Recommend REALLY wide boots?

[Terry Pinnell]

I know this is a tough question to answer with genuine objectivity. And
I'm beginning to suspect you can't rely on consistency anyway. (Size S in
Fitting F of Brand B from Manufacturer M can in practice VARY from one
pair to another, IMO.)

I have very wide feet. What all season leather boots do you reckon I
should shortlist for my imminent purchase please?

Some background:
----------------
Last two pairs (both from Peglers in Arundel) were
2003: Meindel, Borneo, size 9, XW. Took back 8� which stated to pinch
outer toes.
2008: Alt-Berg, Fremington, size 9, XW. Took back 8� which stated to pinch
outer toes.

On good authority I've been told I'm actually a 7� fitting for normal
shoes. I do have a couple of that size, but most often I have to buy 8s to
get the width, even say with Clarke's 'extra wide'. So I have trouble
squaring that with having to buy size 9 boots, with an inch or two of
empty space in front of my toes.

My Alt-Bergs have been OK. So last week I decided impulsively to buy
another pair online directly from Richmond. But, mistakenly thinking that
my old pair were just 'wide' size 9 not XW (I should have searched for the
receipt) I ordered XW in size 8�. After half a day or so wearing in the
house it was clear they were pinching my outer small toes and I returned
them with a full refund. (So I was out of pocket for about �13 postage
both ways - roughly half the petrol cost for a return trip to Pegley's.)

All advice very welcome please.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[robert]

Meindl's Bernina or Meran are a wider fit than their other models -
"Comfort Fit" - but have a normal or narrow heal fit which suits me.
Keen tend to be quite a wide fit.

But it all depends on your feet and where you need the width!

Altberg will actually make a boot to fit your feet but a visit to their
factory in Richmond is probably necessary.

[nm...@cam.ac.uk]

In article <aptqbb...@mid.individual.net>,

robert <rob...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>On 08/03/2013 09:21, Terry Pinnell wrote:
>>
>> I have very wide feet. What all season leather boots do you reckon I
>> should shortlist for my imminent purchase please?

Flying Pig Corporation specials. :-( I wear boots 2+ sizes too
large for exactly that reason, and would go to 3+ if it were
not that I would keep tripping over the excess at the front.

>Meindl's Bernina or Meran are a wider fit than their other models -
>"Comfort Fit" - but have a normal or narrow heal fit which suits me.
>Keen tend to be quite a wide fit.

That's useful, because I have a narrow heel and am very wide at
the toes (yes, a true wedge shape). But I am not optimistic :-(

>Altberg will actually make a boot to fit your feet but a visit to their
>factory in Richmond is probably necessary.

They may do. They wouldn't for me. It's a bloody expensive failed
shopping trip.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

[Peter Clinch]

On 08/03/2013 09:21, Terry Pinnell wrote:

> I know this is a tough question to answer with genuine objectivity. And
> I'm beginning to suspect you can't rely on consistency anyway. (Size S in
> Fitting F of Brand B from Manufacturer M can in practice VARY from one
> pair to another, IMO.)
>
> I have very wide feet. What all season leather boots do you reckon I
> should shortlist for my imminent purchase please?

"very wide" is only part of the story. That can be in different places
on the foot, fore and aft and up/down too. For example, I have "wide
feet" and like Scarpas... a pal has "wide feet" and thinks Scarpas are
incredibly narrow, and likes Meindls. Another pal with feet like razor
blades likes... Meindls. And so on.
Comparing my wide feet to pal #1 I have conspicuously more gothic
arches, so my "wide" feet are actually *very* narrow along the footbed
under the arch, which I suspect is where she needs the width but not
where I do (I need more higher up and also in the forefoot, but of
course "forefoot" means different things to different people according
to the length of their toes. And so on.).

In short, you can't simply take anyone's word for it that a certain sort
of boot will work for you. "Wide" is too simple a description for a
complex 3d shape. So go and try on pretty much everything you can.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.c...@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

[Terry Pinnell]

Peter Clinch <p.j.c...@dundee.ac.uk> wrote:

>On 08/03/2013 09:21, Terry Pinnell wrote:
>> I know this is a tough question to answer with genuine objectivity. And
>> I'm beginning to suspect you can't rely on consistency anyway. (Size S in
>> Fitting F of Brand B from Manufacturer M can in practice VARY from one
>> pair to another, IMO.)
>>
>> I have very wide feet. What all season leather boots do you reckon I
>> should shortlist for my imminent purchase please?
>
>"very wide" is only part of the story. That can be in different places
>on the foot, fore and aft and up/down too. For example, I have "wide
>feet" and like Scarpas... a pal has "wide feet" and thinks Scarpas are
>incredibly narrow, and likes Meindls. Another pal with feet like razor
>blades likes... Meindls. And so on.
>Comparing my wide feet to pal #1 I have conspicuously more gothic
>arches, so my "wide" feet are actually *very* narrow along the footbed
>under the arch, which I suspect is where she needs the width but not
>where I do (I need more higher up and also in the forefoot, but of
>course "forefoot" means different things to different people according
>to the length of their toes. And so on.).
>
>In short, you can't simply take anyone's word for it that a certain sort
>of boot will work for you. "Wide" is too simple a description for a
>complex 3d shape. So go and try on pretty much everything you can.
>
>Pete.

Thanks all.

Bit the bullet today and bought £140 Meindl Toronto 8½ from Cotswolds in
Tunbridge Wells this afternoon. First impression was that this is a
slightly lighter boot than my previous Meindl Borneo, possibly with more
flexible leather upper. (And presumably less hard wearing.)

Aim to wear around house for a day or two, but have fingers crossed they
will be OK.

Store assistant confirmed my foot size as 7½, and 'fairly wide, quite
narrow at the heel end, and possibly slightly high instep'.

We'll see...

[Terry Pinnell]

Had to take them back. After a full day around the house both little toes
were sore. The familiar pattern.

Next: Cotswolds ordering in an 8½ and a 9 Meindl Borneo.

I'm definitely a 7½ foot but very wide at toes, narrow at heel and with
high instep. So another approach I'm considering is to get the 'most
comfortable in store' 8½ and get them stretched at the toes by a shoe
repairer. Anyone gone that route?

Every 9 I tried has TWO thumb widths of space at front, instead of the
recommended one. I'm reluctant to carry all that extra boot around...

[nm...@cam.ac.uk]

In article <umc6k89rg9826utej...@4ax.com>,
>Terry Pinnell <terry...@DELETEgmail.com> wrote:
>
>I'm definitely a 7.5 foot but very wide at toes, narrow at heel and with

>high instep. So another approach I'm considering is to get the 'most

>comfortable in store' 8.5 and get them stretched at the toes by a shoe

>repairer. Anyone gone that route?
>
>Every 9 I tried has TWO thumb widths of space at front, instead of the
>recommended one. I'm reluctant to carry all that extra boot around...

Count yourself lucky :-( I am 7.75 in one foot and 8 in the other,
and have to wear size 10 in order not to lose more than a couple
of toenails on a week's walking. But I am like you, except with a
very LOW instep.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

[Peter Clinch]

On 15/03/2013 14:48, Terry Pinnell wrote:

> I'm definitely a 7½ foot but very wide at toes, narrow at heel and with
> high instep. So another approach I'm considering is to get the 'most
> comfortable in store' 8½ and get them stretched at the toes by a shoe
> repairer. Anyone gone that route?

Haven't had to, but your overall foot description sounds not too far
from mine (aside from being a bit smaller) so I wonder if you've tried
Scarpas, which work very well for me out of the box.

[Terry Pinnell]

Peter Clinch <p.j.c...@dundee.ac.uk> wrote:

>On 15/03/2013 14:48, Terry Pinnell wrote:
>
>> I'm definitely a 7� foot but very wide at toes, narrow at heel and with
>> high instep. So another approach I'm considering is to get the 'most
>> comfortable in store' 8� and get them stretched at the toes by a shoe
>> repairer. Anyone gone that route?
>
>Haven't had to, but your overall foot description sounds not too far
>from mine (aside from being a bit smaller) so I wonder if you've tried
>Scarpas, which work very well for me out of the box.
>

Thanks Pete, but yes, I did but they felt a tad too tight.

Also, a trivial point, but the laces were so short! Barely make a normal
single knot (sitting down in the dry warmth of the shop - not propped up
against my car boot). No way I could double up for security. Obviously
would get them changed, but it makes me wonder why they fit them?

[PeterC]

That's new - I thought that manufacturers of outdoor gear were in a race to
use all of the planet's cardboard in swing-tags and all the 'string' in
laces. Boots and shoes bought 5 - 6 years ago had laces about 40% too long
and were dangerous.

Now, where there are hooks I cut and melt the laces to be long enough to
take a reef knot and leave about 3 - 4cm over at each end. Pulling straight
out on the correct end (depends which end you start with, i.e. L - R or R -
L) just loosens the knot even when it's muddy/frozen (assuming that the
laces are 2 - 3mm thick and not 'string').

We don't have laces long enough for a bow, but tie a bow to take up the
extra needed to avoid the inconvenience of the ends going back through the
top holes. With hooks, there's no risk of this and so the extra lace isn't
necessary.

I used this method in lace-up cycling shoes immediately after a lace came
undone and wound around the pedal spindle - a week after I'd gone to gears
from fixed!
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

[nm...@cam.ac.uk]

In article <2kqtzhaat5qb$.wp3hrli3o8rk$.d...@40tude.net>,

PeterC <giraffe...@homecall.co.uk> wrote:
>On Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:59:58 +0000, Terry Pinnell wrote:
>>
>> Also, a trivial point, but the laces were so short! Barely make a normal
>> single knot (sitting down in the dry warmth of the shop - not propped up
>> against my car boot). No way I could double up for security. Obviously
>> would get them changed, but it makes me wonder why they fit them?
>
>That's new - I thought that manufacturers of outdoor gear were in a race to
>use all of the planet's cardboard in swing-tags and all the 'string' in
>laces. Boots and shoes bought 5 - 6 years ago had laces about 40% too long
>and were dangerous.

I recommend using nylon string :-) Just heat seal the ends and it
works excellently. You want some of the less slippery stuff, and
right thickness, but that's all.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

[Peter Clinch]

On 17/03/2013 17:59, Terry Pinnell wrote:
> Peter Clinch <p.j.c...@dundee.ac.uk> wrote:

>> Haven't had to, but your overall foot description sounds not too far
>>from mine (aside from being a bit smaller) so I wonder if you've tried
>> Scarpas, which work very well for me out of the box.
>>
> Thanks Pete, but yes, I did but they felt a tad too tight.

They do have an extra wide fitting on some boots, which is one of those
annoying instances of the Marketing Department failing to tell you
something that's actually useful while filling the website etc. with
"lifestyle" pointers...

For example,
http://www.webtogs.co.uk/Scarpa_SL__Extra_Wide_Fit__Boots_101160.html

Maybe give Scarpa's UK folk a bell and see what they say about models
and availability, they're at 0191 296 0212 or in...@mountainboot.co.uk

[PeterC]

<Mummersetshire> boinder twoin bwoy </>

I use 3mm cord that seems to be kernmantle, but it's a bit too big for a bow
when wearing trousers.
OK, explanation: the hem of the trousers seems to work the bow loose; the
bow is OK when I'm wearing shorts.
I can use a reef knot with the bow on top, but the bow is then even less
likely to stay done up - although the result is less important.

[Martyn Tindall]

On Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:48:14 +0000, Terry Pinnell
<terry...@DELETEgmail.com> wrote:

>I'm definitely a 7� foot but very wide at toes, narrow at heel and with
>high instep. So another approach I'm considering is to get the 'most
>comfortable in store' 8� and get them stretched at the toes by a shoe
>repairer. Anyone gone that route?

Cotswold will stretch your boots for you - it's a free service; but
they're wary of doing it where there's a Goretex liner, for fear of
damaging the liner.

Martyn

--
Martyn Tindall
Leeds, England, United Kingdom

[Terry Pinnell]

Interesting, thanks, that's not an option they mentioned on my two longish
fitting visits so far. I'm going back for a third today, to try the Meindl
Borneo 8� and 9 they've ordered, so I'll raise that.

Otherwise my inclination is to take the risk, go for the 8�, then get my
local shoe repairer to stretch them.

On my last few walks I've worn the Meindl Borneo 9 I originally wore from
2003-2008, recovered from garage shelf (discarding the Alt-Berg Fremington
9 because of cracks etc), but would like to get back to something closer
to my measured foot 'size' of 7� if possible.

[robert]

As I posted earlier there is a considerable difference in fore-foot
width between the "standard" Meindls and the "comfort fit" Meran & Bernina.
However many shops have never heard of the Meindl "comfort fit" last range.
I've went for the Hanwag Tatra Wide last year as I wanted something with
an aggressive sole for descending grass and loose stone slopes.
Not quite as wide in the fore-foot as the Meindl Meran though.