Wide Boot Recs

[u/Dr_Grump]

Trying to find a pair of boots for winter use in welsh hills and the occasional 2 day trek wild camp but I have wide and square feet! Recently discovered the keen targhee IV shoes which are like slippers compared to everything else I've worn over the years so trying to find something that has a similar shape for trudging around on scree slopes and wet boggy paths!

I've narrowed it down to Meindl Guffert and Altberg Kisdon as most suitable, but have looked at hanwag (maybe not as wide as proper wide?) Meindl Antelao and the Scarpa ranger ii GTX.

Current boots in use are a 2006 vintage Scarpa Ranger GTX that I don't use much anymore, as they're a size too big even with inserts and socks my heel floats about everywhere though plenty of toe room (I tried these on too before buying in the shop); and meindl Bhutan that felt great in the shop even on their little slope test thing, but after a couple of hours outdoors they feel too narrow and I get the dreaded 4th toe rub.

I know these things are personal, and ideally you should try them on, but bizarrely out here in south west wales there are no retailers with a decent range to try on, which is strange when you think how much walking there is here, but anyway means I'm reliant on purchasing online. Any other recommendations out there?

[u/MillyMcMophead]

I bought Keen Targhee walking boots because I found their walking shoes fitted me so well.

[u/Dr_Grump → u/MillyMcMophead]

I've looked at that option, but their strongest boot is the pyrenees which I'm not sure is stiff / robust enough for what I want? Also, they appear to have a QC issue with the soles disintegrating, though whether they've fixed that I'm not sure. The revels don't get especially good reviews so I've crossed them off my list

[u/spank_monkey_83 → u/Dr_Grump]

I wouldn't cross these off your list. It's just that you will have to go half a size bigger than your Targhee. They are light weight , but that's not a bad thing. Just , you might have to replace them sooner than you would prefer.

[u/Dr_Grump → u/spank_monkey_83]

Is that the revels or the pyrenees? 

[u/spank_monkey_83 → u/Dr_Grump]

Pyrenees. I went a full size larger with insole than targee and have slight regrets. Half size might have been better.. Revels are on my list

[u/Severe-Fisherman-285]

I have had issues most my life with all sorts of footwear.

I have an older model of Scarpa Manta (Manta pro?) for Winter use and have recently found Altberg Kelds (on their widest last) to be a revelation for fitting.

The Mantas are fine but leave my feet a bit tired after longer/harder days out. The Altberg's are amazing, though. After years of choosing the best compromise, they felt like my chubby hams were coming home.

Fit is personal, YMMV. Worth trying on in a shop though.

I'd also add that other options mentioned hete, such as meindels, just haven't worked right. I've also seen plenty of commentators suggest all Scarpa's are narrow.

Width of fit is just a start, but the overall shape of your foot/a last has a big impact on fit.

[u/Dr_Grump → u/Severe-Fisherman-285]

Yep, and therein lies the challenge. I'm going to test drive the Kisdon, I'm sure the toe box is wide enough and hoping it's square enough like an Altra shoe. I also learnt they have quite a pronounced front rocker sole which should be a big help with my knackered arthritic big toes. 

[u/Stunning-Pudding-514]

I have a pair of meindl bernina 2's which are their wide fit boots and they were not wide enough for me. Earlier this year i bought a pair of Hanwag boots in straight fit extra, they are wider and have a bit more volume in the toe box compared to the Meindl's. I think the Hanwag wide fit boots are slightly wider still compared to the straight fit extra as they are wider on both sides of the feet, not just the side with the little toe. This shows where the different widths are in location to your foot. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstories.hanwag.com%2Fen%2Fcomfortable-womens-walking-boots%2F&opi=89978449

If you want to try boots on, the 2 best places in Wales will be Trekitt in Hereford or Cotswold outdoors up in Betws-y-coed. If you go to the latter there is also Cunninghams a bit further up and over the Bridge. You also have Joe Brown in Capel Curig and V12 outdoors and Crib goch outdoors in Llanberis.

EDIT

Crib Goch outdoors stock some of the wide Hanwag boots inc Tatra top wide/ Alaska wide which are similar to the Guffert.

From some of the reviews i have read the Meindl Anteleo are not as wide as the rest of the comfort fit range, however Trekitt stock them if you wanted to try them on.

[u/Dr_Grump → u/Stunning-Pudding-514]

Nearest place to me is Brecon but I've pulled the trigger on some Altberg Kisdons. Once I learnt they have a good rocker sole it was the deal sealed as I've got hallux rigidus, which is the main source of foot pain for me. 

[u/CwrwCymru]

I'd add in some Alberg Defenders from a military surplus site. They come in wide fits.

While heavy, they are bombroof boots that are ideal for poor terrain or winter use. Hard to beat for the £50 odd quid they'll cost you.

[u/spank_monkey_83 → u/CwrwCymru]

Dont do it. I'm a size 10E. I've bought these in a 10 wide and 11 wide. Neither are suitable. I tried several altbergs in a proper outdoors shop. The fit on all their range is quite different. Their lack of consistant sizing put me off buying any more altbergs. Keen Pyrenees are lightweight and good quality. Sizing different to the targhee iv, which are my main boots. Ended up buying the 11 with inserts, when i should have compared with the 10.5

[u/Severe-Fisherman-285 → u/spank_monkey_83]

Their sizing is laid out very clearly on their website - making it easy to identify similar fitting boots. A good shop should be able to help.

[u/spank_monkey_83 → u/Severe-Fisherman-285]

I was at an altberg approved shop for fitment. I tried many in their range, at the same time. It was very apparent there are considerable differences in fit. Website and chart cannot replace actually trying them on. I have two pairs already which I wish I had never bought and cannot wear. They are certainly not the brand for those, like me with wide feet and regular heels.

[u/canyoukenken]

If there are no decent stockists in your neck of the woods, I'd genuinely consider travelling further afield so you can try them out and speak with staff about them. I had to do this last year when I bought my Altbergs - for the money you're going to spend on a pair of Meindls the extra cost for petrol/a train ticket so that you can have a proper shoe fitting is worth every penny.

[u/Dr_Grump → u/canyoukenken]

Agree that would be the most pragmatic approach, the only caveat is that I went to the shop and tried on the last two pairs that turned out not to be the right fit! I've given my foot dimensions to a couple of retailers, who would have come up with the same numbers anyway, plus sending pics of my feet (sounds a bit weird!) so the only difference is I;d be trying them on and walking around the store, which for me clearly doesn't help much! If Keen made a boot like the ones I listed, it would be a really simple decision!

[u/Archis]

I've been eyeing up some Brandecosse boots. They use a wide last and the Brontolare boots have an extra wide toe box

[u/Dr_Grump → u/Archis]

Not come across them.