[pct-l] "Shoes"

[Patrick]

I have, I'm a size 13 4E. I was under the impression, before I  
started, that new balance was the only company with readily-available  
sizes in extra and extra-extra wide. I wore new balance exclusively  
(708s and 811s) until I got to Bend, OR from Santiam Pass. They had an  
amazing running shoe store there in the downtown shopping area, near  
the REI (about a half mile walk from the REI). The guys there told me  
there're actually three popular companies that make 4Es. I forget the  
third one (Brooks?) but the two he suggested were right for my feet  
were new balance or Asics. I ended up going with the Asics and I  
actually prefer them to new balance now, they have a much better sole  
and an even wider forefoot than new balance.

The Asics I have are the "Gel Fortitude 3" -- they have a very soft,  
breathable top and a fairly thick but very flexible outer sole. Some  
people need more rigidity, for that I recommend sticking a set of  
superfeet into these shoes. I wore these from Bend all the way to the  
border and then back south to Hart's Pass with no issues, and they're  
still in acceptable condition (although I don't think I could get any  
more serious hiking miles out of them).

I highly recommend giving the 4E a spin, if you're a 2E (which is just  
regular wide). I found that my feet didn't grow like most people  
suggested -- I'm a 13 normally and stayed a 13 for the whole trail.  
However I did find that while I can get away with wearing a 2E in  
regular life with no issues, on the trail I absolutely NEEDED the 4E.  
I never got any blisters on the whole trail, but I briefly tried to  
wear a set of vasque trail shoes (not boots) because I couldn't find  
new balance for while and my small toe on each foot was WRECKED after  
I did a 40.

Anyway, give the asics a spin, although I have high confidence in new  
balance as well. I've heard negative thing about Brooks, which I think  
is the third manufacturer, but it could be worth a try.


On Dec 30, 2008, at 3:04 PM, larry tedrick wrote:

> Hi!;
>    It seems like even though the rest of me stopped growing years  
> and years
> and even more years ago;my feet don't seem to get the idea.So I'm up  
> to 14
> EE+.Has anyone had good experience with any brand besides New Balance?
>                   Thanks a lot, larry779 at gmail.com
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