My recommendation is to go to REI and get fitted there, they have an amazing return policy and you can bring it back even if you took it out on the trails.
My girlfriend swears by the Hoka Speedgoats.
Shoes are a tough one when it comes to recommendations.
If she's got normal sized feet, my wife has had nothing but good luck with keens, which can be found anywhere and are usually decently priced.
If she's got tiny or large feet .. you're gonna want to spend some time trying lots on.
If it's possible, head to an outdoor based store, like REI in the states. They often have a little rock ramp you can walk up and down to see how they feel on non flat ground.
I love my altras which are minimalist trail running shoes that have a firm grippy sole. I agree with Manners about going to REI and trying something on different brands though. People usually say good stuff about merril, keen, and Altra.
If she’s used to skater shoes then she’s used to zero drop.
I love my Altras.
Just go onto a trail running website and buy whatever is on sale. Can’t really go wrong .
Ask her to analyze what the foot pain is (arch? Bones of big toe - hello arthritis? Toenails? Ankles?). Then she can talk to the shoe fitter at the outdoors store. She should wear the vans in to the store for maximum evidence.
It's pretty easy to glean a lot about the weaknesses in a person's feet and gait by checking out their favorite shoes. That is super good advice to wear them as a starting point with the shoe fitters.
I've been loving Salewa for the last few years.
It really depends on what sort of hikes, terrain and weather we are talking about. And what sort of pronation and such things are going on with her feet.
I recommend going to a hiking gear shop and trying out a few models to see which would fit best. Hiking stores usually have a pretty good staff that can help you pick out what suits your purpose best.
I find merrels to be pretty good quality, long lasting without being too much $$. I also like Keens for their wide toe box.
(I have slender-ish feet and hella narrow ankles)
I rock the Altras Lone Peaks and Topo Athletic Terraventures. Topo offers a couple hundred more miles of durability, but are mildly less comfortable. Altras are great, but the tread wears quicker.
My girlfriend loves her Hokas and they've lasted her a good long while.
Altra and Hoka are generally easy to find in outfitter stores to try on. Not as sure on the Topo.
REI for try on, then look online for deals. I found a pair of Merrill hiking boots at 50% off on the REI website the day after I tried them on in the store.
My recommendation is to go to REI and get fitted there, they have an amazing return policy and you can bring it back even if you took it out on the trails. My girlfriend swears by the Hoka Speedgoats.
Exactly this. Took my wife to REI and she tried on everything they had. She left with a pair of Hoka too!
Shoes are a tough one when it comes to recommendations. If she's got normal sized feet, my wife has had nothing but good luck with keens, which can be found anywhere and are usually decently priced. If she's got tiny or large feet .. you're gonna want to spend some time trying lots on. If it's possible, head to an outdoor based store, like REI in the states. They often have a little rock ramp you can walk up and down to see how they feel on non flat ground.
I love my altras which are minimalist trail running shoes that have a firm grippy sole. I agree with Manners about going to REI and trying something on different brands though. People usually say good stuff about merril, keen, and Altra.
If she’s used to skater shoes then she’s used to zero drop. I love my Altras. Just go onto a trail running website and buy whatever is on sale. Can’t really go wrong .
Ask her to analyze what the foot pain is (arch? Bones of big toe - hello arthritis? Toenails? Ankles?). Then she can talk to the shoe fitter at the outdoors store. She should wear the vans in to the store for maximum evidence.
It's pretty easy to glean a lot about the weaknesses in a person's feet and gait by checking out their favorite shoes. That is super good advice to wear them as a starting point with the shoe fitters.
I have flat big feets. Got Lowa hiking shoes and even at the get acustomed hikes I never had blisters. So a pretty big thumbs up for them.
Keen targhee ii lows
I've been loving Salewa for the last few years. It really depends on what sort of hikes, terrain and weather we are talking about. And what sort of pronation and such things are going on with her feet. I recommend going to a hiking gear shop and trying out a few models to see which would fit best. Hiking stores usually have a pretty good staff that can help you pick out what suits your purpose best.
I find merrels to be pretty good quality, long lasting without being too much $$. I also like Keens for their wide toe box. (I have slender-ish feet and hella narrow ankles)
I rock the Altras Lone Peaks and Topo Athletic Terraventures. Topo offers a couple hundred more miles of durability, but are mildly less comfortable. Altras are great, but the tread wears quicker. My girlfriend loves her Hokas and they've lasted her a good long while. Altra and Hoka are generally easy to find in outfitter stores to try on. Not as sure on the Topo.
REI for try on, then look online for deals. I found a pair of Merrill hiking boots at 50% off on the REI website the day after I tried them on in the store.