I have wide feet that have only gotten wider over the years. Thankfully my life is very conducive to barefeet and flip flops so it's not a big deal to find everyday shoes that fit.
Finding running shoes has been another matter altogether, but I didn't realize the extent of it until I started wearing Newtons.
My first pair of transition shoes (4mm drop or less) was the Saucony Kinvara 2 (womens). I loved them, and they were exactly what I needed when I needed them - I won them in a giveaway; I couldn't afford Newtons, or anything else at that time, so they were perfect.
But you can see where the outer part near my baby toe is wearing out.
they're pictured here on the wrong sides so the baby toes are together
I didn't think anything of it because the K 2s weren't exactly known for their durability.
Fast forward a few months and my Christmas present (in February 2012) was a pair Newton trail shoes (mens). Typically trail shoes are pretty hardy, and Newtons are known for their durability. I've heard of runners getting as many as 2,000 miles out of a single pair. Bill would have to grumble about the cost of running shoes only half as often... I love the idea of that!
After about 250 miles I noticed the same wear pattern in the same places on my Newtons. I took them back to where I bought them as they suggested Shoe Goo.
I should have documented this all with photos but it took so long from start to finish that I just didn't think of it.
Round 1: cool water, soft bristle toothbrush - Gently scrubbed the areas clean. Air dried overnight, stuffed them with paper to retain shape and applied Shoe Goo.
Didn't make any difference at all; in fact the holes just got bigger.
Round 2: Gently sand away as much Shoe Goo as possible with fine grit sandpaper. Cool water, soft bristle toothbrush - Gently scrubbed the areas clean. Air dried overnight, stuffed them with paper to retain shape. Duct tape and super glue - cut the tape to desired shape/size, applied glue to tape, then tape to shoe. Applied a strip of untreated Duct Tape to the inside at the holes. Let sit for 48 hours.
Lasted for a few runs before the tape started peeling at the edges. The inside strips just peeled off once the inside got sweaty.
Round 2.5: Cool water, soft bristle toothbrush - Gently scrubbed the areas clean. Air dried overnight, stuffed them with paper to retain shape. Applied super glue to edges. Let sit for 48 hours.
Again it lasted for a few runs but after getting them wet, the tape just peeled off.
Round 3: Gently sand away as much tape residue as possible with fine grit sandpaper. Cool water, soft bristle toothbrush - Gently scrubbed the areas clean. Air dried overnight, stuffed them with paper to retain shape. Duct tape and Shoe Goo - applied Goo to the tape, then the tape to the shoe. Let sit for 48 hours.
And again, it lasted for a few runs before peeling away.
Round 4: Gently sand away as much tape residue as possible with fine grit sandpaper. Cool water, soft bristle toothbrush - Gently scrubbed the areas clean. Air dried overnight, stuffed them with paper to retain shape. Duct tape and Shoe Goo - Applied the tape, then sealed the edges with the Goo. Let sit for 48 hours.
Same result. So at this point I have decided to just keep reapplying tape as needed.
Aren't they classy?
Why go to so much trouble? They cost a bundle and the soles are still good. I have *maybe* 900 miles on them so they've got plenty of life left.
I can't wear them on technical trails because it feels like my feet are going to slide right through the shoe, but I wear them on the roads or the tow path just fine....well other than the very annoying clicking sound the right shoe makes. I haven't figured out what causes that so I just live with it.
I wondered at first if I had a pair of lemons. I may. But my Vivobarefoot Neos that I wear almost everywhere - even hiking - look great with no signs of wear on the sides.
I realized it was time to find another pair of shoes. So I did....
