I’m looking for a nice shoe to replace my current Asics Gel -Keyano 27s. I basically wear these shoes for everything from long walks to yard work. They served me well, but it’s time for a new pair as these are worn out.

Any recommendations? I was looking at allbirds, but not sure I can make the jump.

Thanks!

  • Salomons in particular are particularly narrow, so if your narrow feet fit in those narrow shoes, then you will definitely not have heel slip.

    Heel slip is when you have a wide fore foot and narrow or normal sized heel, so you buy a wide shoe and the heel is then too wide so it feels like either your foot is about to slip out the back, or it slips side-to-side, or you crank down the laces so tight to keep your feet in you end up causing problems on the top of your foot.

    Better to get a “foot shaped” shoe like Altra and let your toes splay out while using a normal shaped heel. Your feet will thank you.

    • Interesting. The regular Salomons pinch me in the front and back so I definitely agree about particularly narrow. My complaint with Salomon wides is that the toe box isn’t that wide but even worse it’s not long enough. I kept a pair anyway until I was able to replace them with a pair of my own choosing.

      The Altras definitely have the best overall last for me, but I’m not sure I’d say my toes have enough room to splay. What I don’t like is their support level for use on court or on trails, as I end up with high-ankle strain. I’m a hiker and a cyclist, but not a runner, so for me the platform isn’t stable enough but that’s a wrong-for-me problem not a bad-shoe problem. They fit my foot so well I play flat courses on hot days with them anyway, but my new Hokas may displace them.

      I can generally ignore my heel’s fit, focusing on length and toe box. I’m wearing Oboz for work right now and I do have some wiggle room in the heel, but it’s never bothered me.

      Based on this discussion as a whole, I’d recommend wide New Balance and Hokas.