Hello everybody!
I work at REI and have been looking for a pair of shoes for some time. I have tried on everything offered and can't find a single pair of lightweight shoes that feel right. For the last two years I have been lucky enough to get some pairs of Montrail Stratos light hikers, by no means ul but at least they fit well. I have tried on a couple pairs of inov8s the roclite 295's and pretty much every other shoe that my store carries and they are all not right for me. I have a slightly wide foot that the montrails treated well. Keen's are billed for accomadating a wider foot and they do but something is going on with the arch in them. What I want to know is if inov8 makes any shoes with a wider forfoot and if not what are some shoes with a similar fit to montrails, if you have expierience with them. Thank's

Like Ray Jardine says- [Try running shoes..] I have been useing the Brooks Beast for years. They have motion control if you over-pronate and they are very stable and will dry quickly after stream crossings. Very lightweight and durable. I did the JMT with one pair. They were dirty and bang up but survived the entire trail. Goodluck!!

I'm with Jay, I have been using a pair of New Balance 479's that give me the right amount of support and are very comfortable. I have used them exclusively for over a year now and they are still in good shape.
I have the same trouble with the shoes at REI. I bought the NB’s at Sports Authority for a lot less then shoe’s cost at REI.

If you like the Keens except for the arch support issue; you might try replacing the footbed. Personally, I always replace the footbed with green Superfeet on any trail shoe I use. They seem to give me just the right amount of arch support. YMMV - other footbeds might fit you better.

I just got a pair of Keen Targhee II's for winter use and I really appreciate the extra toe box width these shoes provide.

The Roclite 295s have one of the wider toeboxes in the Inov8 line. I've been wearing Nike Trail Pegasus for the last year in size 11. I typically wear a 10.5 in most shoes. You might try something like that or the GoLite line since they are adjustable for volume and width.

I share your issue. I have a wider foot...probably E width. I can often open up the lacing of alot of D width shoes enough to accomodate if they can allow for the higher volume of my foot. My Keen Targhee II's have too much tongue padding for my foot volume though wide enough. I can vouch for the comfort and adjustability of the GoLite Sundragons. I only have a The comfort factor is excellent, but longevity is questionable. I am a Flyroc lover. They are very forgiving as far as I am concerned. I wear a pair everyday of the week. I would try Golites and Inov8 flyrocs... that my 2 cents.

I have odd feet. I wear 14 EEEE and I supinate. My arches dislike heavy support and my feet get excruciatingly sore in the arch area (while backpacking) if I use a flexible sole like those found on running shoes.

New Balance/Dunham have been lifesavers for me. I have been using a pair of Dunham Waffle Stomper boots for a few years now. Certainly not UL, but my feet have vociferously disagreed with running shoes.

I hope to find a low top trail shoe with a rigid sole at some point to replace my boots, but I haven't found the right shoe yet.

"have too much tongue padding for my foot volume"

another ray way rec. I removed the tongue from my runners a couple days ago. Perfect for my high instep.

Definitely try the Roclite 295. They fit wide feet well.

Finally!! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with a high instep, somewhat wide feet EEE and a slight sensitivity for too much tongue (ahhhhh...... that didn't quite come out the way I intended it).

I always found running style/cross training shoes uncomfortable until I found New Balance. I was wearing 600 series, now 445's. Then when my local store stopped carrying them I switched to Sketchers and found them a bit more comfortable.
Regarding boots, I have had limited success with Timberland and Wolverine. Not much with anything else as retailers and manufacturers don't seem or want to carry wide widths in boots. Either the tongues are stitched a bit too snug and my foot jambs in the boot at the instep, it's too narrow at the front or the instep feels like it was made for people with flat feet. Some others have so much tongue it presses down on the bones on the top outside of my foot making it painful as the day progressses, unless I adjust the tongue.

I got an short and tall pair of Lowa boots last year. Had to add gel heels and added arch support for a bit more comfort after a bout with plantar fasciitis. Odd since I've been walking most of my life, in bare feet or in shoes with limited or no arch support. Anyway, I'm pleased with their lightness and fit.

So who else makes a good pair of light weight hiking/trekking boots, and insulated winter boots (I also have to work outside and go to work), other than those cited above?

Edited by NormanB on 11/08/2008 23:08:23 MST.

So I just returned from a 2 night trip at pt. reyes and am happy to report no footwear woes. I got a pair of brooks cascadia trail runners that treated me wonderfully. I must say that they worked for hiking in with weight and then for some running on day two. Now i need to find a way for my legs to keep up with my feet. Thanks