Buying footwear when all the shops are closed...?

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harok11a

Ultralighter
My final pair of Inov-8 Roclite 320 GTX are at least 200km beyond their usable life. Everywhere is closed and I have awkward feet and finding shoes is always a challenge. I bought multiple pairs of the Roclites as they fit well, but the newer ones aren't the same fit.

Is anyone aware of anywhere online with good returns policy so I can order lots of shoes and easily return the ones that don't work (maybe all of them!)?

Also does anyone know of lightweight (~400g) mids/boots with Goretex that aren't Inov-8? I don't see many options and I have slightly wide feet and struggle with many shoes.
 
Shewie

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Mole said:
Sportsshoes do free returns carriage if you drop off at an Asda store.

In autumn I ordered 4 pairs of shoes from them to try at home. As none fit me, sent all back via Asda (using the form supplied). Credit card was reimbursed with full amount.
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That’s good to know, Carol paid £12 to return her Salomon boots at the PO, I best keep that one quiet :)
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Mole said:
Sportsshoes do free returns carriage if you drop off at an Asda store.

In autumn I ordered 4 pairs of shoes from them to try at home. As none fit me, sent all back via Asda (using the form supplied). Credit card was reimbursed with full amount.
Click to expand...
I thought the free returns was dependent on it being mentioned in the advert. I've noticed in the past, some of their ads say free return and others don't.
*eligible items

Screenshot_20210117_171503_com.brave.browser.jpg Screenshot_20210117_171514_com.brave.browser.jpg
 
H

harok11a

Ultralighter
Looks like it might be worth trying ordering 5/6 pairs from SportShoes.com and sending back the ones that don’t work. Lots of ££ temporarily on the credit card! This seems like the best approach though, and I’m not expecting shops to open anytime soon here in Wales.

i wish my feet weren’t so difficult to get shoes for!
 
Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Keen are lovely and wide with a very rounded toe and fit me perfectly, but unfortunatley seem to be made from water soluble materials. They don't have a great rep. IME, they also stink to high heaven before long.

My wide feet and wide squarish toe shape with narrow heals does well in Altra, New Balance and Newton running.

Most impressive though have been Meindl Comfortfit (wide fitting). They have a rep with shoefitters for being the widest on the market and I'm really impressed with my recent pair of leather outer trainers that I got for tougher cold weather walking without crampons (Philladelphia GTX).

Although maybe a bit heavier than Inov8 (I've never been a big fan of my previous pairs), they do a few different types in this really wide fitting.
 
R

Rmr

Section Hiker
Teepee said:
Keen are lovely and wide with a very rounded toe and fit me perfectly, but unfortunatley seem to be made from water soluble materials. They don't have a great rep. IME, they also stink to high heaven before long.

My wide feet and wide squarish toe shape with narrow heals does well in Altra, New Balance and Newton running.

Most impressive though have been Meindl Comfortfit (wide fitting). They have a rep with shoefitters for being the widest on the market and I'm really impressed with my recent pair of leather outer trainers that I got for tougher cold weather walking without crampons (Philladelphia GTX).

Although maybe a bit heavier than Inov8 (I've never been a big fan of my previous pairs), they do a few different types in this really wide fitting.
Click to expand...
Forgot about Meindl, have the Bhutan leather boots and 2 pairs of their GTX shoes, all very comfortable, just realized how many pairs of boots & shoes I own.
 
H

harok11a

Ultralighter
Teepee said:
Although maybe a bit heavier than Inov8 (I've never been a big fan of my previous pairs), they do a few different types in this really wide fitting.
Click to expand...

Philladelphia GTX are 50%+ heavier than Roclites I normally use. To me that's a lot, and they're a different type of shoe entirely.

I'd like to try the new Altra Lone Peak 5.0's, but don't believe we'll get them in the UK for a few months. I am unconvinced about grip and durability is a concern. However, I've had a lot of Inov8's and am fairly used to shoes with a 500km life!

Ideally I'd get GTX mids for winter, <400g, low stack height, a little wide. Lows for summer, <300g, low stack.

It's a little surprising there aren't more GTX mids available, but I guess most people buy lows or full on boots, and the US market has less need for GTX.
 
Shewie

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
harok11a said:
My final pair of Inov-8 Roclite 320 GTX are at least 200km beyond their usable life. Everywhere is closed and I have awkward feet and finding shoes is always a challenge. I bought multiple pairs of the Roclites as they fit well, but the newer ones aren't the same fit.

Is anyone aware of anywhere online with good returns policy so I can order lots of shoes and easily return the ones that don't work (maybe all of them!)?

Also does anyone know of lightweight (~400g) mids/boots with Goretex that aren't Inov-8? I don't see many options and I have slightly wide feet and struggle with many shoes.
Click to expand...

Salomon do wide fittings in certain models, I've always got on well with their stuff. Apart from the FastPacker mids which the gtx lining kept failing after about 40 miles, really comfy but after 3 replacements I gave up on them.

eVent lined Altra Lone Peak mids?
 
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EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Shewie said:
Salomon do wide fittings in certain models, I've always got on well with their stuff. Apart from the FastPacker mids which the gtx lining kept failing after about 40 miles, really comfy but after 3 replacements I gave up on them.

eVent lined Altra Lone Peak mids?
Click to expand...
Trek-liter tubbs.... You might get 50 miles from them if you ditch that osprey pack and your ginsters pasty :facepalm:
 
Shewie

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Chiseller said:
Trek-liter tubbs.... You might get 50 miles from them if you ditch that osprey pack and your ginsters pasty :facepalm:
Click to expand...

It’s alright mate, that was over 10 years ago, before fastpacking was thing for old men who like to be uncomfortable ;)
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Shewie said:
It’s alright mate, that was over 10 years ago, before fastpacking was thing for old men who like to be uncomfortable ;)
Click to expand...
th
 
H

harok11a

Ultralighter
One negative of SportsShoes.com is their returns aren’t as good as they seem. They offer Hermes pickup for cheap, but insured only to £50, so for big orders it’s either a big risk, or useless. They basically state either use this, or send it back via another courier.

However, I see no details of the £50 insurance on the Hermes Returns website, it doesn’t mention insurance at all. A little odd.

I should certainly have checked that more, but it’s definitely put me off using them much in the future.
 
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ADz

ADz

Thru Hiker
Amazon Wardrobe items you can get sent for free, try them for 7 days and return with the sticker provided at PO and won't be charged.
 
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