extra large walking shoes – Walking Academy

When I was a teenager working in a local sport shop I remember being fascinated at the huge size 14 rugby and cricket boots. My own feet are fairly large, at size 11, and so I thought I'd check to see which brands make shoes that are available for hikers that need extra large sizes. List of brands that make larger shoes The following are brands that make hiking shoes for men's size 14 and above: AltbergBerghausColumbiaHi-TecJack WolfskinKeenLowaMeindlMerrellScarpaZamberlan Altberg Altberg is a company based in Richmond, Yorkshire, making hiking boots, leisure shoes, motorcycle boots and more. They also sell footbeds (cushioned insoles), gaiters and socks. Their men's range varies from size 7 to 14, whilst their ladies range varies from size 3 to 9. They also offer half sizes and different width fittings. Berghaus Berghaus is an outdoor clothing and footwear company based in Sunderland, founded in 1966 by two mountaineering friends, Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison. They supply a huge range of clothing for outdoor enthusiasts, including footwear. Their men's range varies from size 7 to 14, whilst their ladies range varies from size 4 to 8. They also offer half sizes. Check out the Berghaus Hillmaster II GoreTex Walking Boots on Amazon Columbia Columbia Sportswear is an outdoor clothing and footwear company from Portland in Oregon, founded in 1937. As well as supplying outdoor clothing they also sell more streetwear apparel. Their men's range varies from size 6 to 15, whilst their ladies range varies from size 3 to 9. They also offer half sizes. Check out the Columbia Peakfreak X2 at Cotswold Outdoor Hi-Tec Hi-Tec is a well known general sportswear company established in 1974 in Shoeburyness in Essex. When I was working in Sportique we would sell hundreds of pairs of Hi-Tec shoes every year, especially the Squash shoe and Silver Shadow trainer. Their men's range varies from size 6 to 16 and the ladies range varies from size 3 to 9. Half sizes are available. Take a look at the Hi-Tec Banderra High Rise Walking Boots on Amazon. Jack Wolfskin Jack Wolfskin is a relatively young company, formed in 1981 in Idstein, Germany. They are a major player in the German outdoor leisure market, supplying clothing, shoes, and equipment to hikers and mountaineers. But they are also pretty strong in the fashion market too. Jack Wolfskin supply men's shoes from size 6 all the way to size 15. Ladies shoes come in sizes 3 to 9, and they make half sizes in both. See the latest reviews of the Jack Wolfskin Vojo Hike 2 Texapore High Rise Shoes on Amazon. Keen Keen is a young American footwear company, founded in 2003. Concentrating on footwear only enables Keen shoes to be highly regarded amongst hikers. Men's shoes made by Keen come in sizes 6 to a whopping 16, with ladies shoes coming in sizes 2 and a half (the smallest in this sample) to 9. Half sizes are available in both men's and ladies. Take a look at the Keen Mens Targhee III Waterproof Shoe at Cotswold Outdoor Lowa Lowa have been making boots since 1923, and are particularly loved by climbers and mountaineers, as well as hikers. Hill walkers will love the quality and ruggedness of Lowa boots. Lowa make men's shoes in sizes 7 to 15, and ladies in 3 to 9, with half sizes available in both. Take a look at the Lowa Men's Renegade GTX Mid High Rise Hiking Boots on Amazon. Meindl If you are looking for a company with history, then Meindl, dating back to 17th century Germany, and with it's 9th generation of family, is the company for you. Strongly regarded in both mountaineering and hiking circles. Meindl make the biggest men's shoes we could find, ranging from 6 to 17. Their ladies range goes from size 3 to size 10. Like all good shoe companies, half sizes are available. Check out the Meindl Bhutan MFS Men's Hiking Boots on Amazon. Merrell Hikers and trail runners swear by Merrell. It's Moab 2 is one of teh most popular shoes on the market. Founded in 1981 by friends Clark Matis, Randy Merrell, and John Schweizer, the company is based in Rockford, Michigan. Merrell make men's shoes in sizes 6 to 14, and ladies shoes in sizes 3 to 9, with half sizes available to both men and ladies. The Merrell Moab 2 GTX Shoe is one of the most popular walking shoes - click here to explore on Cotswold Outdoor Scarpa Scarpa is an Italian company formed by Lord Rupert Edward Cecil Lee Guinness, and is renowned for making hiking and climbing shoes as well as leisure shoes. Scarpa make European sizes - men's in size 40 (UK 7) to 48 (UK 14); ladies in size 36 (UK 3) to size 42 (UK 8). Being European sizes half sizes are not made. Go to Cotswold Outdoor to see more about the Scarpa Men's Highball Zamberlan Another Italian company, with over 90 years of history behind them. Originally making mountaineering boots, they also now make climbing, hiking and leisure shoes. Zamberlan is also a company that makes in European sizes - men's in size 40 (UK 7) to 50 (UK 15) and ladies in size 36 (UK 3) to 43 (UK 9). Again half sizes are not applicable. The Zamberlan Men's 996 Vioz Goretex Walking Boot is a top quality hiking boot - check it out on Amazon. Conclusion - which brands make extra large hiking shoes As you can see, we have found 11 companies that cater for extra large hiking shoes. Whilst it is always good to try shoes and boots on before you buy, you may find it hard to find shops that stock these sizes. This is one situation where I would really recommend ordering shoes and boots online - try a few pairs and return the ones that don;t suit your own requirements.