Boot Fit - Wide Toe Box
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I am in the market for a new pair of boots. The last two pairs I have bought that fit well are Zamberlan Trekker and Keen Voyager Mid Vent. The Zamberlan upper is still in really good shape but the sole began splitting from the upper and leaks bad now. I fixed it with shoe goo to keep it on but if it is wet at all these boots are a no go. The Keen fit like a glove right from the start out of the box. Didn't expect much durability with those. First thing to go unfortunately was the top eyelet ripping from the boot. The rest has held up very well. I don't live where I can try stuff on so I am wondering if anybody has a boot to recommend based on my recent good fits. I live in hunt in mostly dry conditions so, I typically like something without gore-tex but that is tough to find. Made in USA or Europe, no waterproof liner, one piece upper, leather lining are features I typically look for but none is a dealbreaker. Would also like to consider a stitch down construction since the connection to the upper seems to be the thing that goes first on a boot for me. My foot is generally low volume, narrow heel, medium-wide toe area, skinny ankles.
Crispi and Kennetrek are two brands that have popped up since I have bought my last pair of serious backpacking boots. How do those fit compared to Zamberlan and Keen? Zamberlan, Scarpa, Crispi, Lowa, Danner and Keen are brands I'm looking at now. Any other brands I should look at with my narrow heels and sorta wide toe area?
Crispi Nevada's fit just like my keen work boots. I have to have a wide toe box and narrow hill cup as well.
I have wide feet, high arch, and a narrow heel. I recently needed a new pair of boots for pheasant hunting. My criteria was similar...all leather upper, no insulation, stitched sole, no Goretex, I settled on the Irish Setter Wingshooter. They come in EE widths. I got blisters on my heels the first time I wore them, but a heavier pair of wool socks took care of that. Now, they've become my favorite pair of boots for virtually everything, and at a much cheaper price than many popular brands. I especially like the soft sole, which makes them more quiet than other harder soled boots I have.
Matt
Scrappy did you go with the regular or wide Nevada?
Hey Matt, I have some similar Red Wing work boots which I love the fit of as well, but I probably wouldn't get the traction I need in the desert mountains with those. Thanks for the suggestion.
I'd talk to the guys at Meindl, USA in Sidney, NE. I have the previously Cabelas imported Meindl Perfekt Hikers and Hunters, and understand that that Meindl USA has a comparable boot. (Cabelas/Bass Pro no longer are the US importer). The fit on the Perfekt boot line was a larger and wider toe box, with a narrow heel but with a larger volume behind the heel....that never give me heel blisters....unlike other boots like Danners and Kenetreks I've tried. Other models of Meindl boots did not have the larger heel volume and do give me heel blisters on the two pairs I've had.
Good luck!
Having the same wide issues..... I've had excellent luck with both Lowa and Meindl. (Although it seems necessary to order the Meindl down a size from what you normally wear.) I've tried on many of the boots that you reference, and it's virtually impossible to compare the fit without trying on. They are all a bit different.
I got the regular size Heat.
I recently bought the Crispi Summit GTX in wide and they are a little stiffer than I'm used to but needed little breakin and satisfied so far.
Thanks for the Meindl suggestions. Always heard good stuff about those.
I'd look hard at Crispi's, they seem to have the fit you're looking for. I've run Thor's and now Summits from Crispi and have been very happy with both.
Scarpa's tend to run very narrow in my experience, not sure they would be a good fit for you.
I need a similar fit. Wide tow box, narrow heel. I don’t worry another the arch, I’ll get an insert I like for that. For daily wear I wear Keen Targee II mid the last several years. I also wear those on most lighter type hunts.
For hunting boots I am currently using Crispi Nevada. Standard width, previously I used Lowa Tibet’s. Both are superb IMO and fit ME right out of the box. Not gonna lie, I’ve opened the box, put them on and gone on a 14 day sheep hunt.
There are so many quality choices these days you really have to find what fits you and not worry about the name on them. I bought 5-6 different pairs last time and really wanted to like the Hanwag Alaskans. I didn’t even need to lace them up to know I hated them. Some guys absolutely love them. Same with Kenetrek for me, hate them. Basically If i put them on and they aren’t damn close to perfect they aren’t the right boots for me. I don’t do “break in periods” for boots anymore.
—Jim
Meindl USA x 2 The model names are different than when Cabelas had them. Denalis are now Vakuum, Perfects are Comfort Fit, Alaskas are Glockners.
We actually have a Sportsman's Warehouse here in Yuma so I went there at lunch. They carry some Crispi. Out of my size in Nevada but I tried the Guide Uninsulated...I think we have a very, very strong contender with Crispi! Fit was as good as I could as for in a heavy mountain boot like that. I expect the Nevada will be the same or better. Much better than my existing Zamberlan which I believe I have also now outgrown with my aging feet.
I took Kurt's suggestion and called Meindl today as well. Got some good info and suggestions on fit and use for me from their staff. I might try those too and keep whichever fits best.
Same issues with me. I really like my old Meindl Perfekt hikers. I’ve had them for a long time and haven’t worn them out yet but I only get to do a few hunts every few years. I wear them quite a bit just hiking and at work. My problem with most toe boxes in boots is because my third toe is as long or longer than my big toe! Lol requiring a large toe box so the boot doesn’t start the curve too soon making it rub on that toe. My brother always teases me to just let him nip the tip of that toe off. I may just yet….
I have similar needs in a boot as well. You mentioned leather lined—did you look into Lowa Tibet leather lined (no Gore-Tex)? I have them and really like them, and even though it can be pretty wet where I hunt I’ve never had an issue with wet feet. They fit a little more loose than my 2 pairs of wide last Zamberlans which I also really like. Might be worth checking out if you can find them.
I have a similar foot. Used to run Meindls. They worked well. Currently using Crispi Nevadas in warm weather and Lowa Tibets in colder. Both are great.
Crispi Colorado GTX. Recently worn on a late season elk hunt in canyon country and held up well with good comfort.
I’ve used and abused Lowas and crispis for years. Both come in wide. I would steer clear of scarpa. They are great boots but narrow. I really like lowa Tibet’s but only use them in deep snow. My preference is lighter weight mid weight hikers. They are lighter for covering lots of country and a lot easier to stalk quietly. I have quite a few different crispi models and have really been impressed with all of them. I just bought Thor’s and they may be my favorite crispi model yet. They are lighter than many of their other models.
In the past I’ve always liked all leather but my crispi Wyo’s have held up extremely well. My new Thor’s are a similar but a chunk lighter weight. Thor’s still have rigid soles and arches so ought to do fine on steep slopes.
I’ve never had an issue with gortex lined lowas or crispis…. other than a pair of renegade synthetic model that the seams went bad and started leaking. In fact I don’t buy boots without gortex.
Thanks for all the input everybody!
I went online to Sportsman's today and put my size Crispi Nevada in the cart. Checked some old emails and found a 10% off code. That worked. Hit checkout and it added a $50 gift card to my order, SWEET! So dug around and found $115 in gift cards for them. Out the door for $275 and change and getting a $50 card to use in the future. Hard to pass up, especially considering I can walk in the store and get credit or a refund if I need to.
I'll try to check back in after I receive them.
Got my boots late yesterday. Fit is really great, unfortunately I am not exactly pleased with the pair I got. Going to see about an exchange. For one it seems like I got a pair that was a floor display because the right boot looks and feels like its been tried on by about 864 people already. The other one still has the tags and a lot fewer scuffs and actually feels new. Sorry but for that kind of money I want a "crispi" clean pair of boots that are actually new. There are also some stitching spots that look like they are already pulled loose at the seem between the leather bootie inside and the top mesh, right along the edge. Not sure I want to gamble on that holding up as is. Hope Sportsman's can help me come up with a nice pair like I tried on in store last week. If not its probably on to something else.
Crispi has been running discounts. Go directly to their website crispius.com
Unfortunately Sportsman's folks on the phone were no help at all. I ended up going in the store and returning the boots. Good thing there was a store to go in. I will get refunded what I spent back to my credit card at some point and I will trust that I will get another gift card emailed for what I used in points. I don't think I am going to order boots or shoes from them again. Pretty disappointed with the experience from Sportsman's Warehouse online. Would have been nice if they had just sent me a new pair of boots in the first place. I have no confidence that I will get what I am after if I just re-order. So its back too the drawing board. Might go a completely different direction next.
Meindl USA. Give em a call.
You can also go to BlackOvis. They are the Crispi USA dealer and supplier.
Already did that. I had a good experience talking with them on the phone and think I have their sizing figured out. Unfortunately, Meindl is out of my size in the boots I want. Waiting for the email letting me know they are back in stock.
...and Meindl's are back in stock. Edit. I ordered Meindl Comfort Fit Hiker.
Meindl Boots arrived today. So far, so good on the Meindl Comfort Fit Hiker. Sizing seemed kind of weird when I ordered and wasn't really sure, but after printing off the Brannock and measuring my feet, taking note of the fit recommendations, I ordered. I normally wear a 9.5 in Nike running shoes. For these I ordered 8, which had me worried but the fit is perfect. There is a lot of room in the toe box and a snug heel. I could probably go on a hike with these and not get a blister right out of the box. Pretty sure I'm Done! Other than figuring out the weird sizing, the experience from Meindl USA was good. They emailed when my size came in and the boots were brand new and never tried on. With free shipping and free returns it was reassuring I could get it right. Sigh of relief!!!