Author Topic: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?  (Read 5384 times)

Ronin83

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Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« on: 19:34:06, 03/07/18 »
Starting a new topic as my last one is getting sidetracked by this subject.


In particular, toe boxes start narrowing from the ball/big toe knuckle and taper in towards the longest point, usually the middle.
Human feet just aren't like that. If your foot's ball point(bunion zone) is at the widest inside point then your big toe will be pushed inwards. This had been proven to cause bunions as well as posture/gait problems.
Knowing this, why do 99% of shoemakers, with all their experience and knowledge still insist on making anatomically incorrect footwear?

Ronin83

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #1 on: 19:43:23, 03/07/18 »
To add.
There are some models and brands who have picked up on this philosophy in the barefoot shoes industry.
Even altberg developed the a-form last which half heartedly follows this principle.


Another forum user is staunchly adamant that shoemakers know best and I'm wrong to question it.
I'm never one to conform and trust in authority, with good reason(if the Wright brothers listened to authority we wouldn't have aeroplanes, also see the Stanley milgrim experiment).

NeilC

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #2 on: 20:00:02, 03/07/18 »
I don't know the answer but I wish they were. That point at the end of boots and shoes causes me no end of problems.

Kukkudrill

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #3 on: 20:05:37, 03/07/18 »

Another forum user is staunchly adamant that shoemakers know best and I'm wrong to question it.
I'm never one to conform and trust in authority, with good reason(if the Wright brothers listened to authority we wouldn't have aeroplanes, also see the Stanley milgrim experiment).

All I'm saying is that maybe there's a reason why the traditional toe shape continues to predominate, given that boot-makers (you mention Altberg) are constantly looking for ways to stand out from the crowd. I never said you're wrong to question the traditional shape: please don't ascribe to me things I didn't say. You're perfectly entitled to your opinion, just as I'm entitled to mine. I'll say no more on this subject.
Make the most of the available light

Ronin83

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #4 on: 20:39:37, 03/07/18 »
That seemed to be what you were saying. You did say there must be a reason(other than arrogance, fashion, stuck in convention etc).


Please do say more. Im all for a counter argument to balance the subject

Ronin83

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #5 on: 20:47:49, 03/07/18 »
I don't know the answer but I wish they were. That point at the end of boots and shoes causes me no end of problems.


Really? What problems?
Have you found ways to work around them?

NeilC

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #6 on: 21:00:58, 03/07/18 »

Really? What problems?
Have you found ways to work around them?


They tend to force my big toe across. The only way is to buy the widest, bluntest shape in a size up, and I still get problems. Also downhill it tends to force the toes into the narrowing so can rub the little tow as well.

Ronin83

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #7 on: 21:43:09, 03/07/18 »
Yeh I have the same issue and my big toe isn't even that straight and my feet aren't even that wide.
I feel sorry for people with a wide forefoot.
I did see a new brand called treksta the other day and they actually have them in Cotswold, hard to take a £120 risk on a brand with no verifiable history though

sunnydale

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***Happiness is only a smile away***

Ronin83

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #9 on: 09:33:40, 04/07/18 »
I've seen a few people walking in these this Summer...


https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/vib22/vibram-fivefingers-kso-sports-shoes-~-ss18/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImKX1_e6E3AIVSbDtCh1sJg3BEAQYASABEgJw2PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


 :D


Yeh theyre quite popular.
My problem with barefoot shoes so far has been the minimal sole. I didn't grow up in Africa or somewhere barefoot most of my life and so my feet are pathetic(like most of us)
Ive tried running in them(off-road) and its painful to potentially injurious.
Walkings not so bad, but I haven't tried it long distance yet.
Altra shoes have thick soles, but again, £120 for an experiment is a financial risk.

Ronin83

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #10 on: 09:37:53, 04/07/18 »
Point to make...
Running on softer ground like fields is fine, but you do run mid - forefoot(this happens naturally when you take away a raised cushioned heel) which tears your untrained calves up until you get used to it.


I think for most of us who don't have the patience, time, energy, will to condition ourselves for all this(although it would be beneficial), we'd probably just want that foot shape/wide toe box.


kinkyboots

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #11 on: 09:50:25, 04/07/18 »
If we start from the fact that every human is different and has different feet with hundreds of variables and you can start to see the size of the problem.

Unless you are prepared to spend the thick end of £2000 on a pair of custom made and fitted boots every boot choice you make is a compromise on the best fit for your particular feet.

The market place for boots is extremely competitive and the vast majority of manufacturers now build to a price point for the mass market and closely mirror each other like sheep. Most manufacturers are only interested in high volume sales and making the most profit per pair that they can get away with. Making and selling a quality product is now well down the list of priorities for the majority of them. Unfortunately these days a budget of £100 buys you very little in the way of a quality product. The trend towards manufacturers reducing the quality of the materials used to increase profits and building in a short lifespan are other worrying aspects to this. 

Perhaps the only exception to this is Altberg who offer what is probably the widest range of models in different width fitting and last shape combinations available. This individuality obviously comes at a cost which some people are and some people aren't prepared to accept and pay. Add to this the time and cost of either a visit to the Altberg factory or a specialist boot fitter such as Whalley Warm & Dry and you can see it's not a cheap undertaking if you want the best possible fitting boots for your feet without going to the expense of custom made boots.

The Altberg boots broadly fall into 3 categories depending on your walking requirements.

2-3 Season Boots - Fremington (standard last with 5 width fittings), Yan Tan (A-Forme last with 1 width fitting), Malham (A-Forme last with 1 width fitting), Keld (G-Fit last with 1 width fitting with a much higher than average volume & width)

3 Season Boots
- Tethera (standard last with 5 width fittings), Nordkapp (A-Forme last with 1 width fitting), Kisdon (G-Fit  last with 1 width fitting with a much higher than average volume & width)

3-4 Season Boots
- Mallerstang (standard last with 5 width fittings)

If the standard last doesn't quite fit the shape and volume of your foot it's a safe bet that either the A-Forme or G-Fit lasts will and you will definitely not be disappointed with the build quality of any of them.

A couple of links which may be worth reading
https://www.myoutdoors.co.uk/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=976:alt-berg&Itemid=279
https://www.altberg.co.uk/a-forme/the-history-of-a-forme/ 

gunwharfman

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #12 on: 11:09:37, 04/07/18 »
The nearest I got to feet shaped boots was a pair of Keen Targee 2s, so comfortable and walking easy, pity they leaked when it rained!

Ronin83

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #13 on: 11:10:03, 04/07/18 »
Altberg are certainly a gem.
The more I learn about them the more I want a pair. I have got defenders which imI selling as my feet have grown and whilst they were weather proof for working outside all of that terrible winter we had(a real feat), they always slipped a lot in the heel, not good for walking purposes).


I will one day go there.
Kinky boots have you been?

Ronin83

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Re: Why are shoes/boots not human foot shaped?
« Reply #14 on: 11:13:09, 04/07/18 »
The nearest I got to feet shaped boots was a pair of Keen Targee 2s, so comfortable and walking easy, pity they leaked when it rained!


Yeh they have wider toe boxes dont they? They seem wide throughout though.


Maybe they should succumb to using gtx

 

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