I hate it when they discontinue the shoes I like

[njhowie]

I looked at this website and they have really nice looking shoes but I don't see any running shoes and that is what I really need now. I have enough dress shoes and boots right now. Thanks, I will keep a note of this site for the future.

If running shoes are what you need, then check joesnewbalanceoutlet.com - that is my go-to place. Great prices, excellent selection. It is New Balance's company clearance/outlet site. Once I've found what works for me, I'll watch for when they deeply discount, and then make a bulk purchase. I will go through 5 or 6 pairs a year as my mileage will eat through a pair every 2 or 3 months. Right now they are having their year end clearance, so check it out. Also sign up with an account - it will immediately get you extra discounts and lower minimum for free shipping.

New Balance has gotten in to the game of introducing a model and then discontinuing in less than a year and it is annoying. However, they are generally very good when it comes to sizing - it is true across their entire line. If you fit well in one model, you're good in that size with any other shoe of theirs. I've only had a couple of instances when a shoe did not work.

 

[gerntz]

Try buying for my granddaughter's size 12 narrow feet.

 

[Amethyst]

They're a little cagey on the web site about the "custom" part, and they don't show any women's boots (unless I missed a link). They just say "If you see a pair of men's boots you like and want them made up in a women's size, tell us." I might write them about my situation, just to see what they say.

Here you go....custom made boots.

https://www.texascrazy.com/category/womens-custom-cowboy-boots/

WOMENS CUSTOM WESTERN BOOT ORDER TIMING
As you consider a pair of womens custom western boots online at TexasCrazy.com, please give special notice to the issue of TIMING. Our goal is to help you celebrate Texas and exceed your expectations rather than disappoint you. As you might imagine exotic leather cowboy boots take time in:

Locating (somebody has to raise or catch the critters where they live)
Tanning (each animal skin tanning process can be unique and very specialized)
Ship (from all over the world to the Hondo bootmaking facility)
Schedule (all kinds of boot materials arrive and these need close coordination)
Produce (custom handcrafted boots – one at a time using old west methods)
Quality control (bootmaking is part art, part science)
Pack and ship to you.
So, we share this up front so that when you read anywhere from 3 to 5 months on our custom boot delivery, please understand that is an estimate and not a guarantee. There is a complex process going on behind the scenes and that we think you’ll end up pleased and proud of your boots if you are patient with us on timing. As you add a pair of custom western boots to the cart, you’ll be asked to check that you have been informed of this timing issue. Thanks for your understanding.

SHOP OUR WOMENS CUSTOM COWBOY BOOTS
If you see a pair of Hondo mens boots on our website and want a pair in the ladies version, the answer is yes we can have ’em made for you in a ladies size the way you like it. Just let us know the stock number and your boot size and we’ll figure a price up for you.

 

[splitwdw]

There is a Nordstrom at the mall but I have never been in it, out of my price range. Does Nordstrom have running shoes?

I've mentioned Nordstrom's before and for some reason people think everything is too expensive. Yes, you can find very expensive brands at Nordstrom's. You will also find shoes and sneakers that are sold at every other shoe store. I also shop the sale section of their web site for some great buys.
https://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens..._p01_shop&top=72&offset=3&page=1&sort=Boosted

 

[Brat]

Nordstrom stores vary a lot in their offerings. The Portland downtown store carries high fashion shoes, the store at the Washington Square Mall has a full range of styles.

 

[Amethyst]

Can't speak for all unusual sizes, but Nordstrom's wide-width selection pales next to Zappos.com. Zappos will have 50 sandal styles, some of them actually pretty, compared with four old-lady styles at Nordstrom.com.

 

[Redbugdave]

Harllee my dear, let Ebay be your savior. There are many things that go out of style and are not made anymore. If you know exactly what you want, Ebay will provide.

 

[harllee]

Harllee my dear, let Ebay be your savior. There are many things that go out of style and are not made anymore. If you know exactly what you want, Ebay will provide.

Yes, Ebay is where I found my last 5 pairs of my favorite shoe but I have been looking on Ebay for several months now and have not found a single pair of my favorite shoe in my size, maybe the style is just to old, it was discontinued several years ago.

 

[Bamaman]

I wonder how one would go about finding a shoemaker to make a custom last and custom shoes? Is it even possible for non-billionaires?

Johnston and Murphy in Nashville also custom makes shoes. Customers have a locker where their lasts are kept.

 

[splitwdw]

Can't speak for all unusual sizes, but Nordstrom's wide-width selection pales next to Zappos.com. Zappos will have 50 sandal styles, some of them actually pretty, compared with four old-lady styles at Nordstrom.com.

OP is looking for sneakers not sandals. I must have missed where she needs the xx width.

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

Interesting thread. As a (mostly ex) runner, when I found a shoe I liked, I bought a number of pairs of them. I lucked into a retro remake of ASCIS Gel LyteSpeed's (with the split tongue) and snapped up a half dozen pairs of them this past year. (I wore the originals as my marathon race day shoes for a number of races.)

Although you've probably already tried them, Saucany has (or at used to) have last's which were somewhat narrower in the heel and wider in the forefoot.

 

[harllee]

Interesting thread. As a (mostly ex) runner, when I found a shoe I liked, I bought a number of pairs of them. I lucked into a retro remake of ASCIS Gel LyteSpeed's (with the split tongue) and snapped up a half dozen pairs of them this past year. (I wore the originals as my marathon race day shoes for a number of races.)

Although you've probably already tried them, Saucany has (or at used to) have last's which were somewhat narrower in the heel and wider in the forefoot.

I have not tried Saucany. I filled out their online questionnaire and it showed me some shoes they recommend for me that were close to $200, much more than I am use to paying. I usually replace my shoes every 4-6 months so that would get pretty pricy.

 

[cooch96]

They're a little cagey on the web site about the "custom" part, and they don't show any women's boots (unless I missed a link). They just say "If you see a pair of men's boots you like and want them made up in a women's size, tell us." I might write them about my situation, just to see what they say.



WOMENS CUSTOM WESTERN BOOT ORDER TIMING
As you consider a pair of womens custom western boots online at TexasCrazy.com, please give special notice to the issue of TIMING. Our goal is to help you celebrate Texas and exceed your expectations rather than disappoint you. As you might imagine exotic leather cowboy boots take time.

Something I learned the hard way. It’s only custom fitted if you go to the cobbler and they make lasts (molds) from your specific foot geometry. Then make repeat visits during manufacturing to make sure the shoes will fit.

I bought a pair of “custom” moccasins from a premier Wisconsin shoemaker. DW took a dozen measurements of my feet and ankles, per their instructions. Then I mailed these in along with $300 and waited six months (four longer than promised). The shoes finally came, but they came ill fitting. I found out later that the best a shoemaker can do from this method is grab a standard last that most closely fits the dimensions you send them. I figure they ask for so many extra dimensions to fool the customer into thinking they’re getting something unique.

 

[Amethyst]

She mentioned wide forefoot with regular/narrow heel, which is just like my foot. It is a difficult kind of foot to buy for, since wide-width shoes usually have wider heels, too.

You're correct, she asked about athletic shoes, and has gotten some good responses (I recommended New Balance, as have others). Presumably she wears other kinds of shoes now and then, too, just as I do

This has been a very good thread; I thank OP for having started it.

OP is looking for sneakers not sandals. I must have missed where she needs the xx width.

 

[JoeWras]

She mentioned wide forefoot with regular/narrow heel, which is just like my foot. It is a difficult kind of foot to buy for, since wide-width shoes usually have wider heels, too.

You're correct, she asked about athletic shoes, and has gotten some good responses (I recommended New Balance, as have others). Presumably she wears other kinds of shoes now and then, too, just as I do

This has been a very good thread; I thank OP for having started it.

Yes, good thread. The last is key. That's why I was so perplexed when a pair of NB SL-2 last shoes didn't fit me. That's the first time in 25 years I've had that problem. It even had the same model number, just a different version.

I have no idea what happened at NB to cause this problem. Perhaps the different material conformed differently, or they had issues at the factory where someone changed something on the last. My favorite NB shoes have moved manufacture from the US to various foreign factories. It seems to matter.

Here's a nice official chart from NB's UK site that shows how their lasts fit. Like you, Amethyst, I need the narrow heel and wide and thick forefront. For NB, that's the SL-2.
https://www.newbalance.co.uk/shoe-last-chart.html

 

[harllee]

OP here, thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I am just going to have to go the the running shoe store and start trying on pairs, but I hate to go to the store. One problem is that the shoe feels good in the store but not so good after I wear it several hours. New Balance has been mentioned several times. I need to try them on again. I have had NB in the past but I did not like them nearly as good as my Asics Cadence. The Asics had a Gel cushioning which I really liked.

 

[RunningBum]

Take a look at Altras. I mentioned them in the comfortable shoe thread. They have a unique forefoot shape I find works well for me. I've run 100 miles on rail trails twice in the Altra Olympus. They don't have gel cushioning but they are well cushioned.

 

[poorcarver]

Bespoke shoes as well as the nearly so (think Hong Kong tailor for shoes) are expensive, but if maintained they will out live you. I have never indulged in bespoke athletic shoes but they do make "outdoor type" shoes as well. From a frugal living standpoint, for those who needed proper dress, my two pair of bespoke shoes are nearly 35 years old and have a lot of mileage still in them. The real point is that they fit you, exactly.

 

[splitwdw]

OP here, thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I am just going to have to go the the running shoe store and start trying on pairs, but I hate to go to the store. One problem is that the shoe feels good in the store but not so good after I wear it several hours. New Balance has been mentioned several times. I need to try them on again. I have had NB in the past but I did not like them nearly as good as my Asics Cadence. The Asics had a Gel cushioning which I really liked.

REI will let you return shoes (sneakers) up to one year if you are not satisfied. Now I've never worn the shoes/boots for too long (weeks/months) before I've returned them. I did wear a pair of boots on a hike that were comfortable until I'd been hiking for several hours. When I wear shoes/boots for a long hike I take backups in case the new boots don't work out. https://www.rei.com/c/womens-runnin...ning-shoes&r=c;footwear-width:Wide&origin=web

Do you really wear a wide or extra wide shoe? I do not but like a rounded toe box over one that has a slight taper, more room in the toe box.

Joewras, Sometimes it's not the shoe, it's the person's foot. Our feet do change over time.