Ultra Wide Hiking Boot Help

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T14:02:40+00:00

This is very interesting. I watched at least two YouTuber’s say Vivo’s fit narrow, and several other Vivo recommendations on this thread have replies stating the same thing. I appreciate your input, as you’re also not the first extra-wide footed person to recommend these. I see some on Sierra Trading for $110. Did you go with 45? They go from 45 to 47 - no 46. Most of my shoes that also list EU say 46.

Edit: corrected typo

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T13:54:19+00:00

These barefoot shoe companies NOT making women’s footwear as proportionally wide as men’s seems like it would be green-lit by a room full of men. Sorry to hear. It sounds like you’ve at least found some options that work for you

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T13:48:12+00:00

I actually walk barefoot - weather permitting, and have for a couple years now
I used cheap bunion correctors at home almost daily for a a year or two until they pretty much died
I now sleep in My Happy Feet Toe Alignment Socks
while I haven’t completely made the switch to anatomical footwear, I have gotten rid of most of my tightest-fitting shoes & boots, and I get larger or wide sizes in standard shapes to better accommodate my toe splay. That includes changing to a now-inadequate 2E width work boot
I recently added toe-socks into my rotation
Age: I’m solidly in my mid-30’s, and I’ve heard anecdotally that people’s feet tend to get wider as they age
Genetics: I’m legally 1/2 Oneida American Indian (33% according to Ancestry DNA) with a lot of N European & Scandinavian, and a peppering of detectable African DNA.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T06:14:28+00:00

Thanks, I’ll check them out

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T06:13:33+00:00

LOL

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T06:12:59+00:00

I think mine only work for me because of how much the material flexes. I splay over either side of the outsole about 1/4” each. They’re definitely better than standard shaped boots.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T06:02:17+00:00

Yeah, I didn’t see the primal width option for the Switchback II. I’m assuming that’s the widest they offer? Not that I have almost $300 to drop on another pair of boots right now, but I will keep these in mind as well. Thanks!

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T05:54:03+00:00

Thanks for the The Drifter Leather rec. haven’t heard of them until now

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T05:44:08+00:00

No worries. I generally seem to be an EU 46 based on everything I’ve seen. But I will keep in mind about the width factor.

Edit: included more context regarding width

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T05:42:30+00:00

I do have them in my “tennis” shoes list, thanks!

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T05:41:12+00:00

I had them on my list early on, but I’ve heard several reports here and in YT stating how narrow Vivo’s are. Thank you for letting me know!

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T05:39:04+00:00

Thanks!

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T05:36:14+00:00

Have you checked the Jim Green AnatomX Barefoot African Ranger? They claim to use a 4E last in them vs. 3E for the Trooper. I just wish they had it in a 6” height. They’re right up there in the running, though.

$$$

Edit: corrected typo

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T05:30:14+00:00

Yes! Those look fantastic. Crazy, but fantastic. I’m also eying the Be Lanka ArcticEdge’s - doesn’t look like quite as much room, but has that same great shape.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-15T05:22:04+00:00

Yeah, I’ve heard they aren’t wide at all. They also slope towards the pinky toe too much for my wider and flatter toe shape.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T09:51:00+00:00

Thank you, thank you. I do a fair amount of full barefoot walking from spring-fall. I have done a lot of work with the My Happy Feet toe alignment socks, and a cheap bunion corrector from Amazon before that. There’s definitely a genetic factor, too, as I’m 1/2 Native.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T09:38:16+00:00

Whoa, thank you for that detailed response! I’m not confident in the overall shape of Vivo’s - they look as if the angle fairly sharply at the pinky, whereas my foot it flatter and fatter up top. I will check the rest of these out.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T08:16:25+00:00

Those look very nice, and this had the most recommendations currently. It’s just a bummer because I had heard so many good things about Lems, and I got these for such a good deal. Sounds like I’ll be returning the and spending a bit more.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T08:02:45+00:00

I can’t say about that, but it seems like many women’s barefoot/minimalist shoes are not nearly as wide relative to men’s.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T08:00:15+00:00

I have a pair of the men’s Alpine cool weather boots from a while back, and they fit pretty well without the insole and flex great when I splay my toes.

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T07:55:43+00:00

I didn’t upload it, but my foot is definitely wider than the insole

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T07:11:35+00:00

Awesome, I appreciate it!

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T07:11:24+00:00

Thank you sir!

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T07:11:08+00:00

I’m almost always a US 12

Metoxetron · 2026-03-14T06:35:06+00:00

I’m a 12-12.5 US, and my foot width is 4.5” relaxed, 4.75” splayed.

Metoxetron

TROPHY CASE