shoe suggestions please

I have been looking at Topo for my next pair

http://www.topoathletic.com/men/mens-shoes/activity/Trail

Interesting. Thanks for the suggestion. I wasn’t aware of their products but the Terraventure looks pretty good in their video.

The Nike wildhorse 3 and 4 fit your description. The terraventure is quite flexible (esp in the midfoot) and doesn’t have the dialed in fit of the wildhorse. The WH has a nice roomy toebox, yet my toes don’t feel like they are swimming, the fit still feels precise and stable. The ride is smooth, but not soft or mushy feeling. I’m also coming around to the idea that around 6-8 mm drop is preferable in the mountains, although I still like the feel of low drop shoes. The wild horse has and 8mm drop, but it’s not at all abrupt or obvious. I can’t comment on longterm durability, but I know they have an excellent reputation. it’s easily one of the best shoes I’ve worn for hiking or running.

You are welcome Matthew. I’m waiting for my size,15, to be back in stock. Toes swimming in the foot box is exactly what I want.

Thanks, Serge. The Nikes look great as well. Have you tried the 4? I read some reviews that find them constricting around the instep. I might try ordering both versions from Zappos along with Ken’s Topos and try them all on.

Ken, size 15 shoes? It must be a massive PITA trying to find shoes in that size.

Try the New Balance Leadville. Not as wide as Altras, but remind me a lot of old Cascadias. Work for my wider feet.

The Brooks Caldera is very close to the old Cascadia (7) before they narrowed the toe box of the newer Cascadias. Try the Caldera on in a store – I think REI may carry it. Might be perfect for your feet.

The Topo Terraventure is a great shoe IF your feet don’t mind a very minimal sole; it’s also close to zero drop. It’s a lot like the old Topo Oterro. I wore out a pair of Oterros and what I remember most about them is how sore my feet would get after 15+ mile days on rough trails. But a very comfortable (to me) toebox and overall feel. I prefer zero drop or minimal drop.

Keen are famous for their wide toe box. Keen Targhee 2 are very comfortable indeed. And pretty light for a boot. they come low or high cut. Any Keen shoe will have a terrific wide toe box. I’m not sure if you’re looking for something more minimal.

15 does narrow the choices considerably.

@mathew, I’ve put a little over 100 miles on a pair of the WH 4’s. I tried them on next to the 3’s and thought they had better heel pocket and more locked in fit, due to the new lacing system. These and the Terra kigers 3’s are the best fitting shoes I’ve tried, very ergonomic, but also very foot hugging. I don’t have any instep issues. I did make one small mod that improved the fit even more. I put a very thin piece of flexible cardboard at the top of the tongue with gorilla tape over it to disperse lace pressure. This is something that would improve most shoes these days, though, since so many tend to have overly thin tongues. Try runningwarehouse.com, they have free 2 day shipping with free return shipping. Good way to carpet test a couple of shoes next to each other.

The sole is not particularly stiff, but I’ve had great results with Saucony trail runners.  The Excursion comes in wide (EE) with a roomy toe box and an 8mm drop.  I’ve used TR8, TR9, and now TR10 with all my pairs lasting at least 500 mi before noticeable decline in traction.  The TR11 just came out (http://www.saucony.com/en/excursion-tr11-wide/29182M.html?#cgid=mens-running-trail-running&dwvar_29182M_color=S20393-1&prefn1=width&prefv1=W&start=1&sma=sm.0000r4s7lbu52fnzut629vohof0m4).  A bonus that they are on the inexpensive side at $70 list (less at DSW and other places).

Matthew,

I’ve been wearing Nike Wildhorse 4’s for a month now, but, unfortunately, mostly taking the dog for a walk or short walks/hikes on local Portland trails. I just haven’t had the time to actually backpack with them. That said, I’m really liking the fit and cushioning and haven’t had any problem with the instep area.

Disclaimer, though: my wife works for Nike, so I get mine at discount.

I’ve also been using the New Balance Leadville v3 – It has an 8mm drop.  Much wider footbox and almost as much cushioning as the Hoka One One shoes I was wearing before.

I use custom orthotics, and like a max cushy shoe, but the cushioning needs to be in the midsole, not the insole I remove for my orthotic.  I’m going to also look at the Topo.

re: Saucony Excursion TR11…

YAY! A shoe that cannot be seen from space with the naked eye!

New Balance Leadville v3
And in WIDE fittings too!

Sue and I both wear them.

Cheers

Oh wow. Wow wow WOW.

The Nike Wildhorse 4’s just arrived and this is amazing to me. I didn’t know it was possible to have that much room around your toes but still have the shoe securely attached to my foot. Very interesting.

They seem much more flexible than my Cascadia 11s. I wonder if my feet will get beat up stepping on rocks all day.

The tread (outsole?) seems very soft and sticky. I wonder if they will wear fast.

I think I will keep these and see how my feet like them.

@matthew, I’ve got that same wow reaction, lots of room for toe splay, while still having a totally locked down technical feel. I’ve found protection to be plenty adequate. Tread durability is probably middle of the road.  Its hard to find a tread thats both sticky and durable. Salomon’s new wet contragrip scores high in both areas, but I like the WH better than any salomon shoe.

Serge/Steven: does the back of the WH4 soften up? I’m not used to having a shoe jam into my Achilles’ tendon so aggressively. I’m having second thoughts…

I’m not used to having a shoe jam into my Achilles’ tendon so aggressively.
Been there once. It was agony.

Cheers

@matthew, I don’t have that issue with the WH, so could be a foot shape thing. The material that forms the heel pocket is pretty soft and it continues to soften over time, so unless it causes pain, I doubt it’ll be an issue. Hard to say from here though.

Matthew,

I haven’t had a problem with the WH4 in the achilles area, so it may just be an issue with your foot structure. A few thoughts: maybe play around with the lacing (looser in parts, tighter in others) and see if that relieves pressure. If not, maybe return and go up a half-size. I typically keep my lacing fairly loose, with only the upper-most eyelets and the “tie” pulled a little firm (but not cinched tight). Also, did you switch out the insole as with your other shoes?

My last trail shoe was a Cascadia 10 in a 10.5 US, which was ok, but never super comfortable. I didn’t have any foot problems, just not a comfortable shoe. I have the WH4 in a 10.5 and an 11, although it’s difficult to tell a lot of difference. I think at 47 years old, I’m starting that trend to slightly larger shoes than I used to wear.

Thanks fellas. I think I’ll take the leap of faith and just wear them out of the house and hope it works.

Good call on the insoles. I have not put my other insoles in them. The Superfeet will probably raise my foot up a little which will change the feel on my heels.

Steven, I hear you on the sizing. I’m 46 and am wearing shoes 1.5 to 2 sizes larger than in my 20s and 30s.

Just another data point for anyone who might be interested. These shoes are really comfortable. I’ve been wearing them with my favorite Superfeet blue insoles and I have no discomfort from the slightly higher heel that concerned me at first.