Recommendations on new hiking boots

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I have a patient with main problem being an irritated retrocalcaneal exostosis unilateral. Has been present for many years with no symptoms. He hikes a lot. He is a long term wearer of orthoses for past issues including achilles tendonosis which is fine at the moment. He stretches regularly.

His main hiking boots are a pair of Scarpas & a Rockport boot. The Rockport boot does not cause any problems & does appear to have a broader outsole & heel counter. The Scarpas aggravate the pain. He needs new boots but cannot find Rockport boots anymore nor anything else that has a broad heel. Any suggestions?

I am also reviewing his orthoses but finding a good fitting boot is the main issue at the moment. He has been to several reputable stores & they have been unable to supply/recommend anything.

 

Hi Mark

Scarpa is know as a narrow last hiking boot - Lucky if I can get my Hallux in the toe box let alone the other digits.

Asolo Hiking boots

I would recommend Asolo though wider fit well made and no issues for my wide foot and orthotics?

Your in Melbourne right ? The lane way in the city that has all the hiking shops ( can´t remember the name- your patient will know it if he into outdoors stuff) across the lane and up10 meters from mountains design is a great shop for buying boots (again can´t remember the name) they used to sell Asolo . If your not in Melbourne Im sure your patient will find them with a quick google

Hope that helps

 

Hi,

Asolo's are sold in a Melbourne in a shop called Bogong (Lt. Bourke Street).

Other brands that sell a wide fit are Cabelas - they are online. Not sure whether they are stocked in any aussie stores.

Cheers, Lauren

 

I am enjoying my North Face Jannu, work well with orthotics (not competing with my posting, nice and neural) and haven't had the usual retrocalc irritation I typically get with a high boot. Hard to know without wearing them on a trek and can't bring Em back once you've worn them.
S

 

I'd be surprised if anyone could escape pain for long from wearing traditional hiking boots. Without getting blasted, can I suggest a different paradigm? For years I have been traveling on foot in the rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado, 100 miles at a time, non stop in trail running shoes. The North Face, Solomon, Montrail, Merrell and many other hiking boot manufacturers also have developed their own line of trail running shoes. I have found I can wear a pair of these shoes for 100 miles over the most rugged, rocky, technical terrain and by the end my feet are the least of my concern.

I know this is anecdotal but it is also an idea and a solution for someone having poor results with traditional hiking boots. Rockport was mentioned as a brand that works for this individual. Ironically, there was a time they where also into developing 100 mile trail running shoes. They developed the Rockport Leadville Racer. It was a great shoe, I still have 3 pairs of them that are pushing 15 yrs old at this point and still going strong. I found The North Face trail running shoes to be a fairly close match in fit to the Rockport Leadville Racers.

Dana

 

To stay cost effective l would consider Mack or Rossiter, both should be available in most retailers at a reasonable price and both have a wide fitting, l can only speak personally about the Mack, style Flinders $195.00.

l have a number of clients from an orienteering club, Rock river didnt go down well but the Flinders worked well for them.

Worst case you could make an extension to his orthosis that goes up the heel either side of the retrocalcaneal exostosis, shoe horn required.