Hiking shoes - need help

[Rear Admiral]

I'm new to all this, but hopefully someone will be able to help. I'm trying to get some advice regarding hiking/trail shoes and boots.
In regards to sneakers, I wear:

Asics
US - Size 10.5
Australia - Size 10
Width - 4E
(I have extremely broad feet, and I wear orthotics - they are a must.)

In and around town, I have absolutely no need for any specialised/minimalist shoes - not at all. But when I hit the trails/uneven ground in traditional hiking shoes, I have plenty of protection, but it tends to feel that my feet and ankles lack "balance and awareness", for want of a better term. I just can't "feel the ground" as well as I would like, where I don't get the sense of sure-footedness and steadiness that I want. Sorry if this seems confusing, but it's hard to describe. Some trail running shoes seem okay, but none of them come in a mid cut or higher, and that's what I'm after. I really want to find some mid-cut or higher shoes (boots) that have some serious flex and softness through the arch (as much or more flex than a jogging shoe), but do offer decent protection. In terms of flexibility, I don't want to go to this extreme:

https://us.vibram.com/shop/fivefingers/men/

But I have got to find something that gets away from traditional stiff-soled hiking shoes. The real catch is my broad feet and need to wear orthotics. I've already done a lot of research already, and everything I've come across (in mid-cut or higher) either seems to be ultra-minimalist, or stiff and rigid.

On a side note, I live in SA where I will only consider shoes that I can actually try on in a store, not via mail order - not happening.

[neilmny]

You could try a ski/hiking gear shop that has a qualified boot fitter.
I wear orthotics and have La Sportiva boots but they do have a fairly stiff Vibram sole which has become more pliable with wear.
THe stiffness has not been an issue with my orthotics.
Not much help to you but I got them from Ajay's in Heathmont Victoria.

[Moondog55]

How wide?
E?
EE? or something like my beloved wife who has EEEEEE wide feet and can't find any shoes to fit let alone walking / hiking shoes or boots.

There is a shop in Geelong http://www.comfortandfit.com.au/ that may be of help although they have nothing available to help The Boss

[jimjim]

Have you thought about pairing a pair of low cut flexy shoes with a pair of totally bombproof gaiters to protect your ankles and shins?

I walk exclusively in low cut shoes of various brands and every time I have tried "boots" I start rolling my ankles. Great gaiters like the "Tasgear" ones are a suit of armour for my shins....

[Rear Admiral]

Have you thought about pairing a pair of low cut flexy shoes with a pair of totally bombproof gaiters to protect your ankles and shins?

I walk exclusively in low cut shoes of various brands and every time I have tried "boots" I start rolling my ankles. Great gaiters like the "Tasgear" ones are a suit of armour for my shins....

Thanks for all the replies people have posted - much appreciated.

You mentioned:

Have you thought about pairing a pair of low cut flexy shoes

Can you elaborate on that please?

[jimjim]

I'll try... I find that the stiffer the sole of a shoe and the less "feel" I have of the surface I'm walking on the more I tend to lose balance, slip, trip and roll my ankles . In a boot that wraps around my ankles this is even worse as I can't use my foot and ankle in the way they work naturally- I seem to lose proprioception (?) for want of a better term... So using low cut walking shoes, I swap between salomons, 5:10s and volleys, depending on how much scrambling and how much water is about. The gaiters provide the ankle protection that a high cut stiff boot would and more.

[neilmny]

I'll try... I find that the stiffer the sole of a shoe and the less "feel"..............

Agree.

[Rear Admiral]

I'm just making a very tentative inquiry here. Hoping someone might be able to offer some advice.

Has anyone here experienced lower back pain? If so, have you swapped to minimalist shoes....with some cushioning and protection? e.g. Altra's, or similar. Because of my broad feet, getting the right sort of footwear is a nightmare.

The back pain is irrespective of any hiking (pain isn't there 24x7) and I am very likely going to speak to some medical practitioners regarding this, but I was wondering if anyone out there may have similar experiences, where I may be able to get some general advice.

[Neo]

Hi RA. Definitely get checked out for your back, I'd suggest an up to date physio.

For hike shoes I'm wearing Oboz sundog. They are grippy and roomy. The sole is flexible but not as spongy as a normal runner so pretty good feel.

I was/am wearing Keen boots for working, other shoes for casual and thongs in summer. I decided to give up on orthotics after using them for years and haven't had a problem.

RE: shoe widths, a pair of Teva were good in the shop but then rubbed on my left small toe. Then I came across these tips
https://youtu.be/SOE28brAcEc
I skipped the first crossover when lacing the Tevas and now they are good. On a different mesh pair, I've skipped the top crossover as they were tight there.Trying different ways of lacing might help when you find a shoe that's close for your width.

[neilmny]

RA, I used to get lower back pain from just standing until I got my orthotics.
It can be sometimes that when things are out of whack with your legs or feet you get back pain.

[Rear Admiral]

In regards to my back, I do see a physio, where swimming and hydrotherapy are an absolute Godsend. Beyond words. If you have a bad back/pelvis, and you've never been in a pool for it, you have no idea what degree of relief you are missing.

In regards to lacing, I use "Altra Alternate Lacing" with my sneakers:

https://www.altrarunning.com/run-better

https://www.altrarunning.com/cmsstatic/lacing_side.jpg

This makes an enormous difference to foot comfort, but I am considering getting some Altra's, if/when they become available in SA.

[Flipper Hands]

Hi RA,

Disclaimer I'm no doc', just telling you what help me.

I feel your pain - literally. I too have what I can only describe as "weak" ankles. This is from decades of playing squash, and countless instances of rolling my ankles. I too wear orthotics, My feet are also wide, though not as wide as yours. Unsurprisingly my "ground feel" is poor also. This was once explained to me as a a breakdown in the biofeedback loop from my ankles, as a result of injury over the years. It can be repaired somewhat via rehab, but not completely. Unfortunately, despite multiple rounds of rehab, my ankles are still progressively getting worse, and I'm starting to look into surgery as an option.

This was all bought to a head a couple months ago, when, on the way back from Mt Cloudmaker (Kanangra-Boyd NP) the trail crumbled beneath me, the edge of my boot dug in after dropping 30cm, and I rolled my ankle, with the full weight of a heavy pack (was trying out some new winter gear) and me on my ankle, over I went for a roll down Mt Berry. It took me 5 hours to hike out to my car, with 2 more significant falls. Climbing up Smiths Pass was tough.

During and before this trip I was using a pair of Keens boots, very wide, decent "ankle protection", with a very stiff sole, and gaiters. After my injury I did a lot of read about the false sense of "ankle support" boots provide.I have since moved to a velcro strapping system I purchased from the local chemist from Thermoskin.
Thermoskin SPORT ANKLE BRACE - http://www.thermoskin.com/products/view/sport-ankle-brace/

I have been using one for the past 2 months and it has saved me a number of times, because effectively your ankle is strapped. The support ids far superior to any boot I have worn. I intend to add a second one to my kit for the other ankle, and add gaiters to top it all off. Lastly, I also intend to add pair of walking poles to my arsenal to improve my stability.

I have discarded the Keens boots in preference for Vibrim soled trail runners, for enhanced feel and grip. I settled on the New Balance Leadville V3, due to the very wide fit. I am using a D width with the ankle brace on and they are snug but comfortable. I normally need a 2E, so they are wide! I recall there is also a 2E width available, but apparently the only place you will get them is a New Balance store, Athletes Foot can't get them. The New Balance site doesn't list a 2E option for Australia.

New Balance Leadville V3 - http://www.newbalance.com.au/pd/leadville-v3/MTLEAD-V3.html?dwvar_MTLEAD-V3_color=Black_with_Orange#color=Black_with_Orange&size=11&width=D

The next thing we have in common is back pain, I spent 8-12 weeks on and off between Jan - April with significant back pain, enough to keep me out of work for a couple weeks at a time. Any amount of walking, standing and sitting caused lower back pain, extending into my left hip and down my left leg. This was initially diagnosed as sciatica. I went for cat scans, X-rays, was given pain killers and anti-inflammatory meds. The only real relief I got was from laying down. Was so bad I ended up on pain killers. Physio would sort me out for 1-2 weeks then the pain would creep back in. I ended up with a pretty unhealthy codeine habit.

The solution for me was stretching and a foam roller. Every morning I spend 30min stretching hamstrings, calves, quads, groin, back and ITB. My focus being hammies > quads > ITB > groin > back. I then use the foam roller on quads, and back. After about 1 week of this, the pain lessened, 2 weeks it was mostly gone, 3 weeks it was barely noticeable. If I stop this routine the pain level creeps up again.

Anyway I hope the above is useful.

TLDR - Try trail runners and an ankle brace, with walking poles. Stretch lots.

[Flipper Hands]

double post