Brand new they do look like something your Gran would wear, weathered in I think they look ok.
How about a cycling Chelsea boot? Those giro trackers look good though
I do think that I am getting closer to the day where I just buy something like the Lems Trailhead and try to get them resoled with Stealth rubber (is that even possible nowadays). For now I’ll stick with upsized Freeriders as I can’t afford £250 for a pair of fancy shoes.
they are footshaped, but Lems seem to have a much thicker sole than say Vivo etc
the website says that “they are a D width (narrow)”.
I do think that I am getting closer to the day where I just buy something like the Lems Trailhead and try to get them resoled with Stealth rubber (is that even possible nowadays).
i believe adidas stopped supplying the dotty rubber, you may be able to get smooth climbing sh rubber.
Those Stomp shoes don’t look particularly wide in the toe box. But their styling is … something.
Vibram Penti Cleat
The Lens trailhead is, unfortunately, the narrowest shoe that Lens make otherwise I'd agree.
As for the sticky rubber, 5;10 no longer make the sole unit available (but they do make a shoe from recovered sea plastics for the green washing effect).
However, vibram make a sticky dot sole unit that is as good, if not better. I got mine done at Feet First Resoles
Here's a thought.
I have a pair of altra Lone peak 4.5 in a half size to small (more of a concern if I run as I wear a hole in the big toe within 5km) Anyone care to hazard a guess if feet first resoles above could resolve and stiffen the sole up at the same time?
They're natural foot shaped which is great.
Shame it's lace only. If they make a velcro or BOA version I'll buy them.
@kamoemcf
I use Altra and had similar thoughts. Or perhaps a pedalling innovations catalyst Evo pedal might be large enough to avoid hot spots on the flexible sole.
Be great if they could add a toe bumper as well.
Not entirely relevant, but stupidly wore my Vivo Addis (one of their thinnest sole shoes for commute to station and around London etc on the Brompton - super uncomfy!
I use Altra and had similar thoughts. Or perhaps a pedalling innovations catalyst Evo pedal might be large enough to avoid hot spots on the flexible sole.
Be great if they could add a toe bumper as well.
I'm a fan of barefoot shoes but those Vibram Penti Cleat are ridiculous.
I’m tempted to get a pair of CrossFit/Functional Fitness shoes (Reebok Nano) as they tend to be wider with a more natural shape but due to lifting and strength parts of the sport are quite stiff (not super stiff like SPD shoes) and get them resoled. Not much toe protection but might suit me for XC and trail centre duties as I rarely hit my toes.
I’ve been tempted to get a pair of Vivo resoled for riding. That’s the big issue for me, spend enough time barefoot or wearing vivo footwear and normal stuff becomes really uncomfortable and restrictive. Like boxing gloves for your feet
The widest parts of my feet are from the ball directly across the width of the foot . from there they taper on both sides for almost two inches to the end of my big toes . That looks to me very much like the shoes and trainers that I put them in . Am I abnormal or have my feet been changed to fit my footware ?
My experience after wearing altra, lems and merrell barefoot shoes for a few years, is that I can no longer wear traditional shoes anymore as the discomfort is noticeable as soon as I put them on. I think a part of that is that my toes have been allowed to spread naturally, and part that I am no longer accustomed to the restrictive nature of traditional shoes.
@RamseyNeil, mine used to be the same and was probably due to about 20 years of wearing normal pointy shoes. Luckily in my 20s and 30s I was pretty much either in flip flops, barefoot or in big wide boots for work before switching to barefoot style shoes so they got another 20 years to revert to normal.
My mum dug out some photos from being a toddler and you could see how wide and splayed my toes/feet were before wearing ‘proper’ shoes. Especially compared to some beach shots from late teens where my toes had become much more tapered in. And now they’re more back to how they were.
My arches and stability have greatly improved as well.
@MSP - I agree.
