Recommendations Please! – Fell/Mudclaw shoe that accepts orthotics

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.

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.

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).