Locale: Lake District, Cumbria

    I’m lucky to live near the legendary trail-running store Pete Bland Sports in the English Lakes – they pretty much invented fell shoes.

    I recently asked their buyer to steer me towards a low-drop fell shoe with an aggressive sole that would fit my wide, high-volume foot.

    He steered me towards the Inov8 X-Talon 255, which he said is much roomier than most.

    Good lacing system which clamps the heel down as firmly as you could want.

    It has 8mm lugs and a solid rock-plate, while retaining decent ground-feel. The sole has been great on steep grass/bog and on icy snow. It takes trail crampons very well. On wet rock, far less confidence inspiring. They are surprisingly bearable on tarmac – though obviously you’d want to minimise that or you’ll experience rapid wear.

    There’s really no midsole, so they are pretty unforgiving. I don’t mind them for shorter outings, but the last couple of days I was on the move for 20 hours on rocky ground and my feet feel pretty battered.

    Also, the outer fabric seems bombproof, but it’s quite stiff and I find the crease where the toe flexes is rubbing the tops of my toes. But that may just be me – I always have problems with fit.

    As for the orthotics, it has a 6mm removable insole which might give you enough space to play with, given that it’s already a relatively high-volume shoe. I couldn’t say for sure.

    So for me, this going to be a specialist shoe for winter conditions and for my crazier off-piste adventures. But only for day-walks. Anything longer, and it will be back to the Lone Peaks or I’ll maybe try the Innov8 TerraUltras, and I’ll just have to live with the limitations of the outsoles.

    #3707621
    ROBIN F
    Spectator

    @fryerrobin

    This is the perfect reply! Thanks so much.

    I nearly ordered the 255, but went for the 260 because of the cushion, but maybe the 255 would be better with an insole because it only has a 3mm drop.

    I had one of the question,  how does the heel fit with the insole? Any slip?

    Otherwise it looks very similar to the 260. And yes this would be a specialist shoe as I already have a daily driver.

    #3707632
    jscott
    BPL Member

    @book

    Locale: Northern California

    Keen’s have a wide toe box and are wide generally. My orthotics fit in the style I use (I can’t recall the style name).

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