Is there a narrow, all-leather, supportive, hiking/trail shoe?

October 2, 2015 6:33 AM

I've got gobs of biomechanical issues and want to find a highly supportive, narrow trail shoe that could work as a daily brown leather shoe. (Scarpa used to make these, but globalization has "disney-fied" their products.) I'm hoping Euro-based friends here on MeFi might know of another brand (I've tried and rejected all the US options) that offers narrow sizing (or a "woman's" version that works for a guy) and has classic leather styling (i.e., something that looks cool but not flashy, so can wear with business casual attire).

Extra Info: I'm one of those who have found it really helpful to wear a heavy-duty "motion control" running shoe around. The one I use, Brooks Addiction, does come in all-leather, but is hideously ugly. An old-school hiking shoe with a half steel shank offers pretty much same level of support, but finding "simple" looking ones that fit has been impossible. I'd also be interested in any "orthopedic" dress shoes I might have missed (e.g., Alden offers a $650 shoe that's intended to address needs of gimps like me, but it's actually uglier than Brooks Addiction shoes.)

posted by Jon44 to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (11 answers total)

Have you looked at any of Red Wing's heritage line?
posted by backseatpilot at 6:47 AM on October 2, 2015

Lowa runs narrow, and offers great support. I'm not sure whether any of their offerings look classy/conservative enough for your needs but you have the best chances in their 'Travel' collection.
posted by Too-Ticky at 6:48 AM on October 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: - Red Wing's look good, but I don't see narrow sizing
- Lowa has been my best hope--the style of their hiking shoes is what I have in mind and they offer women's shoes that don't look overly feminine (my feet are so narrow, there's no way even a narrow'ish men's regular works.) Didn't realize they had so many other models that their U.S. site doesn't carry.
Thanks so far.
posted by Jon44 at 6:55 AM on October 2, 2015

Sorry I'm mobile so can't supply URLs right now but have you looked into Meindl? I know they have gorgeous high quality leather hiking shoes for women that don't look girly (I have some). Similar to Lowa but more classy/old fashioned.
posted by The Toad at 7:21 AM on October 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

I went looking for Asolo, because I have a friend who swears by them and I had remembered they were all leather, and apparently they run narrow

I got lots of hits on hiking boots for narrow feet; when you say you've tried all the US brands, do you mean all of these? Or that they don't come in full leather/are ugly?
posted by leahwrenn at 7:45 AM on October 2, 2015

Meindl.
posted by three blind mice at 7:52 AM on October 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

Seconding Asolo. I run narrow and had an all-leather pair that was comfortable right out of the gate and lasted me 20 years. I was sad when they finally gave out.
posted by cocoagirl at 9:56 AM on October 2, 2015

zamberlan are another italian (i think) walking boot manufacturer (no idea about widths or women's models).
posted by andrewcooke at 10:35 AM on October 2, 2015

What about some Thorogood American Heritage work boots? They're good-looking, come in narrow sizes, and are reputed to be both well-made and phenomenally comfortable. I think they could definitely pass as office casual, if you didn't actually do construction in them.

The one I linked comes with a plain toe but most of their models actually have moccasin toes, if you prefer that look or if you later wanted an alternate pair. They come in a variety of heights, as well. I have my eye on a pair (with a hard safety toe) for when my current work boots wear out.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 1:00 PM on October 2, 2015

By the way, a lot of people seem to see Thorogoods as a lower-cost-but-not-lower-quality alternative to Red Wings, so if you like Red Wings but wish they came in narrow sizes, you may be in luck there.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 1:06 PM on October 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

Oh, and I'm really sorry for posting three times in a row but I originally meant to say that I've always found traditional-style work boots to have excellent ankle support. Even without a steel shank, just being able to wrap that leather snugly over my ankles and lace it up tight really helps keep everything locked in place. I have a hurt ankle right now as it happens (rolled it while hiking in my Chacos) and my work boots are much more helpful for it than my hiking boots are, I gotta say. Get yourself some nice 6" or 8" all-leather work boots that cover your ankles. You won't regret it!
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 1:18 PM on October 2, 2015 [1 favorite]