Gear

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for a new pair of boots but my feet are quite flat and wide and hence I cant seem to find a pair that dont crumple my feet up in the middle.

I'm currently wearing a 9 year old pair of Wainwright's (anyone remember those?)and of course they were made by K Shoes and had a beautiful wide base that my feet could settle into. Unfortunately they're getting a bit worn and need to be semi retired!

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks
Rich

It might be worth having a look at Raichle boots. (See a previous thread about pronunciation if needs be!)

When I got my first pair of walking boots, about 3 years ago, the helpful chap at Tiso said that I had wide, flat feet & that Raichle might be just the job. Admittedly I've got nothing to compare them to, but they've been comfortable since day 1. So much so I invested in a proper 4 season pair as well, & having tried them for the first time last weekend, they were fine too.

Good hunting!

La Sportiva also seem pretty good for wide feet, and my Merrells aren't bad either! I have very, very broad feet and both of them work well for me. The La Sportiva's were recommended by a bloke in Tiso some years back and have been doing me proud since, the Merrells have only been on the go since Christmas so no long term idea on them as yet, but they are very comfy!

Rather than flat feet though I have a seriously high arch to contend with instead ;-)

The Raichle boots do look very good too, not tried any on as yet, but they look nice!

Richard try before you buy...I have widish feet and bought new last summer. i found the raichle quite a tight fit across the top of my foot. I went for Meindls, they fitted well. I bought a pair of Zamberlans online (withiout trying on!!) for winter use and they are spot but have a repuation for being narrower!!!
The message is they are all different and no two feet are the same. A good shop will do a proper fitting ie measure how much your foot expands when you stand on it and arch collapse etc etc. If done right it will take a good 30+ minutes to get fitted out...

I know Scarpa don't suit everyone but the Scarpa SLs do come in a wide as well as the normal fitting. As Muzza says though you must try before you buy.

I have wide feet narrow heels, The only off the peg boots that come close ate, the Scarpa sl BXX, EXTRA WIDE, the Contour Range, & Altberg boots.
Most boots are lasted for a europian foot which must be nowt like my wide webs.
I go for Alberg for my mountain and hillwalking boots 1st choice but have been impressed by the contour range of footwear and the very keen prices I can buy them at.

I have the same problem Richard - I've found that Tecnicas are very wide with Meindls pretty wide too.

I've got flippers for feet and have found Meindls are generally pretty wide, and at the cheaper end of the spectrum so are Hi-Tec, but as models might vary do try on!

Rich, if you live in the south go to Barkers of Ringwood, boot fitting specialist, they only recomend / sell the boot that fits you correctly and service is second to none.

well worth the trip ('n' if your a paramo freek they sell that too!!!)

I have this problem too, and eventually some OM friends suggested I go to George Fischers in Keswick and get them to measure my feet and suggest the best type of boots for me. It was the best thing I ever did. GW's have boot specialists who can tell you what make of boot will best fit your shape of feet once they have measured them. For me they suggested La Sportiva, Meindls and one other I can't remember now. It's not just down to width apparently, but also shape.

So, Rich, go to your local boot specialist and take thier advice. GW's spent over 1.5 hours with me making sure I was totally comfortable and sure of the boots I was buying. They charge a bit more than other outlets, but the advice and time is really worth it. Much better than lving with blisters and sore feet, which I did for 5 years with my previous pair of Scarpa's.

I don't know where you live, but apparently there is also a place in Sheffield that's really good on boot advice. Good Luck!

Trezeta boots are wide fitting.

Exactly the same problem here. After a long and ultimately painful walk in my Salomons at the weekend I got some new boots today. Without seeing this thread, I tried on a range of boots from Scarpa, Zamberlain etc but the Raichle boots were by far and away the most comfortable. I bought mine full price (90 - I've seen them for 65 on the internet but I don't mind as the fitting I got was excellent).

I also got some Pod inserts to stop my overpronation.

Raichle boots are still not what I'd call wide I was trying a pair of Blizzard's on before crimbo even in a ten 1/2 they where still too narrow, and wide at the heels too.Thats a full size up.

Rich,
I have fairly wide feet and i use scarpa peak boots which are really comfy, you will probably find a little more give in fabric boots as opposed to leather, gaynor sports have some good prices on scarpa boots in their factory outlet bit on their website: www.gaynors.co.uk

Don't forget Vasque

Demon boots are also worth considering particularly the Canyon and Hydrogen both of which are a wide fit and are made on a UK fitting last.

Pete, I guess it's down to individual boot models. I have wide feet - I'm a 2E in New Balance speak and that's wide!

I have Salomons, have owned various Scarpas, but the Raichle's (Scouts - non leather) are a much better fit for me.

Like anything though, you need to buy the boots that are right for you.....and the one area where you pay more than the others if you get it wrong is on your feet!