Author Topic: Advice on wide feeting walking boots  (Read 8140 times)

SherpaEdmund

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Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« on: 16:13:05, 12/10/18 »
Hi, can anyone offer advice on wide fitting walking boots?


I have an odd condition where my right foot is wider and longer than my left foot (probably due to my leg length discrepancy (right leg shorter) thereby forcing my foot to expand more than the left foot).


Anyways, I have a pair of Scarpa walking boots from a few years ago which no longer fit me well because of the progression of my aforementioned condition.


So, rather annoyingly, nowadays, my left foot is a size 11 (46), and my right foot is a 11.5 (46.5).


I can't seem to find any walking boots which come in 11.5 UK.  So, I'm forced to try size 12 for sizing.


I've tried on the Scarpa Terra GTX in size 12 and they seem a good fit but just wondered what people here might suggest.  Thx.

kinkyboots

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #1 on: 16:52:24, 12/10/18 »
Much really depends on your budget but this post may be worth a read and point you in the right direction http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=37066.msg526769#msg526769
It is not uncommon to have a size difference between left and right feet.

Altberg do a wide range of walking boots https://www.altberg.co.uk/category/factory-made-boots/ and have models made on a number of different last with the majority being available in UK  sizes7½ to 14 (inc ½ sizes) and in up to 5 width fittings so something is quite likely to suit your feet.

Meindl are a German brand and are generally wider fitting and they do a Comfort Fit range for wider fitting feet so may be worth a look. By comparison Scarpa are an Italian brand and are generally quite narrow fitting boots.

It depends where you are based in the country but a visit to a professional boot fitter such as  Whalley Warm & Dry https://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/ would probably be advised. They are an Altberg Premier Retailer and I cannot recommend their boot fitting services highly enough. Their customers travel from all over the country to use their boot fitting skills and services and are highly recommended by many other forum members. Wherever you decide to go it's crucial that you make sure you get properly measured and use that as your starting point when trying boots on.

Owen

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #2 on: 16:54:01, 12/10/18 »
Try contacting these people https://www.altberg.co.uk/ direct. They have a very good reputation for sorting out people with fitting problems.


Kinkyboots beat me to it.

Rob Goes Walking

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #3 on: 17:45:10, 12/10/18 »
I'm no expert but I've got a pair of comfort fit Meindl as my feet are 7 and 7.5 with wide feet and they are more comfortable than regular boots but I wasn't uncomfortable in regular boots. They are also more comfortable walking on rocky terrain and stony paths than my previous Regatta boots were as they are sturdier, less flexible and less soft in the sole. For my own experience with wide feet, the Meindl are nice but I don't think I really needed them, it's just what George Fisher of Keswick recommended for my foot shape. You might if your feet are even wider than mine I suppose. If your uncomfortable in regular size 12 boots then there's Meindl but if you're not uncomfortable do you really need them?

You could put an insole in your boot with the smaller foot if you find it doesn't fit as well as the other one?
« Last Edit: 12:17:44, 13/10/18 by Rob Goes Walking »

SherpaEdmund

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #4 on: 18:23:04, 12/10/18 »
Many thanks, I'll follow up on that advice.

NeilC

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #5 on: 07:28:54, 13/10/18 »
If you bought them from a big warehouse type store like Decathlon you could probably get away with picking out boots of different sizes and taking them to the till...

alan de enfield

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #6 on: 12:07:07, 13/10/18 »
Hi, can anyone offer advice on wide fitting walking boots?


I have an odd condition where my right foot is wider and longer than my left foot (probably due to my leg length discrepancy (right leg shorter) thereby forcing my foot to expand more than the left foot).




I have a full-size difference between left and right feet, and a bunion on the top of my left big toe / foot. Having tried many different boots over the years I used a 'gel pad' in the 'small foot' boot to bring it to a better fit.


I spent many hours recently trying on a wide variety of boots from various manufacturers - it seemed a waste of time being measured as the measurements giving (say) "Size 11 wide fit G" was only relevant for one manufacturer - other manufacturers were different shapes and sizes.


At the end of the day, it was try on boots, walk around the shop, up and down stairs and the test ramps until I found comfortable boots.


The widest and 'non-bunion irritating' ones (most boots had rivets / lace holes right on top of the bunion) were the Meindl Meran. Not cheap but well worth it.
The Meran appear to have some form of 'adaptive memory foam' which allegedly responds to body heat and 'fits' to your feet - whatever it is certainly seems to work for me as I no longer need a gel-insert in my 'small-foot' boot.


Try the Meindl range and specifically (for me) the Meran.

Troggy

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #7 on: 22:54:14, 17/10/18 »
I've got similar a problem as yourself, trying to find a pair of boots/walking shoes that'll do the job for me. You'll probably have read that Whalley Outdoors who offer a fitting service for their Altberg Boots and there are some very informative posts about them.
I contacted a firm called Wide Fit Shoes based in Harrow, who do a range of shoes including walking shoes and boots, that not only have wider fittings but also deeper toe boxes. I talked to one of the owners and they They recommend that (if you're able to) you phone them for a fitting so that you get best fit for you. There's 6 widths and several combinations of width and depth. There is a lot of advice and information in their catalogue about how to measure your own feet for width and length. I'm hoping to get down there early in the new year, as the bloke was very insistent that getting a proper fitting offers the best chance of sorting out a good pair of boots/shoes.

Bigfoot_Mike

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #8 on: 05:57:41, 18/10/18 »
As mentioned above, Altberg have wide and extra wide fittings. They also supply half sizes. I have large, wide feet and found an Altberg Tethera 12W fitted the bill (and my feet).
Another wide option is Merrel’s MOAB II. These have a wide toe box. I found that I needed a size 13 in these. The MOABs come in different formats, including walking shoes and low and higher ankle boots.
The MOABs are textile (Goretex) against the leather of the Altberg.The MOAB is also about half the price.

richardh1905

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #9 on: 08:34:38, 23/10/18 »

I have wide feet, although thankfully both the same size, and I have just bought a pair of Grisport Peaklander leather boots for the reasonable price of £80 from Kendal Sports (from their Kendal shop; not online). Pleased with them so far - they appear to be a very good fit for my fat plates of meat!


Did try some Scarpa boots; can't remember the model name but far too narrow!
« Last Edit: 12:22:11, 23/10/18 by richardh1905 »
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Bigfoot_Mike

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #10 on: 08:44:04, 23/10/18 »
I also found recent Scarpa boots to be very narrow. This seemed strange, as my old faithful boots that saw me through many years and many more miles were Scarpa. They didn’t need breaking in and never gave me blisters, even on long or multi-day walks.

Troggy

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #11 on: 10:03:31, 23/10/18 »
If you have feet that are of different size and width, then that's bad enough trying to find a pair that'll fit comfortably. But then there's an additional problem if therte's any sort of problem with the likes of hammer toes. I don't know how many pairs of boots or shoes that I've bought which at first seem comfortable but after wearing for some time, cause me a problem around the big toe area.I've resorted to cutting the boot and trimming the fabric around that area and wearing waterproof socks!

I've found it's not only the size of your feet, or even the width. A lot of the footwear I've tried insist on incorporating a toe guard of some description. This is formed, not to rise vertically but to slope back towards your instep. So, I've had a go at cutting the thing out and then re-stitching the fabric together again. and if the boot or shoe has a goretex liner or any other waterproof liner, that too can entomb the toe so that iot cant't wiggle, even if wearing footwear a size or size and a half bigger, depending on the make. I a tried pair out that I'd "cobbled" the right shoe (nice and comfortable except for the toe guard) and it's worked. I also tried it with a pair of older fabric Meindl boots and cut awaythe waterproof liner around the toe and that works too. They look like something I've rescued off a tip; but they're now comfortable.

All this Heath Robinson messing about to try and get comfort in a shoe or boot! For me, the main problem is around the material and design of the toe guard and how that affects me.

Depending upon where you live, if you have any difficulty in finding comfortable, well fitting footwear for lengthy walking wear, it might be worthwhile going to a footwear specialist, who can perhaps give you advice on the correct size and shape of footwear for you.
I'm lucky...I think! As I live in the North West and by looking on the Internet I've found a footwear specialist in Wigan, so I'm going there tomorrow. I'll see how this turns out and if successful, I'll post up their details for anyone else in the region who might suffer with similar problems.

 

Bigfoot_Mike

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #12 on: 10:28:34, 23/10/18 »
I believe you can order different sizes for each foot from Altberg. The boots can be steamed to adjust for any particular foot issues. Both these option would require a premier retailer or a factory visit. Altberg will also customise boots or build you a custom last. The price starts gets higher as the customisation increases.

Troggy

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #13 on: 11:53:58, 23/10/18 »
I believe you can order different sizes for each foot from Altberg. The boots can be steamed to adjust for any particular foot issues. Both these option would require a premier retailer or a factory visit. Altberg will also customise boots or build you a custom last. The price starts gets higher as the customisation increases.
Yep, that would be a good option. But there is a couple of other factors. Some might not want or be able to afford a pair of Altberg, they may want to just get a pair of walking boots or shoes (or even ordinary casual shoes and use them for walking) or other makes of Boots. They might find it difficult or expensive just to get there, So the more choice a person has, the more chance they have of finding a comfortable pair of boots. The major point that I reckon is needed, is to get your feet properly measured and then you have a chance of getting comfortable footwear.  The next problem is the variety of  sizes with different makes that are supposed to be the same size, eg 11g. So for me, I think that measurement and advice from shoemakers or fitters, is the first point of call if there's one comparatively local.
It just shows how many of us find it not easy to get a pair of boots/shoes that will fit comfortably, so the more choice and info, the better.



Bigfoot_Mike

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Re: Advice on wide feeting walking boots
« Reply #14 on: 12:03:47, 23/10/18 »
Yep, that would be a good option. But there is a couple of other factors. Some might not want or be able to afford a pair of Altberg, they may want to just get a pair of walking boots or shoes (or even ordinary casual shoes and use them for walking) or other makes of Boots. They might find it difficult or expensive just to get there, So the more choice a person has, the more chance they have of finding a comfortable pair of boots. The major point that I reckon is needed, is to get your feet properly measured and then you have a chance of getting comfortable footwear.  The next problem is the variety of  sizes with different makes that are supposed to be the same size, eg 11g. So for me, I think that measurement and advice from shoemakers or fitters, is the first point of call if there's one comparatively local.
It just shows how many of us find it not easy to get a pair of boots/shoes that will fit comfortably, so the more choice and info, the better.


You are right about the price, especially if any customisation is needed. Also sizing: my office shoes are 11 extra wide, my Merrill Moabs are 13UK and my new Altbergs are 12W.


Non-leather boots, such as the Merrells, may be more suitable for people with awkward shaped feet, as they have more flexibility. They can also be cheaper. There are cheaper than the Moabs, which cost me £103 for the mid-height version, but I couldn’t find any other boot that was wide enough and in the required size.

 

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