QUESTION:
Hi,
Now that you solved all my sock, insole, narrow hiking boot, and gear questions (leading to a fabulous hike on the Inca Trail from Cuzco to Machu Picchu at my advanced age – thank you, thank you!), I’m back. Can you recommend cross trainers or other sneaker-type footwear in women’s narrow sizes? Easy Spirit is the closest I’ve come, but they’re still not right.
Thanks!!!
ANSWER:
Hi Audrey!
Great question! First off, thanks for reading HikingLady.com, and I’m thrilled that you found tips that were helpful to you 🙂
Your Inca Trail hike sounds amazing!
As far as cross trainers and narrow sneakers, I recommend the Vasque brand (review of my Vasque Blur trail running shoes). They are great for trail running and light hiking, and run particularly narrow.
For traditional sneakers, Reebok runs very narrow, yet their quality is not great in some of their shoes. New Balance can be ordered in Narrows in many models. Lastly, Saucony running shoes tend to have very narrow heels, so if your foot is narrow in the heel, it is worth trying on a pair of those. Saucony is pricier than Reebok, but they are great quality.
Hope this helps! Let me know what you go with or feedback you have on these brands.
Happy trails!
Do you have a question for the Hiking Lady?
Hello, I am so happy to have found this site as I am trying to find very (and I mean narrow!!!!) slim shoes for my 13 year old autistic son who has flat low volume Very narrow flat feet with planovalgus. He loves walking – with support 🙂 – but I have never found lightweight (ideally hightop) walking shoes narrow enough – for his very small narrow feet (european 35).
Hi Nancy,
Great question. Have you tried moleskin around your bunion? Another idea is to get a slightly wider hiking boot so the forefoot area will be wider, then using my hiking boot lacing technique to keep your heels in place? One last thought is to try bunion spacers? I’ve tried those and for me they help relieve bunion pain.
Hope that helps!
I just bought some hiking boots to wear for an upcoming trip. I have been wearing them to get comfortable walking however, my bunion on my left foot is sore. Any suggestions?