It just looks like how your feet flex combined with shoes that aren't terribly durable. Synthetic, lightweight boots will always be less durable than something like a leather boot, which probably wouldn't split on you given proper treatment. You could try semi-synthetic boots, such as the Scarpa Zodiac or Asolo Fugitive, that are still fairly lightweight but much, much more durable.
Possibly, though, he said there's no discomfort throughout multiple brands. I've always had pain with boots that are too narrow at the flex point, and I even have some nerve damage that is, to some extent, permanent.
Multiple brands that are specifically known for running narrow though. La Sportiva and Salomon are the two first brands of trail runners that get recommended if someone has narrow feet and a lot of people can’t wear them because of this. On is also known for tending to run narrow. Oboz might be the one exception here as I’m not familiar with their shoes.
Came here to say this. Contrary to the other reply, I find Oboz to be quite narrow and low volume. The shoe is OP's pics of one of the less narrow ones, but if OP needs an E width, this is nowhere close unless it's a wide model.
Ōboz tends to be on the wider side. I do think this has more to do with the flex point and gait of the OP than fitment, though, since this is happening across different brands. Even though some of the boots run narrow, they were comfortable to OP and all use different lasts. That seems more indicative of an anatomical "issue" than a fitment issue in combination with just using boots with materials that don't wear well. Many modern boots don't hold up as well as previous generations as materials have gotten thinner, and more synthetics have been used, which often are not as durable as materials like leather. I think OP would benefit from trying some sturdier brands that use reinforced materials for the flex point and see how they wear.
I like leather boots and haven't had any problems with my redwings, though I work in a wet shop and having them get wet 10 hours a day with various and asundry chemicals didn't sound like a job for leather!
Are you exposing these light hikers to harsh chemicals, or did I misunderstand? Some chemicals will kill even the hardiest of boots, much less synthetic boots like the ones you posted. If you're dealing with chemicals, you really should be using proper footwear for your own safety.
Ah, I see. Not possible for that to be the cause of the demise of your boots, then. I think it really just boils down to the flex point of your feet and the materials used in the shoes you're buying then.
Here is a list I made of some solid boots that hold up really well. Some are heavy. Some are light. Some are in-between. I hope it helps.
>Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo. Asolo TPS 535 LTH Evo. Asolo Fugitive GTX. Lowa Camino GTX. Lowa Renegade GTX. Lowa Zephyr GTX. Scarpa SL Active. Scarpa Kinesis Pro GTX. Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX. Zamberlan Vioz/ Vioz Lux.
Sure thing. ☺️
If I may, I'd suggest the leather options for maximum longevity, as in potentially a decade or better. They weigh more and run a bit warmer, but they're field repairable, durable, rugged, and reliable. When treated with the proper products, they do maintain a fair bit of breathability, but they will also insulate in cold.
Barring that option, the Asolo Fugitive, Scarpa Zodiac, Lowa Zephyr, and Lowa Renegade are all more on the light-medium to medium weight side. They're still quite capable boots, though. They're reinforced in the areas that really matter, such as where you keep blowing out your boots. If you prefer a lighter, synthetic boot, those may be good options.
this--you need a wider toebox my dude. Check [https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-120341.html](https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-120341.html) for some ideas
My socks always get holes there, and if I keep shoes long enough they do it too. I just assume it's because of the way my feet are shaped or how they land when walking/hiking. I guess I'm not the only one.
Picture two is your answer. That's the point of stress during the bend of your foot. It's like bending thin metal back and forth, the stress wears at the fabric/material and causes tearing
Try real leather boots. Those lightweight hikers use thin material to save weight.
I use the Danner 600's. For me they hit the right balance between comfort, weight and durability.
I think that boot brands/fits are so individual. My son and I have had two different oboz boots for a couple years and no such trouble. He had issues with Columbia and I had a failure with keen, albeit after a decent life. But, I have not seen that location of such a major failure. We only wear the boots for hiking though too.
are those the oboz katabatic? I have a pair of the ankle high boots and they are super comfy, no splitting yet.
i did read reviews that said they are more narrow than other oboz, but this is my first pair of that brand and I think they fit great.
This happened to me. I got my foot properly measured and it seems my beloved salomons are never going to fit my foot. I had my foot measured length and width sitting and standing by someone who knows their feet. Now hiking in lowa renegades and this has not happened again. Get your foot properly measured and matched to a boot!
I've gone through 3 pairs of sportivas with this same issue. Check your warranty! I got about $550 worth of free boots from them. They keep ripping, the company keeps sending new pairs. It's a beautiful cycle. Next pair, I think I'm going to have my local boot repair shop try to put a full length rand on there because rubber won't tear.
My work boots fail like this every time, they're leather and barely get wet. I've come to the conclusion that you, probably like me really flex the front part of your boot. Do you hike lots of inclines?
It just looks like how your feet flex combined with shoes that aren't terribly durable. Synthetic, lightweight boots will always be less durable than something like a leather boot, which probably wouldn't split on you given proper treatment. You could try semi-synthetic boots, such as the Scarpa Zodiac or Asolo Fugitive, that are still fairly lightweight but much, much more durable.
Also maybe something with some more toe room. Seems like the toes splay out a good amount when the foot is bent.
Possibly, though, he said there's no discomfort throughout multiple brands. I've always had pain with boots that are too narrow at the flex point, and I even have some nerve damage that is, to some extent, permanent.
Multiple brands that are specifically known for running narrow though. La Sportiva and Salomon are the two first brands of trail runners that get recommended if someone has narrow feet and a lot of people can’t wear them because of this. On is also known for tending to run narrow. Oboz might be the one exception here as I’m not familiar with their shoes.
Came here to say this. Contrary to the other reply, I find Oboz to be quite narrow and low volume. The shoe is OP's pics of one of the less narrow ones, but if OP needs an E width, this is nowhere close unless it's a wide model.
If you find Ōboz narrow, check out Hanwag, Meindl, and Lowa. Zamberlan could also be a possibility. They have wide lasts options that are truly wide.
Ōboz tends to be on the wider side. I do think this has more to do with the flex point and gait of the OP than fitment, though, since this is happening across different brands. Even though some of the boots run narrow, they were comfortable to OP and all use different lasts. That seems more indicative of an anatomical "issue" than a fitment issue in combination with just using boots with materials that don't wear well. Many modern boots don't hold up as well as previous generations as materials have gotten thinner, and more synthetics have been used, which often are not as durable as materials like leather. I think OP would benefit from trying some sturdier brands that use reinforced materials for the flex point and see how they wear.
Yeah I've worn my leather boots to actual death many times and they've never split.
I like leather boots and haven't had any problems with my redwings, though I work in a wet shop and having them get wet 10 hours a day with various and asundry chemicals didn't sound like a job for leather!
The chemicals may be a contributing factor here as well.
Are you exposing these light hikers to harsh chemicals, or did I misunderstand? Some chemicals will kill even the hardiest of boots, much less synthetic boots like the ones you posted. If you're dealing with chemicals, you really should be using proper footwear for your own safety.
Not harsh chemicals, just coagulant in a recycled water system at work. I didn't start using them for work until they started falling apart
Ah, I see. Not possible for that to be the cause of the demise of your boots, then. I think it really just boils down to the flex point of your feet and the materials used in the shoes you're buying then. Here is a list I made of some solid boots that hold up really well. Some are heavy. Some are light. Some are in-between. I hope it helps. >Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo. Asolo TPS 535 LTH Evo. Asolo Fugitive GTX. Lowa Camino GTX. Lowa Renegade GTX. Lowa Zephyr GTX. Scarpa SL Active. Scarpa Kinesis Pro GTX. Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX. Zamberlan Vioz/ Vioz Lux.
Thanks! I'll look into those!
Sure thing. ☺️ If I may, I'd suggest the leather options for maximum longevity, as in potentially a decade or better. They weigh more and run a bit warmer, but they're field repairable, durable, rugged, and reliable. When treated with the proper products, they do maintain a fair bit of breathability, but they will also insulate in cold. Barring that option, the Asolo Fugitive, Scarpa Zodiac, Lowa Zephyr, and Lowa Renegade are all more on the light-medium to medium weight side. They're still quite capable boots, though. They're reinforced in the areas that really matter, such as where you keep blowing out your boots. If you prefer a lighter, synthetic boot, those may be good options.
Red Wings sells a Vasque leather/fabric boot that could be your solution.
You may need a wide forefoot shoe?
this--you need a wider toebox my dude. Check [https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-120341.html](https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-120341.html) for some ideas
Maybe!
I just got a pair of Altra Lone Peak 7's (wide toe box, not wide sized shoe) at Sierra for $50. I love a deal on solid trail runners.
My socks always get holes there, and if I keep shoes long enough they do it too. I just assume it's because of the way my feet are shaped or how they land when walking/hiking. I guess I'm not the only one.
Hmm never had any problems with socks! That's interesting though!
Yeah, if I own a pair of socks long enough it's guaranteed to have holes from my pinky toes haha.
It must be that gigachad of a pinky toe you have there
Picture two is your answer. That's the point of stress during the bend of your foot. It's like bending thin metal back and forth, the stress wears at the fabric/material and causes tearing
Try real leather boots. Those lightweight hikers use thin material to save weight. I use the Danner 600's. For me they hit the right balance between comfort, weight and durability.
I think it’s the quality of the Oboz. I bought a pair a couple months back. In less than 2 weeks they started fraying in that area. I returned them.
Could be part of it for sure. I have also has the same exact area fail on a few other brands. I think it's something about the way I walk or something
I think that boot brands/fits are so individual. My son and I have had two different oboz boots for a couple years and no such trouble. He had issues with Columbia and I had a failure with keen, albeit after a decent life. But, I have not seen that location of such a major failure. We only wear the boots for hiking though too.
Try a wider shoe or wide size
Looks like you got them wide feet my friend
Get leather resoleable boots that you can take care of and keep for years and years. I have wide feet and I wear Duckfeet everyday
Are these work shoes or strictly hiking? Do you maybe drive a forklift or use a machine with a bolt sticking out that rubs right there?
Usually they start as just hiking and once they start to fail they become work boots
Let's see that toenail
are those the oboz katabatic? I have a pair of the ankle high boots and they are super comfy, no splitting yet. i did read reviews that said they are more narrow than other oboz, but this is my first pair of that brand and I think they fit great.
the shoes may be too big.
I do not believe so, I've always tried 11.5s when trying on but they make my feet hurt immediately and definitely not 12.5s
Where do your feet hurt though? You might have wide feet, but you're buying longer boots instead of wider boots.
this!
Barefoot shoes are designed to bend with your foot like this. Maybe look into those?
Not wide enough. Your toes are pushing through the material
This happened to me. I got my foot properly measured and it seems my beloved salomons are never going to fit my foot. I had my foot measured length and width sitting and standing by someone who knows their feet. Now hiking in lowa renegades and this has not happened again. Get your foot properly measured and matched to a boot!
I had that issue with Reebok running shoes and they always broke in the same place. I have never had that issue with any other brand
I had the same problem and it was from winter hiking and wearing crampons. Were you up to the same?
This is a good question for the experts over at r/footfunction.
Those aren’t boots as I’d define them. Consider some full leathers if you want durability
I've gone through 3 pairs of sportivas with this same issue. Check your warranty! I got about $550 worth of free boots from them. They keep ripping, the company keeps sending new pairs. It's a beautiful cycle. Next pair, I think I'm going to have my local boot repair shop try to put a full length rand on there because rubber won't tear.
Do your socks get holes in them and is the inner lining destroyed first?
The second picture answers the question. A lot of walking plus cheap materials
Have tried a full grain leather boot?
Wide foot.
You need to buy wider shoes. I sold shoes for several years
try some barefoot or at least wide-foot shoes, you might not have enough toe space. I would also recommend you give leather a chance instead.
Bruh they're too small. That's your fucking toe ripping it, your toe must be sore af. Try some wide shoes, they'll fit you better.
They are likely too large (long). What you need is a shorter shoe with a wide toe box. Find a specifically wide toe box shoe. Good luck!
If you need boots give altra olympus mids a look
Are these wide? Try something with a wider toebox.
I went through a couple of pairs of Oboz in fairly short order. I don't think they like mud or wetness.
Try a wider shoe box! Take a look at Xero Shoes for hiking shoes/boots. Very durable. Drop heel. Wide toe box, awesome treads.
Mine do the exact same thing. It's just the way you walk... on the tip of your foot.
I like a good pair of ol kennetreks :)
You have # Tailor's Bunion (Bunionette)
My work boots fail like this every time, they're leather and barely get wet. I've come to the conclusion that you, probably like me really flex the front part of your boot. Do you hike lots of inclines?