Shoe suggestions for low-volume, wide-toed foot?

[Becky]

I'm an occasional runner at best, and I'm finally in need of new shoes. But I'm having trouble finding what I want and need, and hoping that some folks here may have ideas for me.

I'm looking for a low-drop, lightly-cushioned shoe for mostly road and treadmill running. I already have a pair of VFFs that work well, but I'd like something slightly more cushioned and more normal in appearance.

I have medium width, low-volume feet with narrow heels, but wide toes. Therein lies my problem: my two outside toes end up jammed into the front of the shoe, even though the ball of my foot is happy. Many "wider" shoes give me too much volume in the toe box upper, leading to a sloppy fit.

Most recently, I tried the Brooks PureConnect and loved it, except for the shape of the toe box. Any suggestions for a similar shoe with a more squared-off toe box?? I'm looking at Keen A86 TRs and Altra Delilahs as possibilities, but can't try them locally.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[OakLeaf]

Lemings have no cushion, but I don't know why you couldn't stick an aftermarket insole in there, especially if your feet are low volume.

I can't run in mine (yet....) but for daily wear I just simply totally absolutely ADORE them. They are the first shoes I've ever worn in my entire 52 years that actually fit my feet. And they don't look weird at all. (I still have to size up one size in length to get the width I need, but it's not really noticeable to me.)

I just bought my second pair in a different color. I don't think it'll be long before I own all three colors. (Whoa, looky, FIVE colors now! )



ETA: You mentioned Altra ... I don't know the Delilah, but I have a pair of size 11 Intuition that are yours if you want them. 58 miles and I've given up trying to sell them. Nice square toe box, but the overall width is just way too narrow for my forefeet. If your feet are B width at the metatarsal arch, then you should be fine in them. I didn't find them to be overly stiff, which is a major complaint that Danny Dreyer has with the Altras - I'd put stiffness about on a par with the Nike Zoom Triax Structure I've been running in - but I think the Delilahs are more minimal.

[Becky]

Thanks, Oak, for both the feedback and the offer. Unfortunately, I'm only a size 8.5; otherwise, I'd take you up on it!

How's the upper volume in the Leming shoes? Comparable to most Keens, or less?

[OakLeaf]

I've never worn Keens. The Lemings are pretty low volume, my feet are low volume also. But I keep them laced fairly close except toward the forefoot, which is why I'm pretty sure there would be room for an insole, especially if your feet are narrower than mine. My heels are also narrow in comparison to my forefeet, and it's not an issue with the Lemings at all.

[zoom-zoom]

Sounds a lot like my foot (though mine are very much WIDE through the toes). I have recently fallen in love with the Nike Free Run+ 3. Not quite as minimal as the regular Frees, but still not a lot of shoe (I think the heel/toe drop is ~7mm, which is still quite low). They feel amazing to run in. Grippy and flexy and like I have nothing on my foot.

[Becky]

I tried a pair of Nike Free 3.0 last night, and liked them except for the fluorescent pink color. I'm not certain that they're wide enough at the toes, but I loved how flexible the upper was.

I don't understand Nike's nomenclature yet...