Beginners fell shoes

So let me see if I've got this anywhere near right.
For the last few years I've always bought my shoes 'tight'. Think this started when I was buying climbing shoes. I reckon that to get a tight fit, I've also been erring on a too small fit
I'm just getting out of the habit because with my road and trail shoes I was getting blisters on toes and heel along with premature wearing of the heel cup on the shoe. My latest road shoes are the same model I had, but a 43.5 instead of a 42.....

Now for a fell shoe, I need to get them 'small' again? or is it just that fell shoes are by design a narrower fit than a road shoe?

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Originally Posted by No vice

or is it just that fell shoes are by design a narrower fit than a road shoe?

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this usually. Some people find they have to go up half a size

Hi there, I'm new around here and interested in fell shoes. I have just made my first purchase, Mountain Bear Gladiators, and they do seem very tight in the size 10 which I bought. I'm a 9.5-10 in civvy shoes and 11 in road shoes (which have the recommended thumb's width of room). There does seem to be a little bit of room in the shoes, but everything seems cramped. I'd say my big toe has about a little finger's width of room, and is bashing the roof of the shoe. Removing the insole helps, as does not wearing socks, but my feet are used to splaying out in a roomy toe box. There is a lot of padding, so maybe the heel padding will settle down a little and allow my foot to sit further back? Maybe my foot should get stronger and impose it's will on the shoes a bit more, at the risk of some black toenails?

Would an 11 be a better bet, do you think? I have to buy mail order, and am stingy, so a return would cost me another £10 in delivery charges. 11's would leave me at least a thumb's width of room I think, is that a bad thing in a fell shoe?

Also these shoes are rumoured to shrink, so not sure what would happen in the 10's I've got at the moment.

Many thanks for any help/advice you can give!

well, are they comfortable, taht's the thing? If they are pinching and cramping your feet when walking round the house in them, then they're no good. Also depends if you think the uppers will give a bit.

In general yes people say don't have some much of a gap at the toe, as with road shoes, but it isn't so much a prob if your foot is held fast by the rest of the shoe.

Do they not have half sizes, sounds like a 10.5 is what you need.

They're not bad for comfort, maybe even a tad too narrow though. I have a job lacing them as the tongue is mega-padded. I think they only go up in whole sizes, at least according to Running Bear's website. I'm wondering if they are just too narrow and I should be looking at something like Walsh Ultras.

They don't really pinch or rub when walking around, just feel cramped.

Surely the only requirement for a beginners fell shoe is velcro fastening? Like a 'My First Fell Shoe' type thing? :confused:

I've bought Gladiators in half sizes in the past. Why not just ring them and ask?

Sounds like a plan. Other shops sell them in half-sizes, so I guess Running Bear must do as well as they are the manufacturers.

SS, have you invented velcro which will survive a fell race then?

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Originally Posted by tavisH

SS, have you invented velcro which will survive a fell race then?

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Hmmmm.
*Makes like Wyle E. Coyote and heads back to the 'ole drawing board'*

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Originally Posted by No vice

So let me see if I've got this anywhere near right.
For the last few years I've always bought my shoes 'tight'. Think this started when I was buying climbing shoes. I reckon that to get a tight fit, I've also been erring on a too small fit
I'm just getting out of the habit because with my road and trail shoes I was getting blisters on toes and heel along with premature wearing of the heel cup on the shoe. My latest road shoes are the same model I had, but a 43.5 instead of a 42.....

Now for a fell shoe, I need to get them 'small' again? or is it just that fell shoes are by design a narrower fit than a road shoe?

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Hi No Vice
I would advise that you go into a specialist running shop and try on different brands and styles.
If you are normally a size UK 8 or 42 then that is nearly always the size you should try first in an inov-8 shoe( we are generally true to size) But its not always the case between brands and styles thats why its important to try them on. We also offer half sizes in all models so that you can get a precise fit. The fit can be further fine tuned by removing the standard 6mm footbed and replace it with a 3mm adjuster for greater volume or play about with varying combinations.( Personally I dont use any footbed)
Our fell shoes are made on our performance last/fit, which means its a snug fit. You should be able to flex your toes but the shoe feel snug & secure without being tight and restrictive.
All our fell shoes have a 2 cushion mid sole and come with different stud configarations and rubber compounds.
Our sticky rubber offers far superior grip particularily on wet rock.
The product selection page of our website will enable you to choose different fits, cushioning,rubber compound etc.

If you have any queries please just give me a shout.:cool:

I purchased some Salomon Speed Cross 2's for my first fell running shoes, absolutely amazing shoes on the fell, they haven't let me down yet, loads of grip and very comfy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by No vice

So let me see if I've got this anywhere near right.
For the last few years I've always bought my shoes 'tight'. Think this started when I was buying climbing shoes. I reckon that to get a tight fit, I've also been erring on a too small fit
I'm just getting out of the habit because with my road and trail shoes I was getting blisters on toes and heel along with premature wearing of the heel cup on the shoe. My latest road shoes are the same model I had, but a 43.5 instead of a 42.....

Now for a fell shoe, I need to get them 'small' again? or is it just that fell shoes are by design a narrower fit than a road shoe?

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depend walsh-narrow
inov8-wide

May i direct readers to this thread

http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?t=8887

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

depend walsh-narrow
inov8-wide

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inov-8 have two lasts. Performance - narrower. Endurance - wider. Took me ages to realise why I couldn't get their shoes on :)

Walsh Ultras are wide too.

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Originally Posted by southernsoftie

Surely the only requirement for a beginners fell shoe is velcro fastening? Like a 'My First Fell Shoe' type thing? :confused:

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Like it! :D

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Originally Posted by southernsoftie

Surely the only requirement for a beginners fell shoe is velcro fastening? Like a 'My First Fell Shoe' type thing? :confused:

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Can you get them with lights that flash with every step?

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Originally Posted by idler

inov-8 have two lasts. Performance - narrower. Endurance - wider. Took me ages to realise why I couldn't get their shoes on :)

Walsh Ultras are wide too.

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However - I'm still waiting for inov-8 to produce an endurance last shoe with a decent aggressive tread - in the mean time my feet are squeezed into mudrocs 1/2 a size bigger than normal, which do feel a wee bit long and clown-shoe like. My size 10 terrocs fit me fine but are pants on anything wet or muddy - may get some Roclites next as a compromise between grip and comfort, unless something new comes out... anything we should know about on the horizon Inov-8 Insider?

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Originally Posted by Skids

However - I'm still waiting for inov-8 to produce an endurance last shoe with a decent aggressive tread .. anything we should know about on the horizon Inov-8 Insider?

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We are on with it:D
Will let you know when its in production once its been signed off.
Roclites would be good for all but the very steepest, muddiest stuff.
I personally use a Roclite (285) for all my training and would be suffice for an awful lot of races.

Will keep you posted:)

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Originally Posted by Inov-8 Insider

We are on with it:D
Will let you know when its in production once its been signed off.
Roclites would be good for all but the very steepest, muddiest stuff.
I personally use a Roclite (285) for all my training and would be suffice for an awful lot of races.

Will keep you posted:)

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great stuff inov-8 i ran up pendle with the head torch last night in the mudroc 280s found them great on the rocky stuff but they didnt cope to well coming down the middle.. oh well carnt have everything id say just address your greatest need eg comfort roclites are comfy grip mudclaw or mudroc :)

why not have both.
They obviously can make them so they should.
The thing that gets me about inov8s is that they are either small and a good fit width ways or you have to have them to big and then it wrecks your descending. Maybe quarter sizes would be an idea

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

why not have both.
They obviously can make them so they should.
The thing that gets me about inov8s is that they are either small and a good fit width ways or you have to have them to big and then it wrecks your descending. Maybe quarter sizes would be an idea

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How about if we offer Mudclaw in narrow fit, normal fit and wide fit?
Im sure someone will want extra narrow and extra wide or extra extra wide.:eek:

We will be offering a wider fit which will help some folks, I will keep you posted.

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Originally Posted by Inov-8 Insider

How about if we offer Mudclaw in narrow fit, normal fit and wide fit?
Im sure someone will want extra narrow and extra wide or extra extra wide.:eek:

We will be offering a wider fit which will help some folks, I will keep you posted.

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why not go off a walsh fit, inov8 fit or a wide foot

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

why not go off a walsh fit, inov8 fit or a wide foot

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:cool:

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Originally Posted by Inov-8 Insider

:cool:

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keep everyone happy.
if you would like to hire me as a resident genius please dont hesitate to contact me

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

keep everyone happy.
if you would like to hire me as a resident genius please dont hesitate to contact me

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Isn't it about time you started at Disney Turbo? ;)

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Isn't it about time you started at Disney Turbo? ;)

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think you will find my first shift is next wednesday. and im coupling that with a jobs hopefully at millets

Im sorry II but i think you need to concentrate on narrower shoes they are wide enough already. It is really offputting when your feet slide around unless you get excrutiatingly small shoes where you have to scrunch your toes up

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

think you will find my first shift is next wednesday. and im coupling that with a jobs hopefully at millets

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Hey good luck! :cool:

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Hey good luck! :cool:

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cheers dt. bloody german work now though.pile of shite

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Originally Posted by Inov-8 Insider

How about if we offer Mudclaw in narrow fit, normal fit and wide fit?
Im sure someone will want extra narrow and extra wide or extra extra wide.:eek:

We will be offering a wider fit which will help some folks, I will keep you posted.

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Yes please!:D

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

Im sorry II but i think you need to concentrate on narrower shoes they are wide enough already. It is really offputting when your feet slide around unless you get excrutiatingly small shoes where you have to scrunch your toes up

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Turbo I think the "Ultimate Fell Racer" may well be what your looking for.
I also have a narrow foot and find the X-Talon too wide for when Im contouring ( though is ok when on mountain paths)


The " Ultimate Fell Racer" very light, sticky rubber stud sole, low profile and a narrower fit........were on with it :D

inov8 certainly have a lot to live up to

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

inov8 certainly have a lot to live up to

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ino they will do there very best to fill expectations :D

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

inov8 certainly have a lot to live up to

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You must have patience young grasshopper :D

X talon's with a mudclaw sole would be very interesting........

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Originally Posted by Fleeter

X talon's with a mudclaw sole would be very interesting........

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Even more interesting if you could carry little amounts of strongbow in them.:D

X talon with a mudroc sole would be super light

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

X talon with a mudroc sole would be super light

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i think the sole on the talon is great but i personally think it would be interesting with a version with endurance rubber compound :D

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Originally Posted by scott baistow 93

i think the sole on the talon is great but i personally think it would be interesting with a version with endurance rubber compound :D

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yes but the uppers would go well fast

I think what is missing from the Inov8 range is a shoe with 3 level cushiong and performance last.